Top 9 Holiday Events In Tennessee  

Y’all, get ready to experience the warm embrace of Southern hospitality and the joyous spirit of the season because Tennessee knows how to celebrate the holidays like no other! From the twinkling lights of Graceland to the charming festivities of Franklin’s Dickens of a Christmas, the Volunteer State is a holiday haven where traditions come to life with a touch of that sweet Southern magic. Picture the iconic landscapes of the Smoky Mountains adorned with millions of sparkling lights or the twang of “12 Days of Christmas” set to fiddles and banjos. Tennessee’s top holiday events invite you to join in the festive cheer with open hearts, friendly faces, and a whole lot of Southern charm. Here are some top places to get in the holiday spirit in Tennessee.

Note: Dates and ticket prices are as of 2023. Check with the specific event to verify prices and scheduling.

Smoky Mountain Winterfest

Dates: November 9-February 18

Tickets: Varying

The Granddaddy of all Tennessee’s wintertime events combines fun festivals and events across Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville.

For starters, the hills sparkle under 15 million lights spread along the Pigeon Forge Parkway. More lights dazzle at the SkyLand Festival of Lights at the Ranch, where LED cowboys wave as you drive by that and its nativity scene. The Wonders of Light walking trail is in Pigeon Forge and has beautiful walk-through arches, nature rendered in lights, and an exhibit set to music. Of course, theme park Dollywood can’t miss out on the holiday cheer, and it adds six million lights to its country sparkle. Sevierville’s top drive-through display is Christmas Wonderland, also set to music. Over in Gatlinburg, take to the skies at the bedecked-Lights Over Gatlinburg at the SkyPark. The pedestrian suspension bridge is covered in a light show coordinated with music. Or visited Anakeesta for Astra Lumina. Look, there are so many light displays, we can’t list them all, and Gatlinburg runs a Trolley Ride of Lights to get visitors around town.

Besides lights, the Fantasy of Lights Christmas parade kicks off the season in Gatlinburg on December 1. Millions of people have come to watch the bands, balloons, and parade floats wind through town. Dollywood puts on a drone show, Christmas stories on its stages, sing-alongs, and more fun at its theme park. For shopping, Pigeon Forge’s Christmas Place includes Christmas-themed decor, cookie decorating, arts and crafts, and a Santa’s Haus for children.

And all that doesn’t even touch on all the other attractions that have jumped onto Smoky Mountain Winterfest to create a truly magical celebration throughout the season. Events and displays await practically at every turn. Because of the widespread nature of the event, ticket prices vary based on what you choose. Here’s a sampling:

Anakeesta Astra Lumina: $16 add-on to day ticket.

FlyRide Polar Express Combo: $41 adult/$29 Child

Gatlinburg SkyPark: $37.95 adult/$23.95 child

The Polar Express in Bryson City: starting at $44

The Island in Pigeon Forge: Unlimited adult $40/Unlimited child $40

Peppermint Trail

Dates: November 24-January 7

Tickets: Free to walk

Not every holiday spectacular is as sweet as Knoxville’s Peppermint Trail. Put on your walking shoes as you follow the trail of peppermints on downtown Knoxville sidewalks. They’ll take you around town to all kinds of treats–peppermint-themed, of course. Sip on candy cane coffee in the morning or have gingerbread cocktails by the candlelight. The different boutiques and gift shops also sell peppermint-scented soaps, candles, and themed T-shirts. You never know what you’ll find as you wander the Peppermint Trail.

When you need a break from tracking down peppermints, head over to Peppermint Grove. Market Square and its massive oak trees transform into red and white creations under thousands of twinkling lights. The Square and Gay Street become a winter Wonderland with ice skating, a 42-foot Christmas tree, and holiday murals. It’s a beautiful and bedazzling way to spend an evening.

During the season, weekend Winter’s Markets occur at Nourish Knoxville and Old City. The markets feature handcrafted goods that make great gifts or decor for your home.

Dancing Lights of Christmas

Dates: November 10-December 31

Tickets: $30 per vehicle

 Tennessee’s largest drive-through holiday light show is found down in Lebanon. Visit the James Ward Agricultural Center to admire the hundreds of thousands of lights along a 2.5-mile route. The displays are programmed to music. New, colorful editions are added every year. 

The lights turn on at 5:00 pm. Your admission ticket includes entry to Santa’s Village, where you can pet the animals or visit with Santa. Carnival rides, inflatables, trampolines, and train rides are available for an additional cost.

Holiday Lights at Cheekwood 

Dates: November 18-January 7

Tickets: Starting at $26 Adult/$20 Child

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens in Nashville is a beautiful place to visit any time of year, but it truly bedazzles under the glow of over 1,000,000 Christmas lights. The arrangements along the one-mile walking trail are expansive in scale and unique, from the massive 20-foot-tall poinsettia tree to the peppermint forest. There are s’mores stations and kiosks around the estate for you to purchase hot chocolate or apple cider as you walk around under the sparkling trees.

Inside the mansion, holiday décor has taken over the historic property. Cheekwood’s holiday marketplace features an impressive nine-foot ornament wall. On your visit, browse holiday merchandise or visit Santa’s workshop. 

ICE! at Gaylord Opryland

Dates: November 10-January 1

Tickets: As low as $31 adult/$23 child

ICE! at Gaylord Opryland Resort is a dazzling and chilly holiday attraction outside Nashville. This immersive experience is renowned for its intricate ice sculptures, colorful displays, and festive ambiance. 

Typically held as part of Gaylord Opryland’s A Country Christmas celebration, a team of skilled artisans travels from Harbin, China, to carve, shape, and hand-tool over two million pounds of ice into an enchanting winter wonderland. The themes change yearly, with 2023 chugging into town as “The Polar Express,” inspired by the holiday book and movie. Whatever the theme, enjoy an ice slide.

An ICE! Experience can be wrapped into other Opryland Resort A Country Christmas options. The resort has ice tubing and skating, snowballs, Christmas concerts, holiday dinners, Mrs. Claus story time, and carriage rides. 

Dickens of a Christmas

Dates: December 9-10

Tickets: Free

Step back into simpler times as downtown Franklin, a suburb outside Nashville, takes inspiration from Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol.” The Victorian era is re-created through décor and costume against the backdrop of historic downtown. Actual characters from the story interact with street visitors, from Tiny Tim to Ebeneezer Scrooge. A Victorian Father and Mother Christmas hand out treats to the little ones. 

Franklin’s festival includes an arts and crafts market with local and unique giftable products, food and beverages, and live music on stage. Warm up sipping at the Whiskey Lounge or join in the Christmas Carolers. A KidZone has activities for children to stay engaged. 

Attendance is free at Dickens of a Christmas, but certain attractions may have a charge. Shuttle rides cost $1.

Graceland Holiday Lighting Weekend

Dates: November 16-18

Tickets: Free

Kick off the holidays Memphis-style with the celebration at Elvis Presley’s Graceland. The annual ceremony is a massive draw for the Memphis area. At 6 pm, the hundreds of blue Christmas lights and decorations come to life. And if you can’t be there, the whole ceremony is livestreamed. The weekend is packed with events, including tours of Graceland in full Christmas sparkle, which USA Today has called one of the best holiday home tours. New for 2023 Enesco Gift Shop with the largest selection of Department 56 Village pieces. Other special events include holiday music shows and Hallmark movies.  

Even if you can’t make the annual Holiday Lighting Weekend, Graceland runs its Christmas Tours daily from November 16-December 23, with afternoon tours as low as $62. The Holiday Concert Weekend rocks into town December 1-2 with salutes to Elvis. Rock away to high-energy holiday entertainment. These events have different packages and ticket prices.

Christmas in Collierville

Dates: November 21-January 4

Tickets: Free

Small-town charm and southern hospitality meet for a magical celebration of the season. This Memphis suburb transforms its town square into a beautiful holiday destination, with lights adorning its historic district. 

Signature events of the season start with the Christmas Tree Lighting on the Town Square, this year on November 21. The Christmas Parade rolls into the town on December 1. Every weekend through December until Christmas Day, Santa sits in the Town Square Gazebo to meet with the little ones who believe. Other highlights of the month-long event:

• Strolling carolers on the weekends
• Model train displays
• Christmas performances at the Gazebo 
• Carriage rides
• Letters to Santa

Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights

Tickets: Starting at $27.95 adult/$17.95 child

Dates: November 17-January 6

Technically on the Georgia side of the border, Rock City is close enough to Chattanooga to warrant its inclusion. Rock City sits on iconic Lookout Mountain. For the holidays, it shifts the already beautiful setting and rock formations into an ethereal holiday wonderland.

Millions of twinkling holiday lights have been strategically arranged throughout the landscape, casting a magical glow over the rock formations and cliffs, resulting in a truly breathtaking spectacle. The event showcases themed light displays. Be enchanted by Heart of the Mountain, Fairyland Caverns, Arctic Kingdom, and the North Pole Highway.

Santa himself is available for visits, and Mrs. Claus hosts a delightful Gingerbread Cookie kitchen experience. The North Pole Village features Christmas-themed shops, and there’s the added joy of watching Toy Soldiers engaging with the kids. Guests can indulge in seasonal treats and warm beverages like hot chocolate and cider, with on-site dining options also available. 

Please note that entry is granted through timed tickets, which must be purchased in advance.

Holidays in Tennessee

Whether escaping to whimsical re-creation of the North Pole or savoring seasonal treats amid twinkling lights, the Volunteer State embodies the spirit of the holidays. Do remember to visit attraction websites for updated ticket pricing and dates.