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An Enchanting Christmas in Martin, Tennessee. your small town holiday guide
The charming university town of Martin, Tennessee is known for its upscale shopping, Skyhawks sporting events, and welcoming residents. If you happen to visit Martin anytime time from mid November through mid January, you will see why Martin is also known as the most enchanting town in West Tennessee. Christmas in Martin is truly a magical time of the year. Experiece it for yourself and step right into your favorite Hallmark movie.
Preview to Christmas Weekend – Nov. 7-9
Get in the Holiday Spirit at Martin’s Preview to Christmas Weekend!
Kick off the holiday season in Downtown Martin, TN, with the Preview to Christmas weekend, happening Friday through Sunday, November 7–9. This weekend-long celebration is packed with festive activities that capture the small-town charm of Martin in a truly magical way.
Holiday Open Houses & Shopping
All weekend, local shops and boutiques will host holiday open houses, offering early Christmas sales and festive deals. Wander through the beautifully decorated downtown, enjoy holiday-themed window displays, and pick out unique gifts for everyone on your list.
See all the specials and deals on the Preview to Christmas Facebook Event..Click Here
View our local retail and restaurants here.
https://www.cityofmartin.net/visitmartintn/shop/.
Wreaths Across America Fun Run/Walk – Nov. 8
Start the morning off with the Run for the Wreaths Veterans Day 5K along the Brian Brown Memorial Greenway. Registration costs $25 but the funds go to provide a wreaths fot a veterans and a t-shirt for each race participant. Register online here. The run starts at 7:00am.
Wreaths Across America’s mission is to remember to Fallen, Honor those who serve. Proceeds raised at this event help provide wreaths for over 3,000 Veterans in these area cemeteries: Eastside and Pleasant View Baptist Church Cemetery, Martin; Sunset and Sunrise, Dresden; Woodlawn, Sharon; Beulah and Obion County Memorial Gardens, Union City, and Pleasant View Memorial Gardens, Fulton, Ky.
Santa’s First Stop in Martin – Nov. 8
Santa is making his first stop of the season in Downtown Martin for both children and families to meet Santa Claus and Mrs Claus at the City of Martin Public Library on Saturday from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM. He will be located downstairs in the children’s department. Get those Christmas lists ready for Santa’s first stop in Martin! This is free for people to come and enjoy. Follow the Facebook Event for updates
Veterans Day Parade – Nov. 8
The festivities continue on Saturday at 10:00 AM with the Veterans Day Parade along University and Lindell Streets. The parade route will begin at the corner of Lovelace and University Street and continue through Downtown Martin. Parade participation is free. Businesses and groups are welcome to participate. All veterans and family members are welcome to ride or walk in the parade. See more information on the Veterans Day Parade Facebook Event.
Merry Martin Market
Wrap up the weekend by exploring a local holiday market featuring local artisans and holiday crafts, perfect for finding one-of-a-kind decorations and handmade gifts. The Market is located at the 201 Mt. Pelia Rd in Martin at theMartin First Assembly Church. Learn more about the Merry Martin Market here
Saturday, November 8 | Go, Dog. Go!
The UT Martin chapter of Alpha Psi Omega invites you to a lively performance of Go, Dog. Go!, based on the beloved children’s book by P.D. Eastman and adapted for the stage by Allison Gregory and Steven Dietz.
Join the fun on Saturday, November 8 at 3 p.m. in the Harriet Fulton Theatre inside the Fine Arts Building. This family-friendly production brings the colorful world of Eastman’s classic story to life with energy, humor, and heart. Tickets: $5 per person
Tickets go on sale November 3, and the box office will open one hour before showtime for card, cash, or check purchases. Learn more here
Santa at the Carl Perkins Center | November 18
Santa at the Center
Kick off the holiday season with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Carl Perkins Center. Join the fun from 4–6 PM for an evening filled with Christmas cheer and family fun.
Enjoy a cozy hot cocoa bar, bring your letters for Santa to take back to the North Pole, and capture a festive keepsake with photos of Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Each photo is $5, with digital copies sent directly to you. All proceeds benefit the Carl Perkins Center, supporting their work in the community.
Location: The Carl Perkins Center, 408 N. Lindell St., Martin, TN 38237
Don’t miss this festive kickoff to the holiday season in Martin. Check out the Facebook Event here to learn more.
November 20–21 | Lyft Off – A UTM Dance Ensemble Performance
The University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Visual and Theatre Arts presents Lyft Off, the Fall 2025 production by the UT Martin Dance Ensemble. Experience an evening of creativity, movement, and storytelling as talented student dancers take the stage in this dynamic performance.
Performances will be held on Thursday, November 20, and Friday, November 21, at 7 p.m. in the Harriet Fulton Theatre.
Tickets: available starting November 17.
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$15 for adults
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$10 for non-UTM students
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Free for UTM students with ID
For more information, contact the Vanguard Theatre Box Office at (731) 881-7400.
Martin Christmas Parade – Monday, December 1
The annual Martin Christmas Parade is a small town holiday tradition you don’t want to miss. The Martin Christmas parade is hosted by the local Martin Kiwanis Club. Each year the parade has a new theme, the 2025 theme is Visions of Sugar Plums. The parade begins at the UT Martin Football Stadium and continues down University Street and Lindell Street through Downtown Martin.
Join us for the 2025 Christmas parade on Monday , December 1st. The parade begins at 7:00pm and usually ends about 8:00pm depending and number of participants. Parade will proceed east on University Street, turn left on Lindell Street and continue through downtown Martin.
- Participant Lineup begins at 5:30 p.m. in the UTM Football Parking Lot
- Entry fee: $5.00
- Deadline for entries: Monday, November 24th
Eventbrite link coming soon
PDF application can be found here: https://www.martinkiwanisclub.org
PO Box 583, Martin, TN 38237.
- Make checks payable to Martin Kiwanis Club. You may leave your entry at the circulation desk at the Martin Public Library, Martin City Hall.
- If you have any questions, please call (731)-571-4607 or email [email protected] or [email protected].
Cookies & Christmas Open House Weekend – Dec. 5-6
The Cookies & Christmas Open House Weekend will be Friday & Saturday December 5 & 6. Shop special weekend deals and enjoy treats at the local shops and boutiques. Explore Martin’s beautifully decorated streets and micro events happening all over town. More information coming soon.
The Martin Running Company will be hosting the Christmas themed fun run and walk along the Brian Brown Memorial Greenway On Saturday, December 6th. Runners are encouraged to come dressed in their most festive holiday gear for an extra giveaway. Registration will begin at 7am with race beginning at 8am in from of Martin Running Company. Come out to enjoy hot chocolate, treats, giveaways, and swag. The Jingle Jog to free to join but we are asking participants to bring a new unwrapped toy which will be donated to our local Weakley County Charities.
41st Annual Santa’s Village – December 11-14
This custom designed Santa’s Village is put together by the Martin Parks & Recreation Department. Santa’s Village features 25,000 square feet of Christmas family fun including a petting farm, Popes Rides, Black & Decker Model Train display, an enchanted forest with 40+ holiday displays, and of course Santa Claus. Shop from 50+ arts & crafts vendors selling unique handmade items. Some unique vendor items include hand made crochet & quilts, custom monograming, characture drawings, duck decoys & Texas Rigs, pet accessories, fresh & freeze dried food items, wood turning, and custom sublimation printing.
Parking Located at the UT Martin Football Stadium off University Street.
Friday 6-9PM
Saturday 11AM-9PM
Sunday 1-5PM
Christmas Lights in Downtown Martin
Downtown Martin, Tennessee is a beautiful place for family photos, holiday events, shopping, and dining. Downtown Martin is decorated with over 30,000 twinkling white lights. Step right into your favorite Christmas movie and experience the charm of our amazing community. Downtown Martin hosts over 20+ retail businesses and restuarants and has become the travel destination of West Tennessee.
Downtown Retail Shops Include: Vickis Designer Touch, A New You Salon, 5 Seasons Mens Shop, Buff City Soap, Focal Point Media, Warner Pace Interiors, R&R on Lindell, Madi & Max Childrens Boutique, Merle Norman, Color Shop, Styles on Broadway SalonSpa, Sugar & Spice Ladies Clothing & Gifts, Martin Running Company, & Claire & Schuster Interiors and Gifts. See our shopping blogs for more information.
Martin Area Restaurants Include: Blakes at Southern Milling, Blue Oak Oyster Bar & Grill, Martin’s Coffee & Bakery, La Cabana, Crave, Vantage Coffee Roasters, Local St Cookie Co & Bakery, Woodfire Pizza Kitchen, The Grind Mac & Cheese Burger Bar, Cadillacs Bar Grill, Hawks Nest, Sammies, Martin Best Chicken & Fish,The Hearth, KN Drive In & more. See our Foodies blog to learn all about these amazinf eateries.
