There is nothing like the holiday season in the Smoky Mountains! You can take in the views of millions of twinkling Christmas lights that line the Parkway and visit some of the incredible events happening throughout the Smokies. The best part is you can enjoy the holiday spirit for just over 3 months! Here is everything you need to know about Winterfest in Gatlinburg:
Sparkling Displays
As you drive down the Parkway in Gatlinburg, your family can enjoy millions of incredible holiday lights that tell the story of the Smoky Mountains! For over 30 years, the city of Gatlinburg has celebrated Winterfest with a Christmas light driving tour that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own vehicle. The Gatlinburg Winter Magic Lights Tour returns again this year with new light sculptures that are sure to leave your entire group in awe. During the drive, you can view all sorts of wonderful Christmas light displays, including animals that are native to the Smokies, and an appearance from all your favorite visitors from the North Pole. This yearly event is scheduled to begin in November and will run daily so you have plenty of time to check out the lights!
Special Events
In addition to the daily light displays, Winterfest in Gatlinburg is home to a ton of marvelous holiday events that you don’t want to miss. In November, you can enjoy the sounds of the holidays at the Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies Music Festival. Throughout the event, you can listen to an array of talented groups perform all your favorite holiday tunes with a little bluegrass spin. The event is scheduled to take place at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Be sure to stick around for the annual Festival of Trees event at the W.L. Mills Conference Center, where you can view all sorts of stunning decorated Christmas trees. In addition, there will be a children’s craft area, a play area, musical entertainment, and photos with Santa!
Gatlinburg Christmas Parade
One of the biggest events of Winterfest is the Gatlinburg Christmas Parade. To date, the parade has welcomed just over 20 million guests in its history. The parade starts at the Baskins Creek Bypass on East Parkway and travels throughout downtown Gatlinburg until reaching traffic light #10. During the parade, you can expect to see marching bands, large balloons, dancers, musicians, and much more. Of course, Santa Claus is always the headline act! Be sure to arrive early to find a spot along the Parkway and spread the festive cheer!
Where to Stay
As you make your plans to visit Winterfest in Gatlinburg, we would love to have you come and spend your vacation at our Gatlinburg hotel. We have gorgeous guest rooms for everyone that are located near all the action in downtown. Our hotel offers the perfect place for families and couples to relax and recharge in order to experience everything that the Smoky Mountains has to offer. Due to the high volume of visitors for Winterfest, we encourage guests to book on weekdays when possible to avoid crowds and to have the best available room options.
Are you ready to plan your next Smoky Mountain getaway? Check out our Gatlinburg hotel rooms to find the perfect home away from home for your trip! We look forward to seeing you soon for this year’s Winterfest in Gatlinburg!
