Coming to the Smoky Mountains for vacation? We are so glad you plan to make the visit! We are Stephanie and Sarah. We are two local moms who love where we live.
Christmas is probably one of the most stressful times of the year. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to get the house all decorated, find the best gifts, do all the activities and work for a living. Well, we hope this list can help you with some of your planning, whether you live here, or just passing through here are just some ideas of things you can do this Christmas season.
Stay At The Inn At Christmas Place
How fun would it be to stay at a hotel themed for Christmas all year long? The Inn at Christmas Place has to be such a fun place to stay around the Christmas season. They have the lobby so beautiful and a singing Santa to entertain everyone. They also have an indoor heated pool and a newly renovated outdoor lazy river to explore and swim in if you come back during the warmer months, but it is beautiful to see.
Buy A New Ornament at the Christmas Place
Going across the street from The Inn At Christmas Place is a wonderful place called The Christmas Place where you can go and explore and see all kinds of beautiful ornaments, Christmas villages, trees and anything you want to purchase to make your home more festive. We love to just look around and see everything they have. While you are there, pop in to see Santa and write him a letter. They also have some amazing fudge for sale.
See The Christmas Lights at Dollywood
Going to Dollywood during the Christmas season has to be on everyone’s bucket list. The whole place is lit up with beautiful lights. You can buy a tasting pass and taste up to five seasonal foods. A nice cup of hot chocolate as you walk around and look at the lights. Be sure to catch some favorite Christmas shows and musicals as well. Don’t forget to see Snow in The Grove. We love Christmas at Dollywood, and it always puts us in the holiday spirit! If you have kids with you, make sure you stop by to see Santa. If you are there over the weekend, you may catch the firework show. You can download the Dollywood app to check on certain times for shows and events going on the day you go so you don’t miss any of the fun.
Explore Anakeesta In The Winter
Anakeesta is very beautiful all year long with their view of the mountains and fun things to do, but going up there around the Christmas season is always fun. We love to go and take in the winter views of the mountains, walk the sky bridge all bundled up and see the Christmas lights sipping on our amazing hot chocolate. Speaking of hot coco, they have some amazing recipes and fantastic different ways they make it and it is always so much fun to try new ones.
See the Shadrack Christmas Wonderland Lights
This drive thru Christmas light show is in the parking lot of Soaky Mountain. All the lights are synchronized to festive music. Stay warm in your car and take a drive to see the lights. They also have an area where you can get out and do some crafts, meet Santa, have some food and jump on some inflatables.
Go See The Christmas Never Ends Light Show in Newport
This New Drive Thru Christmas Light Show is located in Newport, TN is called The Christmas Never Ends Light Show and it is a great show for a wonderful value. You can go for as low as $12- $15 per car depending on the day and have a great time with the family.
Ride The Polar Express Railroad Train
Christmas train rides are so fun and gets us in the holiday spirit. There are a few train rides in the area you can try.
The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad located in Bryson North Carolina offers some fun rides all year long but are licensed to use The Polar Express theme at Christmas and it looks to be so much fun. You can wear fun Christmas PJs and take an hour and 15 min ride to the North Pole as they read the story, drink hot chocolate and get a warm cookie.
Another Train ride to consider is in Knoxville Tennessee called Three Rivers Rambler and do their Christmas Lantern Express Train Ride. This train ride lasts 2 hours and you get to see Santa, hear a Christmas story and eat some holiday treats.
Go See A Christmas Dinner Show
There are so many shows in the area that change up their show for the Christmas Season such as Stampede, Hatfield and McCoy, Array, Evanswood Magic Theater, Country Tonite, Comedy Barn.
Gatlinburg Festival Of Trees
This FREE event is fun for the whole family. Come and see some beautifully decorated trees. donations are very much appreciated and all proceeds goes to the Boys and Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains.
Go See A Christmas Parade
If you are making plans to be in the area around Christmas, be sure to see the Christmas parades in the area. They are always so much fun and FREE to enjoy!
Townsend Christmas Parade is Sunday, Dec 1st at 2:30
Knoxville Christmas Parade is Friday, Dec 6th at 7:00pm
Gatlinburg Christmas Parade is Friday, Dec 6th at 7:30-9:00pm
Sevierville’s Christmas Parade is Saturday, Dec 7th 2024 at 11am
Seymour’s Parade on Saturday, Dec 14th at 3:00
Take a Redneck Christmas Comedy Bus Tour
This is a fun and unique way to look at some Christmas lights and have fun. Climb on the Redneck Comedy Bus Tour and learn some history of the Smoky Mountains by some funny professional comedians. Wear your redneck and ugly sweaters and have a great time on the ride. The tour takes around 2 hours and is fun for the whole family. They load up at Lumberjack Square.
Have a Cozy Christmas in a Cabin
Renting a cozy cabin in the Smokies all decked out for Christmas should be something we all do especially if you are out of town. There are so many cabins in the Smokies that are decorated so nice for Christmas and also have a beautiful view of the mountains.
See The Lights at Gatlinburg Sky Park
Ride The chair lift to the top of the Sky Park for a beautiful view of the mountains and look at the Christmas lights up top and walk among the trees on the walkways. There is so much to do up there to do and see.
Shop and Relax at The Island
Go and have a wonderful evening at the Island during the Christmas season. They have the place so festive all over the area with beautiful Christmas Decor. While you are wondering the area shopping and eating, stay and watch the Island Fountain Show and then take a walk down the Winterfest Lighting Trail.
Walk down the Winterfest Lighting Trail
We love to get some hot chocolate, play some music and walk the Winterfest Lighting Trail. My kids sometimes brings their scooters depending on the weather but we have a great time. Take a walk and enjoying the Christmas lights all for FREE. We like to park at The Island closest to the trolley station and walk the path. It takes around 45 mins for us to walk it but then you do have to walk it back, but one year my husband just dropped me and the kids off and came back to pick us up. It was nice and we enjoyed doing the walk with our friends. If you want to read more about this Free Walking Trail. We did a blog post about it.
Go Tubing at Ober
Ober Mountain is a beautiful place all year long but it is definitely something we love to do during the winter months, you can go snow tubing, Ice Bumper Boats, Ice Skating and Snow tubing. This is a fun winter activity to do. We always recommend getting there when they open and to avoid weekends if at all possible.
We hope you have a wonderful and amazing Christmas! If you like lists like this, Be sure to browse around our site. Also come follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.