Every season of the year is beautiful in its own way. Spring brings renewed energy with nature’s rebirth. Summer thrives on outdoor fun and water adventures. Autumn flaunts regal colors and warm flavors. As for winter… Winter is all about magic! Not to be confused with supernatural power, winter’s unique magic can be found when we experience the extraordinary joy of belonging together. As you gather with your loved ones for the holidays, consider how the following Gatlinburg attractions might sprinkle a little extra seasonal magic into your quality time.
Gatlinburg Winter Magic
November 12, 2020 – January 31, 2020
Magic does exist in Gatlinburg at this appropriately named Christmas lights display. Gatlinburg Winter Magic is a free event with humble beginnings in 1989. Since then, it has grown to incorporate three million environmentally-friendly LED lights, valued at over one million dollars. Glowing snowflakes and cheerful snowmen adorn every street corner, while colorful native mountain critters like squirrels, foxes and rabbits vibrantly animate the pitch blackness of the mountains. Light fountains will send shimmers across your loved ones’ excited faces as you promenade or leisurely drive through an enchanting downtown Gatlinburg.
Your journey through miles of winter wonderland doesn’t have to leave you shivering in the snow. Explore the light tunnels with a bowl of chili to warm your bones. An annual chili cookoff kicks off the greater Smoky Mountain Winterfest and offers chili samples for only $10. Alternatively, watch the vivacious, glittering lights from magnificent vantage points at Gatlinburg SkyLift Park. Warm up on the SkyDeck with a cup of hot cider near the fire pits. Or, catch a romantic ride with your special someone on the SkyLift to take in the spectacular displays from above.
Gatlinburg Winter Magic Tunes and Tales
Dates TBD
While all of Gatlinburg is dressed in sparkling lights and lively seasonal decor, the airwaves tie it all together with holiday tunes. Every weekend, Winter Magic Tunes and Tales presents religious and secular music from Appalachian Country, Bluegrass and Folk performers. Sing along to your favorite Christmas carols as you stroll the festooned streets of Gatlinburg and explore the local shops for holiday gifts. Dates are still unconfirmed for 2020, but the event usually started after Thanksgiving and continued through December in past years.
Gatlinburg’s Festival of Trees
November 25, 2020 – November 29, 2020
Gatlinburg’s Festival of Trees returns every year to bring Christmas cheer to your family. Presented by Hospitality Solutions, the Gatlinburg Festival of Trees features the most spectacular display of Christmas trees and produces entertainment all week long. The event kicks off with Candy Canes & Cocktails Preview Party and Silent Auction on Tuesday the 24th at 6:00 p.m. A variety of festive items will be up for the silent auction, including stunning wreaths, Christmas trees and swag. Tickets are limited for social distancing, so make your reservations as soon as possible.
To keep everyone safe per the Tennessee Pledge, the enchanting stroll through Christmas decorations, wreaths and trees will be one-way this year. The children’s craft area will instead gift crafts to-go for kids to enjoy at home. Breakfast with Santa is postponed until next year. However, the kids will still have the opportunity to meet and take photos with Santa from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 27.
For almost 50 years, this free event has supported the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund and the Boys and Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains. The scholarship awards financial support to graduating high school seniors to go on to college. The Boys and Girls Clubs educates over 1,600 Sevier County youth outside of home or school in life skills and character growth. Last year, the event donated $12,000 to the scholarship fund and $55,000 to the clubs.
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Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade
December 4, 2020
The 45th Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade commences the greater Gatlinburg Winter Magic season with illuminated floats, colorful balloons and gorgeous horses. This unprecedented nighttime parade shows off dazzling LED lighting displays amidst dancers who sweep you into the marching bands’ music. Every year, over 60,000 people get cozy on the Parkway or in bleacher seats for this spectacular show. The parade starts at 7:30 p.m. in Baskins Creek Bypass and travels to light #10 in downtown Gatlinburg by 9:00 p.m. Make sure to get there early to get a good spot where you can see Santa Claus, the star of the show!
Great Smoky Mountain Thanksgiving and Christmas Arts & Crafts Show
November 24, 2020 – December 6, 2020
The Smoky Mountains are home to a rich culture of arts and crafts. Gatlinburg houses the largest organization of independent artisans in the nation, located on a Tennessee Heritage Arts & Crafts Trail. Tourists and locals visit the 8-mile loop to appreciate and purchase handcrafted items like dulcimers, ceramics, soaps and textiles and then grab a bite to eat at one of the nearby restaurants.
The Great Smoky Mountain Thanksgiving and Christmas Arts & Crafts Show highlights over 100 of these local artisans every day for a week from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Discover Tennessee’s history in tangible form when you browse silverware, watercolor art, pottery, carvings, woven baskets, handmade scented candles, stuffed animals, leather apparel and more. Artists demonstrate and discuss their skills using centuries-old techniques for audiences totaling thousands. Express your love and appreciation for each of your family members with one-of-a-kind gifts like handcrafted jewelry pieces, exquisite quilts and mountain landscape paintings.
With three major holidays, the winter season is the most joyous and reverent time of the year. No matter what corner of the world we pass most days of the year, it gives us a chance to gather again with our family. When the outside world turns bitterly cold and hostile, we warm each others’ hearts with hot cocoa and home-cooked feasts. Work seems to take the backseat as festive activities bring us into the spirit of joy and celebration. Thanks to wintertime, magic does exist — and its purpose is to grant us precious quality time with the people we love.
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