16 ‘Must-Do’ Gatlinburg Adventures: Don’t Miss Your Chance for Year-Round Mountain Magic
As the crisp winter air settles over the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, transforms into a breathtaking winter wonderland.
Gatlinburg’s Christmas celebration is a testament to the magic of the holiday season, combining the area’s rich Appalachian heritage with modern holiday traditions.
What sets Gatlinburg apart as a Christmas destination is its ability to offer something for everyone. Whether you’re an outdoor person, a family seeking holiday-themed attractions, or a couple searching for a romantic getaway, Gatlinburg is one of my favorite winter destinations
The people are warm and welcoming, and the breathtaking beauty of the Smoky Mountains makes for an unforgettable holiday getaway.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best ways to immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit in Gatlinburg.
From the light displays and festive parades to outdoor fun and cozy cabins, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make the most of your holiday visit to Gatlinburg..
So grab a cup of hot cocoa, settle in, and discover why Gatlinburg is the ultimate destination for a mountain Christmas.
The holidays in Gatlinburg have been a family tradition for the last few years because I was tired of cooking while everybody else lay around and chilled.
- Smoky Mountain Winterfest Events
- Winterfest Parades
- Winter Light and Trolly tours
- What’s open in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg on Christmas Day
- Where to stay in Gatlinburg and Pigeon for the Holidays
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Gatlinburg Trolley Ride of Lights
Date: November 12, 2024 – January 25, 2024
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Admission: $10
Location: Downtown Gatlinburg
The specially designated trolleys carry visitors on a memorable and fun journey through downtown Gatlinburg allowing everyone to experience the magical wonder of Gatlinburg Winter Magic.
Catch the trolley daily at 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. from November 22 until December 31. Trolley tours do not run on December 6, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Eve.
After the holiday season, trolley tours will run on Saturdays at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 until January 25.
The Trolly will include the following:
- A special costumed storyteller as your guide
- Complimentary cup of hot chocolate provided by Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
- Special Christmas token to show our thanks and commemorate your experience on the Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights
The Island Tree Lighting
Date: November 21, 2024
Admission: $Free
Location: The Island in Pigeon Forge
Light up your holiday season with the Tree Lighting at The Island in Pigeon Forge during Winterfest. Bask in the glow of 40,000 ornaments, half a million lights, and more than 5,000 feet of garland.
Festival of Trees
Date: November 27, 2024 – December 1, 2024
Admission: Free
Location: WL Mills Conference Center
Address: 234 Historic Nature Trail
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
What better way to spend Christmas than in a room with ornately decorated Christmas trees?
Gatlinburg’s annual Festival of Trees returns with new family-friendly activities, live entertainment, visits with Santa Claus, and exquisitely decorated Christmas trees and wreaths that will be available for purchase.
This year marks the 48th year of Gatlinburg’s Festival of Trees.
The Festival of Trees runs from November 27th to December 1st and kicks off with Candy Canes and Cocktails Reception on the evening of Tuesday, November 26th.
Families are invited to enjoy Breakfast with Santa on November 30th. The Festival will feature a children’s craft and play area, weekly entertainment, photos with Santa Claus, and beautifully decorated Christmas trees and wreaths.
This year the event will bring back the Gingerbread House Competition.
Winter Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales
Date: November 29, 2024 – December 22, 2024
Location: Downtown Gatlinburg
Address: Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Phone: (865) 430-4148
Toll Free: 1-800-568-4748
Winter Magic Tunes & Tales will once again present strolling Christmas entertainment on the streets of Gatlinburg, beginning the Friday/Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 30 & Dec 1 from 5:00-9:30 pm, followed by performances again on Dec 7-8, 14-15, 21-22.
Holiday music will fill the air with a sacred-secular mixture of Appalachia, Bluegrass, and Country. Visitors will also enjoy visiting Santa’s Elves-Frosty-Rudolph, a bit of history, humor, and more!
This interactive program is a Holiday favorite, staged against a backdrop of millions of lights….making it truly a Winter Magical experience in Gatlinburg!
Great Smoky Christmas Arts & Crafts Show
Date: December 2, 2024 – December 8, 2024
Admission: Free
Location: Gatlinburg
Phone: Toll Free: 1-800-588-1817
The Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community is the nation’s largest organization of independent artisans and makes its home in Gatlinburg and the 8-mile Arts and Crafts Loop along Route 321, Buckhorn Road, and Glades Road.
The Tennessee artists and craftspeople here create beautiful and useful things with techniques handed down for centuries.
Find gorgeous quilts, old-fashioned straw brooms with hand-carved handles, exquisitely woven baskets, hand-dipped scented candles, Victorian ceramic pitchers, pottery, dulcimers, stuffed bears, and leather vests.
Handmade jewelry is unlike anything you’ll find in the malls back home. Painters capture landscapes and mountain life scenes, while potters and weavers work magic with clay and cloth.
Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade
Date: December 6, 2024
Admission: Free
Location: Downtown Gatlinburg
Phone: 865-430-4148
Toll Free: 1-800-588-1817
On December 6, the 44th Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade will roll through downtown Gatlinburg to celebrate the holiday season and the beginning of Gatlinburg Winter Magic.
Beginning at 7:30 p.m. from Baskins Creek Bypass, a spectacular parade line-up of balloons, floats decorated by local businesses and groups, and 11 marching bands spans through downtown before ending at traffic light #10.
Parade-goers are encouraged to arrive early to find a spot on the Parkway to watch the parade.
The Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024.
More than 60,000 people came to view the award-winning parade, featuring lighted floats, marching bands, equestrian units, giant balloons, and Santa Claus!
The parade route runs through the middle of downtown Gatlinburg.
Where To Stay in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg For Christmas
Margaritaville Gatlinburg Resort
Imagine waking up at Margaritaville Gatlinburg Resort in a luxury tropical escape in the middle of the Smoky Mountains, creating a sense of paradise with a rustic feel.
Stroll down to Joe Merchant’s Coffee and Provisions in the lobby of Margaritaville Gatlinburg Resort, where you can grab a cup of coffee or a breakfast sandwich to start your day.
You can sit in the lobby and spend the morning relaxing in a rocking chair, sipping your coffee while the sun rises over the picturesque Smoky Mountains.
While you were reading the first paragraph, I’ve already made my reservations and packed my bags for Gatlinburg.
Aside from the marvelous views and a warm holiday feeling, Christmas in the Smoky Mountains is hard to beat.
Margaritaville Island Hotel In Pigeon Forge
Escape the every day and discover a new outlook by just chilling at the Margaritaville Island Hotel in Pigeon Forge for Christmas in the Smoky Mountains.
Located at The Island entertainment complex just off the Pigeon Forge Parkway. The Margaritaville Island Hotel offers the perfect setting to enjoy the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains for Christmas.
Winterfest at The Island in Pigeon Forge is unlike any experience in the Smokies. With millions of lights, our 23-acre property lights up as the sun goes down to create a holiday ambiance you’ll love.
Every year, The Island hosts several opportunities for entertainment throughout Winterfest, including live music, carolers, photos with Santa, and a Tree-Lighting Ceremony at the beginning of the season to kick off it all!
Do you still need convincing that a Gatlinburg Christmas is just what your family needs? Treat your family to Margaritaville Gatlinburg Resort or Margaritaville Island Hotel in Pigeon Forge.
Seven reasons why you need a Gatlinburg Christmas.
1. The Pristine Weather
I was born and raised in Tennessee, and those who have lived here our entire lives can sometimes take the scenery for granted.
The rooms at Margaritaville Gatlinburg Resort and Margaritaville Island Hotel in Pigeon Forge come equipped with a fireplace because when you’re up that far in the mountains, you’re pretty much guaranteed a chilly morning while you open presents or gather around for breakfast.
When you celebrate Christmas in the Smoky Mountains, you’re bound for perfect holiday weather – not too hot but crisp.
To enjoy this perfect winter weather, head to Great Smoky Mountain National Park with your family for a hike.
Here is the list of my top Christmas hikes to make your holiday in Gatlinburg a memorable one.
2. Outstanding Christmas Attractions in Gatlinburg
Everyone knows that Gatlinburg is packed with exciting attractions, and Margaritaville Gatlinburg Resort is within walking distance of all of the main attractions from Downtown Gatlinburg to the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
- Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies – Ripley’s Aquarium is located right next door to Margaritaville Gatlinburg Resort and is one of the most popular Gatlinburg attractions.
- It was voted the number one aquarium in the United States.
- There is something for everyone to see, with more than 350 species of marine life to explore at the aquarium, including stingrays, giant sea turtles, and seahorses.
When celebrating Christmas in the Smoky Mountains, you have to go to Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival.
From November to early January each year, the park lights up with spectacular holiday shows and greet opportunities with Santa and friends.
The kids will love the millions of lights strung throughout the park. Dollywood knows how to celebrate the Christmas season.
The Trolley Tour of Lights is another magical Christmas attraction in the greater Smoky Mountain area. The trolley ride takes you through the most notable areas of town – all glowing with holiday LED displays.
Nothing will put you in the Christmas spirit if this trolley ride doesn’t put you in the mood! When spending Christmas in the Smoky Mountains, riding the trolley and seeing the light displays should be at the top of your list.
3. Play in the Snow
Christmas in the Smoky Mountains would not be complete without playing in the snow. Head to Ober Gatlinburg for extraordinary winter activities, including:
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Snow Tubing
- A Kids Snow Zone
- Ski/Snowboard Lessons
Ober Gatlinburg is great for those who want to experience the thrill of skiing or snowboarding but would rather go snow tubing.
There’s something for everyone at the winter park. Don’t forget to ride the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway for jaw-dropping views of the Smoky Mountains in winter!
4. Finish Your Last Minute Shopping in Gatlinburg
If you’re like me, you’ve waited until the last minute to do your Christmas shopping. Between the shops in downtown Gatlinburg and the Tanger Outlets in Pigeon Forge, you’ll have plenty of places to finish up your holiday shopping quickly.
5. Christmas Pancakes Anyone?
Gatlinburg is the pancake capital of the South. Celebrate Christmas in Gatlinburg with the festive holiday pancake specials from Gatlinburg’s top pancake houses, including Pancake Pantry and Log Cabin Pancake House. I promise your stomach will thank you!
6. See Lights from the Gatlinburg Space Needle
The Gatlinburg Space Needle provides fantastic panoramic views of Gatlinburg, with the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in the background.
It’s a great place to see picture-perfect views of the beautiful Christmas light displays. At 407’ tall, the Space Needle offers 360-degree views of all the Christmas action below.
Conclusion How to Spend Christmas in Gatlinburg
The Smoky Mountains of Tennessee are filled with charm during all seasons of the year, but no season has more good old-fashioned Southern charm than Christmas time.
The Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge areas are absolutely brimming with holiday cheer, from Christmas shows that can’t be beaten to fantastic shopping opportunities, holiday parades, and Christmas events that will warm the heart.
It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting family or from the area; you won’t want to miss these festive holiday activities this winter.
Travel Insurance
Last but not least – travel insurance. It’s not just a safety net; it’s a smart move.
From unexpected flight changes to unforeseen medical issues, having that extra layer of protection ensures you can focus on Switzerland’s wonders worry-free.
So, pack your bags, grab your passport, and prepare for an unforgettable journey in this European gem!
ADDITIONAL TRAVEL ARTICLES
The Island at Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Best Hotels Near The Island in Pigeon Forge
Have you considered spending Christmas in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge? I would love to hear your thoughts so leave me a comment on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
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Oh wow this remind me of my vacation in Banff so I will definitely check out.
I love a good spa and I have traveled all over the world and I had the massage in pigeon forge, tn!
So much to do there I see! We were just discussing the holidays and should we travel this year. I am going to share your list with the fam.
I love Gatlinburg! my favorite quick getaway when we dont want to spend a ton of money
Thanks to you I have officially added Gatlinberg to my Must See list – this looks like such an amazing way to switch things up and create new memories.
Gatlinburg is awesome and I love the new Margaritaville Resort
We love Gaitlinsburg. I trip up for Christmas never crossed my mind. I am going to look into because I am sure it is beautiful especially at night.
It is stunning in the winter with the snow covering the smoky mountains! just beautiful
I have always heard about Gaitlinburg, but I have never been! And I have been through the smoky mountains plenty of times, we are definitely adding this to our list!
I am sold! I need to book at room at the Margaritaville Gatlinburg Resort. I appreciate the luxury they offer. I had no idea, I need to see how far away they are from me.
A few years ago when Gatlinburg experienced several fires (i believe it was due to arson) I was so devastated because my husband always sends his parents there on their anniversary. It’s a beautiful place to visit.
They have rebuilt and you cant even tell there was ever a fire.
Oh my goodness, the views are stunning here! I’d love to hand out here any time of the year.
I had no idea there was a pancake capital! Pancakes are my go to saturday morning food. That alone makes this place worth visiting.
Oh wow, I’d go for the scenery alone! Beautiful views! The resort looks nice as well, and the food looks great!
I have always wanted to travel to places like this over the holiday season. But with my work schedule, it is always out of the question. Well, I am adding this to my vision board as motivation to do well with my blog, and be able to cut down my hours at my day job.