1. Winterfest- From the interstate all the way to Gatlinburg is "lit up" for Christmas! Seeing the Twelve Days of Christmas in lights definitely puts you in a festive mood. There are also Christmas Parades and a Trolley Tour of lights. That's a great way to enjoy the sights. Most of the local business establishments get in on the fun. Last year McDonald's had an animated light display of Santa's Elf climbing a ladder to eat French fries!
2. Dollywood- I can't say enough about the quality of the shows and the beauty of the lights at Dollywood at Christmas time. You can also visit Santa's workshop, view a huge train set, ride a real train, have dinner with Santa, see a parade, watch a Christmas tree light show, or just shop for some goodies. It's your one stop Christmas Extravaganza! Christmas at Dollywood continues through early January. You can check their website for dates and show times.
3. Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland - This fun event is held at the Smokies Baseball Park. Without leaving your vehicle you can drive through the parking lot and see an amazing light show set to music. The synchronized choreography is amazing! Of course if you want to get out of the car, you can visit Santa, play games, and take a camel ride there as well.
4. Snow at the Titanic- Every Saturday in December it snows off the bow of the Titanic. And of course the inside of the ship is decorated from stem to stern. You can see the Fantasy Princess who is there to make dreams come true for good little boys and girls!
5. Christmas Shows - Most of the shows in Pigeon Forge take on a Christmas theme in December. You can see toys come to life before your eyes, a flying Sugar Plum Fairy, and a real horse mounted Toy Soldier all set to the music of the Nutcracker at The Dixie Stampede. (You know Dolly is gonna do it up right!) There are also a host of other festive shows including A Christmas Disaster between the Hatfields and the McCoys!
6. The Inn at Christmas Place - Even though it is open year round, naturally, December is the perfect time to visit the Inn. The decorations are gorgeous and there is a calendar of activities for the guests staying there, including the Singing Santa. You will want to cross the street and visit the Incredible Christmas Place where you can shop for all manner of Christmas items. You're bound to find something you can't live without!
7. The Polar Express - You've probably already read my post about our fall foliage train ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. Well, at Christmas time the train becomes the Polar Express! The train departs Bryson City NC. Its destination is the North Pole. In route the passengers are treated to hot chocolate and a holiday treat while listening to the reading of the Polar Express. Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa boards the train and gives all the children their very own Christmas bell. It's a magical journey for any man, woman, or child.
8. Great Smoky Mountains Park - Even the park gets in on the Christmas fun! If you are interested in a quieter, less touristy, more traditional activity, The Sugarlands Visitors Center hosts Festival of Christmas Past. This annual event celebrates the culture of the Smoky Mountains at Christmas time through music, storytelling, and crafts. The Oconaluftee Visitors Center hosts Holiday Homecoming, an old-fashioned Christmas celebration in the Smokies with traditional music, holiday crafts, and cider and cookies!
I've barely scratched the surface, but you can see there is a tremendous amount of holiday activity going on in the Smokies at Christmas time! But if you like less activity, you can rent a cabin with an incredible view, sit by the fire and hope for snow.......
From me and mine to you and yours, have a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed Happy New Year!
(After I went back and read this, I decided that the Chamber of Commerce should give me the Key to the City!)
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