Updated October 2024 by Brianna Goebel
When it comes to the holidays, our motto is that it’s never too early to start getting into the spirit of things. That’s why we’re already planning all of our seasonal festivities, beginning with a weekend getaway to Gatlinburg, TN, and the Great Smoky Mountains. Filled with seasonal songs, holiday shopping, and so many fun activities for the whole family, here are a few reasons why you should add this Southern town to the top of your holiday travel list!
If you haven’t been to Gatlinburg around the holidays, you’ve been missing out on one of the most magical ways to celebrate the season. From the annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade to the Festival of Trees, Gatlinburg is a fun and festive escape for both kids and adults.
Other beloved seasonal events include the Winter Magic Celebration, the Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show, Winter Magic Tunes and Tales, the Great Smoky Christmas Arts & Crafts Show, and the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks Show, to name a few. (For a complete list of attractions, check out the handy calendar here!)
Gatlinburg’s holiday celebration also includes whimsical life-sized snowpeople dispersed all around the city, providing fantastic photo opportunities for visitors. While you’re having fun exploring the city, you can efficiently cross some names off of your Christmas shopping list — who doesn’t love a good multi-tasking trip?
While the allure of the holiday attractions takes center stage during the fall and winter months, there are countless other appealing aspects of this charming city. Among the many dining options, here are a few ways to satisfy any craving. Pancake Pantry — along with several other local pancake houses — makes for a great meal to start the day. Boudicca’s Celtic Pub, Split Rail Eats, Ole Red Gatlinburg, and The Baht are just a few delicious options for an afternoon bite. The Heirloom Room, Cliff Top Restaurant at Anakeesta, Cherokee Grill, or The Greenbrier Restaurant are tasty options for dinner.
Other can’t-miss attractions include the Gatlinburg Skypark, sporting the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America, as well as Anakeesta, an outdoor adventure park for all ages, which hosts many of its own holiday activities. The outdoor theme park’s “Astra Lumina” experience offers guests a one-of-a-kind immersive experience with the stars and recently opened BirdVenture and its mountain coaster, Hellbender. Astra Lumina is the first experience of its kind in the United States and only 15th in the entire world!
As the only ski area in Tennessee, Ober Mountain is another beloved attraction that offers plenty of outdoor fun. Winter activities range from skiing to snow tubing, ice bumper cars, ice skating, and more.
If the weather is cool or you just want to warm up for a bit, Gatlinburg offers a few indoor attractions, too! A popular option among families is the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, where you can come face-to-face with everything from sea turtles to eels, jellyfish, and stingrays. We also recommend embarking on the aquarium’s Glass Bottom Boat Adventure, which departs every 20 minutes and offers close-up views of Shark Lagoon.
Whether you choose to spend your time in Gatlinburg with an action-packed seasonal schedule or a peaceful stay in a cozy cabin retreat, a trip to this charming Southern town is sure to become your family’s most treasured tradition for years to come.
This article is sponsored by the Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau.
