Christmas Comes to Cookeville: Cookeville's Christmas Tree and Celebration

The Cookeville Christmas Tree returned to Dogwood Park this year on December 1st. The nearly 40-foot tree stands proudly in the center of the fountain pavilion. Festooned with Christmas lights and snowflakes, the tree lights up the night in downtown Cookeville. 

It also gives nightly performances to passersby. Every night starting at 7 p.m, the tree lights flicker patterns of light in synch to Christmas music. The light and music show lasts for 15 minutes. The tree’s decorations and light choreography change every year, so locals and newcomers alike are sure to enjoy the spectacle!

The tree’s return was celebrated with a tree lighting ceremony. During the ceremony, local musical talent Dezirey Simono, Marc Burnett,  Voices of Life Church, and The Smoky Nights performed for a packed audience of Christmas enthusiasts. Choral groups from local schools also lent their voices to the celebration. 

This year’s tree lighting ceremony featured Santa and the Grinch in full Santa apparel. Not to worry, the Grinch didn’t manage to ruin Cookeville’s Christmas. The tree lighting went off without a hitch! The Grinch was actually a Cookeville local, Logan Taylor, in prosthetics and face paint. His transformation video is worth a watch. You can find it here.

You can also see the tree lighting ceremony for yourself. The whole event was recorded and is viewable on the Christmas in the Park Facebook page. Click here to watch.

You can also follow the Christmas in the Park page to see when the park is offering free carriage rides and opportunities to meet Santa.