Nashville, get the holiday outfits ready — for the dogs. Cheekwood Estate & Gardens invites four-legged family members to their very own celebration with Santa Claus at Dog Visits with Santa, on Tuesday, December 22, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Frist Learning Center courtyard.
On arrival, guests head to the Frist Learning Center courtyard to receive their timed entry for the visit with Santa. While they wait their turn, families can enjoy a variety of festive, holiday-themed activities, turning a photo with Santa into a cheerful morning out for pups and their people alike.
The special day arrives in the middle of Cheekwood’s beloved holiday season, when the historic 55-acre estate and botanical garden glows with festive decorations and the mansion and gardens welcome visitors from across Nashville and beyond. It is a joyful chance to include the dog — so often the star of the family photo — in a treasured Christmas tradition.
Dog Visits with Santa is available with Gardens Only or Gardens + Mansion access, and tickets can be reserved through Cheekwood. Plan ahead for this one-day-only celebration, because Santa’s courtyard fills up fast when Nashville’s best-dressed dogs come to call.
Photo: Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
