November 08, 2021
Top 5 Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains During the Holiday Season
If you are planning a trip to the Smokies this holiday season, you will find all types of fun things to do to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year! With a variety of exciting special events, spectacular light displays, and unique shopping opportunities, there is just no better place to be during the holidays! Here are the top 5 things to do in the Smoky Mountains during the holiday season:
1. Experience the Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood
The premier holiday event in the Smokies is the Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood! This magical celebration of the holiday season features over 5 million twinkling lights, heartwarming shows, and a seasonal fireworks spectacular! Bring the whole family along for an enchanting evening as you stroll through Santa’s Village and discover dozens of amazing Christmas trees that tower up to 12 feet tall! Be sure to catch at least one of the seasonal shows that return to the stage to share the holiday cheer, such as Christmas in the Smokies, O’ Holy Night, or ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas! This is also the perfect opportunity to enjoy some of Dollywood’s Christmas culinary delights, ranging from hearty dishes like Braised Beef Short Ribs to sweet treats, like the Bear Country Apple Cinnamon Funnel Cake!
2. See a Holiday Version of Your Favorite Show
It is no secret that Pigeon Forge is home to some of the best shows in the country, so just wait until you see what is in store during the holiday season! One of the best holiday shows in town is the Christmas Show at Country Tonite! This fabulous production features all of your favorite Christmas music, as well as beautiful choreography, brightly decorated holiday sets, and colorful costumes! The show even offers a few very special guest performers, such as Frosty the Snowman, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Santa Claus! If you are craving some wacky comedy this holiday season, don’t miss the Hatfield & McCoy Christmas Disaster Dinner Feud ! This is your chance to see the Hatfield and McCoy families put the fun in dysfunctional as they try to set aside their differences in the spirit of the season!
3. Take the Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights
Another one of the top things to do in the Smoky Mountains during the holiday season is the Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights ! Each holiday season, the Pigeon Forge Parkway comes alive with millions of sparkling lights that are sure to take your breath away! The lights continue all the way into Gatlinburg, where you will find unique displays of animals that are native to the Smokies! The Winterfest lights are turned on in early November and shine through the end of February, giving folks plenty of time to enjoy these beautiful lights! While you can always drive your personal vehicle down the Parkway to see the displays, both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg offer a convenient trolley service where you can ride through town for a nominal fee!
The Smoky Mountains are an amazing place to go holiday shopping as you will discover a variety of unique stores, making it easy to find a gift for everyone on your list! When it comes to holiday gifts, your first stop should be the Incredible Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge! This is the largest Christmas shopping village in the south and features hundreds of personalized ornaments, a wide selection of novelty Christmas lights, and displays of over 60 designer-themed Christmas trees! When you want to browse through more unique speciality shops, just head over to The Island in Pigeon Forge for a shopper’s paradise! Some of the other popular shopping destinations in the Smokies include the shops at the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge, the Three Bears General Store and the Village Shops in downtown Gatlinburg!
5. Visit Gatlinburg SkyLift Park for Lights Over Gatlinburg
When it comes to the top things to do in the Smoky Mountains during the holiday season, you don’t want to miss Lights Over Gatlinburg at the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park! This exciting event features incredible light displays on trees that are animated to music, a huge 30 foot tall multi-colored Christmas tree, and tons of fantastic photo opportunities! One of the main highlights of the event is the 200 foot tunnel of lights on the Gatlinburg SkyBridge, which is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America! The stunning location at the top of Crockett Mountain allows you to gaze upon all of the holiday lights that sparkle in downtown Gatlinburg! The Lights Over Gatlinburg event is included with your admission to the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, which also includes the SkyBridge, SkyTrail and of course the SkyLift itself!
Check out all of our cabins in the Smokies today to stay near these fun things to do in the Smoky Mountains this holiday season! We look forward to seeing you soon!
