Dollywood shines with millions of lights during its annual Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival.
The Christmas season is just around the corner, and the tourist mecca that is Sevier County has no shortage of holiday festivities. Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are once again offering a variety of activities. The goal is to keep all of the area's visitors happy and in the holiday spirit as the Winterfest season kicks off this month.
Sevierville
One of Sevierville's newest activities is the "Christmas Wonderland" at Smokies Stadium. The lighted, drive-through spectacular continues through Jan. 3.
Presented by Shadrack Watersports and RV, thousands of lights are included in the show, synchronized with holiday tunes.
The show is one mile long and lasts about 20 minutes.
Hours of operation are Sunday-Thursday 6-10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 6-11 p.m. Admission is $10 per vehicle Monday-Thursday.
On Friday-Sunday, admission is: $12 per car, $15 per activity van and $20 per bus. Proceeds will benefit area charities. Info: 423-652-0120 or www.shadrack.com/christmas/
n Sevierville will also present its 47th annual Christmas Parade, a longtime city tradition featuring baton twirlers, pageant winners, marching bands and floats at 11 a.m. on Dec. 5.
The parade can best be viewed on Forks of the River Parkway and Court Avenue in downtown Sevierville.
Info: 888-738-4378 or www.VisitSevierville.com.
Pigeon Forge
Those visiting Pigeon Forge will have no trouble finding something special to do during the holiday season.
n Dollywood will present its annual Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival until Jan. 2, featuring more than 4 million lights in its traditional light display. The festival also includes a lineup of live Christmas shows.
The park will once again present "Babes in Toyland" and "Christmas in the Smokies" holiday shows. Also featured will be "Santa's Workshop," featuring giant-size toys and a Christmas tree that is 18 feet high. The Parade of Lights, featuring a cast of brightly lit floats and colorful characters, will also take place.
n Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, the entertainment and dinner show that has been one of Pigeon Forge's most popular attractions, is featuring a new Christmas program during the holiday season. "The Magic of Toys," the largest addition to the holiday show in more than a decade, is the story of a sugar plum fairy who makes what is described as larger-than-life toys. One toy is a real horse-mounted soldier and another is a jack-in-the box that comes to life. For reservations, call 800-356-1676 or reserve online at www.dixiestampede.com.
Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg is not to be left out as it hosts events such as its 34th annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade. A holiday staple for the city, the parade is recognized as one of the best by the International Festival and Events Association.
In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the parade features lighted floats, marching bands, equestrian units and helium balloons.
The parade will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 at Traffic Light No. 1A and continue through downtown to Light No. 10. For more information, call 800-568-4748.
n The city will also present its Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights, featuring a guided trolley tour of lighting displays, departing from the Ripley's Aquarium Trolley Station. Group reservations are available. The trolley leaves at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30. For information, call 865-436-0535.
n From Nov. 24-28, Gatlinburg's Festival of Trees will feature dozens of decorated Christmas trees for visitors to see at the Gatlinburg Convention Center's W.L. Mills Conference Center. The event will benefit Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries. For information, call 865-568-4748.
n From Nov. 25-30, the city will host the annual Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Holiday Show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, featuring handcrafted gifts made by members of the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. Info: www.gatlinburgcrafts.com or 800-568-4748.
n From Nov. 27-28, the Great Smoky Mountain Dance Theatre will present "The Nutcracker 'Sweet'," with performances at 7 p.m. in the W.L. Mills Conference Center. Call 865-680-7369 for information and reservations.
n Finally, on Dec. 5-6, the city will present "Christmas on Ice" as local skaters display their talents on ice to the sounds of holiday music during a two-day performance at Ober Gatlinburg's Ice Skating Arena. Info: www.obergatlinburg.com or 800-251-9202.
J.J. Kindred is a freelance contributor to the News-Sentinel.
© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!
- |
Comments » 0
Be the first to post a comment!
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.