What to do in the Smoky Mountain Area at Christmas Time?

How should one fully experience Christmas in the Smokies? There is so much to think about! Christmas lights, snow, Santa, thrill rides — How do you narrow it down?!

Read on to learn nine Christmas themed things to do during November and December in the Smokies. Some of them even last into January and February.

As a local to the Smoky Mountain area, I can tell you that Christmas is a magical time to visit here. There are just so many Christmas lights — you can see all the Winterfest lights and the lights on The Island for free!

Don’t forget, I offer my custom itineraries to the Smoky Mountain area. I’d be more than happy to create a perfect Christmas trip for you!

1. Winterfest

It’s one of the top things to do during Christmas in the Smokies. It starts around the beginning of November and lasts through the middle of February. This year it starts on November 9, 2023 and ends on February 18, 2024. It takes place in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville. It’s not one event, instead it’s basically a big celebration of winter and Christmas throughout the areas.

You will see displays of lights all along the parkway. From Sevierville to Gatlinburg to Pigeon Forge the parkway is decked out in lights! However, you will probably see the most lights in Pigeon Forge. They have a driving and walking tour of lights for you. And, the best part? It’s all free!

Pigeon Forge

The walking tour is known as the Wonders of Light Walking Trail and it takes place on the Riverwalk Greenway. If you aren’t sure where that is, just park where you would park to go to the Island. Specifically, park in parking lot C and then the trail starts off from the parking lot — you can’t miss it. The trail is two miles long roundtrip, it’s pet-friendly, and it’s one of the largest free outdoor lights events in America.

On the driving tour of lights you will see more than 5 million Christmas lights! It is mostly on the Parkway and Teaster Lane, and small connecting roads between the two. One of the most popular light displays on the tour is the 12 days of Christmas. There are also animals native to the Smoky Mountains, an Old Mill scene, scenes from nursery rhymes such as Humpty Dumpty, and so much more.

Click here for a Pigeon Forge Winterfest map. The map includes the walking trail and each place on the driving tour. Remember, some of the places on the driving tour (such as Patriot Park) you’re able to park and walk around the lights. The lights turn on at 5:00pm and go off at 1:00am.

2. Visit The Island in Pigeon Forge

Once you’re finished with the walking trail head over to The Island. As part of their Winterfest celebration they put up millions of lights (literally)! The entire property lights up as the sun goes down. Along with the lights is the dancing fountain. It’s choreographed to music, colors, and some of the Christmas trees to really create a show.

The Island is having a kickoff event to their Winterfest show on November 18th. It starts at 6pm with Paula Deen and Santa Claus “flipping the switch.” There will be performances and photos with Santa as well.

3. Polar Express Train Ride

Are you a fan of the Polar Express? Know someone who is? This is the perfect event! It takes place at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson, NC. You will be immersed in the story and will ride to the North Pole (through the Smoky Mountains) to pick up Santa.

As you ride you will drink hot cocoa while you listen and read along to the Polar Express story. The entire event will even be set to the movies soundtrack! On the way back to Bryson, NC Santa will visit each child and give them their own silver bell.

4. Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood

There is a reason this festival is known as the best across America — you will be in awe the whole time! If you’re spending Christmas in the Smokies, you want to go here. Block off an entire evening for this event. Possibly a whole day if you plan to ride the rides before the lights come on. There are over six million lights, dozens of Christmas trees, Holiday shows, delicious food, and shopping.

Be sure to get a map when you enter the park and choose the shows you want to see. A personal favorite of mine is “Christmas in the Smokies” it’s always really good. Also be sure to get some cinnamon bread from the Grist Mill. It is sooo good, go ahead and buy two loaves — one to eat now and one for later.

As you walk through the park you will see how each “section” has a different Christmas theme. My favorite is Glacier Ridge! You guessed it, there are a lot of blues and whites in there. It’s also where you will find the huge motion Christmas tree that tells a story.

This event runs from November 4, 2023 — January 6, 2024.

5. Gatlinburg’s Festival of Trees

It is at the W. L. Mills Conference Center in Gatlinburg and it runs November 22, 2023 —November 25, 2023. It is basically a bunch of decorated Christmas trees to walk around and look at. There are also craft and play areas for kids, entertainment during the week, and photos with Santa on certain days.

The festival is free to attend and all the proceeds go to the Boys and Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains.

6. Visit a Snow Attraction

Pigeon Forge Snow is open year-round, but they are more popular as the weather cools down. They offer real snow and it’s the only indoor snow facility in the US. You can go snow tubing, build snowmen, make snow angels, and more. You don’t even have to bundle up either because the temp is always 60 — 70 degrees inside.

Rowdy Bear Mountain Adventure Park has the largest outdoor tubing hill in Tennessee. The hill is 500ft long and has a 70ft drop. You even tube on it with real snow! The attraction also has axe throwing, a ski lift coaster, and more.

7. Visit a Chairlift Attraction

Could you experience Christmas in the Smokies without visiting a chairlift attraction? No way! There are three chairlift attractions in the area that have popular Christmas events: SkyLand Ranch, Gatlinburg SkyPark, and Anakeesta.

SkyLand Ranch

They are having an event called SkyLand’s Festival of Lights. There are over 100 displays and up to a million lights! There will also be a realistic nativity scene, cowboy scenes, and more themed areas.

If you don’t want to ride the chairlift, you can choose the shuttle. However, there are Christmas lights up the mountain that can only be seen from the chairlift. So, you will miss them if you choose the shuttle.

Tickets for this event are not included in General Admission tickets. The event runs from November 3, 2023 — February 18, 2024. It starts at 6:00pm and ends at 9:00pm.

Gatlinburg SkyPark

They are having an event called Lights Over Gatlinburg. The whole park is covered in lights! Here you will see a 38ft Christmas tree, the entire SkyBridge is covered in a tunnel of lights, and Santa will make an appearance on select days.

You must ride the chairlift up to this event; there is not another way to get to the SkyPark. Tickets to this event are included in General Admission. The event runs from November 9, 2023 — January 31, 2024. The lights turn on at dark.

Anakeesta

Their event is called Enchanted Christmas at Anakeesta. On top of the mountain you will find all kinds of twinkling lights. Along with that they will have carolers, shows, Christmas trees, and more. Some of their lights will even be synced to music. They also have shops so you can get some of that Christmas shopping done.

You do have the option of taking a shuttle to the top if you don’t want to ride the chairlift. Tickets to this event are included in General Admission tickets. This event runs from November 10, 2023 — December 31, 2023. The lights turn on at dark.

8. Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland

It would not be Christmas in the Smokies without this event. It’s nostalgic to me because I remember coming here often as a teenager. It’s a drive through lights show at Soaky Mountain Waterpark in Sevierville. Typically, this show is held at the Smokies Baseball Stadium, but this year it moved to the waterpark. There are more lights, a longer route, and new events at this location.

As you enter you will turn your radio to a specific station. Then, it’s time to let the show begin! You can also visit the Snowy Mountain Village. There you will find craft stations, carnival rides, photos with Santa, and more.

You can purchase tickets online or on-site when you arrive. The event runs from November 17, 2023 — January 7, 2024. It opens at 6:00pm and closes at 10:00pm.

9. Dolly Parton’s Stampede

This show has always been a hit! Not only during Christmas in the Smokies, but year-round. In other words, visitors love the Christmas show at Dolly Parton’s Stampede. The whole thing is Christmas themed and you get to watch the north and south pole elves duel it out. You’ll get to see the sugar plum fairy bring toys to life, a live nativity scene with real camels, and Santa Claus himself. All of this while the cast is dressed in old-fashioned holiday attire. And, of course, you will be served a four course meal.

Personally, I’ve never been able to go to this because I’m severely allergic to horses. But, I wish I could and I’ve always heard great things.