Happy Tuesday, Franklin. In today’s edition: The Nutcracker, the Franklin Christmas Parade, Christkindlmarkt, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Beloved local tradition returns: Westhaven in Franklin held its sixth annual tree lighting Dec. 1, honoring Dana Hardy and Mark McCutcheon, with caroling led by Janna and Keith Landry and festive treats — get time and location details.

Fresh spark for holiday tradition: Nikki Burdine and Neil Orne will emcee the Franklin Christmas Parade on December 6, delivering live commentary on Main Street. The event is hosted by the Downtown Franklin Rotary Club — get all the parade details.

Seasonal support and celebrations: Middle Tennessee YMCAs are hosting drives, collecting coats, toys, and hygiene items with deadlines from Dec. 4 to Dec. 19, plus Dec. 10 ICE night and Dec. 13 Christmas Marketplace — learn how you can help.

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.

Scams are rampant: My step-dad recently got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Cyber Monday discounts are available all week — check ’em out here.

Highlights this week

• Experience German Christkindlmarkt at tree lighting
• Celebrate Franklin’s tree lighting with Santa
• Shop local goods at this farmers market event
• Teens create pop art during this after-school program
• Sip ten festive cocktails for TennGreen
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals

🫶 We got your back

From garage to spotlight: THE BAND LIGHT returns to the Franklin Theatre on January 10, 2026 with Lightyear 26, their biggest self-produced hometown show yet. Expect new songs, bigger visuals, and surprise guests tied to their next project. It follows a breakout 2025 (“Turning Red,” Louis Tomlinson’s festival, and holiday single “Baby, It’s Not Christmas (Without You)”). Tickets are on sale. Get all the details.

Care brewed into coffee: The Pinewood Social team just launched Pinewood Coffee, roasting in Franklin. Led by veteran Robbie Melton, the brand debuts with ethically sourced beans like Costa Rica’s Hacienda La Minita. No café announced yet, but beans are available to order now. Get details and order beans.

Burrito fix, sorted: When a midweek craving hits, Taqueria Jalisco delivers family-owned warmth, Jalisco recipes, and a hefty Burrito California sauced just right. Settle in or take it to go, and let your Tuesday-night hunger be handled with zero fuss.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

Wellness on easy mode: Most probiotics don’t work because they dissolve too early. Seed’s double capsule design means all the right stuff gets delivered to all the right places… at the right time. After decades of gut issues, it’s one of the few things that’s actually helped. Their Daily Essentials Duo covers nutrient gaps and supports everyday health + it’s 40% off right now so it’s a great time to give it a try.

📆 Around town this week

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.

This week

🎶 Elmer’s Tunes Tuesday (Adults 55+ daytime party!) at Whiskey Room Live @ Whiskey Room Live inside King’s Bowling | Tuesday (12/2) at 12:00pm – Daytime sing-along for the 55-plus crowd, with lunch, a soda, tip, and tax included. Dennis Elmer turns Whiskey Room Live into a piano party with hits from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Toe taps, new friends, and yes, booze costs extra.

🩰 Nutcracker @ Performing Arts Center | Tuesday (12/2) at 7:00pm – Trade the mall chaos for Tchaikovsky as Grand Kyiv Ballet brings The Nutcracker to the Williamson County Performing Arts Center in Franklin. Gorgeous dancing, big-kid nostalgia, and sugar-plum magic that actually delivers, perfect for grandparents, skeptics, and anyone who prefers memories, over more stuff.

🎹 Jacob Tolliver’s Million Dollar Christmas @ Performing Arts Center | Thursday (12/4) at 7:00pm – Think you know your Sun Records lore? Jacob Tolliver brings the Million Dollar Quartet back to life, pounding the keys with that Jerry Lee swagger, then sneaking in a little holiday sparkle. It’s nostalgia with horsepower, stories you can hum to, and zero mall-Christmas cheese.

🧱 Homeschool Lego Club @ Spring Hill Public Library | Friday (12/05) at 10:00am – Homeschoolers (and any LEGO lovers who tag along) get a dedicated hour to build, create, and let imaginations go rogue. It’s a low-pressure, high-creativity morning that turns a pile of bricks into worlds only kids can dream up. A perfect first-Friday ritual from September through March.

🎄 Christkindlmarkt presented by Sister Cities of Franklin and Williamson County @ Five Points Post Office | Friday (12/5) at 4:00pm – Franklin’s tree lighting is getting a German upgrade with a traditional Christkindlmarkt, courtesy of our pals in Bad Soden. Expect the Polkawagen Band, ornaments, and warm beverages in commemorative mugs, plus a children’s activity. Come for the oom-pah, stay for the cozy.

This weekend

👶 Saturday Baby Time @ Spring Hill Public Library | Saturday (12/06) at 9:30am – Kick off the weekend with songs, stories, rhymes, and all the bouncy fun your little one can handle. It’s an interactive hour designed to spark early learning while giving caregivers a sweet chance to bond. Stay after for a bit of playtime—because babies aren’t done socializing yet.

🛍️ The Campus Wide Holiday Sale @ The Clay Lady’s Campus | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – Holiday shopping at The Clay Lady’s Campus means three buildings of art, 150 makers, and zero mall chaos. Browse ceramics, woodturning from Tennessee Association of Woodturners, and handmade ornaments, then bribe yourself with free cookies while Santa handles the small-talk. Go early, thank me later.

❄️ Nashville Winter Wonderland Craft and Vendor Market @ CoolSprings Galleria | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – Trade the big-box chaos for a winter market loaded with handmade gifts, holiday treats, and actual cheer. Local makers, cozy cocoa, and the kind of candles that smell like your favorite memory, only cleaner. Knock out the list, chat with neighbors, feel superior, responsibly.

🎉 Holidays in the Vue Parade @ Bellevue Middle School | Saturday (12/06) at 10:00am – Celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and all the season’s cheer as 60+ floats, bands, and performers roll through Bellevue in a lively 1.2-mile parade. Santa and Mrs. Claus are swinging by too, making it a must-see for families and holiday superfans alike. Expect big crowds, big smiles, and a whole lot of community spirit.

🎅 Holiday at the Station (Tree Lighting & Santa) @ Town of Thompson’s Station (Official) | Sunday (12/7) at 2:00pm – Holiday mode calls for small-town sparkle. Thompson’s Station is lighting the tree, snapping pics with Santa, and rolling out games, music, and food trucks, plus a nod to 35 years of the place we keep bragging about. Bring a chair or blanket, and your patience.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/2 Brinley Addington @ 14Tenn – 6 pm
• 12/2 Overall Country @ Riley Green’s Duck Blind – 6 pm
• 12/2 A Carpenters Christmas @ Beam Gallery – 7 pm
• 12/2 No More Tears (Ozzy Osbourne tribute) @ 3rd and Lindsley – 7 pm
• 12/3 Boo Ray @ Chief’s – 2:30 pm
• 12/3 Brett Mondie @ The Twelve Thirty Club – 3 pm
• 12/3 The Wildwoods @ Mockingbird Theater – 7 pm
• 12/4 Andy Buckner @ The Station Inn – 7 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Kathie Moore (Benchmark Realty, LLC)

Designer paint, custom built-ins, and a refreshed dining room set the tone. The kitchen shines with high end appliances, an added island, expanded storage, and a pantry. Main level primary with two walk in closets and a spa bath. Upstairs delivers two or three bedrooms, a big flex great room, and a restored front balcony. Downstairs, a glassed in solarium steals afternoon light.

Above the three car garage, an office with custom built-ins, dual workstations, a full bath, and storage, easy to convert to a bedroom. Westhaven address, tree lined street, gear friendly garage, close to Franklin.

Take a peek inside →