If you’re looking to experience an authentic Southern Christmas, consider a visit to the Volunteer State this winter. From dazzling light displays to exciting seasonal events, gift hunting, and more, here are six charming Tennessee towns to visit over the holidays — Gatlinburg, Columbia, Historic Granville, Johnson City, Hardin County, and Claiborne County.
GATLINBURG
From snow-covered mountains to cozy cabins and twinkling lights, Gatlinburg transforms into a winter wonderland every holiday season. Here are some of the highlights!
The fun typically begins with the annual Winter Magic Kickoff & Chili Cookoff. As the official start of Gatlinburg Winter Magic, this year’s celebration returns on November 7. Similar to years past, attendees can enjoy samples of homemade chili, live music, and a meet-and-greet with Bush’s Chili Beans spokesdog, Duke.
Festivities continue on December 6 with the 49th Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade. Winding through Downtown Gatlinburg, the event includes festive floats, marching bands, balloons, and even a visit from Santa Claus himself.
As if this lineup of seasonal events wasn’t enough, local attractions also offer plenty of opportunities for holiday fun. A popular option among families is Ober Mountain, known for its snow tubing, skiing, and snowboarding.
Meanwhile, Anakeesta hosts Enchanted Christmas from November 15 through December 31, which includes twinkling lights and family-friendly activities.
Visitors will also love Lights Over Gatlinburg at the SkyPark, which offers plenty of photo ops, thanks to the famous tunnel of lights (which now spans across the entire bridge!) and a 38-foot Christmas tree.
After a day of wintery play, warm up with a toasty beverage at one of Gatlinburg’s local watering holes. Maddi Mae’s Café & Creamery is known for its hot chocolate, while Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery offers seasonal moonshine and a menu of specialty cocktails.
With so much fun to be had this holiday season, you’ll likely need to spend a weekend in Gatlinburg to experience it all. Luckily, there are plenty of cozy cabins and chalets throughout the area.
Popular choices include Mountain Laurel Chalets, Stony Brook Cabins, and Parkside Cabin Rentals. Whether you’re traveling with pets, your significant other, or a large group, each one offers something for every type of traveler.
COLUMBIA
For a quintessential small-town Christmas, add Columbia to your travel list. The perfect getaway, a trip here is full of charming shops, delicious food, and fun-filled seasonal events.
As you stroll through the streets of Downtown Columbia, you’ll notice many of the local shops and restaurants are decorated for the holidays. Stop by the courthouse for a picture in front of the Christmas tree and twinkling lights!
You can also pop into one of the local boutiques to cross a few names off of your holiday shopping list. Popular shops include Needle & Grain, Woven, The Linen Duck, Baxter’s Mercantile, and Ye Peddler.
Meanwhile, for holiday essentials and decor, visit Tin Cottage, Amy Montgomery Home, or Gather Kitchen Mercantile.
For even more holiday spirit, Columbia hosts a variety of seasonal events. The fun begins on November 23 and 24 with A Very Maury Christmas. Taking place at The Factory at Columbia, this is the perfect opportunity to finish any last-minute holiday shopping. The event hosts vendors selling everything from jewelry and clothing to candles and decor.
While Columbia Main Street hosts its First Fridays from April through December, the holiday edition is especially heartwarming. On December 6, you can enjoy a seasonal market alongside the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5 p.m.
The festivities continues on December 7 with the annual Columbia Christmas Parade. The event begins at 6 p.m. on West 7th Street and includes festive floats and plenty of holiday cheer.
When you’re ready for dinner, Prime & Pint or Riverside Terrace are great upscale eateries. For a more casual experience, check out Mama Mila’s, Legends, or Puckett’s.
And if you wish to extend your visit into an overnight stay, head for a local hotel or bed and breakfast. Popular lodging options include Two Lanes Guesthouse, Blythewood Inn Bed & Breakfast, Lofts On Garden, and All I Have To Do Is Dream.
HISTORIC GRANVILLE
Nestled in the heart of Tennessee, Historic Granville — also known as Tennessee’s Mayberry Town — evokes the spirit of a quintessential small town, brimming with rich history and nostalgia. While it’s certainly a beautiful destination year-round, you don’t want to miss these holiday celebrations.
Every year, the town hosts a series of themed events to ring in the season. This year’s Christmas theme, “I Believe in Santa,” is set to rekindle the wonder of your childhood. The magic begins with an open house and ladies’ fashion show on November 15 and 16, followed by a series of Christmas Bluegrass Dinner Shows that kick off on November 30.
From November 15 to December 30, you can immerse yourself in the charm of the annual Festival of Trees, catch glimpses of your favorite Christmas characters as you stroll through festive local shops, museums, and street corners, explore an antique toy show, and enjoy tours of the Historic Sutton Home.
From December 5 through 13, grab your family and indulge in a festive feast at the Mayberry-Lucy Dinner Theater. In addition to delicious cuisine, you’ll enjoy festive adaptations of TV classics titled “The Fun Girls” and “I Love Lucy Christmas.”
Then, on December 14, mark your calendars for Granville’s Country Christmas celebration! The fun kicks off with a delicious breakfast with Santa Claus and continues with a lineup of exciting musical performances and kid-friendly activities. The excitement concludes with an old-fashioned Christmas parade and visits with Santa himself!
With so much to do and see in Granville during the holiday season, you’ll likely need to spend a day or two exploring it all! Luckily, the town offers a variety of accommodations, including Granville Bed & Breakfast, Wildwood Resort & Marina, and Granville Mercantile.
SB Tip: To see the full agenda of holiday events and purchase tickets for individual events, visit granvilletn.com or call (931) 653-4151.
JOHNSON CITY
Nestled in the mountains of Northeast Tennessee, Johnson City offers family-friendly fun during the holiday season. From delicious cuisine to festive events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
We recommend booking your travels around the city’s annual Candy Land Christmas event. Dubbed one of the “top Christmas tree displays in America” by Fox News, the event invites you to stroll through Cupcake Commons (King Commons Park) and Gumdrop Forest (Founder’s Park) to see over 180 beautifully adorned Christmas trees.
The fun kicks off on November 30 at 6:30 p.m. with the Grand Tree Lighting Event and continues through January 5.
Another popular seasonal event, Speedway in Lights takes place at the Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway. From November 15 through January 4, the event offers a four-mile trek through three million dazzling lights.
The Candlelight Christmas Tours at the Rocky Mount State Historic Site are another beloved holiday tradition. Taking place December 5 through 7 and again on December 12 through 14, visitors get a glimpse of what Christmas Eve would have been like in 1791.
Theater-goers will enjoy catching seasonal performances at the Martin Center for the Arts. The 2024 lineup includes The Nutcracker (November 26) and A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live (December 17).
Before or after your festivities, enjoy a delicious meal at any of Downtown Johnson City’s eateries. Freiberg’s German Restaurant specializes in authentic German cuisine and hospitality, while Red Meze Cafe is known for delicious Greek and Turkish meals.
Burg’r & Barrel is another popular restaurant. Located inside a historic train depot, the restaurant offers a menu of burgers, barbecue, and chicken tenders.
For a post-dinner libation, Yee-Haw Brewing Company is known for its flavorful craft beer offerings — pale ales, pilsners, seasonal brews, and more.
In addition to beer, Tennessee Hills Brewstillery is known for its innovative spirits, bourbon, and craft cocktails. The perfect way to wrap up a day of exploring!
HARDIN COUNTY
While Hardin County and the city of Savannah are charming year-round, the area truly comes alive during the holiday season, thanks to Christmas on Main. Here’s how to make the most of the season!
On December 6, the holiday fun begins with the lighting of a 30-foot Christmas tree. Then, visitors can walk over to the Tennessee River Museum to see more tinsel-adorned trees and vote for their favorite.
Another highlight of Christmas on Main is its open-air ice skating rink at the Savannah Market. The rink is open every Friday and Saturday night, and ice skate rentals are FREE!
For a unique way to get around the event, enjoy a train or horse-drawn carriage ride. You can also ride the Savannah Trolley through the historic district to view festive homes and the lights at Tennessee Street Park.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, visit the Christmas Café, nestled under a canopy of twinkling lights. Vendors include a variety of food trucks offering everything from hot cocoa and pastries to heartier fare.
Of course, no Christmas event is complete without a visit from Santa Claus! To meet the big guy, head to the courthouse lawn, and be sure to drop a letter in the North Pole Mail Express mailbox.
For those looking to enjoy more holiday events in the Hardin County area, several nearby towns host their own parades. The Pickwick Parade is on December 1, the Savannah Parade is on December 2, and the Saltillo Parade is on December 7.
Another fabulous nearby event, the annual Christmas in the Park at Pickwick Landing State Park takes place on December 13 and 14. You’ll find a holiday market, free carriage rides, lighted displays, and stories with elves!
CLAIBORNE COUNTY
Tucked away in the foothills of Northeast Tennessee, Claiborne County is a beloved destination that is equal parts festive and relaxing. If you’re looking to enjoy scenic beauty, historic charm, and small-town spirit this holiday season, add this area to your travel list!
Each year, the county hosts its beloved Claiborne County Christmas event. Locals and visitors alike flock to the event to watch the lighted tractor parade, which includes the county’s oldest farmers as grand marshalls. The 2024 parade takes place on November 16 and includes local performers, vendors, food trucks, and more.
Another popular event, New Tazewell’s Merchants Parade, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The 2024 theme is Mayberry Christmas, and the celebration begins at 6 p.m. on November 23.
Nature enthusiasts will enjoy spending an afternoon at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, which offers 85 miles of hiking and baking trails that offer sweeping winter views and glimpses of wildlife.
Note: Hurricane Helene recently impacted portions of the park, but professionals are working to clear affected areas. To stay updated on what is open, visit the National Park Service website HERE.
Another peaceful escape can be found at Norris Lake. While summer is the peak season for activities like swimming and boating, the fun doesn’t stop when the weather turns cool. In fact, travelers continue to visit the lake during winter to enjoy fishing and serene views. The calm waters are known to house species like bass, crappie, and walleye.
When you’re ready to settle in for dinner, Claiborne County offers a variety of dining options to choose from. Old Town Grill in Tazewell is known for its broad menu of steaks, seafood, burgers, and Southern comfort food. Meanwhile, Angelo’s in the Gap is the perfect place to refuel, as it offers hearty pasta dishes and wood-fired pizzas.
This article is sponsored by the Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, Visit Columbia TN, Historic Granville, Visit Johnson City, Hardin County, and Claiborne County.
