Happy Friday, Nashville. In today’s edition: Nashville’s Nutcracker, Paul McCartney photographs, a shop local holiday market, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Stitching stories across generations: Founded in 1855 on Market Street, Levy’s Clothier celebrates 170 years as the United States’ oldest family-owned men’s clothier, tracing its Nashville journey from downtown tailoring roots to Green Hills — read the full story.

Voices behind a movement: M.L.Rose has released a seven-episode audio documentary on Nashville’s craft beer history with 440 Media. Mashville spotlights homebrewers, challenges, and resilience shaping Nashville’s beer culture, now streaming on major platforms — read the full story.

A milestone worth sharing: Tennessee Driver Services Centers now feature cut-out posters for new drivers to celebrate permits or licenses, tying into THSO safety hashtags and campaigns promoting safe driving for teens — get all the details.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.

Highlights this week

• Try $6 tacos at 25+ Nashville spots
• Celebrate Howdy Holidays with Santa photos
• Slide through A Charlie Brown Christmas
• Learn hosting skills at Holston House
• Americana stars headline WMOT benefit
• See why December’s the best time to try new hearing aids
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%

🫶 We got your back

Yuletide jazz classic revived: The Ornaments rev up their Nashville holiday tradition, performing Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas for a 20th anniversary run. They hit Opry Country Christmas on Dec. 7 and Portland’s Temple Theatre Dec. 13, then cap it with six nights at Eastside Bowl Dec. 17-22, plus rotating guest soloists and a Santa cameo. See the schedule and lineup.

A wintry outing awaits: Downtown Nashville now has a “glice” rink at Nashville Yards’ Rink Under Broad, tucked under Broadway at Ascension Saint Thomas Landing. Expect synthetic ice, pickleball, and a toasty fire pit. Reserve ahead. It’s $10 on weekdays or $15 on weekends, and skate rentals are included. It previously sat atop the Grand Hyatt. See location and pricing.

A hoppy pit stop: Germantown’s Bearded Iris Brewing pours punchy Mosaic-forward IPAs, crisp lagers, and occasional fruited one-offs. Perfect after the Greenway or over a board game, the room stays lively, cashless, and easygoing… reliably Nashville without the wink.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy that targets regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify your identity and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

🎸 The Mavericks and more @ Ryman Auditorium | Friday (12/5) at 7:00pm – Two nights of The Mavericks at the Ryman means the Mother Church turns dance hall, so cancel the dinner reservation and dust off your boots. Expect big horns, Tex-Mex swing, and singalongs your knees will forgive tomorrow. Presale’s out there, code MAVS2025.

💃 Becca Hoback and more @ OZ Arts | Friday (12/5) at 8:00pm – Two of Nashville’s boldest choreographers team up for a double bill mixing film, live music, and heat. Becca Hoback with cellist Kaitlyn Raitz searches for the sacred, then shackled feet DANCE! with Rod McGaha rides Black Classical Music and improvisation. Not your niece’s recital.

This weekend

🎅 Shop Local Holiday Market @ Nashville Farmers’ Market | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – If your holiday spirit needs a nudge, skip the mall and wander Nashville Farmers’ Market for live music, local makers, and free pics with Santa. Grab crafts and cookies at the TN State Museum, find good gifts, and revel in the unicorn of free parking.

🌿 Holiday Terrarium Workshop @ The Mall at Green Hills | Saturday (12/6) at 12:30pm – Make a holiday terrarium and ornament with succulents, fairy lights, and curated trinkets at The Mall at Green Hills, which beats panic-buying another candle. After, enjoy a seasonal cocktail or mocktail, and a modern calligraphy lesson to upgrade your cards, gift tags, and penmanship.

🎭 Nashville’s Nutcracker @ Tennessee Performing Arts Center | Saturday (12/6) at 7:00pm – Nashville Ballet is spinning out Nashville’s Nutcracker with the Nashville Symphony, Emmy-winning magic, and an old-Music-City glow. It’s the hometown version that actually earns the hype, from Mouse King showdowns to Sugar Plum sparkle. Bring the kids, your inner kid, and your appetite for wonder.

🎅 Sensory Santa @ The Mall at Green Hills | Sunday (12/7) at 9:00am – The Mall at Green Hills goes quiet for once with a sensory-friendly Santa at Santa’s Flight Academy. Private photo sessions, lowered lights and music, and extra care for sensory, physical, and developmental needs mean holiday magic without the crowds, the blaring carols, or the meltdowns.

🎖️ Rock the Green Beret @ Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk | Sunday (12/7) at 11:00am – Whether you’ve still got Broadway stamina or prefer a comfy seat, this one’s worth it. Live sets from pros and veterans at Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk, plus two drinks, a buffet, and a silent auction, all benefiting the Green Beret Foundation.

🌮 A Mexico City Style Interactive Brunch Experience @ Casa Azafrán | Sunday (12/7) at 11:00am – Craving a brunch that actually earns the nap? Head to Casa Azafrán for a Mexico City style, hands-on spread with Mikey Corona and Jesse Valenciana, where you cook, sip, and eat the evidence. It is $75, tickets are limited, and proceeds support Conexión Américas.

Next week

📷 Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64 @ Frist Art Museum | Monday (12/8) at 10:00am – Skip the tribute band and go see Beatlemania from the source, a photography exhibit of Paul McCartney’s own 1963-64 shots. Intimate, witty, and mostly never-before-seen, it captures Liverpool to Ed Sullivan from inside the whirlwind, fans, backstage nerves, and all. No screaming required.

🐯 Zoolumination @ Nashville Zoo | Monday (12/8) at 5:00pm – Trade traffic for twinkle at the zoo’s lantern takeover, where 1,000 glowing silk sculptures make the animals look like introverts. Stroll past creatures, skate Smashville Ice Rink, and pop into the North Pole Village for treats and Santa, then pretend it was for the kids.

🎤 Christmas Caroloke @ The Lipstick Lounge | Tuesday (12/9) at 8:00pm – Warm up those vocal cords and belt out your favorite holiday hits for a cause that actually matters. Tyra Madison and Hugh Howser are hosting a festive, feel-good night where every crooned carol helps support St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Mother To Mother. Expect big laughs, big voices, and even bigger holiday spirit.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/5 Troy White @ Tin Roof – 5 pm
• 12/6 DANiiVORY @ The Lounge at 2nd – 11 am
• 12/7 Solo Piano Christmas @ Miller Piano Specialists – 2 pm
• 12/8 OK Go @ Brooklyn Bowl Nashville – 8 pm
• 12/9 Young Culture @ The End – 7 pm
• 12/10 Andy Griggs @ Chief’s on Broadway – 7:30 pm
• 12/11 Ronny Criss @ Café Cheeserie – 6 pm
• 12/12 Valdrin and more @ Cobra – 7 pm
• 12/13 Senie Hunt @ Tennessee Brew Works – 6 pm
• 12/14 Forever Abbey Road @ City Winery – 12 pm