December in the Smoky Mountains offers a perfect festive setting for the holiday season. The ever-scenic mountains are capped in white snow, the towns and local attractions are ablaze with millions of Christmas lights and animated displays, the theaters and shows present their seasonal programs, there’s live music on the streets and in the numerous venues, fabulous shopping opportunities, treats for kids, and Santa everywhere for photo ops. It’s a festive month.
So what’s happening in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the surrounding area this December?
Image courtesy of Gatlinburg
One big highlight event is the annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade, along Parkway in Gatlinburg. 2024 is its 49th year, and it happens on Friday, December 6, stepping off at 7:30 pm. Five minutes prior to this, the city holds its annual Tree Lighting ceremony, and then it’s parade time!
Starting as always at Baskins Creek Bypass on East Parkway, the parade winds its way down Parkway for about an hour and a half until it reaches Light #10. Dazzling floats, marching bands, performers, celebrities, horse riders and huge caricature balloons play their part in making the parade an eyeful to watch, and the Grand Marshals this year are chart-topper Colton Dixon and rising star Emily Ann Roberts.
Huge crowds come to catch this parade – called by USA Today the Best in the Nation – so come early to get parked and stake out your turf along Parkway, or look for the paid viewing places around town.
Two other parades take place this month, when on Sunday, December 1, our neighboring town of Townsend to the west holds its annual Christmas Parade in the afternoon, 2-4 pm. Also in Townsend, the unique Heritage Center turns its Appalachian Village into a Christmas theme on December 6-7, 13-14 and 20-21. It’s a great place to visit.
Then on December 7, Sevierville to the north holds its own Christmas parade starting at 11 am, with classic cars and baton twirlers to add to customary parade participants. And for a quieter alternative to the big Gatlinburg parade, on December 6 at 5:30 pm, Sevierville holds its own tree lighting and celebrations at the historic courthouse with children’s crafts, holiday snacks, live music and of course, photos with Santa.
This time of the month shapes up to be a packed weekend, as the popular Yam Con convention is occurring on December 6-8, hosted in Pigeon Forge at the Convention Center. Yam Con offering fan events for all-ages celebrating the Arts and Culture of Japanese Anime (animation), Manga (comics), and Cosplay (costume-play).
More December Events
Back on the street in Gatlinburg, the Tunes and Tales performances continue at random spots along Parkway until December 16.
Meanwhile in Pigeon Forge, the Old Mill is offering (paid) holiday-cooking classes for kids on December 6 and December 13, which may be a great way for the kids to learn how to make some special treats for the whole family each holiday season.
The Old Mill is also offering Breakfast with Santa on selected dates, as are several other venues including Anakeesta, Skyland Ranch, Sky Pirates and Crave Golf Club. Photo ops usually occur with the breakfast occasions, and there are plenty of separate photo opportunities as well, at all those places during the month – choose your favorites and check their schedules to fit it into your itinerary.
The Island also has Santa visits during December – the big man gets around, for sure – and those dates are December 7, 13-14 and 21. This great entertainment complex is also holding its own tree lighting celebration on December 16, along with a free concert.
Also in Pigeon Forge, the Mountain Mile shopping complex is holding its special Christmas Market every Fri-Sun thru December 29, offering local goods and gourmet treats, lots of lights and – hey, guess what – Santa himself shows up also for photo ops!
All through December, Snow Tubing continues at Ober Mountain ski resort above Gatlinburg, and during this month we’ll see the ski resort open some or most of the ski slopes too. Of course, there’s the indoor ice skating and ice bumper cars available year round in the resorts climate controlled indoor mall too.
And one place that open on Christmas Day is Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland, for a drive-through light show in the warmth of your car.
At the very end of December comes New Year’s Eve, and that particular party is celebrated in Gatlinburg at the Space Needle and in Pigeon Forge at The Island. See our New Year’s Eve guide for details.
Check our Gatlinburg cabins, Pigeon Forge cabins and our Wears Valley cabins for your best place to stay in the Smokies.
