6 Best Smoky Mountain Towns for the Christmas Holidays

Spending the holidays in the small towns of the Smoky Mountains is an enchanting experience filled with warmth and nostalgia. Amidst the rustic charm, festive lights, and the sweet aroma of holiday treats, it’s a journey back in time.

I’ve spent three holiday seasons in the Smokies, and every memory is coated with that magical essence of the season and memories that have me smiling like a goofy elf just writing this. We also have it on good authority that this is one of Santa’s favorite places to visit.

Check the calendar because some big events happen during Thanksgiving weekend or the following week, making it a great place to parlay two holiday celebrations into one timeless tale.

Gatlinburg, TN

Gatlinburg goes big for the holidays, starting with the Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies in mid-November.

Then, the Festival of Trees starts in late November, the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade in early December, and the Christmas Arts & Craft Show spans that same time frame.

You’ll pass numerous street carolers day and night, plus test some of the best seasonal dishes with a mix of Southern and Appalachian flavors.

The SkyTrail lights up with decorated trees, and the SkyBridge offers a 300-foot-long tunnel of lights.

The new year kicks off with fireworks and festivities.

Enjoy several of the many activities and Ober Mountain throughout the holiday season.

Pigeon Forge, TN

Dollywood is almost as close as you can get to the North Pole every holiday season. The Smoky Mountain Christmas festivities kick off in early November through early January, leaving plenty of time to experience the celebration.

The Island in Pigeon Forge is perfect for shopping and festive dining. Ditch the traffic and take a trolley on the Tour of Lights for amazing displays up there with Clark Griswold’s creativity.

The Titanic Museum goes all out for Christmas, with $100,000 of lights. In 2023, red teddy bears paid tribute to the 135 children who were aboard the ill-fated ship.

Channel your inner Buddy the Elf while exploring the Incredible Christmas Place. If you love Christmas, plan for a few hours at this store. (If you are a grumpy elf, there are plenty of comfortable chairs and snack bars while you wait.)

Christmas Hotel: While every hotel is decorated for Christmas, the Inn at Christmas Place is a year-round holiday destination.

Top Holiday Shows

I can tell you from experience on a writer’s salary that you can enjoy every second of the holiday spirit in the Smokies without spending money, but if you want to squeeze in a few shows, here are my favorite recommendations:

• Hatfield & McCoy Christmas Feud, Pigeon Forge: Touted as a Christmas Disaster, this show will have you laughing as you splurge on the holiday feast.
• The Comedy Barn Christmas Show, Pigeon Forge: Another gut buster, this show is filled with down-home fun and some adorable animals mixed with Christmas classics.
• Dolly Parton’s Stampede Christmas Show, Pigeon Forge: This dinner show comes with four courses and a show full of horses mixed with holiday magic.
• A Savior Has Come, Pigeon Forge: Another dinner show explores the variety of gospel holiday classics with a show devoted to the birth of Jesus.

Sevierville, TN

The Gateway to the Smokies in Sevierville holds Winterfest from early November all the way through mid-February.

Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland is one of the top-rated light shows in Tennessee. A more rustic but equally impressive light show takes over SkyLand Ranch with over half a million lights. Sevierville’s Christmas Parade is over 60 years old and takes to the streets in early December.

You can also find many holiday deals at the Tanger Outlets of Sevierville.

Townsend, TN

Party like a pioneer during the Heritage Center Christmas in the Village celebration on the “Quieter Side of the Smokes.” This living museum offers a chance to help with handmade crafts while sipping fresh cider. Interpreters dressed in pioneer clothing will also offer holiday stories from the olden days.

You can also drive through the Smoky Mountain Lights from late November through early January.

Wears Valley, TN

Wears Valley on a normal day feels like a rustic retreat from the busy Parkway, but at Christmas, it simply transforms a holiday throwback to a simpler time. Most of the events here are free or by donation only, including the popular community dinner.

Tree tours, caroling, and storytelling activities are available, or you can just stroll the streets admiring the historic churches decorated for the season.

Bryson City, NC

This small North Carolina Smoky Mountain town is on track for a great Christmas. The Journey to the North Pole on the Polar Express offers the only train ride of its kind on this side of the Smokies.

You can also take a hayride through holiday lights and past a reindeer barn at Darnell Farms. This is a great spot to pick up your Christmas tree.

The town also has a Christmas parade, and simply driving the main road is a transformation to Christmastown. At the center of all the activity is The Yard Skating Rink.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

We can’t forget the biggest gift in the Smokies: the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Check the park calendar for upcoming events, but we know a Holiday Homecoming is held at two visitor centers.

You can also plan a hike to a vista to celebrate the winter solstice. Kuwohi is the most popular, but Waterrock Knob on Blue Ridge Parkway is easier to get to and less crowded.

The park is open every holiday, but the visitor centers are closed on Christmas.

Additions to a Smoky Mountain Christmas Celebration

Many cabin rentals will come with holiday decorations already up, but be sure to ask about that when you book.

Also, road conditions can make getting between the North Carolina and Tennessee sides challenging, as the various altitudes can wreak havoc on the roads, even if it’s just raining in Gatlinburg. Check road conditions before you go, and always have a backup road to take.

Even on the holidays themselves, you’ll still find plenty of attractions and restaurants open for business. Have a happy holiday season, and we’d love to see how you spent your Smoky Mountain holiday adventure.