5 Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

Are you planning a Smoky Mountain Christmas vacation? There’s no better place to celebrate the holidays than the Smokies! The area transforms into a magical winter wonderland filled with festive sights, sounds, and flavors. There are so many fantastic ways to celebrate Christmas in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, and these are sure to get you in the holiday spirit:

1. See the Winterfest Lights

One of the best and easiest ways to celebrate Christmas in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge is exploring Winterfest. You can take walking and driving tours through each town and marvel at millions of twinkling lights all around! Climb into your car, turn on some holiday music, and drive past gorgeous illuminated scenes throughout Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. The abundance of Christmas lights and festive displays is sure to fill you with holiday cheer!

2. Watch a Christmas Show

When it comes to celebrating Christmas in the Smoky Mountains, a can’t-miss thing to do is seeing one of the Christmas shows in Pigeon Forge! You can watch holiday versions of all your favorite shows, featuring festive singing, dancing, comedy, stunts, and more! Some of the favorite Pigeon Forge Christmas shows include Country Tonite, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, The Comedy Barn, and Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud.

3. Go Holiday Shopping

If you’re spending Christmas in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, take the opportunity to do some holiday shopping! This area is full of specialty shops that offer holiday decorations and unique gifts that you won’t find anywhere else. Head over to the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community in Gatlinburg to find handcrafted items made by talented artisans. For all things Christmas, stop by one of the Christmas stores like The Incredible Christmas Place, Santa’s Claus-et, or Christmas & Candle Shop. Other great places to find holiday gifts include The Village Shops in Gatlinburg and The Island in Pigeon Forge.

4. Attend a Seasonal Festival

Another great way to celebrate Christmas in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge is attending one of the many seasonal festivals that take place this time of year! A fan-favorite is Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas. This festival immerses you in the spirit of Christmas with over six million twinkling lights, holiday decorations, heartwarming shows, and festive foods. Other wonderful Christmas festivals in the Smokies include Lights Over Gatlinburg at Gatlinburg SkyPark, Enchanted Christmas at Anakeesta, and SkyLand’s Festival of Lights at The Ranch.

5. Play in Snow

Nothing says Christmas like snow! Whether we have a snow-covered Christmas this year or not, there are still plenty of places where you can play in snow to help you get in the holiday spirit! Pigeon Forge Snow features indoor snow tubing and a snow play area, so you can enjoy wintry fun no matter the weather. Ober Mountain offers outdoor snow tubing, indoor ice skating, and Gatlinburg’s only ski slopes. You can also go snow tubing at Rowdy Bear’s Smoky Mountain Snowpark in Pigeon Forge, where you can race down snowy lanes then enjoy thrilling mountain coasters!

Where to Stay This Christmas in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

You won’t want to miss these fun ways to celebrate the Christmas season! You’ll also love celebrating the holidays at your very own cozy cabin rental. You can sit around the fireplace drinking hot chocolate, watch Christmas movies in the theater room, and enjoy stunning snow-capped mountain views! Our cabins also feature fully equipped kitchens so you can cook a holiday meal or bake cookies together during your vacation! Explore our selection of Smoky Mountain cabin rentals and find your perfect place to celebrate Christmas in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.