City Cast Nashville
🧑⚖️ Who is Nashville suing now?
December 4, 2025 · 💌 Margaret Kingsbury
Happy Thursday! Do you have a pet or three? If so, I’d love to share their pictures in the newsletter. I’m looking for both holiday pet pics and normal daily life pics. I can’t wait to see them! Hit reply or email me the photos.
What's CITY Talking About
🤼 Nashville’s Forgotten Pro Wrestling History
The history of pro wrestling in Nashville predates the Grand Ole Opry. But what happened to our scene? On today’s City Cast Nashville podcast, we’re chatting with the guys behind Pro Wrestling Symphony to hear their all-ages approach to reviving pro wrestling in Nashville. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]
🏘️ Nashville Sues HUD
Nashville has joined a coalition of cities and nonprofits across the nation suing the Department of Housing and Urban Development over funding cuts to programs addressing homelessness. The jeopardized funding impacts HUD’s Continuum of Care program, which provides permanent housing for 826 formerly unhoused Nashvillians. [🔐 The Tennessean]
- Municipal lawyers like Nashville’s Wally Dietz have been working overtime to challenge funding cuts from the Trump administration. [🔐 Wall Street Journal]
🏗️ RiverGate Mall Redevelopment Plans Change
The Goodlettsville Planning Commission has approved updated plans for the RiverGate Mall redevelopment. The plans reduce housing on the property to make way for a grocery store and additional retail space. Only Dillard’s will remain. [WKRN]
- RiverGate Mall was once a community hub. [📰 Hey Nashville]
- Our memories of Nashville’s closed malls. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]
🧑⚖️ Investigation Alleges $60k+ Stolen From Metro
A Tennessee Comptroller’s Office investigation has found Mark Eatherly, former deputy executive director of the Metropolitan Human Relations Commission, allegedly appropriated more than $60,000 from Metro funds for personal use. Eatherly has been charged with theft, official misconduct, and money laundering. [Nashville Banner]
Where Kids Can Find Santa in Nashville
Santa Claus is coming to town. And in fact, he’s already here! Check out these local Santa meet and greets, whether you’re looking for the perfect Santa photo op with your kid, or planning to make some gift requests.
🎄 Holiday Lights + Santa
- Find Santa at Cheekwood’s Holiday LIGHTS, or visit during the day.
- Meet Santa at Zoolumination, in the barn behind the Grassmere historic home.
- Drive through the FrankTown Festival of Lights in Franklin, and snag a picture of Santa at the end. Don’t forget s’mores and hot chocolate.
- Take pictures with Santa and the Grinch at Chad’s Winter Wonderland in Lebanon. I recommend trying their cinnamon bread.
- Santa is also at The Dancing Lights of Christmas in Lebanon, where pictures and a petting zoo are included in admission. Carnival rides, mechanical reindeer, and inflatables cost extra.
- Take a day trip to Lucky Ladd Farms for cookies and cocoa with Santa, and stick around at night for its Holly Jolly Festival of Lights.
🧑🎄 Santa Pop-Up Events
- Visit the Tennessee State Museum and Nashville Farmers’ Market on Dec. 6 for a free holiday event that includes live music, holiday crafts, cookie decorating, and visits with Santa.
- Tour the Ryman on Dec. 6 for a visit with Santa AND his reindeer. There will also be carolers. Kids are free with the purchase of an adult ticket.
- Get some holiday shopping done, plus hang out with Santa, on Dec. 6 at the Nashvillage Holiday Market. There will also be holiday crafts, face painting, and science experiments. Pictures with Santa cost $10, and include a print photo and digital copies.
- Have a Christmas brunch with Santa at the Stompin’ Grounds, inside JW Marriott, on Dec. 7, 14, and 21.
- Fifth + Broadway’s free 2nd Annual Howdy Holidays on Dec. 13 features live music, line dancing, and Santa. There will also be face painting, gift wrap services, and more.
- Learn about country music and visit Santa at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Dec. 20. Make sure to grab a young explorer kit. Local kids visit free, and up to two accompanying adults can receive 25% off.
What To Do
Thursday, Dec. 4
- 📚 Book Sale (through Dec. 7) | Bellevue Library Branch | 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
- 🧑🎄 Nashvillage Holiday Market (through Dec. 7) | Walk of Fame Park | 4-10 p.m.
- 🌝 Cold Moon Night Hike | Beaman Park Highland Trailhead | 5-7 p.m.
- 🥂 6th Anniversary and Repeal Day Celebration | Red Phone Booth | 5 p.m.
- ❄️ Winter Market | Turnip Green Creative Reuse | 5-8 p.m.
- 🎻 Music in the Cafe: The Contrarian Ensemble | Frist’s Café Cheeserie | 6-7:30 p.m.
- 🍸 Bartender Bash: Holiday Edition | Union Station | 6-8 p.m.
- 👑 LookIn: Crowns | Ezell Harding Christian School | 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- 🎭 White Christmas opens (through Dec. 21) | Turner Theater | 7 p.m.
- 🎄 Opry Country Christmas | Opry House | 7 p.m.
- 🧝 Winter Movie Nights: “Elf” | TailGate Brewery HQ | 7 p.m.
- 🎸 Rock 'N Roll Charity Christmas Concert | 3rd and Lindsley | 7 p.m.
- 🎶 Little Big Town: The Christmas Shows ends | Ryman Auditorium | 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 5
- 🥕 TN Local Food Summit begins | Trevecca Community Church | 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
- 🛍️ Mistletoe Merchants | Farm Bureau Expo Center | 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
- 🛻 Stuff the Truck | The Cowan | 5-10 p.m.
- 🍻 Holiday Lights Tour (through Dec. 23) | Donut Distillery | 5:30 p.m.
- 🏀 Kentucky vs. Gonzaga | Bridgestone Arena | 6 p.m.
- 🎄 McCrary Kind of Christmas | Riverside Revival | 7 p.m.
- 🎶 Home Alone in Concert with the Nashville Symphony | Schermerhorn Symphony Center | 7:30 p.m.
- 🎭 It’s A Wonderful Life (through Dec. 21) | TPAC | 7:30 p.m.
- 🩰 Solus & Synergy | OZ Arts | 8 p.m.
- 🎤 The Mavericks present ‘Dance the Night Away’ | Ryman Auditorium | 8 p.m.
- 🎸 Donald Donato Cosmic Country Christmas | Brooklyn Bowl | 8 p.m.
- 🎵 Get Behind the Mule | The 5 Spot | 9 p.m.
I cannot wait to check out this new indie bookstore opening in Old Hickory on Saturday — Duckbill Bookshop! Looks like a great place for some holiday shopping … for myself 📚
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