Celebrate Christmas in the historic downtown Murfreesboro December 6th from 5:00-8:00 PM.

The Main Street Murfreesboro Celebrate Christmas event occurs from 5:00 to 8:00 PM around the Historic Rutherford County Courthouse in the Murfreesboro Public Square. Starting at 5:00 PM, the Tree Lighting Sponsors will provide free crafts and games for children. These activities include free hot cocoa, cookie decorating, face painting, making reindeer food, games, and scavenger hunts.  

Activities will continue throughout the night until 8:00 PM.  

Starting at 6:00 PM, performances from community schools and organizations will be on stage for your entertainment. All brought to you in the Christmas Spirit, this program will last approximately 45 minutes to one hour. Standing room only occurs downtown around the stage, but the square streets are closed down to allow for safety and the large crowd to spread out onto the street. A large screen is attached to the stage to allow for viewing from further away.

The show begins at 6:00 PM, with Emcee Kara Kemp and Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr welcoming attendees! 

The Center for the Arts will then perform a few acts from their "White Christmas" production, playing for a limited time in December.  

Watch out for our own "Elf-Dar," who tells us by "RADAR" where Santa and his sled are on their route to visit downtown Murfreesboro for the tree lighting. We will get updates between acts from our Elf-Dar, informing kids on how close Santa is to coming on stage!

Next in our entertainment line-up is a special City/County School Choir that performs on stage together. The schools that make up this choir for 2024 include (County) Plainview Elementary, Stewarts Creek Elementary, and (City) Black Fox Elementary, Siegel Elementary. This unique choir is led by volunteer choir directors Stacy Ray and Amy Swanson.  

Our Emcee, Kara Kemp, will lead the community in singing all your favorite carols in between acts, including "Jingle Bells," "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."

Oakland Middle School Show Choir will bring their Holiday Dancers on stage led by teacher and instructor Jacque Spintzykf.  Little ones will enjoy the magical dancing and singing!

At this point in the evening, the Elf-Dar will show everyone that Santa is right over the roof of the courthouse!!  Special Elf guests will bring Santa himself to the stage to welcome everyone and read a short story to the kids.  

Everyone wants to know when the big man will show up and turn on the tree lights.  

Well, this occurs at the end, usually between 6:45 and 7:00 PM.  Don't miss it. Come early and be ready to see Santa walk out on stage. He will read a story to the children and then turn the lights on while everyone sings "Silent Night" together!

IT IS MAGICAL!

Over 10 choir groups will be set up around downtown's public square singing throughout the night as you walk around and shop, dine, and enjoy the tree lighting activities.

Live Reindeer will be waiting for Santa's arrival on the grass area across from the courthouse at the corner of East Main Street and North Church Street.

To finish the evening, City Parks and Rec will partner with Main Street Murfreesboro to present "The Christmas Carol," starring Jim Carrey on our big screen.

Bring your chairs or blankets and snuggle up with your date to watch the movie over our stage in front of the courthouse!

Once again, you will have the opportunity to take a horse and buggy ride around the historic downtown area from 5:00-8:00 PM.  Carriage rides cost $20 to fill a carriage.  Rides take around ten minutes. Children can sit in laps to squeeze more people in!

Carriage rides will be available in the parking lot of the old Bank of America building, which is on the corner of East Main Street and South Spring Street. Cash or cards are accepted.  

Starting at 7:00 PM, you can get in line to get your photo of Santa inside the historic Rutherford County Courthouse FOR FREE!  

Volunteers from Read to Succeed will entertain little ones with story time as they wait in line to tell Santa what they want this Christmas season.  

If you don't want to wait in line come back the following three Saturdays from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the Rutherford County Courthouse.  Santa will be available to visit with your little ones and take free photos (selfies only).  Main Street Murfreesboro volunteers will be available to help!  The Rutherford County Historic Courthouse Museum will be available for touring during those times.

Don't forget to stay and shop on those Saturdays while you are downtown.  We have over 20 unique stores and more restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops to visit on Saturday!

Locally owned boutique stores and restaurants will be open downtown for you to visit and start that holiday shopping! So, come early and shop, eat dinner, and enjoy the Christmas Tree lighting event. 

Bring your friends, family, or that first date and make some memories downtown on December 6.  

Parking is available and accessible at either the two parking garages at City Hall off Vine and Church Street entering the downtown, or at the Judicial Building Parking Garage off Walnut or Maple Streets.  Both garages are accessible and within walking distance of the Historic Rutherford County Courthouse.  Streets will be closed starting at 5:00 PM for safety around the public square.