Kick Off Winterfest in the Smokies with Us!

Each year, the Smokies is blessed to receive thousands and thousands of visitors who want to make our part of the region their holiday spirit destination with the Winterfest Season that begins after the first week of November in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Many are return visitors who come each year or at least each year they're able to, and many others are first timers who will have a very memorable holiday to look forward to.

If you're planning on your first ever holiday Winterfest visit to the Gatlinburg side of the Smokies, here are some events to look forward to:

Gatlinburg Winterfest:
* Winter Magic & Chili Cookoff
November 7th

"Celebrate the kickoff of Gatlinburg's Winter Magic at the 35th Chili Cookoff presented by Bush’s Chili Beans. Offering mouth-watering recipes of homemade chili ranging from mild and delightful to wild and adventurous, Gatlinburg hosts this annual event on Thursday, November 7 from 5 to 8 PM in the Shade Tree Parking lot (120 Airport Road). Festivalgoers will enjoy free, live entertainment offered throughout the event."

See this event at: https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/gatlinburgs-winter-magic-%26-chili-cookoff/16/.


Lights Over Gatlinburg
November 8th

"Lights Over Gatlinburg is the most popular holiday lights event in Tennessee, attracting tens of thousands of visitors and media attention from across the country every year.

This year it gets bigger and better! Our entire park will be covered with all things Christmas, with THOUSANDS of New Christmas Lights, photo ops for the entire family, a HUGE 38 ft. multicolored Christmas tree along with lights on trees animated to music, and we are bringing back the famous 300-foot tunnel of lights on the record-breaking Gatlinburg SkyBridge which now expands the entire length! Explore the 0.6-mile hiking trail behind the SkyBridge during the daytime, experience new views and unique experiences, and then come back at night to immerse yourself in the wonder of winter with Lights Over Gatlinburg! This is truly a magical experience that every visitor to Gatlinburg simply must see.

Lights Over Gatlinburg runs daily, and access is included with your SkyPark admission ticket at no additional cost. With a purchase of an online SkyPass, you can take in the views by day, and then return that night to enjoy the lights, making the SkyPark the best experience and greatest value in town throughout the holiday season. In addition, Christmas Carolers will be in attendance on Dec. 16."

See this event at: https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/lights-over-gatlinburg/432/.


Gatlinburg Winter Magic
November 8th

"For more than 30 years, Gatlinburg has celebrated Winter Magic with millions of twinkling lights on festive holiday displays throughout the city. Soak up the spirit of the season from the comfort of your own vehicle and take a memorable journey on the exciting Gatlinburg Winter Magic Lights Tour."

See this event at: https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/gatlinburg-winter-magic/26/.


Pigeon Forge Winterfest:
"Draped in more than 6 million holiday lights, the annual Pigeon Forge Winterfest celebration creates a winter wonderland for locals and guests alike to enjoy. The lights of Winterfest shine bright from early November until February. From winter light displays to captivating holiday shows and so much more, here are just a few of the fun ways you can experience the delightful Pigeon Forge Winterfest celebration. The holiday lights shine bright throughout Pigeon Forge. This year’s Winterfest celebration features even more spectacular holiday light displays to enjoy with your loved ones.

Pigeon Forge Winterfest keeps getting bigger and brighter! When the city-wide festival begins on Nov. 9, visitors will get to experience the Winterfest Wonders of Light Walking Trail. In all, more than one million LED lights were added to the city’s Winterfest displays. The 20+ displays include walk-thru arches, a colorful 52-foot-long caterpillar, larger-than-life flowers, and Old Man Winter. Vibrant snowflakes, shooting stars, snow people, and a 20-foot-tall ice fountain will light the way as deer, bears, frogs, and squirrels—ranging in size from 13 to 19 feet tall—frolic alongside the path while lights that mimic fireflies and butterflies dance in the trees overhead."


Winterfest Kickoff
November 9th

"The Winterfest Kickoff event takes place on Nov. 9 in the city’s Patriot Park (186 Old Mill Ave.), beginning at 3 p.m. with a special veteran’s tribute. The event will conclude with the activation of six million lights throughout the city followed by a show-stopping fireworks display.

All Winterfest kickoff event entertainment is free. Free parking is available in the city’s Municipal and Mountain parking lots located just off Teaster Lane. A variety of food trucks will offer guests dining options for purchase throughout the event."


Wonders of Light Christmas Village
November 9th - November 23rd

"Make plans to come out and explore the Wonders of Light Christmas Village with more than 35 booths featuring artisans and crafters selling a variety of seasonal and gift items. Admission is free and activities will take place November 9-12 and November 17-25."


Winterfest at The Island
TBA

"Another must-see is Winterfest at The Island with thousands of ornaments, millions of lights and over a mile of garland. Guests are treated to three different Christmas trees, including one that stands 40 feet tall and allows guests to walk through. Santa and Mrs. Claus greet guests at their workshop while roving carolers fill the air with Christmas music."

See these events in full detail at https://www.mypigeonforge.com/event/winterfest/.