How is Murfreesboro in December? Is Murfreesboro Festive for December

December For Murfreesboro Students

In December, both Murfreesboro City Schools and Rutherford County Schools typically celebrate the season with a variety of festive activities that showcase student talents, seasonal projects, charity drives and community spirit. Many schools also organize winter spirit weeks, classroom festivities or themed dress-up days.  Most schools usually finish their fall semester and go on winter break around the third week of December, returning to classes in the first week of January.  Check with individual schools or district websites for specific schedules and event details, as activities vary each year. Whether attending a seasonal event, participating in classroom celebrations, or giving back to the community, December is a joyful time in Murfreesboro’s schools and local communities.

December Weather in Murfreesboro

December in Murfreesboro is typically cool/cold(it's subjective), damp, and quite cloudy. Average high temperatures range from the high 40s to mid 50s, with highs only occasionally falling below freezing or exceeding the 60s. Daily lows usually hover around freezing to the low 40s, with overnight temperatures occasionally dropping below freezing. The overall average temperature for the month is about 42°F.

Precipitation is moderate, with about 4.6 inches of rain expected in December, the rainiest month of the year, and a small chance (around 1%) of snowfall.  I can only remember one white Christmas in the past 25 years. While snow can occur, it's usually brief and accumulates only temporarily before temperatures rebound. The weather can fluctuate between warm fronts from the Gulf of Mexico briefly pushing temperatures significantly above average, or cold fronts from Canada dropping temps by 10-15°F.  Cloud cover increases throughout the month, with around half of the sky overcast, and only about 10 hours of sunshine per day. Humidity levels are high, averaging over 80%, making the air feel humid but cool. Winds generally blow at around 13 mph, with February normally being the windiest. The daylight hours are short with the shortest day around December 21.

For dressing, layer clothing is advisable, consider long sleeves, sweaters, and a light jacket.  The morning might be cold but by afternoon it could be near 60.  Typical attire for December might be jeans, a long-sleeve shirt, and a jacket or coat to stay comfortable in the cool, breezy conditions. Overall, expect chilly temperatures, intermittent rain, and the possibility of brief winter snow showers, which usually don’t last long.

Tornadoes In December

Murfreesboro can experience tornadoes in December, though it’s not the peak season. As someone who has lived in Murfreesboro for over 25 years and the southeast my whole life, I have never worried about tornadoes when putting up my outside Christmas decorations. Tennessee’s most active months for tornado activity are from March to May, but recent trends show a rise in late-year storms. In particular, December has seen some outbreaks in recent years, including a significant event in 2021 that affected much of the region. On December 9, 2023, a major tornado outbreak occurred in Middle Tennessee, producing multiple confirmed tornadoes, as reported by the National Weather Service. While historical data indicates that December is normally a relatively quiet month for tornadoes, the last few years have seen activity during late fall and early winter. Residents should stay updated on weather alerts throughout the year.

Holiday Fun and Activities in Murfreesboro

Murfreesboro is a family-friendly city that offers something for everyone during the holiday season. From fun winter activities like ice skating to creative crafts, historic sites, and exciting escape rooms, there’s a wide variety of events and attractions to enjoy. Whether you’re interested in exploring local history, shopping for unique gifts, or simply celebrating with festive lights and holiday cheer, Murfreesboro’s holiday lineup is sure to create lasting memories for visitors of all ages. Here are a few activities from previous years, but for the most up-to-date information on holiday events and festivities, be sure to check the Murfreesboro Main Street website, the Murfreesboro Pulse site, and local community Facebook pages.

• Winterfest at Fountains at Gateway: Ice skating, concerts, photos with Santa, and school spirit skate nights.
• Cannonsburgh Village: Holiday lights, festive atmosphere, and viewings from your car.
• Murfreesboro Christmas Parade: Floats, music, and Santa riding down Main Street.
• Celebrate Christmas Downtown: Tree lighting, caroling, live nativity, and local shopping.
• Murfreesboro Holiday Market: Shop for local crafts and holiday goodies.
• Center for the Arts: Enjoy holiday performances.
• Tour of Homes: Mid-December, explore historic houses on East Main Street and Oaklands Mansion dressed for the holidays.
• Festive Activities: Visit the annual Christmas Tree lighting, enjoy crafts, free hot cocoa, live reindeer, Santa visits, and choir performances around the square.
• *Battle of Stones River: Commemoration events, ranger programs, and battlefield tours.
• Additional Seasonal Options: Explore downtown shops, Oaklands Mansion, Stones River Battlefield, and cozy up at Catfeine Cat Cafe during the season.

Pet-Friendly Activities & Events in Murfreesboro – December

• READing Paws at Linebaugh Library: Kids can practice reading aloud to therapy dogs
• Pups in the Park Days at Lucky Ladd Farms: Bring leashed dogs for outdoor fun, including photo ops with Santa
• Christmas Pet Photos with Santa: Get festive photos of your pets with Santa at events like Stones River Town Centre or PAWS of Rutherford County
• Pet Adoptions at "Empty the Shelters": Attend nonprofit events like the Bissell Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” (check for local participation).
• Pet-Friendly Dining: Dine with your dog on the heated patio at TailGate Brewery Murfreesboro, which offers a special “Pup Club” menu.
• Dog Parks: Socialize and exercise at Murfreesboro Bark Park and General Bragg Bark Park, fenced and spacious for all sizes.
• Pet-Friendly Hotels: Stay comfortably at pet-friendly hotels like Hyatt Place, Hampton Inn & Suites, or Best Western in Murfreesboro.

Important Tips:
Always check event details and pet policies beforehand, such as leashing, vaccination requirements, or restrictions, and enjoy a fun, festive December with your furry friends!

*The Battle of Stones River, also known as the Second Battle of Murfreesboro, took place from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, near Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This brutal and bloody Union victory marked a major turning point in the Civil War’s Western Theater. The battle’s fighting conditions featured cold winter weather, with temperatures often below freezing, adding to the hardships of over 100,000 soldiers involved.

Despite heavy casualties, one of the bloodiest battles of the war, Union forces withdrew the Confederates, securing central Tennessee for the Union. The victory boosted Union morale, which was struggling after previous defeats, and helped legitimize the Emancipation Proclamation, issued just days earlier. The battle’s strategic outcome paved the way for Union advances into southern Tennessee, including the eventual capture of Chattanooga.

For Murfreesboro, the aftermath of the battle had a profound and lasting impact. The town became a key Union supply depot and military base for the remainder of the war, transforming its character from a quiet town into a vital wartime logistics hub. This occupation altered daily life for residents and left an indelible mark on the town’s history and identity, shaping Murfreesboro’s community and landscape long after the fighting ceased.

First Battle of Murfreesboro, a cavalry raid led by Colonel Nathan Bedford Forrest in the summer of  1862.  Forrest successfully captured over 1,000 Union prisoners and supplies, but he was forced to retreat due to a delay in receiving reinforcements, leaving Murfreesboro open to Federal occupation.  This earlier engagement was part of the Union’s Middle Tennessee campaign. Union forces, under General William Rosecrans, fought to push back Confederate troops led by General Nathan Bedford Forrest, who had been raiding and disrupting Union supply lines in the region. The battle was relatively small compared to the later and more famous Battle of Stones  River but marked an early attempt by Union forces to control Murfreesboro during the Civil War. The engagement resulted in a Union victory, temporarily securing the area before the larger, more decisive Battle of Stones River in late 1862-early 1863.

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