Oak Ridge, Tenn. (Nov. 17, 2025) – This holiday season, Oak Ridge welcomes residents and visitors alike to enjoy holiday magic in the Secret City.
With more than 10 events to celebrate the enchantment of the holiday season, there’s something for everyone – from “1 to 92.” Visit Oak Ridge this holiday season to embrace the warmth, cheer and peace that only this time of year can offer.
Grab your friends and family and experience holiday magic in Oak Ridge!
2025 Holiday Events in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Ragtime Symphony ‘Round the Christmas Tree
The Oak Ridge Civic Music Association hosts Paragon Ragtime Orchestra’s festive holiday concert, bringing the magic of 19th-century America to life with heartwarming carols, toe-tapping ragtime, and sparkling solos.
From grand ballrooms to cozy hearthsides — plus a ragtime Nutcracker and charming 1905 Christmas film with live orchestra — this joyful performance is a must-see holiday treat!
Tickets may be purchased here.
Date: Saturday, November 22
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge, 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike
Farm Holiday Market
Celebrate the holiday season with handmade crafts, gifts, and art made by local crafters!
The Farm Holiday Market takes place every Saturday, Nov. 29 – Dec. 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dates: Saturday, November 29 Saturday, December 6| Saturday, December 13 Saturday, December 20 Time: 9 am. – 1 p.m. Location: Jackson Square
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Join the City of Oak Ridge at its annual tree lighting ceremony at Bissell Park!
Dates: Friday, December 5
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: A.K. Bissell Park
Oak Ridge Playhouse: Holiday Variety Hour – and a half!
A joyful mix of music, comedy, and heartwarming moments, this festive celebration features some of your favorite Playhouse performers capturing the spirit of the season – Playhouse style.
You’re sure to love this evening overflowing with some of your favorite tunes like “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” “Snow,” “Where Are You Christmas?,” “Santa Baby,” and many, many more.
Whether you’ve been coming to the Playhouse for years or it’s your first time, this show is the perfect holiday treat for the whole family!
For general audiences. Tickets on sale now.
Dates: December 5-14
Show Times: Show times vary
Location: Oak Ridge Playhouse
Daily Holiday Ice Skating
Brighten up your holiday season with holiday ice skating presented by the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge!
This family-friendly event is open daily from December 5 to January 3, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays, located in the Oak Ridge Mall Parking Lot in front of Bank of America.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids ages 12 and under. Info about other special discounts is available here.
Dates: December 5 – January 3 Time: Times vary Location: Oak Ridge Mall Parking Lot (in front of Bank of America)
Winter Farmers Market
Celebrating 10 years! Come by the Winter Farmers Market every Saturday from Dec. 6 through March 28 at the Roane State Community College Oak Ridge Campus.
This indoor farmers market features 30+ farmers, bakers and artisans. The event features live music and kids art programs.
Dates: Every Saturday, December 6 – March 28
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location: Roane State Community College Oak Ridge Campus, 701 Briarcliff Ave.
Annual Oak Ridge Christmas Parade
Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, the annual Oak Ridge Christmas parade is back for another year!
More than 100 parade entries will be showcased, including music, faith-based, youth groups, dance, animals, and business floats.
This year’s theme is “A Country Christmas.”
The route begins at Corporate Center (corner of Lafayette and Laboratory Road) and travels west down Lafayette to Oak Ridge Turnpike, and ends at Oak Ridge High School.
Date: Saturday, December 13
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Down the Oak Ridge Turnpike
Waffles with Santa
An event for the whole family to enjoy!
Enjoy all-you-can-eat waffles with toppings and a souvenir photo with Santa! Tickets are $15 (kids ages 3 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket).
Benefits Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) of the Tennessee Heartland.
Tickets available online at www.casatnh.org.
Date: Saturday, December 13
Time: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Location: Fire & Salt, 792 Briarcliff Ave.
Christmas Concert & Sing-Along
Join the Oak Ridge Community Band for a Christmas sing-along!
This free, family-friendly event will feature seasonal music and give the audience a chance to sing along with familiar Christmas carols accompanied by the band.
Date: Sunday, December 14
Time: 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center
New Year’s Eve Countdown Party
Celebrate the start of 2026 with a FREE NYE Countdown Party sponsored by Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge!
The event will feature dynamic live performances by The Jaystorm Project and The Fairview Union, a beer garden, food trucks, and a dropping of the lighted atom and fireworks at midnight!
Bring a lawn chair and stop by this free, family-friendly event for a packed night of celebrating!
Dates: Wednesday, December 31
Time: 7 p.m. – Midnight
Location: A.K. Bissell Park
About Explore Oak Ridge
Explore Oak Ridge champions the “Secret City” of Oak Ridge, Tennessee as a scientific powerhouse and unforgettable tourist destination. With the hope of developing technology that would end World War II, the U.S. government built the city of Oak Ridge under a cloak of great secrecy. Once a Secret City, today, Oak Ridge is anything but a secret and has become a global leader in innovative science, engineering and technology. The city has five amazing museums that give a one-of-a-kind, hands-on look at how the Secret City came to be and how the city’s global impact has drastically changed the world. Oak Ridge is also one of the nation’s premier competitive rowing destinations and has played host to national and regionally ranked regattas. The glassy waters of Melton Hill Lake are perfect for fishing, boating, paddling and rowing, and offer over 30 miles of pristine shoreline. The Oak Ridge outdoors scene has become so popular that it attracts visitors from all over the southeast to hike and bike the more than 85 miles of trails and greenways in the city. Oak Ridge continues to grow with significant scientific achievements, improvements to the city such as plans for a new downtown area, continued retail development, and a wide variety of restaurants. Plan a trip to Oak Ridge so we can share our secrets with you.
