2015 December Special Events & Celebrations

‘Tis the Season to Be Merry

1-January 3, 2016
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival: It’s time to celebrate Christmas in the Smokies during this time honored festival at Dollywood. Special Christmas shows, twinkling lights, Parade of Lights and even a special New Years Eve celebration are in store!! Closed 12/24, 12/25. http://www.dollywood.com/themepark/festivals/Smoky-Mountain-Christmas.aspx

1-January 4, 2016
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland: Located at the Tennessee Smokies Baseball Stadium and open from dusk to 10 p.m. nightly, rain or shine! Driving tour of synchronous Christmas lights set to Christmas music like you’ve never seen before. Santa’s Village offers inflatables, Santa, and snack bar through December 23. See http://shadrackchristmas.com/sevierville/ for pricing.

1-January 31, 2016
Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights: Guided trolley tour of Gatlinburg Winter Magic lighting displays that departs from the Ripley’s Aquarium Trolley Station at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Group reservations are available and you can reserve your seats online at http://www.eventbrite.com/o/gatlinburg-tennessee-4539494573

1-February 28, 2016
Gatlinburg Winter Magic: The City of Gatlinburg magically lights up the winter nights with dozens of spectacular light displays, featuring all LED bulbs.

3-6
Yama-Con: Anime and Japanese culture highlight this convention that includes events related to video games, cards, board games, comics and more. Celebrate everything nerdy, geeky and otaku! Registration fees range from $25-$75 and can be completed online at www.yamacon.org.

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4
Gatlinburg’s 40th Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade: This popular Christmas parade in downtown Gatlinburg is recognized as one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast. Parade features lighted floats, marching bands, equestrian units and balloons. Parade begins at 7:30 p.m. along Hwy 321 and will proceed through downtown Gatlinburg to traffic light #10.

4-7
Groom South: Pet grooming & styling conference complete with trade show and GroomTeam USA sanctioned grooming contest at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.

5
Sevierville’s 53rd Christmas Parade: A traditional hometown parade with baton twirlers, pageant winners, marching bands and floats leading up to the appearance of Santa Claus! Parade begins at 11 a.m. with best viewing from Forks of the River Parkway and Court Avenue in downtown Sevierville.

Ronnie Milsap’s “The Farewell Tour”: 8 p.m. show presented by First Class Concerts at Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge. Advance ticket purchases at firstclassconcerts.com . Call (865) 453-2003 for information regarding seating and accessibility.

Dine with Santa: Make a lasting memory for your children and the whole family with Santa Claus himself at the Old Mill Square! Enjoy Breakfast or Brunch with Santa at Pottery House Café & Grille. Breakfast will be served from 8:15-9:30 a.m. and brunch from 10-11:15 a.m. Also, enjoy a fun filled Kid’s Christmas Craft Tent from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations required by calling (865) 406-6558.

Sam Houston Schoolhouse Christmas Open House: Storyteller Kathleen Mavournin will entertain our guests with Christmas stories beginning at 1 p.m. and Santa himself will arrive at 2 p.m. The Open House will end with a Christmas program by Porter Elementary School from 3-4 p.m. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served, and you’re invited to visit the schoolhouse and museum too. Historic Sam Houston Schoolhouse is located at 3650 Old Sam Houston School Road in Maryville. (865) 983-1550.

5-6
America’s Best 2-Day Cheer Championship: Cheerleading squads compete at he Gatlinburg Convention Center. http://www.abchampionships.com/Championships/Event.php?ID=23

Universal Cheerleaders Association Smoky Mountain Christmas Championships: Cheerleading competition held at the Sevierville Convention Center.

6
Townsend Christmas Parade: Bring the entire family for a hometown Christmas Parade in Townsend TN. Begins at the IGA and ends at Nawger Nob Village. (865) 448-6886.

8
Painting with a Twist: Show off your artistic side! Visit Eagle Springs Winery for an instructional painting class with free wine tastings so you can paint a picture while enjoying your favorite Eagle Springs wine.

12
Festival of Christmas Past: Festival of Christmas Past is an annual celebration of the culture of the Great Smoky Mountains. This year will feature traditional harp singing, stories of old-time Christmas, old-time toys and games, spinning, apple cider pressing, string games, applehead dolls, mountain music, and to make your own Christmas ornament and wreath. Events take place at Sugarlands Visitor Center from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and are free to the public. http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/special-events.htm

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10-12
Parker’s Greatest Knife Show: Annual public, Large-scale collectable knife show at the Sevierville Convention Center. www.bulldogknives.org

10-13
Christmas in the Smokies Bluegrass Festival: Four days of bluegrass music and jam sessions at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center.

12
Auction Game Sales: Auction Game Sales is an amusement and entertainment equipment auction company in business for over 30 years. Sale starts at 10 a.m. at the Sevierville Convention Center. http://auctiongamesales.com/

Sentiments of the Christmas Season

12-13 / 18 / 20-21
Santa at The Island: Santa will be visiting The Island in Pigeon Forge from 2-8 p.m. Located in the breezeway near the Island Show Fountain, Santa will be available for pictures and to interact with guests!

13
Santa Hustle: Santa’s hustle in the Smokies for this 5K & half marathon that features cookies, candy and Christmas music along the course. Register at http://www.santahustle.com/smokies/

19
Holiday Homecoming: Enjoy a free, old-fashioned Christmas celebration in the Smokies with traditional music at Oconaluftee Visitor Center from 10 a.m.-Noon. There will be traditional music, candle making, toy making, and activities for children and families. Stay for the holiday music jam afterwards, from 1-3 p.m. to sing or play along to favorite songs of the season.

27-29:
Xtreme Youth Conference: The Winter 2015 Xtreme Conference brings Christian speakers and musicians to the Gatlinburg Convention Center for 3 days of worship and fellowship. http://xtremeconferences.com/winter-2015/

28-30
Strength to Stand Conference: Religious conference at LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge. https://www.strengthtostand.com/

31
New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show & Ball Drop on Historic: Nature Trail at the Parkway – For the 27th straight year, the Space Needle area at traffic light #8 comes alive at the stroke of midnight with a fabulous fireworks show. Features live entertainment. “Best New Year’s Eve Show in the South.” (800) 568-4748

New Year’s Eve at The Island: Ring in the New Year on The Island bigger and better than ever! A night packed full of fun begins at 6 p.m. with plenty of attractions, face painting and kids activities all night. And what’s a New Years Celebration without a midnight countdown and fireworks? Its all brought to you FREE by The Island!

New Year’s Eve Celebration:  Country Tonite Theatre (865) 453-3002

31-January 2, 2016
Winter Ramp 2015:  Pigeon Forge Christian Convention held at LeConte Center, presented by The Ramp Church of Alabama.

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**These adorable Christmas graphics are created by http://www.misskatecuttables.com/