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.
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