Winterfest in the Smokies

Celebrate the Season!

There’s something special about winter in the Smokies. Twinkling lights, festive shows, holiday shopping, seasonal attractions, and crisp mountain days make Pigeon Forge a memorable place to escape during the holidays.

At Margaritaville Island Hotel, you’re perfectly positioned to enjoy it all. Step outside to experience the holiday festivities at The Island, then explore Winterfest lights, shows, attractions, and seasonal celebrations throughout Pigeon Forge and the Smokies.

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Celebrate the Season

Holiday Lights

Pigeon Forge Winterfest
November 6, 2026 – January 31, 2027
Pigeon Forge shines with more than six million lights during its annual Winterfest celebration. Take in the displays along the Parkway or stroll the Winterfest Wonders of Light Walking Trail, featuring more than 45 nature-inspired light displays along the Riverwalk.
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Winterfest at The Island
November 21, 2026 – January 31, 2027
Holiday magic is just steps from your room. The Island comes alive with millions of lights, more than a mile of garland, a 40-foot walk-through Christmas tree, and nightly holiday fountain shows. The season kicks off November 21 with Santa’s arrival, a free holiday concert, and the annual tree lighting.
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Holiday Events

Winterfest Christmas Village
November 13–15 and November 20–28, 2026
Browse handcrafted gifts, seasonal finds, and festive treats from more than 40 artisans and makers at Patriot Park. Located near the Winterfest Wonders of Light Walking Trail, the Christmas Village is an easy addition to an evening of Winterfest fun. Admission is free.
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Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade
December 4, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.
Head to downtown Gatlinburg for one of the Smokies’ favorite holiday traditions, featuring festive floats, larger-than-life balloons, marching bands, and more than one million LED lights.
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Sevierville Christmas Parade
December 5, 2026 | 11 a.m.
Celebrate the season in historic downtown Sevierville as festive floats, Christmas music, and Santa make their way through town during this longstanding Smoky Mountain holiday tradition.
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Great Smoky Holiday Arts & Crafts Show
November 24–December 6, 2026
Discover unique handcrafted gifts created by members of the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community at their annual holiday shows at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Shop pottery, jewelry, paintings, quilts, baskets, woodwork, and more from local and regional artisans. Admission is free.
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Holiday Attractions

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas
November 6, 2026–January 3, 2027
Experience the magic of the season at Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, with more than six million twinkling lights, towering Christmas trees, holiday shows, seasonal flavors, festive shopping, and award-winning rides and attractions.
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Enchanted Christmas at Anakeesta
November 14, 2026–January 4, 2027
Experience Christmas high above Gatlinburg as Anakeesta transforms into a mountaintop winter wonderland with more than a million sparkling lights, festive entertainment, seasonal food and drinks, a Hot Cocoa Crawl, cozy fire pits, and spectacular Smoky Mountain views.
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Winter at Ober Gatlinburg
November–March
Take your winter getaway to new heights at Ober Gatlinburg. Enjoy panoramic Smoky Mountain views and seasonal recreation, including skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, ice skating, and more.
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Holiday Shows

Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Stampede
October 28 – January 3
Celebrate the season with a holiday spectacular featuring 32 magnificent horses, festive music, holiday costumes, a live nativity, ice skating, falling snow, and a four-course feast.
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Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Christmas Supper Show
November 7–January 4
Celebrate the season with a holiday twist on Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud, featuring festive lumberjack competitions, holiday entertainment, a Southern supper buffet, and a towering illuminated Christmas tree.
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Christmas at Array
November 3–December 31
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with a two-hour holiday production featuring world-class vocalists, dancers, musicians, festive costumes, and a mix of Christmas classics and new favorites.
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Country Tonite Christmas Show
Beginning November 3
Country Tonite transforms for the holidays with Christmas classics, dazzling costumes, choreography, and festive production numbers following the first half of its award-winning country music show.
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The Comedy Barn Christmas Show
Get into the holiday spirit with Christmas music, festive costumes, special holiday acts, and plenty of laughs in this seasonal version of the popular Pigeon Forge show.
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Holiday Shopping

Find Something Special

Make a little room in your getaway for holiday shopping. Start with the shops at The Island, just steps from your room, then explore local boutiques, specialty shops, and outlet shopping throughout Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. The Island itself has more than 80 retail shops.
Explore Shopping at The Island >>

For one-of-a-kind finds, take a scenic drive to Gatlinburg’s Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, an eight-mile loop featuring more than 100 artists and craftspeople offering pottery, paintings, jewelry, woodwork, quilts, and other handmade treasures.
Explore Arts & Crafts >>