THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
A 1¼ hour run into the dark to collect Santa, with cocoa, a read-along of the story, and a silver sleigh bell for every child.
17 September 2026|
Gatlinburg Winter Festival & Chili Cookoff
Downtown closes to traffic for a street festival of chili tasting, live music and the countdown that switches on a million lights.
Pigeon Forge Winterfest Kickoff Celebration
Free afternoon of music, food trucks and holiday vendors at Patriot Park, ending with six million lights and fireworks.
Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade
Lighted floats, marching bands and giant balloons fill the Parkway for Gatlinburg's night parade, one evening only.
Sevierville Christmas Parade
A daytime hometown parade through historic downtown, with marching bands, car clubs, floats and Santa at the end.
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas
Six million lights, a candy-cane Peppermint Valley, weekend fireworks and holiday stage shows, all included with a regular Dollywood day ticket.
Winterfest at The Island
Millions of lights, a 40-foot walk-through Christmas tree and a nightly holiday fountain show, all free to wander across The Island's 23 acres.
Bryson City Christmas Tree Lighting
Carols, a live nativity, free cookies and cocoa, and the moment the mayor lights Bryson City's Christmas tree to open the holiday season.
Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights
Cruise the Parkway past glowing bears, fairy-tale scenes and towering trees at your own pace. Free, self-guided and no tickets needed.
Gatlinburg New Year’s Eve Celebration and Ball Drop
A 15-foot LED ball drops 200 feet down the Space Needle at midnight, after live music, a drone show and a fireworks finale over downtown Gatlinburg. Free to attend.
