🍽️ Nashville restaurants open on Christmas

🎁 Local Gift Ideas With a Purpose

If you’re struggling to be a conscious consumer this holiday season, we’re here to help. On today’s City Cast Nashville podcast, Amanda Clelland, director of communications and advocacy at Thistle Farms, tells us about local gifts that give back to our community, from candles to coffee. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

• And here are some experience gift ideas. [📰 Hey Nashville]

🎅🏿 Black Santa on Spreading Joy & Representation

Clarksville local Shedrich Webster, one of Middle Tennessee’s Black Santas, is the founder of the Santas of Color Coalition, an organization centered around training and supporting Black Mr. and Mrs. Clauses. “Representation matters,” Webster explains. “Maybe I can go out and be Santa just to spread love and hope and joy.” [Nashville Banner]

📝 Music City Loop Approval Request

The Boring Company has officially filed a lease application with the Tennessee Department of Transportation for its twin 9.5-mile tunnels to and from BNA and downtown, located under state-owned land. Boring aims to complete the tunnels in 2027, with at least 20 stations across Nashville. [🔐 The Tennessean]

• 👉 Check out our previous coverage on the Music City Loop, including environmental concerns. [📰 Hey Nashville]

🏘️ Ethics Complaint Will Likely Fail

Metro Legal has determined that allegations against The Nations Councilmember Rollin Horton would not constitute ethics violations, even if true, and recommends the Board of Ethical Conduct dismiss the complaint. A group against Horton’s rezoning plans originally planned to file a recall petition, but had pivoted to an ethics complaint. [Nashville Banner]

• Listen to our interview with Horton about his plans to upzone The Nations. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

Don’t want to cook on Christmas? Check out these 13 Nashville restaurants and bars open on the holiday, from classic Southern food to breakfast with Charlie Brown.

Monell’s

📍 Germantown

Monell’s Christmas breakfast and lunch are local favorites, and are first-come, first-served. The family-style menu includes all the holiday favorites, like cinnamon rolls and corn pudding. It costs $28.95 for adults, and $16.96 for kids.

Von Elrod’s

📍 Germantown

Grab yourself a $10 stein and a bratwurst at this Germantown beer hall from 5-10 p.m. on Christmas Day.

STK Nashville

📍 The Gulch

Enjoy a fancy prime rib dinner or roasted free-range turkey plus holiday cocktails at STK Nashville. Make reservations ahead of time.

Ernie’s Boondock

📍 East Nashville

Toast the holidays at this speakeasy-style dive bar’s holiday pop-up, Santa’s Boondock, with themed drinks like the hot toddy and spiked hot chocolate or cider.

Gaylord Opryland

📍 Donelson

Have breakfast with Charlie Brown and the gang, or eat later in the day at Gaylord Springs and Old Hickory Steakhouse. Afterwards, enjoy the hotel’s holiday decorations and activities. Tickets or reservations are required.

Blue Aster

📍 West End

Blue Aster’s four-course Christmas meal includes truffle potato soup, winter squash ravioli, lasagna, and more. It costs $105 a person, and only a handful of reservations remain.

1 Kitchen

📍 Downtown

1 Kitchen’s family-style Christmas brunch costs $69 per person, and has plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options. Feast on a winter vegetable quiche, gingerbread pancakes, and braised lamb hash tagliata, and every table receives a Christmas cookie plate.

The Nashville Grange

📍 Downtown

Reservations are not required for this Christmas dinner, which features a three-course meal inspired by seasonal favorites. The meal costs $65, and the first two hours of parking are free.