The holiday season is just around the corner, and we are sure that your family is as excited as ever. When you spend your holiday season with us here in Gatlinburg, you are treating the family to a festive celebration like no other. During your trip, you may want to document your holiday fun with a family photo. Luckily, there are quite a few different spots and events to get the perfect family Gatlinburg photo:
Gatlinburg Winter Magic
Gatlinburg has been enjoying the holiday season since the city’s founding and it continues to show to this day. Each year, Downtown Gatlinburg is transformed into Winter Magic, a huge display of holiday celebration across the city. Winter Magic has been returning for over 30 years during the holidays where Downtown Gatlinburg is covered in millions of Christmas lights. You can brave the cold and explore on foot through the beautiful displays of the holidays covered in Christmas lights. There will be plenty of spots where you can snap a photo of the family in front of these countless displays. After the photo, download a self-guided tour map so you can take the Winter Magic Lights Tour from the comfort of your vehicle. This will show you all the best spots for holiday lights while warm and comfortable in your car. Make sure you also go on the hunt with the Snowpeople Scavenger Hunt. Each holiday season Winter Magic will stage 43 unique snowpeople throughout the city. Track them down and grab photos in front of these charming holiday displays. It is all about the fun here in Gatlinburg.
Festival of Trees
Another great backdrop for your family holiday photo can be a collection of beautifully decorated Christmas trees. Each year, Gatlinburg is host to the Festival of Trees found over at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. This will be the 51st consecutive year that the Festival of Trees will take place, making it one of the city’s longest standing holiday traditions. This event brings out tons of Christmas trees that are sponsored and decorated by local businesses. The event uses the proceeds to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains and the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Foundation; over $117,000 was donated to the charities last year making it a huge contribution to the local youth programs of Gatlinburg. Getting into the Festival of Trees is absolutely free, where you can explore the room and take in the wonderful decorations on each tree. A family photo in front of the trees is always a popular activity for visitors no matter how many times they have been to the event.
The Festival of Trees will kick off the 2024 season on November 26th with a Candy Canes and Cocktails Reception. The festival itself will run from November 27th through December 1st and host a variety of activities. Your family will be able to enjoy a children’s play and craft area and get a family photo in Gatlinburg with Santa Claus himself. The Festival of Trees is open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM even on Thanksgiving Day so you will have plenty of time to get a family photo in front of the trees.
Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade
If you want a family photo at a wonderful event, look no further than the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade. This event officially kicks off the holiday season here in Gatlinburg on December 6th and will be bringing in its 49th year of tradition. The Fantasy of Lights is an award winning parade throughout Downtown Gatlinburg that features countless floats decorated in charming holiday décor and lights, huge holiday balloons, and wonderful marching bands. Over one million LED Christmas lights are used throughout Winter Wonderland where the parade takes place.
The parade will be led by grand marshals Emily Ann Roberts and Colton Dixon. The parade will kick off at 7:30 PM over at Baskins Creek Bypass and eventually ending over at traffic light #10. Parade viewers will want to arrive early and snag a viewing spot as this is one of Gatlinburg’s most popular events of the year. You can also purchase a VIP grandstand seat as well. Stick around for the Gatlinburg Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony that takes place at 7:25 PM just before the parade. You will find the tree to be the perfect backdrop for your family photo. Have a little fun with this Gatlinburg event while waiting to snap your holiday family pic!
Now That Is How You Celebrate with a Family Gatlinburg Photo
You will have the best family holiday picture in town if you head to these places in Gatlinburg. Prepare for your own journey by reserving a stay in our vacation rentals.
