Snow Much Fun: 4 Exciting Things to Do at Gatlinburg Winterfest

Turns out you’ve found one of Santa’s favorite spots! With gorgeous winter weather, Southern hospitality and beautiful mountain views, Gatlinburg is the place to be this winter — even for Santa! Each winter, Gatlinburg is adorned with millions of flickering lights and holiday decorations, transforming our beautiful mountain city into a magical winter wonderland full of the Christmas spirit! Here are 4 exciting things to do at Gatlinburg Winterfest:

1. Walk the Parkway

The fun at Gatlinburg Winterfest begins without having to spend a single penny! Strolling the Gatlinburg Parkway is a great free way to experience some of the Christmas festivities. As the sun sets, downtown Gatlinburg and all of its unique shops, attractions and restaurants becomes a popular place where you can feel the joy and comfort of the season! Holiday lights and refreshing decor combined with a fresh dusting of snow falling from above make you feel like you’re living in a Christmas movie! The best part is you’ll never run out of interesting things to find and do!

2. Anakeesta’s Enchanted Winter Celebration

Anakeesta’s Enchanted Winter Celebration is a fun Gatlinburg Winterfest attraction featuring some of the best views in the Smokies! The Gatlinburg theme park on top of Anakeesta mountain is covered with holiday lights and decorations, making for a magical night time experience! Gather the entire family or group of friends around a roaring fire while enjoying some tasty hot chocolate or a hot toddy. Explore the Anakeesta villages and take some time for a great meal at one of several tasty dining options!

3. Lights Over Gatlinburg at Gatlinburg SkyLift Park

Tens of thousands of guests, including those from all across the country as well as locals, visit Lights Over Gatlinburg at Gatlinburg SkyLift Park each season! The celebration is bigger and better than ever before, now featuring 20 dancing trees on the SkyTrail, a giant 30-foot-tall multicolored, animated Christmas tree, a 300-foot tunnel of lights on the record-breaking Gatlinburg SkyBridge and perfect photo opportunities for the whole family! Access to Lights Over Gatlinburg is included with your SkyLift Park admission ticket at no extra cost.

4. The Gatlinburg Christmas Parade

Nothing says it’s Christmas time quite like a community parade! The Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade in Gatlinburg has become a favorite for families to attend year after year! Local high school marching bands, floats decorated by local businesses and community groups, balloons and all types of other festivities are a part of the annual Gatlinburg Christmas parade! The parade occurs the first Friday in December each year and begins at Baskins Creek Bypass and East Parkway, running through downtown before concluding at Traffic Light #10. Don’t miss out on the special tree lighting ceremony on Parkway Plaza at 7:25 p.m.

Don’t miss out on these exciting things to do in Pigeon Forge this winter for even more fun!

We hope to see you out at some of these entertaining Gatlinburg Winterfest activities! Be sure to also make your way down the Parkway to enjoy winter in Pigeon Forge! You can be within close distance to all of these attractions by staying in one of our Smoky Mountain cabins during your trip! Take a look at our selection of Gatlinburg cabins to find the perfect one for your holiday vacation!