Smoky Mountain Winterfest 2016! Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge & Sevierville Sparkle for the Holidays!
This year marks the 27th year for the annual Smoky Mountain Winterfest celebration in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, Tennessee. Beginning on November 7, 2016 the mountain towns are filled with sparkling holiday light displays that keep on twinkling until February 28, 2017. Each town holds their own special kickoff events and offer Winterfest Lights tours. Here’s all you need to know to enjoy this sparkling time of year in the Great Smoky Mountains!
Sevierville Smoky Mountain Winterfest Kickoff
Monday, November 7, 2016 @ Sevierville Municipal Complex
3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Lots of free food, fun and games, and fireworks at Sevierville’s Winterfest Kickoff. Lighting ceremony begins at 7:45 p.m. with fireworks show following. Lots of music and dancing, and you may even catch an early glimpse of the big guy in red! For more information, call 865-453-6411.
Pigeon Forge Smoky Mountain Winterfest Kickoff
Tuesday, November 8, 2016 @ Patriot Park
4:00 pm
It’s fireworks, food, fun and more at the City of Pigeon Forge’s Smoky Mountain Winterfest Kickoff. A special countdown for the official lighting begins around 5:15 p.m. followed by a fantastic fireworks show. Girl Scout Troops will be selling hot beverages and cookies to enjoy. There is a children’s play area with old-fashioned games. Musical entertainment will be provided by Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier, Pistol Creek Catch of the Day, and the Pigeon Forge Community Chorus. At 6:00 p.m. hop aboard the Fun Time Trolley for a Free Trolley Tour of Lights!
Be sure to stop by the Fun Time Trolley office at Patriot Park or the Pigeon Forge Welcome Center at traffic light #0 on the Parkway to pick up Winterfest Lights Driving Tour brochure to enjoy the holiday lights at your leisure. For more information, call 865-453-8674.
Gatlinburg Winter Magic Kickoff & Chili Cookoff
Wednesday, November 9, 2016 @ Downtown Gatlinburg Parkway
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
This annual event is free; however, a $10 ticket gets you a spoon to sample over 25 different types of chili and vote on your favorites! You can also participate in chili eating contests held at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. The official lighting ceremony will begin at 6:00 p.m. on the Bush’s Best Stage. Entertainment will be provided by The Greenbrier Band, The Grassabillies, and Tara Thompson as the headline act. For more information, call 800-588-1817.
Gatlinburg’s Winter Magic features millions of enviromentally-friendly LED lights designed to create a magical winter forest landscape throughout the town.
