Christmas Tree Lightings and Parades 2026 in Rutherford County: Every Date

Rutherford County's 2026 Christmas tree lightings and parades run from Smyrna's tree lighting on Nov. 24 to the Murfreesboro Christmas Parade on Dec. 13, with stops in Eagleville, on the Murfreesboro Square and in La Vergne. Here is every date, time and place.

Rutherford County's Christmas season of tree lightings and parades runs from Tuesday, Nov. 24, to Sunday, Dec. 13, 2026. Smyrna lights its tree first, on Nov. 24, followed by Eagleville on Nov. 29 and the Rutherford County tree on the Murfreesboro Square on Dec. 4. The parades follow: La Vergne on Dec. 5, Smyrna on Dec. 6, Eagleville on Dec. 12 and Murfreesboro on Dec. 13. Here is every date, time and place the towns and organizers have posted so far.

2026 Christmas tree lightings and parades by date

• Tuesday, Nov. 24, 6-8 p.m.: Smyrna Christmas Tree Lighting, Smyrna Train Depot in the Depot District
• Sunday, Nov. 29, 4:30 p.m.: Eagleville Ornament Ceremony and Tree Lighting, location not yet posted by the city
• Friday, Dec. 4, from 6 p.m.: Rutherford County Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square, Historic Rutherford County Courthouse, Murfreesboro
• Saturday, Dec. 5, 3 p.m. or 5 p.m.: La Vergne Spirit of Christmas Parade and tree lighting, City Hall to Veterans Memorial Park (the city's pages list different times)
• Sunday, Dec. 6, 2 p.m.: Smyrna Christmas Parade, Lowry Street, downtown Smyrna
• Saturday, Dec. 12, 5 p.m.: Eagleville Christmas Parade, route not yet posted by the city
• Sunday, Dec. 13, 2 p.m.: Murfreesboro Christmas Parade, Main Street from Middle Tennessee Boulevard to Walnut Street

When is the Smyrna Christmas tree lighting?

The Town of Smyrna's annual Christmas Tree Lighting is Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Smyrna Train Depot. It is free to attend. The town promises music, treats, festive performances and the moment the town's tree lights up. Its event page also lists:

• An all-kids sing-along with staff from the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center
• Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, provided by Smyrna's fire and police departments

The town says details can change and posts weather and schedule updates on its social media.

When is the Smyrna Christmas Parade?

Smyrna's parade is Sunday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m. on Lowry Street in downtown Smyrna. The town describes floats, bands, performers and community groups, and the 2026 theme is "A Star-Spangled Christmas: Celebrating America's 250th." Groups can enter for free; the registration deadline is Friday, Nov. 20, and no entries are accepted after that or on parade day. Packet pickup is Nov. 23, 24 or 30. Rules and entry details are in OnlyInMurfreesboro's Smyrna Christmas Parade 2026 story.

When is the Eagleville tree lighting and Christmas parade?

The City of Eagleville's 2026 Christmas theme is "Stars, Stripes Christmas Lights," which the city says honors both the holiday season and the nation's semiquincentennial.

• Ornament Ceremony and Tree Lighting: Sunday, Nov. 29, at 4:30 p.m. The city holds it every year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
• Christmas Parade: Saturday, Dec. 12, at 5 p.m. The parade is held on the second Saturday of December, and the city notes that times may vary. Every parade entrant must submit an application.

The city's events page does not list a location for the tree lighting or a parade route. Eagleville City Hall, 108 S. Main St., can be reached at 615-274-2922. The Eagleville guide has more about the town, and Lucky Ladd Farms' Holly Jolly Festival of Lights runs in Eagleville on select nights from Nov. 27 through Dec. 23.

When is the Christmas tree lighting on the Murfreesboro Square?

The Rutherford County Christmas tree on the Public Square is lit Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, at Main Street Murfreesboro's Celebrate Christmas Downtown, presented by Middle Tennessee Electric. It is held on the first Friday night of December around the Historic Rutherford County Courthouse.

• 6 p.m.: free children's activities and carriage rides
• 6:30 p.m.: an hour-long stage program with choir music, dancing and acting, ending with Santa lighting the tree
• 7:30-8:30 p.m.: free photos with Santa inside the courthouse, with activities and entertainment continuing outside

Main Street also lists caroling and a live nativity. Parking on the Square closes at 4 p.m.; Main Street points visitors to the Civic Plaza and County Judicial parking garages. More in the Christmas on the Square guide.

When is the La Vergne Christmas parade and tree lighting?

La Vergne's Spirit of Christmas Parade is Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026. It starts at City Hall and ends at Veterans Memorial Park, where the tree lighting ceremony and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus follow. The theme is "The Season of Giving," and the grand marshal is Reynaldo Collazo, a U.S. Army veteran and longtime La Vergne resident who serves on the city's Christmas Committee.

The start time is not settled on the city's own website. The parade page says 3 p.m., while the City of La Vergne calendar lists the Parade of Lights from 5 to 6 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. Spectators should confirm with La Vergne Parks and Recreation at 615-793-3224 before heading out.

The city awards first-, second- and third-place trophies for the best-decorated entries. It also says its free snow rink will be back this winter, with the schedule still to come. See the La Vergne guide for more.

When is the Murfreesboro Christmas Parade?

The Murfreesboro Christmas Parade is Sunday, Dec. 13, 2026, at 2 p.m., with the theme "A Country Christmas." Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation holds it on the second Sunday of December. The route begins at Middle Tennessee Boulevard and Main Street and ends on Walnut Street, one block past the Public Square.

The city's Oct. 5 announcement lists an entry deadline of Friday, Dec. 4, while the online entry forms show Dec. 7, so groups should plan on the earlier date. The full rundown of entry types, awards and parking is in the Murfreesboro Christmas Parade 2026 story and the year-round Murfreesboro Christmas parade guide.

Are there other tree lightings in Murfreesboro?

The Avenue Murfreesboro's events page did not list a 2026 tree lighting when OnlyInMurfreesboro checked on Oct. 21. This list will be updated if more Rutherford County tree lightings are announced.

For the rest of the season, see OnlyInMurfreesboro's Christmas events guide, the Christmas lights guide, where to see Santa and things to do in Murfreesboro in December.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Christmas tree lighting in Murfreesboro in 2026?

The Rutherford County Christmas tree on the Murfreesboro Public Square is lit Friday, Dec. 4, 2026. Activities start at 6 p.m., and the stage program with Santa lighting the tree begins at 6:30 p.m.

When is the Smyrna Christmas tree lighting?

Smyrna's Christmas Tree Lighting is Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Smyrna Train Depot. It is free.

What time is the La Vergne Christmas parade?

The City of La Vergne's parade page lists 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, while the city calendar lists 5 p.m. Call La Vergne Parks and Recreation at 615-793-3224 to confirm.

When is the Eagleville Christmas parade?

The Eagleville Christmas Parade is Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, at 5 p.m. The town's Ornament Ceremony and Tree Lighting is Sunday, Nov. 29, at 4:30 p.m.

Which Christmas parade is first in Rutherford County?

La Vergne's Spirit of Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 5, is first, followed by Smyrna on Dec. 6, Eagleville on Dec. 12 and Murfreesboro on Dec. 13.

What are the 2026 Christmas parade themes?

Murfreesboro's theme is "A Country Christmas," Smyrna's is "A Star-Spangled Christmas: Celebrating America's 250th," La Vergne's is "The Season of Giving," and Eagleville's is "Stars, Stripes Christmas Lights."

Sources: Town of Smyrna: Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Town of Smyrna: Annual Events, Town of Smyrna: Smyrna Christmas Parade, Town of Smyrna: 2026 Christmas Parade application, City of Eagleville community events, Main Street Murfreesboro: Celebrate Christmas Downtown, City of La Vergne: Spirit of Christmas Parade, City of La Vergne calendar: Parade of Lights, City of Murfreesboro news flash: Christmas Parade entries, City of Murfreesboro calendar: Murfreesboro Christmas Parade, City of Murfreesboro: 2026 Murfreesboro Christmas Parade registration, The Avenue Murfreesboro events.

*Illustration: AI-generated image; not an actual Murfreesboro location.*