Where to Take Christmas Pictures in Tennessee

With some of the most stunning mountain views in the whole country, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an ideal spot for taking your family photos. With numerous scenic overlooks scattered throughout the park, as well as a variety of hiking trails, you’ll have quite a few breathtaking views to use behind your shot. In every season, there are plenty of elegant family Christmas photo shoot ideas throughout the park which will surely stand out on your Christmas card.

• Parking: Parking tags are required for all vehicles parking longer than 15 minutes
   
• Accessibility: Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park's accessibility page to learn about all the trails that have been measured with a High-Efficiency Trail Assessment Process which uses a pushcart with sensors that collect data like grade, slope, width and GPS coordinates. GRIT Freedom Chairs are available for checkout at no charge on a first-come, first-served bases Sundays-Wednesdays at Sugarlands Visitor Center
   
• Operation Hours: The Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Some secondary roads, campgrounds and other visitor facilities may be closed in the winter. Check out the park's current conditions page for updated information
   
• Seasonal Highlights: Ranger-led events, workshops and classes and a wide range of activities can be enjoyed throughout the year. The fall colors are particularly popular and October is the busiest month of the year in the Park
   
• Pricing: A parking tag is required when visiting the park longer than 15 minutes. Daily tags are $5, weekly tags are $15 and annual tags are $40. They can be purchased in person, at kiosks and online

Rising over 2,000 feet above sea level and overlooking Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain is home to some of the best views in the “Scenic City”. Several fantastic attractions like Ruby Falls, Rock City, and Incline Railway provide some great spots and opportunities to take family holiday card photos, whether that is high above on Lookout Mountain or deep within the underground cave at Ruby Falls for unique indoor family Christmas pictures. 

• Parking: Ample parking is available at Ruby Falls, including spaces for RVs, trailers and similar large vehicles. Accessible parking is also available
   
• Accessibility: Low Sensory Cave Walk tours are available with advanced notice. Blue Heron Overlook, Village Plaza, Ticket Atrium, Village Gift Shop, Back Porch Dining, restrooms, Castle Cafe and the castle front porch are wheelchair accessible. The cave itself is not wheelchair accessible due to its natural formations, narrow passages and small groupings of steps
   
• Operation Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day
   
• Seasonal Highlights: Romance at Ruby Valentine Date Night in February is a unique date night that includes an after-hours lantern tour for two, professional photo and commemorative gift; Ruby Falls Discovery Day in December celebrates the incredible journey Leo Lambert took in discoverying Ruby Falls
   
• Pricing: Tickets are sold online only

You'll find the answer for your family Christmas photo shoot idea at World’s Fair Park in Downtown Knoxville, an ideal spot to capture your holiday pictures near the Smokies. Featuring the iconic Sunsphere and over 15 acres of green space, you will find the perfect mix of nature and city all in one shot, making World's Fair Park a great holiday photoshoot idea. The park is beautiful in any season, especially leading up to the holidays with fall color and Christmas lights starting in November. 

• Parking: Ample parking is available throughout World's Fair Park. Accessible parking sports are available as well. If you prefer to park downtown and walk to World's Fair Park, many parking garages and paid lots are available in around Market Square
   
• Accessibility: The Park offers sidewalks, paved trails and green spaces so all can enjoy the beauty of the Park
   
• Operation Hours: Park hours are 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. daily, including holidays
   
• Seasonal Highlights: World's Fair Park hosts a variety of festivals and events throughout the year including Southern Skies Music Festival in May; Knoxville BrewFest in June; Festival on the 4th in July; Knox Asian Festival in August; and New Year's at the Sunsphere to name a few
   
• Pricing: World's Fair Park is free and open to the public. The Sunsphere requires a ticket

Located in the beautiful foothills of East Tennessee, Tennessee Mountain View Winery is home to a family-owned and operated winery where you can find tasty farm-to-table wine and beautiful country scenery. Offering tastings and a menu of over 20 wines alongside gorgeous views, visitors are free to roam the vineyards year-round where there are many locations to have the perfect Christmas card photoshoot.

• Parking: The winery has a parking lot 
   
• Accessibility: The winery is wheelchair accessible
   
• Operation Hours: 12-7 p.m. Sundays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday
   
• Seasonal Highlights: Wine slushies are available during the summer months, mulled wines by the glass. Local chocolates and chocolate wine flights include four local chocolates paired with four of Tennessee Mountain View's wines; local cheese and charcuterie boards are available for purchase; wine flights include an assortment of four wines with local cheeses
   
• Pricing: Complimentary wine tastings are offered

Home to over 2,000 acres of preserved forest and the crystal-clear Doe River winding its way through the park, Roan Mountain State Park is an outdoor setting perfect for Christmas family photos. Well-known for the abundance of wildflowers which inhabit the hollows and ridges of the foothills, this state park will provide some truly striking backdrops, though the magnificent natural gardens of rhododendron are in their peak bloom during late June and you can't beat the views when the mountains are alive in fall color.

• Parking: Parking is available at the Visitor Center & Museum, at the group picnic shelters and beginning of trailheads throughout the park, Miller Farmstead, Recreation area, Campground Check-In Station and Park Headquarters & Conference Center. Check out the detailed map for updated information
   
• Accessibility: All-terrain wheelchairs can be reserved for free and are available for children and adults. Requests made in advance are highly encouraged to ensure availability. Chestnut Ridge Overlook is an accessible overlook offering stunning views and is equipped with a Colorblind Viewfinder, one of the most beautiful places to take pictures in Tennessee. The visitor center and interpretive museum, picnicking pavillions and some cabins, lodge rooms and campsites are ADA-accessible
   
• Operation Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
   
• Seasonal Highlights: Annual Roan Mountain State Park events include the Winter Naturalists Rally in February; Spring Naturalists Rally in April; Junior Trout Tournament in May; Rhododendron Festival in June; Fall Naturalists Rally in September; and Fall-O-Dendron Festival with live music, crafts and fall-themed food in October
   
• Pricing: There is no entrance fee to enter Roan Mountain State Park

A true hidden gem of Tennessee, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens is one of the best outdoor photoshoot locations in Nashville, located under 30 minutes from downtown. Teeming with wonderful floral and shrubbery displays and various art exhibits, this property was once the home of the Cheek family but now stands as an exquisite botanic garden, arboretum, and museum ready to serve as a striking backdrop for your family photos. You'll have plenty of family Christmas photo shoot ideas during Holiday LIGHTS beginning each November and running through January. Read their photo guidelines here.

• Parking: Available onsite, but during busy days and events, parking may be limited. Rideshare and shuttle services are encouraged. Reserving tickets in advance and paying the accompanying parking fee is the only way to ensure admission and parking
   
• Accessibility: Parking Lot A has reserved accessible spaces. Manually operated wheelchairs are available at a first-come, first-served basis for free. Golf cart shuttles are available upon request as well as wheelchair-accessible shuttles. Paved pathways are throughout the gardens and leading to the museum. The historic mansion has a wheelchair accessible entrance and an elevator that provides access to all four floors. The mansion is wheelchair accessible, with the exception of the Drawing Room and Library Room on the Loggia level. Accessible bathrooms can be found on the Ground, Loggia and 2A floors. 
   
• Operation Hours: Find Cheekwood's current hours of operation on their website
   
• Seasonal Highlights: Enjoy the stunning changes of the gardens and exhibits in the mansion during all seasons. Cheekwood in Bloom stuns in spring each March as 250,000 blooms come to life; Dogs & Dogwoods, a springtime, dog-friendly weekend with special performances in April; summer is vibrant with plant sales, Thursday Night Out, a weekly concert series May-August, and Exposition of Elegance: Classic Cars at Cheekwood in June; Cheekwood Harvest featuring intricately designed pumpkin houses September-October, as well as workshops, traveling exhibits and special events hosted throughout the year
   
• Pricing: Reserve your tickets in advance. Ticket pricing varies by program and day. Garden-only tickets as well as garden-and-mansion combo tickets are available

Said to be one of Fall Creek Falls State Park’s most picturesque overlooks, Millikan’s Overlook is part of a 2.9-mile out-and-back trail (currently closed due to a tornado), though you can access the overlook via the road as well. One of Tennessee’s most visited state parks, Fall Creek Falls not only features magnificent overlooks as well as a number of cascading waterfalls, including the highest one in the eastern United States.

• Parking: Parking is available at the Nature Center, Lodge & Restaurant, Fall Creek Falls, Visitors Center and gift shop, golf course and trailheads. Consult the map for specific parking information
   
• Operation Hours: The park is open 24 hours. All Day Use areas close at sunset. The road leading to the falls is locked at dark
   
• Seasonal Highlights: Enjoy the park year-round at events like ranger-led hikes, sunset pontoon tours, After Thanksgiving hikes, guided waterfall hikes and more.
   
• Pricing: Fall Creek Falls State Park is free as are all Tennessee State Parks

Having been growing and selling Christmas trees since 1997, Rhonda and Chris’ Treeland is located in Watertown about 42.5 miles east of Nashville. Over 1,000 trees are currently growing on the 90-acre farm nestled between two streams and a great view of the hills. One of the beautiful outdoor photoshoot locations near Nashville, whether your family wants to gather around the giant decorated tree, use the barn wood sided outbuildings as props, or wander around the 90-acre farm in search of the perfect spot, you are guaranteed plenty of scenic places for your pictures. Email ChrisTrees@aol.com to set up an appointment for Christmas tree farm mini sessions. 

• Parking: Available onsite
   
• Operation Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 27-30, Dec. 6-7 and Dec. 13-14, 2025
   
• Accessibility: For accessibility details, please call 615-237-9304 or email ChrisTrees@aol.com
   
• Pricing: Admission is free for photographers and families. If purchasing a Christmas tree while on-site, trees are priced by height ranging from $65-$130. Over 500 Virginia pine trees are available with a limited stock of 6-8-foot Colorado Blue Spruce trees

Sitting just outside Downtown Franklin lies the small but ever-charming village of Leiper’s Fork. Filled with some marvelous rural photo backdrops September to November, you will have a hard time narrowing down spots to use in your photographs. With historic buildings nestled amongst the beautiful countryside, during you time at Leiper’s Fork you’ll also find a plethora of local culture, live music, antiques, home décor, crafts, wares, food, and so much more.

• Parking: Street parking is available along Old Hillsboro Road, in the parking lot between Fox & Locke and Copper Fox Gallery. There is a field with a sign for parking between Dwell and Den and the vintage police car. Most people park on the sides of the road
   
• Accessibility: Please consult individual shops for their accessibility details
   
• Operation Hours: Most shops are open Wednesdays-Sundays, but check individual businesses for specific operating hours
   
• Seasonal Highlights: Pickin' Leipers Fork, a beloved antique and vintage shopping event; and FrokFest, outdoor live music set in a backyard style setting which typically hosts a surprise guest or two

Countless unique photo opportunities await at Big Sky Farm, a Christmas tree farm located on 40 beautiful acres in Portland, Tennessee making it a gorgeous outdoor photoshoot location near Nashville, about 40 miles north. In addition to offering a wide variety of fresh-cut trees, choose-and-cut trees, or even living trees (use as an inside Christmas tree then plant in your yard!) as well as hand-made fresh fir wreaths, the farm has wonderful opportunities for Christmas tree farm mini sessions. You can book a session nwo through Dec. 14, 2025; email info@bigskyfarmtn.com or visit their website to reserve a session.

• Parking: Ample parking is available in the large gravel parking lot
   
• Accessibility: Please email info@bigskyfarmtn.com for accessibility details
   
• Operation Hours: Times vary throughout the season. Visit bigskyfarmtn.com for updated information
   
• Seasonal Highlights: Special events include the Big Sky at Night event Nov. 29, 2025 and Dec. 6, 2025 with a live nativity, wagon rides, Santa, live Christmas music and more; Live Nativity Nov. 28-30 and Dec. 6-7, 2025; wreath decorating Dec. 4, 2025; and Cookies with Santa Dec. 13, 2025. Holiday treats can be enjoyed at the Christmas Cafe including chili, pulled pork sandwiches, hot chocolate, candy cane cocoa, s'mores and chocolate chip cookies. In the summer, Sunflower Days are filled with farm fresh lemonade, sunflower photos, you-pick opportunities with over 5 acres of sunflowers, zinnias and cosmos, wagon rides and more
   
• Pricing: 2-hour weekday photography sessions are $79 or a 2-hour session on a Saturday or Sunday for $149. Indoor, clean restrooms are available during your session. Big Sky Farm doesn't provide a photographer or photos

Bring the family together to walk through Winter Wonderland in Springfield, Tennessee. Make your festive Christmas family photos shine with captivating displays of thousands of lights and more than a dozen holiday scenes. Walk through J. Travis Price Park in December. Every Saturday you can follow the candy cane trail, visit with Santa and enjoy family-friendly activities as well as purchase food from various vendors. The drive-thru dates begin in December. 

• Parking: Ample parking is available at J. Travis Price Park
   
• Accessibility: Contact Springfield Parks & Recreation for accessibility details at 615-382-1655
   
• Operation Hours: 5:30- 9p.m. nightly Nov. 29-Dec. 28, 2025. Walk-thru and Activity Nights are Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20 with additional details coming soon
   
• Pricing: Free and open to the public

Looking for indoor family Christmas pictures? Located on the NunaVeda Farm in Franklin, visit the NunaVeda Greenhouse for a rustic modern photo location. Featuring a variety of perennial and tropical plants in the greenhouse as well as stained glass windows, antique elements, and rustic natural décor, you will certainly capture some stunning shots. The Greenhouse and surrounding property including a field and creek, are available to rent for holiday photo shoots locations. See their website to inquire about booking.

• Parking: On-site parking is available
   
• Accessibility: Discuss requests and accessibility details via the contact form
   
• Seasonal Highlights: Surround yourself with medicinal botanicals, aromatic herbs and fruit-bearing trees that are cultivated with care, creating a temperature environment available through every season. Kumquats, Moringa, Pachouli and Tansy are some of the plans growing in the greenhouse
   
• Pricing: One-hour booking available upon request through the online form

Franklin's Dickens of a Christmas event Dec. 13-14, 2025 on the historic Main Street is a great backdrop for any holiday card photos. In addition to the numerous Christmas decorations downtown, you can have classic characters from Charles Dickens' novels in your photos including Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and Jacob Marley. Give the classic Santa photos a twist by meeting and smiling with a Victorian Father and Mother Christmas. After you've taken your family photos, enjoy the dancing, music, shopping and endless holiday treats.

• Parking: Parking garages on Fourth Avenue and Second Avenue, paid lots and street parking are available throughout downtown Franklin
   
• Accessibility: The event and streets of downtown Franklin are accessible. Main Street closes for the event, so guests can meander as they please in the streets and on sidewalks. For downtown businesses' accessibility details, please contact boutiques and restaurants individually
   
• Operation Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
   
• Pricing: This special holiday tradition is free and open to the public

When the King of Rock n' Roll's halls are decked, it's the perfect time to snap a few family photos of your loved ones to use for holiday cards. Christmas at Graceland transforms Elvis Presley's Graceland with holiday cheer in November and December - with decorations that Elvis himself used every year. Book a tour to see the home and grounds transformed into a holiday wonderland from Christmas trees to the outdoor nativity scene and the famous red velvet curtains.

• Parking: $10 for standard vehicles and $15 for RV's, trailers or semi-trucks. The secured, main parking lot is located at 3717 Elvis Presley Blvd
   
• Special Events: Check the event calendar for special concerts, traveling exhibits and annual events like Elvis Week, Elvis Presley's Birthday Commemoration, Christmas at Graceland and more
   
• Operation Hours: Open daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Elvis' Airplanes open at 10 a.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
   
• Accessibility: Graceland offers shuttle services with a lift for the tour only for those who are in wheelchairs or scooters. All rooms in the Graceland Mansion are wheelchair accessible, except for two basement rooms. There are photos and a TV monitor that shows what the two basement rooms, the TV room and the pool room, look like for those guests who cannot view them in person. Elvis Presley's Memphis is wheelchair accessible. While the airplanes are not wheelchair accessible, there's a video of the planes in the gift shop. The iPad tour is fully captioned
   
• Pricing: Ticket options vary on your tour option. Buying tickets online is the fastest and easiest way, but in-person purchasing is available, too

Home to 4,500 acres filled with over 40 miles of expansive trails, sprawling lawns, over 20 bodies of water, and a herd of buffalo, Shelby Farms Park located in Memphis is one of the largest urban parks in the country and a great holiday photoshoot idea given the beautiful views, buffalo and scenery around Hyde Lake.  With such a variety of offerings, the outdoor setting is the perfect spot for a Christmas photo op. 

• Parking: Parking is available throughout the park. Download the park map for specific location information
   
• Accessibility: ADA trails include Shelby Farms Greenline, including a ramp access point at Perkins Road and Baptist Memorial Health Care Promenade trail around Hyde Lake as well as the Woodland Discovery Playground, designed with children of all abilities in mind. Find full accessibility details
   
• Operation Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset
   
• Seasonal Highlights: Earth Day Celebrations in April; BuffaGLO Run in November, a family-friendly fun run at night; and Starry Nights November-January featuring a drive-thru festive display of millions of Christmas lights. A walk and bike night takes place Dec. 2, 2025
   
• Pricing: Access to Shelby Farms Park is free, but some activities have a separate ticket price

Your cards will be the talk of the town when you share Christmas family photos from Collierville. Step into Collierville's town square and you'll think you're on the set of a Hallmark movie. Gather the family for glamor shots with the town's beautiful lights and towering Christmas tree. You'll find magical holiday scenes at every corner, so find your favorites and snap some family photos.

• Parking: Parking spaces are located around the historic Town Square, both on-street parking and nearby lots
   
• Annual events: Fair on the Square each May is Collierville's largest public arts and crafts event; Summer Concert Series in June and July featuring local and regional artists on the town square; and the Collierville Independence Celebration each July