The holiday season is a wonderful time of year in Gatlinburg as many magical events take place throughout town. The celebration officially begins with the Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff, when millions of LED lights are switched on throughout the city. Join us to celebrate the season at this very special winter event in Gatlinburg!
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When, Where, and How Much
The 25th annual Gatlinburg Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff will take place on the downtown Parkway on Wednesday, November 12th, from 5 PM to 8 PM. Tickets to the event cost only $10 per person and can be purchased on the official Winter Magic Kickoff website.
Chili Competitions
The Gatlinburg Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff features local restaurants, 
attractions, retail shops, banks, public service agencies and civic groups all servings thousands of cups of chili as they compete for various awards. A panel of judges will cast their votes for awards such as Best Chili, Best Presentation and Best Chili Apron.
In addition, attendees are encouraged to vote for their favorite chili, which will be tallied to award the People’s Choice Award to the most popular recipe. The event also features a hilarious hot-chili eating contest where participants consume chili with increasing levels of heat as the contest progresses!
Live Entertainment
The Gatlinburg Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff offers entertainment this year from performers Sonia Leigh and EmiSunshine. Sonia Leigh has captivated Nashville audiences with her unique take on modern country music, and will be performing her smash single “Put It In Your Pocket” and other great songs. EmiSunshine is another talented performer who not only sings, but plays the mandolin, ukulele and banjolele.
Make your holiday visit to Gatlinburg special by staying in one of the affordable chalets from Alpine Chalet Rentals! Our Smoky Mountain chalets and cabins offer a wide variety of fantastic amenities, such as hot tubs, Jacuzzis, fireplaces, pool tables, air hockey and more. In addition, you’ll be just minutes from this fun winter event in Gatlinburg!