Christmas In Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge & Sevierville: The Best Ways To Celebrate Christmas In The Smoky Mountains

Christmas In Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, & Sevierville

Traveling to the Smoky Mountains this holiday season? We are sharing the best things to do in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville that will put you in the Christmas spirit.

Their are many ways to celebrate Christmas in The Great Smoky Mountains. From seeing the Christmas lights to seeing a Christmas show their are so many Christmas themed things to do.

See All Of The Christmas Lights In Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge During Winterfest.

Witness the wonder of over 6 million lights in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg during the annual Winterfest.

Winterfest Wonders of Light Walking Trail

New for 2022, Winterfest Wonders of Light Walking Trail is a wonderful way to truly experience the wonder of Winterfest.

On this 12 mile walk, you will experience over 20 larger-than-life light displays that are programmed to music. Some of the displays are even over 25 feet tall! Some of the displays include walk-thru arches, a colorful 52-foot-long caterpillar, larger-than-life flowers and Old Man Winter among many others. The Winterfest Wonders of Light Walking Trail is pet and wheelchair friendly as well.

The Winterfest Wonders of Light Walking Trail spans the Riverwalk from the access point in the city’s Municipal Parking Lot (located at 2936 Teaster Lane between the LeConte Center and The Island in Pigeon Forge) to the approximate intersection of Old Mill Avenue and Butler Street (near the Old Mill Historic Square).

Guests can access the light displays on the six-mile out-and-back Riverwalk. There are several ways to access the Riverwalk (The Patriot Park, the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge, the Old Mill and the city’s Municipal Parking Lot).

Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights

Take in the beauty of Winterfest from the comfort of your car. On this self-driving tour, gasp and aw as you take in the glowing light displays.

This year lights displays will include many animals native to the smokies and favorite fairytale characters. One of the highlights of the Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights is a 60-foot-tall Christmas tree covered with colorful lights, ribbons and sparkling ornaments from top to bottom.

You can see these lights throughout The Parkway (highway 441) in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

Visit Dollywood During Smoky Mountain Christmas.

Dollywood twinkle and glows during christmas time in over 6 million lights. During Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas festival, the park is not only decorated for the Christmas season, but features unique seasonal foods, drinks, treats and special entertainment that will get you into the holiday spirit. Along with award winning rides and attractions,

Dollywood is the best place to be during the holidays. Check out our Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Guide.

Watch The Fantasy Of Lights Christmas Parade.

If you happen to be in Gatlinburg on December 2, the annual parade, Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade, is not to be missed. Beginning at 7:30 p.m, a spectacular Christmas parade full of balloons, floats, and high school marching bands make their way through downtown Gatlinburg.

The Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade route begins at Baskins Creek By-Pass, travels to Traffic Light #3, turns south onto the Parkway, and ends at Traffic Light #10.

Attended A Christmas Show.

Pigeon Forge has an array of dinner shows and, during the most wonderful time of the year, many get a Christmas spin.

Enjoy a Christmas themed show featuring 32 live horses, a live nativity scene, and Santa Claus at Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Stampede; laugh at the funniest Christmas jokes at Comedy Barn Christmas Show; and enjoy the classic family feud, Christmas style, at Hatfield and McCoy Christmas Disaster Dinner Feud.

What’s better than a yummy dinner and a holiday show?

Visit A Christmas-Themed Attraction.

Many of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge’s most popular attractions get a Christmas spin during the holidays.

Christmas at the TITANIC

Pigeon Forge’s popular Titanic museum gets a Christmas makeover during the holiday season.

Beautiful Christmas lights, garlands, wreaths, Christmas trees and other holiday decorations adore the museum during Christmas. Learn the history of the Titanic and what it was once like on the ship. Explore the hallways, parlors, cabins, and the Grand Staircase of the RMS Titanic. The Museum has over 400 artifacts directly from the ship and its passengers.

You can experience the wonder of Christmas at the TITANIC from November to January.

Enchanted Winter Of Lights At Anakeesta

During the holiday season, Anakeesta is draped in the beauty and wonder of the holiday season.

Anakeesta is a unique outdoor experience inspired by the nature of the Great Smoky Mountains. Anakeesta features the longest tree-based skywalk in North America, a mountain coaster, a sensory garden, and Astra Lumina (the very first enchanted night walk in the United States) among other experiences.

During the Enchanted Winter of Lights, Anakeesta is draped in beautiful winter themed decorations including a 40-foot tall Christmas tree at the Anakeesta plaza. Each night Anakeesta glows in thousands of glowing and twinkling holiday lights.

New for 2022, Anakeesta has an immersive lighting experience in their Vista Gardens. This experience simulates a winter storm, complete with magical lighting special effects and the sounds of nature, putting you right in the middle of an authentic Smoky Mountain winter.

Also new for 2022 is the Hot Chocolate Trail. The Hot Chocolate Trail takes guests on a trail featuring many different hot cocoa concoctions that will warm you up inside and out.

Anakeesta will also be hosting a Breakfast with Santa event on specific days. Enchanted Winter of Lights at Anakeesta is one of the best ways to experience Christmas in Gatlinburg.

Winterfest At The Island

Each night during the holiday season, The Island in Pigeon Forge is lit up in millions of Christmas lights.

The Island of Pigeon Forge is a popular shopping center with more than 60 shops, restaurants, and attractions to enjoy. And did we mention the huge Ferris wheel?

The Island’s popular fountain show gets a seasonal twist full of Christmas spirit. Each night, the fountain lights dance to music along with three, 40-ft LED Christmas trees. The show will play every evening at 6 pm, 7 pm, 8 pm and 9 pm.

Winterfest at The Island is one of the great ways to experience Christmas in Pigeon Forge for the entire family.

Lights Over Gatlinburg At Gatlinburg SkyLift Park

Each night during the holiday time of year, Gatlinburg SkyLift Park is covered in twinkling Christmas lights.

Gatlinburg SkyLift Park is a wonderful place to view beautiful views of the Smokies. The Gatlinburg SkyLift Park is home to the Gatlinburg SkyBridge (longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America) the new SkyTrail (a one-third of a mile hike in the smoky mountains), the SkyLift (Gatlinburg’s oldest scenic chairlift), and other attractions.

During Lights Over Gatlinburg, the park’s SkyBridge and SkyTrail are covered in beautiful Christmas lights. The SkyBridge features the popular 300 foot tunnel of lights and the SkyTrail features 20 lit Christmas trees. Gatlinburg SkyLift Park also features a 30 ft. multicolored Christmas tree along with lights on trees animated to music throughout the park.

Lights Over Gatlinburg at Gatlinburg SkyLift Park is a wonderful way to experience the beauty of Christmas and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Have A Snow Day At Ober Mountain.

Nothing says Christmas like a snow day at Ober Mountain.

Grab a set of skis or a snowboard and hit the slopes. Ober Mountain is most popular for its ski slopes. Take a ride on the ski lifts to the top and ski or snowboard the snow filled smokies. Forgot to bring your skis or snowboard? Not to worry. Ober Mountain has its own rentals for first time guests or for guests who forgot their gear.

One thing that is perfect for the whole family is the snow tubing. Jump aboard your own snow tube and sled down the 350-ft hill. Each session is 90 minutes letting you get plenty of sledding in.

If you got little ones (or just want to make a snowman) check out the Cubbies Snow Zone. Enjoy a whole area of fresh snow that is just waiting to be played in. Make snow angels, snowmen or just enjoy the feel of snow.

Ober Mountain also has indoor ice skating as well. Ober Mountain is the best place to experience snow in Gatlinburg.

Visit Shadrack’s Super Sized Christmas Adventure.

Brand new for 2022 is Shadrack’s Super Sized Christmas Adventure. The experience is the very first drive-through storybook in lights where the illustrated art is larger-than-life.

When Santa’s Shrink Ray accidentally hits your car instead of the presents it was aiming for, guests are shrunk into a world of super-sized toys, animals, and imagination. Will they get back to normal size?

The immersive experience is each night from 6-10 pm. Shadrack’s Super Sized Christmas Adventure is a once in a lifetime immersive experience in Sevierville that visitors of all ages will love.

Christmas in The Great Smoky Mountains

Christmas is when The Great Smoky Mountains comes alive with Christmas spirit, beautiful Christmas lights, and special entertainment. The scents, sounds, and sights of Christmas brings a childlike wonder to the area. We hope that our list of the best things to do during Christmas in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, & Sevierville will help you have the best Christmas visit to the Smokies.