A new Christmas tradition is coming to Nolensville, TN. Annabel Farms will open its inaugural Christkindlmarkt on November 27, 2026, bringing a European-inspired Christmas market filled with holiday lights, festive shopping, seasonal food, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities to Middle Tennessee.
The farm is the creation of Kelly and A.D. Elrod, who have lived in Middle Tennessee for nearly 30 years. When 75 acres of farmland next to their home became available in 2025, the couple purchased the property and began transforming it into a seasonal destination for families. Neither had experience in commercial farming, but they have spent the past year planting Christmas trees and preparing for their first holiday event.
Set amid scenic countryside spanning Williamson and Rutherford counties, Annabel Farms offers a beautiful rural setting for a Christmas outing. Rolling fields, mature trees, and open pastures provide the backdrop for what will soon become an illuminated Christmas village.
During a recent visit to the Nolensville farm, preparations were well underway. Workers were assembling wooden market stalls, positioning large holiday light displays, and preparing the grounds for opening day. Although there was still plenty of work to be done, Kelly Elrod was confident everything would be ready to welcome visitors.
“The next time you come back, it’ll look totally different,” she said.
Christkindlmarkt will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 27 through December 20.
Christkindl Village: A European-Inspired Christmas Market
At the center of Annabel Farms’ holiday celebration is Christkindl Village, a Christmas marketplace inspired by the traditional outdoor holiday markets of Germany. A 30-foot Christmas tree made from hay bales will serve as a centerpiece, with strands of lights extending overhead to create a festive gathering space.
The farm has constructed wooden market stalls modeled after German architecture, providing space for approximately 45 to 50 vendors each weekend.
“We designed it and patterned it after the exact ones that they built for the markets in Germany,” Elrod explained.
The response from local artisans and small businesses has exceeded her expectations. Vendor spaces are already fully booked, with a waiting list of additional businesses hoping to participate.
“At first I thought, am I going to be able to fill all of these? And now I’m like, I could have built 30 more!” said Elrod.
Shoppers will find handmade jewelry, clothing, leather goods, artwork, candles, ornaments, home décor, specialty foods, and unique Christmas gifts. With a mix of returning vendors and new participants each weekend, the market offers opportunities to discover something different throughout the holiday season.
View the full vendor list and weekend schedule to see which artisans and small businesses will be participating.
European Holiday Food and Seasonal Favorites
The Feasting Field will feature a variety of food trucks, beverages, and holiday treats, along with a covered dining area where families can relax between activities.
Elrod wanted the food to reflect the European inspiration behind the market, but finding an available German food truck proved more difficult than expected.
“There was one German food truck in the entire state of Tennessee, and they’re booked over a year out,” she explained.
Her solution was to purchase a food trailer and create a German-inspired menu specifically for Annabel Farms. The farm’s food trailer will serve traditional German favorites such as bratwurst, currywurst, spaetzle, and pretzels.
Other offerings will include French crêpes, Belgian-style Liège waffles, ice cream, coffee, and a rotating selection of food trucks serving everything from kebabs to family favorites such as hot dogs, chicken nuggets, and fries.
Seasonal beverages will include hot cider, Kinderpunsch, and a special nonalcoholic drink inspired by the warm spiced wine traditionally served at European Christmas markets. Elrod explained that the farm developed its own recipe to recreate the traditional flavors without alcohol.
Christmas Trees, Wreaths, and Holiday Greenery
At The Trimmings, visitors can shop for fresh-cut Fraser, Canaan, and Nordmann fir Christmas trees, along with wreaths, garlands, and decorative greenery.
Elrod explained that she and her husband have planted approximately 1,300 Christmas trees on the property, including Virginia pines, Norway spruces, and Canaan firs. The Virginia pines are expected to be ready for sale in about two years, followed by Norway spruces in three years and Canaan firs in five to seven years.
While those trees continue to grow, Annabel Farms will offer premium fresh-cut Christmas trees sourced from other regions. Visitors can also purchase small, potted Canaan firs grown on the farm to plant at home.
For the best Christmas tree selection, visitors are encouraged to shop during the first two weekends, November 27–29 and December 4–6.
Holiday Light Displays from the Memphis Zoo
One of the market’s most distinctive attractions will be the Kid Zone, featuring Christmas and Farming Around the World, an interactive experience combining large-scale holiday light displays with educational activities for children.
Annabel Farms acquired a collection of custom-built illuminated displays previously featured at the Memphis Zoo. According to Elrod, the displays were purchased from a production company that had created holiday installations for the zoo over the past five years.
During the visit, several of these installations were being assembled across the property, offering a glimpse of what visitors will experience when the market opens.
The displays will take families on a journey through all seven continents, highlighting Christmas celebrations and farming traditions from around the world. Children will be able to explore themed installations and participate in hands-on activities along the route.
“We’ll have all continents represented, and then the North Pole,” Elrod explained.
Among the decorative elements planned for the experience are representations of international landmarks, including London’s Tower Bridge and Egypt’s Sphinx, along with European ski gondolas. The attraction will conclude at The North Pole, where additional Christmas activities await.
Santa’s Workshop, Sleigh Rides, and Live Reindeer
At The North Pole, families will find a variety of Christmas activities designed especially for children. Santa’s Workshop will offer an interactive holiday experience where kids can explore the festive setting and create their own keepsake Christmas ornaments to take home.
Santa Claus will also be available for visits and photos, giving families an opportunity to capture a holiday memory. Guests are welcome to take their own photos with Santa at no additional charge, while professional photo packages will be available for purchase.
Another attraction will be Santa’s sleigh ride, a traditional farm hayride transformed into a Christmas-themed sleigh experience. Families can enjoy a ride together as part of their visit to the holiday market.
During the market’s final weekend, December 18–20, two live reindeer from a Tennessee reindeer farm are scheduled to make a special appearance. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the reindeer in a designated winter enclosure, adding another seasonal attraction to The North Pole experience.
Live Music and Holiday Entertainment
The Jingle Stage, a 25-foot flatbed trailer transformed into an outdoor performance space, will host Christmas music and entertainment throughout the market.
Visitors can enjoy Victorian-style carolers, costumed elves, and local musicians performing Christmas classics and holiday favorites. A special Community Day will feature performances by local school choirs, community choirs, and other area performance groups.
A New Family Tradition at Annabel Farms
Kelly and A.D. Elrod hope Christkindlmarkt will become an annual Christmas tradition for families across Middle Tennessee. With four weekends of holiday activities, shopping, and entertainment, the market is designed to encourage visitors to return throughout the season.
“We’re only open 12 days the whole season,” Elrod explained. “So it’s like, let’s make the most.”
The couple also has plans to expand the farm’s seasonal offerings. Lavender fields are planned for summer 2027, along with a small outdoor amphitheater surrounded by the blooms. A future lavender festival would give families another opportunity to enjoy the property during the warmer months.
“The goal is to do two main events, the Christmas market and a lavender festival,” Elrod said.
The Elrods are also considering smaller events, including antique tractor shows and vintage car gatherings. Their priority, however, is to focus on two signature seasonal experiences rather than maintaining a year-round event schedule.
For now, they’re preparing to welcome their first Christmas market visitors, with hopes of establishing a family tradition that continues for years to come.
Annabel Farms Christkindlmarkt 2026: Dates, Hours, and Tickets
The inaugural Annabel Farms Christkindlmarkt will welcome visitors for four weekends, beginning the day after Thanksgiving.
Dates: November 27–29, December 4–6, December 11–13, and December 18–20, 2026
Hours: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Location: 2291 Rocky Springs Road, Nolensville, TN 37135
Admission: $15 per person, ages 3 and older
Season Pass: $25 per person
Parking: Free on-site parking
Admission includes access to all six themed areas, holiday light displays, Santa visits, sleigh rides, and live entertainment. Tickets are not timed, so visitors may arrive anytime during operating hours. Children ages 2 and under are admitted free.
Each admission ticket also includes a $15 credit toward one Christmas tree, wreath, or garland, while supplies last. Credits cannot be combined and must be redeemed on the day of the visit.
Food, drinks, vendor purchases, professional Santa photos, and select activities are available at an additional cost.
The Christkindlmarkt is an outdoor, rain-or-shine event on natural farm terrain. Visitors should wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Some areas have uneven ground, which may make wheelchair and stroller access challenging.
Pets are not permitted, although trained service animals are welcome.
For tickets, vendor schedules, and additional event information, visit Annabel Farms.
