Upcoming Smoky Mountain Events

Gatlinburg Winter Magic (Nov 5 – Feb 15)

Gatlinburg Parkway

For more than 30 years, Gatlinburg has lit up for the season with millions of lights on holiday displays all over town. Drive through or bundle up and stroll the Parkway. Download the Visit Gatlinburg app to take a self-guided lights tour, hunt for 43 life-size snowpeople around downtown, and vote for your favorite business decorations. Learn more: https://www.gatlinburg.com/events/seasonal-events/winter/wintermagic/ Photo courtesy of the Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau...

Nov 06

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride (Nov 6 – Jan 3)

Bryson City, NC

Step into the classic holiday story aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Leaving from the Bryson City, NC depot, guests sip hot chocolate and enjoy sweet treats while they sing their way to the North Pole to pick up Santa. On the ride back, Santa visits every coach and gives each child the first gift of Christmas. Bryson City is about a 1.5 to 2 hour scenic drive from Gatlinburg, so it makes a great day trip during your stay. Learn more: https://gsmr.com/the-polar-express/ Photo courtesy of Great Smoky Mountains Railroad...

Nov 06

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas (Nov 6 – Jan 3)

Dollywood

Dollywood’s award-winning Christmas festival fills the park with more than six million lights, dozens of towering Christmas trees, and holiday shows around every corner. Ride your favorite attractions under the lights, explore the new Peppermint Valley in Country Fair, and warm up with festive seasonal treats. It’s one of the most beloved holiday traditions in the Smokies. Learn more: https://www.dollywood.com/themepark/festivals/smoky-mountain-christmas/ Photo courtesy of Dollywood...

Nov 06

Lights Over Gatlinburg at Gatlinburg SkyPark (Nov 6 – Jan 31)

Gatlinburg SkyPark

Gatlinburg SkyPark trades its daytime views for a glowing holiday display every winter. Thousands of lights cover the park, a giant Christmas tree stands at the top, and the record-setting SkyBridge is lit from end to end. Visit during the day for sweeping Smoky Mountain views, then come back after dark to walk the bridge under the lights. Access to the lights is included with regular SkyPark admission. Learn more: https://www.gatlinburgskypark.com/events/lights-over-gatlinburg...

Nov 12

Gatlinburg Winter Festival & Chili Cookoff

Mountain Mall to Gatlinburg Skypark Starts: 5:00pm ‐ Ends: 9:00pm

Kick off the holiday season on the Parkway. This free street festival stretches from Mountain Mall to Gatlinburg SkyPark under more than a million twinkling lights. Sample chili from local competitors, enjoy live music and carolers, go ice skating, try axe throwing, and snap photos with Santa and the giant inflatable snow globe. A VIP experience is also available, with a local distillery visit before the event. Learn more: https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/gatlinburg-winter-festival-%26-chili-cookoff/16/ Image courtesy of the Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau...

Nov 13

Journey to the North Pole at Anakeesta (Nov 13 – Jan 3)

Anakeesta. Gatlinburg

High above downtown Gatlinburg, Anakeesta becomes a mountaintop Christmas village. Ride the North Pole Express, watch Santa’s elves at work, and catch live holiday shows like Toyland Tales and the Country Christmas Jubilee. After dark, Santa’s Flight brings lights and storytelling to the Treetop Skywalk. Breakfast with Santa is available on select dates. Learn more: https://anakeesta.com/journey-to-the-north-pole/ Image courtesy of Anakeesta...

Nov 13 - Nov 15

Stocking Stuffer Expo

Gatlinburg Convention Center Starts: 10:00am ‐ Ends: 5:00pm

Get your holiday shopping done before Thanksgiving even hits the calendar. The Stocking Stuffer Expo fills the Gatlinburg Convention Center November 13-15 with vendors, makers, and one-of-a-kind finds you won't see at the mall. Bring the group, split up the list, and spend the afternoon hunting down the perfect gifts. Then head back to the cabin with your bags full, a fire going, and the season officially underway....

Nov 19 - Nov 21

Christmas in the Smokies

Gatlinburg Convention Center

Christmas comes early to the mountains. Christmas in the Smokies takes over the Gatlinburg Convention Center November 19-21, right as downtown starts glowing with holiday lights. It's the perfect excuse to start the season a little early: spend the day soaking up the festivities, stroll the Parkway after dark, then head back to the cabin for hot cocoa by the fire....

Nov 25 - Nov 29

Gatlinburg's Festival of Trees

Gatlinburg Convention Center Starts: 10:00am ‐ Ends: 7:00pm

Make it a Thanksgiving tradition. Gatlinburg's Festival of Trees fills the Gatlinburg Convention Center November 24-29 with rows of Christmas trees, each one decorated in its own style, from snowy white and gold to classic red and green. Walk the aisles with the whole family, pick your favorite, and take home a few ideas for your own tree. After the holiday feast, it's the perfect way to welcome the Christmas season, followed by a quiet night at the cabin with the lights on and a fire going....

Dec 04

Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade

Downtown Gatlinburg Starts: 7:30pm

One of the Smokies’ most-loved holiday traditions, the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade fills downtown Gatlinburg with lighted floats, marching bands, and holiday cheer. This year’s hosts are country artist Mark Wills and TV host Nan Kelley. Arrive early to claim your spot along the Parkway, or reserve grandstand VIP seating for $50 per person. Learn more: https://www.gatlinburg.com/events/holiday-events/christmas/christmas-parade/ Photo courtesy of the Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau...

Dec 05

64th Annual Sevierville Christmas Parade

Downtown Sevierville Starts: 11:00am

Celebrate the season with a true hometown tradition in historic downtown Sevierville. The parade starts at First Baptist Church Sevierville and travels along Forks of the River Parkway, with marching bands, classic cars, pageant winners, baton twirlers, and plenty of holiday spirit. It’s a festive, family-friendly morning. Learn more: https://www.scoc.org/christmasparade.aspx Photo courtesy of the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce...

Jan 03