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Winterfest in the Smoky Mountains is a magical time of year. Join Chuck Schmidt, travel host for a tour of the area’s best events, attractions and holiday shows.
Just think of it, 15-Million lights in just 25 miles, that’s what you’ll experience at Winterfest in the Smoky Mountains. Sevierville, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge pull out all the stops in creating a winter wonderland everyone has to see in their lifetimes. Add the special experience of Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas and thier 5 million lights on display and you’ll soon make this visit a family tradition.
Winterfest in the Smoky Mountains runs from November 22nd through February 15th. Winterfest in Pigeon Forge kicks off on Thanksgiving evening with fireworks at the Titanic Museum at 7pm . Another must-see is on November 23rd and it’s the lighting of the Christmas Trees at The Island in Pigeon Forge with nearly 40,000 ornaments, half a million lights and more than 5,000 feet of garland.
Gatlinburg’s winter calendar of events is packed with fun seasonal activities like Winterfest, Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show, Festival of Trees, Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales, the Great Smoky Christmas Arts & Crafts Show, the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade, and the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks show, just to name a few.
In Sevierville special Winterfest attractions, like Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland at Smokies Stadium (November 15, 2019 – January 5, 2020), add to the excitement. This 1.5-mile drive through LED light and music experience features fun extra activities for the kids, including crafts and photos with Santa (beginning after Thanksgiving).
Winterfest lights in Pigeon Forge shine from November 22nd through February 17th. See more than 5 million shining Pigeon Forge holiday lights when you take the Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights!
Along your driving tour, you’ll see bear, deer, fox and other critters native to the Smoky Mountains “wandering” through Pigeon Forge. Sparkling lights, giant ornaments, and tall, tall trees are seen on Island Drive and throughout the Island in Pigeon Forge. Even the 200-foot-tall Great Smoky Mountain Wheel shows off the holiday spirit with red, green and white lights.
Download your Winterfest Driving Tour Map here
Another highlight of Winterfest in the Smoky Mountains are all the holiday shows at the dinner theaters. Including; Twas the fight before Christmas at the Hatfield & McCoy Christmas Disaster Dinner Feud™, Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Stampede! , Christmas at the Smoky Mountain Opry. That’s just a few, there are more Christmas shows at The Comedy Barn, Magic Beyond Belief, Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre, Country Tonite and more.
If you’re looking for a memory to last a lifetime than consider a ride on the THE POLAR EXPRESS™ . Over 90,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2018 and anticipate the same in 2019! The 1¼ hour round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole.
Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the North Pole to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board THE POLAR EXPRESS™, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Bryson City Depot.
Those are just a few of the events, attractions and experiences you can expect at Winterfest in the Smoky Mountains. For more details list to the bonus episode of our podcast – An Outsiders Guide to the Smoky Mountains.
Are you planning a visit to the Smokies and are wondering how to fit it all in? Check out our sample itineraries: https://dancingbearfoot.blog/2018/08/30/smoky-mountains-vacation-itinerary-day-1/
If this is your fist time coming to the Smokies and renting a cabin check out out blog post in what to look for when renting a log cabin.
Thank you for reading. If you’d like to learn more about our cabin or other great things to see while visiting the Smoky Mountains please visit us at Dancing Bearfoot.com.
Like our Pizza Bear? Check out the other great artwork from Kenton Visser https://www.kentonvisser.com/
