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The Smoky Mountains are Calling You to Celebrate Winterfest 2024!

Lights
Lights

Pigeon Forge’s annual Winterfest 2024 celebration starts Thursday, November 7, 2024, and runs through February 2025. Turn on all the twinkly Christmas lights and let’s get to celebrating because Smoky Mountains are calling you to celebrate Winterfest 2024!

Winterfest – started in 1990 – is a mix of holiday celebrations, themed special events and millions of decorative lights. After the Winterfest Kickoff, businesses throughout the city offer special activities, and theaters add a Christmas flair to their shows for two months.

The pre-festival began with the 11th Annual Miss Winterfest Pageant on Sunday – because you have to have a queen (or several) for the season.

Winterfest

Nov. 7 is the Pigeon Forge Winterfest kickoff!

Head to Patriot Park; festivities begin at 3:00 p.m. Celebrate the winter wonderland the city is decked out in more than 6 million holiday lights. All Winterfest kickoff event entertainment is free. Free parking is available in the city’s Municipal and Mountain parking lots located just off Teaster Lane. A variety of food trucks will offer guests dining options for purchase throughout the event.

Gatlinburg Chili Cook-Off and Winter Magic Celebration

Gatlinburg also is home of the annual Chili Cookoff on Nov. 7 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. For 35  years, the city has celebrated the beginning of Winterfest with the Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff presented by Bush’s Beans. The tradition continues with live entertainment and mouth -watering chili sampling, with incredible homemade chili ranging from “mild and delightful to wild and adventurous.”

This year the Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff will take place in the Shade Tree Parking Lot in front of the Gatlinburg Convention Center Festivalgoers can sample the homemade chili recipes while enjoying live music from TopHouse Band and a special meet-and-greet with Bush’s Spokesdog, Duke. 

Tickets are required for the 2024 event. Tickets for Gatlinburg Chili Cook-off and Winter Magic Celebration are available now. VIP tickets for early bird entry at 4 p.m. with additional admission to the International Chili Society Cookoff as well as live entertainment from the Warman Trio are available for $50. General admission tickets for entry at 5 p.m. are available for $25 per person. Children under 5 years of age will have free admission. Due to the popularity of the event, guests are encouraged to purchase tickets early.

 The event will begin at 5 p.m. and take place at Shade Tree Lot, located at 120 Airport Road. 

Lights in green and blue

Wonders of Light Christmas Village

Make plans to come out and explore the Wonders of Light Christmas Village with more than 35 booths featuring artisans and crafters selling a variety of seasonal and gift items. Admission is free and activities will take place November 7-10, 15-17 and 22-30.

Festival of Trees

Nov. 26 – Dec. 1

The 51st year of Gatlinburg’s Festival of Trees will benefit Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains and the Gatlinburg Chamber Foundation. The Festival of Trees kicks off with Candy Canes and Cocktails Reception on Nov. 26. Ticket are required and must be purchased by November 22.

The Festival will feature a children’s craft and play area, photos with Santa Claus and the beautifully decorated Christmas trees and wreaths.

ADMISSION TO THE FESTIVAL IS FREE!
Donations to Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains are greatly appreciated.

LOCATION: Gatlinburg’s Festival of Trees is located at W. L. Mills Conference Center at stoplight #8, Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN.

Parade

Enjoy a mountain Christmas parade with the locals!

The 49th Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade will be held on Friday, December 6. Featuring a star-studded line-up, the parade holds in store a magical display of decorative floats, festive marching bands, holiday balloons, and of course Santa Clause. The parade will illuminate downtown Gatlinburg with holiday cheer among the 1 million twinkling lights lighting up the downtown Parkway during Gatlinburg’s Winter Magic Celebration. The parade route runs through the middle of downtown Gatlinburg.

The Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade will step off at 7:30 PM at the Baskins Creek Bypass and process throughout the downtown Parkway, ending at Traffic Light #10. The event is free and open to the public. However, due to the popularity of the event, event goers are encouraged to arrive early to secure seating and parking. Grandstand VIP seating tickets are available for the parade, offering bleacher seating and a commemorative Santa Hat.

Plan your holiday celebrations with American Patriot Getaways!

Cabin

When looking for accommodations during Pigeon Forge Winterfest be sure to visit our website for a wonderful selection of log cabins in and around Pigeon Forge.

Complete visitor information about Pigeon Forge is available online at www.MyPigeonForge.com or by calling 800-251-9100.

The post The Smoky Mountains are calling you to celebrate Winterfest 2024! appeared first on American Patriot Getaways.

Published on Thursday, October 31, 2024