Christmas in Knoxville.

It�s a beautiful time of year in town, with the stately Knoxville TN homes decorated for the holidays and the weather perfect for cozying up to a fire.

While its great to nest at home during the holidays, there are many community activities for Christmas that shouldn�t be missed.

Most well known is the Knoxville Nativity Pageant, attended by more than 15,000 people each year. And, since pretty much everyone knows how the story ends, the organizers make an extra effort to make it spectacular. Hundreds of volunteers, more than 90 actors, realistic sets, professional lighting and even live animals make it a Knoxville tradition that deserves to become one of yours as well.

If you�re theatrical taste is more Dickens than creationist, be sure to check out the Knoxville production of a Christmas Carol. With skilled direction and superb actors, its easy to imagine Scrooge living in a gorgeous Knoxville TN home with Tiny Tim hobbling through downtown.

Speaking of less fortunate children in the holiday season, you can also benefit the Children's Hospital by attending the 25th annual Fantasy of Trees. With the theme of Jingle all the Way, there will be a variety of activities, as well as beautiful decorations - entertainment and beauty for a good cause.

Need to burn off some of the egg nog and cookies calories? Lace up your running shoes and take part in the Knoxville Jingle Bell run to benefit the arthritis society - a 5K walk run through some of the most beautiful Knoxville Homes.

You can leave your costume on (yes, Santa does run 5Ks) and head over to the zoo for breakfast with Santa. While Santa is a hot Knoxville property, he makes some time every Christmas to dine with the locals and hear their holiday wishlists to benefit the zoo. After all, reindeer need to go somewhere when they retire. Did you know that contrary to popular knowledge, reindeer can only make 5 round-the-world trips before Santa retires them? Rudolph has actually been lazing around the Miami Zoo for the past 30 years, but, not to worry, In Knoxville we have Prancer. His brother Dancer is just down the road in Nashville.

If you�re too exhausted from all of the holiday happenings to cook a Christmas Day spread, think about enjoying what some of our local 4 star chefs have to offer. Whether you want the traditional ham or want to live on the edge and nosh on a flying tuna row roll, why not give yourself the best Christmas present and skip the cleanup?

Justin Wilcox is author of this article on Knoxville Real Estate. Find more information about Knoxville Properties here.