The holidays are arriving here in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It’s the time of year when our mountain town once again looks like a stunning scene straight out of a snow globe. This cozy destination is nestled right in the Smoky Mountains and glows with millions of twinkling lights, festive events, and plenty of Southern hospitality. Locals know how to make the most of the season by balancing outdoor adventure with small-town charm and heartfelt traditions. Whether you are planning a family trip or a romantic retreat you will find these reasons to celebrate a Gatlinburg Christmas getaway like a local:
Experience the Smoky Mountain Winterfest
Gatlinburg’s holiday season kicks off with Smoky Mountain Winterfest, a beloved event that stretches from early November through February. More than five million lights illuminate the streets creating a dazzling display throughout Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville. The best way to take it all in is with a scenic drive through town or a leisurely stroll along the Parkway where you will find shops, restaurants, and festive decorations at every turn. Locals recommend visiting during the week to avoid the biggest crowds or heading to the Gatlinburg SkyPark to see the city’s holiday lights sparkle from above. The panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and glowing streets below make it one of the most magical sights in the Smokies.
Attend Gatlinburg’s Favorite Holiday Events
The town is filled with cheerful events that celebrate the season with a mountain twist. The Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade is one of the area’s most anticipated traditions featuring illuminated floats, marching bands, and Santa himself making his way through downtown Gatlinburg. It’s a community event locals look forward to all year long.
Enjoy a more relaxed evening checking out the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Holiday Show. Dozens of local artisans gather to showcase handmade ornaments, pottery, woodwork, and other unique gifts. It’s the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind treasures while supporting local artists.
Visitors in December will not want to miss Ober Mountain’s holiday celebrations. From skiing and snow tubing to ice skating and hot chocolate by the fire, it’s a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike.
Explore the Great Smoky Mountains in Winter
The holidays bring festive energy to town and locals know that the true beauty of Gatlinburg lies in its natural surroundings. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes on a serene beauty in winter with frost-tipped trees, misty valleys, and peaceful trails perfect for hiking or photography. Popular trails like Laurel Falls and Alum Cave offer breathtaking views year-round and the quiet of the season makes them even more peaceful. You can also take a scenic drive along Newfound Gap Road or Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail to admire the mountain vistas without venturing too far from town. Head back to your vacation rental after your day of exploring to warm up by the fireplace or soak in a hot tub while snowflakes drift through the air.
Savor Seasonal Flavors
Gatlinburg’s dining scene comes alive during the holidays with hearty comfort foods and festive treats. Locals love cozying up at places like The Peddler Steakhouse where you can enjoy a delicious meal overlooking the river, or Pancake Pantry, a long-standing favorite for holiday breakfasts. Enjoy something special by visiting one of the local moonshine distilleries or wineries for tastings and seasonal flavors like apple pie or cinnamon. Many restaurants also serve up traditional Southern dishes for Christmas and New Year’s, making it easy to enjoy a warm, home-style meal even while you’re away from home. You can shop for local ingredients at the Gatlinburg Farmers Market or nearby specialty stores and cook your own holiday feast in a fully equipped kitchen when you reserve one of our full size vacation rentals.
Embrace Cozy Mountain Living
The best way to experience Gatlinburg during the holidays is to slow down and soak in the small moments. Locals spend their evenings gathered by the fire, sipping cocoa, and sharing stories as the mountains grow quiet under a blanket of snow. The atmosphere feels peaceful and intimate, perfect for reconnecting with loved ones.
Our cabin and mountain lodge vacation rentals give you the ideal home base for this kind of stay. Imagine waking up to a view of misty ridgelines, sipping coffee on the porch, and watching the sunrise over the Smokies. Whether you’re relaxing in a hot tub, decorating your cabin for the season, or watching the snowfall outside you will find that every moment feels a little more magical here.
A Smoky Mountain Christmas to Remember
Celebrating the holidays in Gatlinburg like a local means embracing both the festive energy of the town and the quiet beauty of the mountains. It’s about twinkling lights and cozy nights, holiday parades and peaceful hikes, and laughter by the fire with moments of stillness surrounded by nature. The welcoming community, stunning scenery, and our cozy vacation rentals make Gatlinburg offer a holiday experience that feels both exciting and deeply comforting. Book your favorite property with us today and start planning for a magical experience of the holidays in Gatlinburg.
This holiday season, treat your family to something special by taking them to Gatlinburg. You are sure to spend the winter season in style with plenty of holiday events and activities to enjoy. When you think of holiday events, there is nothing more exciting than checking out the Christmas lights and displays in the area. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge offer thrilling events that show off thousands of lights to help bring in a little holiday cheer to everyone. Take a look below at the best spots in the area to see Christmas lights in Gatlinburg and displays around Gatlinburg.
Gatlinburg Winter Magic
You do not have to go far at all to find your first Christmas lights event here in Gatlinburg. Simply head on over to Gatlinburg Winter Magic, which takes place in downtown Gatlinburg. This annual event has been going strong for over 30 years and brings in the holidays with millions of sparkling lights and festive holiday displays. Essentially, Gatlinburg Winter Magic is found all around downtown Gatlinburg streets, where you can easily drive through from the comfort of your own vehicle. Download the self-guided map to tour the city and check out all of the lights in person. This year’s event is sure to be a big one with larger than life displays. You will find life size snowmen along the way—there are 43 to track down on the self-guided tour map! Giant displays light up the night sky and help you celebrate the holidays together. This year’s Gatlinburg Winter Magic is scheduled to run from November 8th through February 12th, giving you plenty of time to check it out for yourself.
Gatlinburg’s Festival of Trees
While you will see most Christmas lights in Gatlinburg and displays outside on the streets and parks, you will also find some indoors, too. Head on over to the Gatlinburg’s Festival of Trees, taking place at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, to see countless Christmas trees decked out with all kinds of holiday lights. This free event benefits the Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains; while the event is free to attend donations are encouraged to support the cause. The 2024 Festival of Trees will be the 51st year of the event, making it one of the area’s longest standing traditions. Come enjoy seeing Christmas lights on the trees from the comfort of a warm indoor setting! The Festival of Trees will run this year from November 27th through December 1st.
Enchanted Christmas at Anakeesta
You will not have a shortage of locations to visit with their own celebration of holiday lights when you visit Gatlinburg this year. You know probably know all about our local attraction of Anakeesta and all of the outdoor fun they offer throughout the year. During the holiday season they put on their Enchanted Christmas celebration that decks out the park with all kinds of holiday décor. You will be able to explore Anakeesta with this celebration of lights that offers mountains worth of light displays all throughout the area. Visitors will be able to access the Enchanted Christmas with a regular entry ticket into Anakeesta, as it takes place all over the park. You will find thousands of holiday lights along with huge displays. You can even enjoy special activities during Enchanted Christmas such as Breakfast with Santa that gets you early entry into the park. Don’t forget to snap a photo with Santa himself and enjoy all of the views from Cliff Top. Enchanted Christmas at Anakeesta will take place from November 15th through December 31st this year.
Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade
While the Gatlinburg Winter Magic set up will be available all winter long, you will find that the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade to be a can’t-miss one-day event. This annual event is entering its 49th year of operation and will take place on Friday December 6th. It offers a lively parade that includes decorative floats that are decked out with holiday lights. Over one million lights will be on display as the floats march through downtown Gatlinburg. While the parade kicks off at 7:30 PM, make sure you arrive to Gatlinburg Christmas Tree early for the grand illumination ceremony at 7:25 PM. This is a free event with tons of viewing areas; however, it is one of Gatlinburg’s most popular events so getting to your viewing area early is highly encouraged. Grandstand VIP seating is also available for a charge for the best seats in the area. Don’t miss out on this lit up event to start off the holidays in Gatlinburg.
Book Your Stay Now
We offer the most comfortable cabin rentals here in the area. Book your favorite now in time for the holidays!
Don’t let another holiday season go by without you fulfilling the dream of traveling for Christmas. There is just something special about spending Christmas with your family in a new setting enjoying all new adventures together. This year come experience the magic of Christmas in Gatlinburg with us. Take a look at why you want to spend your holidays here with us.
Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood
Our neighbors of Pigeon Forge host one of the biggest attractions in the state of Tennessee: Dollywood. This incredible theme park is an enterprise of Dolly Parton and brings a variety of fun throughout the year. During the holiday season Dollywood transforms into a Smoky Mountain Christmas where the park is decorated in over 5 million holiday lights. Pair that with the endless Christmas decorations found at the park and you will easily see why it becomes a top holiday attraction. They also offer fireworks shows so you can enjoy your visit with all the splendor.
Ober Gatlinburg
You will find Ober Gatlinburg to be one of the top skiing attractions in the state and is just a short drive from our vacation rentals. Ober features 10 different slopes topped with powdery snow for a memorable time as you ride on down the mountain. Ober Gatlinburg also features an amusement park with thrilling rides and an indoor shopping mall so you can escape the cold for a bit. Best of all, Ober Gatlinburg is open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so you can enjoy your holiday from the top of the mountain!
Festive Attractions at Ripley’s
Here in Gatlinburg, you will find the various Ripley’s attractions to make for an exciting day of learning with unique activities. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Rockies will feature unique Christmas decorations around the aquarium that even the jellyfish will love. Ripley’s Haunted Adventure features the Christmassy Spooks for a holiday theme haunted adventure that would make Tim Burton proud. Make sure to take a look at their packaged tickets to save when you visit two or more of the Ripley’s attractions in Gatlinburg!
Christmas is Almost Here
This is just a taste of the many ways you can enjoy your Christmas in Gatlinburg this year. Make sure to prepare for your stay by booking a reservation at your favorite holiday rental. Get ready for the Great Smoky Mountains here around Christmas!
In case you haven’t looked at your calendar lately, the time to start making your Christmas plans is NOW. If you wait much longer, the best adventures may be taken over by others who started their planning early! Your trip to Gatlinburg for Christmas, for example, may have to be pushed off to next year, leaving you to stay at home and deal with cranky Uncle Bob for one more year, something no one really wants to have to face at this most wonderful time of year. And because Gatlinburg during the holidays becomes even more joyous and festive, it really would be a shame to postpone the merriment another 12 months! Be sure to start planning your Christmas in Gatlinburg 2019 escape now to enjoy some of the following holiday cheer.
Silent at Night
There are definitely times when your yuletide getaway is loud and rambunctious, but once the sun falls behind the mountains and the moon rises high in the sky, the silence that surrounds your holiday escape from The Cabin Rental Store will be much appreciated. Even if you decide to stay up late to bake a batch of Christmas cookies, the peace of mind you feel knowing your children are sleeping soundly in soft beds and NOT trying to catch a sneak peak at the jolly old elf is worth the visit alone! Add in living rooms with comfortable furniture, fireplaces to tell Christmas stories in front of, and those giant picture windows with the tree you purchased and decorated on your first morning in paradise, and you know this holiday will be picture perfect!
The Spirit of Christmas
The spirit of Christmas is easy to feel upon venturing outside the boundaries of your holiday cabin. From the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade held in downtown Gatlinburg on December 6th to the Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights available on different dates throughout November and December, Gatlinburg shines! The Polar Express Train Ride offers a meet and greet with Santa and a ride through the winter wonderland that is Gatlinburg, and Santa’s Claus-et offers food, gifts, and the opportunity to take a picture with your favorite jolly old elf. Prepare to have your breath taken away when you visit Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival; the skies will be alight with the reflection of thousands of lights, trees sing and synchronize their lights to the music in Carol of the Trees, and It’s a Wonderful Life is performed for guests delight in this spectacular holiday celebration!
The Warmth of a Cabin Rental Store Christmas Cabin
Each night will be better than the next when you spend your nights in one of our cozy Christmas cabins. Reserves yours today and enjoy a happy holiday with your family!
A Gatlinburg cabin is the perfect place for Christmas, with toasty fireplaces and frost on the rooftops. For even more holiday cheer though, head out to some of these exciting Gatlinburg Christmas events that herald the coming of Christmas and the New Year:
Ski Season Begins!
Ober Gatlinburg is the city’s own amusement park—and it becomes all the more fun when the temperatures drop and snow starts to fall! Doubling as a ski resort, Ober Gatlinburg is the most popular place for winter sports, including snow tubing, skiing, and snowboarding. Mid-December marks the beginning of ski season, so why not buy yourself a present—maybe some lessons or a new pair of goggles?
Winterfest as Pigeon Forge
For one of the most fascinating Gatlinburg Christmas events, head over to Pigeon Forge to enjoy Winterfest, a light show that brings in over 5 million lights to create a winter wonderland for guests from across the region. However, Winterfest is more than just the lights—it also includes all the other ways that Pigeon Forge goes all-out for the holidays, including Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede’s holiday shows. Pigeon Forge is just 20 to 30 minutes away from Gatlinburg, so stop on by!
Smoky Mountains Tunes and Tales
In December, each Friday and Saturday evening before the 25th brings out talented performers for Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales. Singers and more, they bring out the holiday spirit with festive music and local tales. Head to the downtown Parkway and stroll along to hear their country-inspired takes on old favorites, and stop by a raconteur long enough for a laugh and a small lesson.
Gatlinburg Ball Drop and Fireworks Show
If you’re in town for Christmas, you may as well stay for New Year’s! The safest place in the mountains for a fun-filled fireworks bonanza is at the Space Needle—around 50,000 spectators are expected, so it will be quite the party! The party is free and entertainment will be there. There’s nothing like standing shoulder to shoulder with strangers as the crisp night sky is illuminated with bangs and bursts as everyone heads into 2018.
Enjoy all the Gatlinburg Christmas Events When You Stay with Cabin Rental Store
If you’ve started each year this decade in the same city, then switch things up and begin one in Gatlinburg! Enjoy all the Gatlinburg Christmas events and activities to make the most of your vacation. At the Cabin Rental Store, we can provide the perfect place for your holiday retreat, from one-bedroom cabins to fourteen-bedroom palaces, we’ll happily host you and yours for the holidays. Call us at 877-301-0776 to learn more about our offerings, or browse them yourself and find the perfect cabin for Christmas.