Christmas is a magical time of year in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The Great Smoky Mountains are capped with snow and the city is aglow with festive decorations. Get into the spirit by renting a cabin in the woods, roasting chestnuts over an open fire, and singing your favorite Christmas carols. Further your holiday fun with some of the season’s finest offerings.
The Trolley Ride Of Lights
Every year Gatlinburg erects spectacular LED light displays throughout the city. Let the lights fill your vacation with Winter Magic on the Trolley Ride of Lights guided tour. Starting in November and running through January the Trolley departs nightly from Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza, at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30. Consider making reservations, though, because the trolley can sell out.
Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade
In addition to the lights Gatlinburg celebrates the Christmas season with a Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade. The parade is held annually at the beginning of December (check the Gatlinburg events website for the exact date) and features over 100 entries including marching bands, giant balloons, floats, and, of course, Old Saint Nick. The entire parade takes about and hour and a half, so bundle up and join the crowd as it packs the parade rout from Traffic Light #1A (Highway 321) to Traffic Light #10.
Dixie Christmas
And if you like Christmas shows don’t miss Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge. Perhaps the best Christmas show in town the Stampede goes all out for the holidays with a live nativity scene and a host of elves in addition to their usual stunt riders, dinner, and excitement. This wonderful, interactive program is a treat for children of all ages and one you won’t soon forget.
And More…
But that’s not all that makes Christmas in Gatlinburg so special. Experience Gatlinburg’s Holiday Arts and Crafts Show, the Nutcracker “Sweet” as presented by the Smoky Mountain Dance Theater, and a Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood! Bring your whole family to create magical Christmas memories that will last a lifetime.