Christmas at the Grand Ole Opry
In This Guide:
Find details about the 2024 Opry Country Christmas Show.
Read my experience from this can’t-miss tradition.
Find tips to make your Nashville trip unforgettable.
Visiting the Opry
While the show has been around for 99 years, it’s still a must-see destination for travelers and local alike. Week after week, in a back-to-basics setting, artists step into the famed circle, offering inspiring and much-needed entertainment.
With the year winding down, the show notably features holiday music during the Opry Country Christmas broadcast with ten big shows. Strings of lights greeted fans as they made their way to the Grand Ole Opry House, situated between Opry Mills Mall and the Gaylord Resort. Of course, a stop to the Opry Shop is always recommended for adding to your music collection, picking up a book, a treat from the Opry wardrobe collection, and grabbing a souvenir or two. Expanded in 2018, the shop also houses memorabilia displays, and archival Opry footage plays on screens throughout the store.
The Lineup
The special charm of the Opry is that no show is the same! Every lineup features a mix of superstars, up-and-coming acts, and beloved favorites. Each act will perform a few songs and then the next act appears on stage, keeping the live show flowing with a guest host to emcee the evening. The Opry is known to spotlight comedy and square dancing acts, too!
Sunday, December 1
Jon Pardi, Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, Charlie McCoy, Riders in the Sky, and more.
Monday, December 2
Lorrie Morgan, Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, Kathy Mattea, Charlie McCoy, Riders in the Sky, and more.
Wednesday, December 4
Oak Ridge Boys, The Gatlin Brothers, Charlie McCoy, Maggie Rose, Riders in the Sky, and more.
Sunday, December 8
Mandy Barnett, Priscilla Block, The Gatlin Brothers, Charlie McCoy, Chris Young, and more.
Wednesday, December 11
Chris Janson, Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, Chapel Hart, Charlie McCoy, Riders in the Sky, and more.
Sunday, December 15
Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, The Isaacs, Charlie McCoy, Riders in the Sky, and more.
Monday, December 16
Trace Adkins, Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, Mickey Guyton, Charlie McCoy, Drake Milligan, Riders in the Sky, and more.
Sunday, December 22
Mandy Barnett, John Berry, Steven Curtis Chapman, The Gatlin Brothers, Charlie McCoy, Riders in the Sky, and more.
Monday, December 23
Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, Charlie McCoy, Riders in the Sky, and more.
*All dates and artists subject to change. Please refer to the Opry’s official schedule here.
The Curtain Rises
Words can’t capture the magic that permeates the building - but keep reading for my trip to see some of country music’s biggest stars perform at the Opry. Plus, I share my tips for planning your visit to the Opry.
Jeannie Seely
A prominent figure of the Opry for decades, Jeannie Seely opened the show with holiday tunes that prompted plenty of crowd participation. Interspersing songs with her comical stories is always a welcomed treat. A class act with a legendary career!
Kathy Mattea
A personal highlight of the show was watching Grammy winner Kathy Mattea perform. Her inviting personality and natural storytelling capabilities make her captivating. In 1993, she recorded Good News, a collection of holiday music. During the evening's performance, she performed two songs on that record, "Mary, Did You Know," and "Christ Child's Lullabye," a stunning Scottish selection. If there was ever a musician who deserved Opry membership, Kathy fits the bill, and I’m hopeful that she’ll receive that honor sometime soon. Timeless songs like "Love at the Five & Dime" and the crowd singalong to "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses" prove why she earned a nomination for the CMA Entertainer of the Year in 1990 – a feat only two other solo females achieved that decade. As she exited the stage, many crowd members applauded her with a standing ovation.
Riders in the Sky
The cowboy way of life is embedded into the musical stylings of the Grammy-nominated Riders in the Sky. They have spent 40 years as members of the Grand Ole Opry and constantly offer an entertaining set. A mashup of familiar Christmas songs with an added dash of humor won over the crowd.
Kelsea Ballerini
Grand Ole Goddess Kelsea Ballerini emptied the bottle and filled our hearts. Her single, “Hole in the Bottle,” is a welcomed bout of fun – check out her remix with Shania Twain, too! Kelsea is one of the Opry’s newest members and has done a fantastic job of regularly appearing at the famed stage. She kicked off her three-song set with the coy and playful “Santa Baby.” Her intimate rendition of “homecoming queen” complemented the acoustic setting, as she played her guitar.
Lauren Alaina
Lauren Alaina’s soulful rendition of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” demonstrated a vocal power that towers above most. The music, her stunning black dress, and her stage presence all had inklings of the Nashville Sound Era, especially when she channeled Brenda Lee during “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
Lady A
They’ve amassed almost every industry accolade, and their albums have spent an astounding 47 weeks atop the sales chart, but there’s something about Lady A that remains so down-to-earth. Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” heralded their five-song closing set, allowing for a lively start. The pinnacle was an emotional take on “The First Noel,” with Hillary Scott emerging as lead vocalist. The three musicians talked about how they all now have children, and the holidays have since taken on a renewed meaning before introducing “Christmas Through Your Eyes.” Between all of the holiday goodness, they played their single, “Champagne Night,” and it was certainly an evening worth toasting to!
Plan Your Visit
The Opry Country Christmas Show is scheduled for select dates in December 2024. Tickets are available online here. Schedule and lineups are subject to change.
Upgrade to the VIP Parking Lot for secure and quick parking. You’ll have an easy walk (Bonus: You’re covered from inclement weather!) that is wheelchair accessible to and from the Grand Ole Opry House. Purchase online or at the gate.