Enjoy the 2025 Holiday Season: Merrier & Brighter Than Ever Across East Tennessee
Wednesday, October 29th, 2025 | Uncategorized | Comments Off on Enjoy the 2025 Holiday Season: Merrier & Brighter Than Ever Across East Tennessee
Courtesy TNVacations.com
The holidays are here, and across Tennessee, destinations, both big and small, are ready to celebrate. From millions of twinkling lights to festive live music, from Dollywood to Graceland, the 2025 season is shaping up to be one the merriest and brightest in recent memory. Discover what’s happening this year during the holidays in East Tennessee.
Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge Winterfest (November 6 through February 15, 2026): During this annual citywide celebration, Pigeon Forge is draped in more than five million holiday lights, creating a winter wonderland for locals and guests alike to enjoy. Winterfest turns the best Pigeon Forge shows and theaters into a special holiday experience.
Hatfield & McCoy Christmas Disaster Dinner Feud (November 1, 2025 – January 3, 2026): Join Pa Hatfield and Ma McCoy as they try to set aside their legendary differences in the spirit of the season during this side-splitting dinner theater experience.
Christmas at Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Stampede (October 30, 2025 – January 3, 2026). The cast at Dolly Parton’s Stampede will take you on a holiday trip this Christmas season. Join them for a friendly North Pole – South Pole rivalry, including the 32 horses you know and love plus an appearance from Santa.
Dollywood
Smoky Mountain Christmas (November 1 thru Jan. 4): Voted America’s Best Christmas Event for more than a decade, Smoky Mountain Christmas transforms Dolly Parton’s Dollywood into a shimmering holiday dreamscape with over 6 million dazzling lights. Notice how each land tells a seasonal story through its unique and vibrant hues. Immerse yourself in holiday cheer with classic indoor stage showstoppers, like family-favorites “Christmas in the Smokies” and “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” And, weather permitting, the “Merry & Bright, Holiday Light” fireworks set to music will fill the sky every Friday and Saturday night.
Gatlinburg
Your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains is made even more magical at Anakeesta’s Enchanted Christmas (November 15 through January 5) where the beauty of the season comes alive with over a million sparkling lights illuminating the mountaintop! Delight in a variety of festive treats and seasonal favorites as you take a stroll on the hot cocoa crawl and cozy up by the fire pits.
The Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade ushers in the holiday season the first Friday in December, ringing in 50 years of family-friendly festive tradition. The award-winning parade will bring a cheerful procession to downtown Gatlinburg with festive floats, joyful marching bands, larger-than-life holiday balloons, and more, among over 1 million LED twinkling lights featured in Gatlinburg’s Winter Magic Celebration.
Knoxville
East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Fantasy of Trees (November 26 – 30). This holiday tradition is the hospital’s largest fundraiser, attracting nearly 60,000 people during the week of Thanksgiving. Travel through a forest of more than 350 beautifully designed trees, holiday accessories, mantels, door designs, table centerpieces and an Adopt-a-Tree forest decorated by local school children. All priced to sell.
Chattanooga
Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights (November 14, 2025 –January 4, 2026. Closed December 24): Warm your heart during Chattanooga’s most enchanted holiday celebration. Experience Rock City Gardens as a nighttime winter wonderland. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the season amidst the unparalleled natural beauty of this enchanted place. This uniquely festive light experience has become a beloved holiday tradition and is not to be missed. Tickets are timed-entry reservations and must be purchased online in advance. Tickets will not be sold in-person. Nights will sell out in advance. We recommend purchasing your timed entry tickets early for best availability as capacity is limited.
Johnson City
Candy Land Christmas (November and December) is a magical holiday tradition in downtown Johnson City where businesses and organizations purchase and decorate Christmas trees throughout King Commons, Founders Park, and Main Street. With hundreds of uniquely themed trees lining the parks, it’s a festive walk-through wonderland that brings the community together all season long!
Bristol
The Pinnacle Speedway In Lights at Bristol Motor Speedway (November 21 – January 3, 2026): The region’s most dazzling holiday light show returns to Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway. Food City Speedway In Lights, Powered by TVA, is a 4-mile trek through 3 million lights and the chance to take a lap around “The World’s Fastest Half-Mile.” Holiday light seekers will circle the concrete oval as part of their festive drive and also may visit the Christmas Village, which returns to its popular infield location.
