November 2016 Events & Holiday Festivals in the Smokies

Celebrate Thanksgiving in the Smokies

Fantastic vacations don’t just happen in the summertime, especially when you’re vacationing in the Smoky Mountains. November weather is wonderful in East Tennessee, and you might even get a glimpse of remaining fall colors. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have their special event calendars filled to the brim with things to do, so why not get away this month and enjoy off-season rates and thinner crowds too? It’ll be a vacation abundant with all things good!

4th Night Free in November
Vacation in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge or Wear’s Valley
Includes Gateway to Fun Pass!
Thanksgiving Weekend Excluded

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Creekside Gospel Music Convention and Diamond Awards: This 5th annual Creekside Gospel Music convention comes to the Smoky Mountain Convention Center for spiritually uplifting music, fun and fellowship. New for 2016! Creekside Golf Tournament Classic. http://www.creeksidegospelmusicconvention.com/

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International Gift Expo in the Smokies: 2016 celebrates the 17th year of the IGES for gift exhibitors and wholesale buyers. This event takes place at the Convention Center in Sevierville.

1-December 31
Pigeon Forge Christmas Shows: Most shows and dinner theaters begin their Christmas productions on November 1 and continue through New Year’s Eve. Confirm operating schedules and showtimes with your chosen theatre. Christmas shows are offered by Country Tonite, Smoky Mountain Opry, Comedy Barn, and Sweet Fanny Adams. Christmas Dinner Shows include Hatfields & McCoys, Dixie Stampede and Biblical Times.

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MLC Ladies 2016 Fall Retreat: “Making Ladies Christlike.” Women come together during this semi-annual retreat to grow in the knowledge and understanding of God through fellowship activities, worship and song. Held at Music Road Hotel Convention Center. http://criderministries.com/mlcretreat.htm

4-January 1
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland: Every night rain or shine – including holidays – it’s a Christmas Lights spectacular at the Tennessee Smokies Baseball Stadium in Kodak. From dusk to 10 p.m., take a driving tour of synchronous Christmas lights set to Christmas music. Santa’s Village with inflatables, Santa, and snack bar returns this year from November 20-December 27. Weekends are extremely busy, so a visit Monday-Thursday will help you avoid long lines. Visit online for pricing.

5-January 1, 2017
Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival at Dollywood: The entire theme park will be filled with Christmas lights, music and themed entertainment through January 5, 2017. New for 2016 is Dolly’s Parade of Many Colors on Showstreet at 8 p.m. each evening and the new “It’s a Wonderful Life” production. Experience a winter wonderland like no other at Dollywood.

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Sevierville Smoky Mountain Winterfest Kickoff: This event kicks off the countywide Winterfest Celebration that brings fun and festivities to the Sevierville City Center on Dolly Parton Parkway from 3-10 p.m. You don’t want to miss this!

7-February 28, 2017
Smoky Mountain Winterfest: The Winter Festival is the start of the holiday season and lasts through the end of February with special Christmas show productions, Christmas light displays from Sevierville all the way through Gatlinburg, trolley light tours, and some of the best shopping around!

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27th Annual Pigeon Forge Winterfest Kickoff: A celebration of winter in the Smokies begins at Patriot Park in Pigeon Forge at 5 p.m. with live musical entertainment and Christmas light displays. Winterfest lights will stay up until February 28, 2107.

8-February 28, 2017
Self-Guided Winterfest Lights Tour: The Pigeon Forge Trolley office at Patriot Park will provide maps with light display locations so that you can enjoy all the Christmas lights at your leisure.

Chili, Entertainment & Lights!

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Gatlinburg Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff: The 27th annual party takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. on the downtown Parkway with a Chili Cookoff and sampling, live entertainment and millions of Christmas lights.

9-January 31, 2017
Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights: Enjoy a guided trolley tour of Gatlinburg Winter Magic Christmas light displays at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m., departing from Ripley’s Plaza. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online.

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Titanic Family Camp: For one day, join the Titanic for a Character breakfast, viewing of the Titanic owner’s dive footage and then a 2-hour tour of the museum. Limited seating by reservation only. Call 800.381.7670. http://www.titanicpigeonforge.com/titanic-events

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Veterans Day Celebration: Join locals and visitors as the City of Gatlinburg salutes the men and women of America who have served in our Armed Forces in this special Veterans Day ceremony on Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza. This 16th annual program begins at 11 a.m. is free to attend.

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Veterans Day Weekend Cruise In: The Diner in Sevierville honors the commitment and sacrifices of Veterans with a patriot cruise in that includes meal specials, best of show trophies, music and prize drawings. http://www.thediner.biz/2016-schedule

Old Mill Square Holiday Open House: Visit Old Mill Square from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. for a showcase of Thanksgiving and Christmas gift items and decorations, and to sample foods that you’ll probably want to add to your holiday dinner menus.

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The Bellamy Brothers in Concert: First Class Concerts presents Howard and David Bellamy at Country Tonite Theatre at 8 p.m. For advance ticket purchase and seating, call (865) 453-2003. http://www.firstclassconcerts.com

Happy Thanksgiving

22-December 4
Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Thanksgiving & Christmas Craft Shows: Two winter holidays bring back-to-back craft shows to downtown Gatlinburg at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. See members of the Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Community all gathered under one roof to show their skills and offer you a unique holiday shopping experience.

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Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. May you have a blessed day!

Thanksgiving Dinner at The Old Mill and Pottery House Cafe: Both restaurants will be serving traditional, family style Thanksgiving meals from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Reservations not available; meal is first come, first serve, but you can add your name to the seating list and browse through Old Mill Shops. http://www.old-mill.com/

Fireworks at the Titanic: Head to the Titanic Museum for their annual Thanksgiving Fireworks Event beginning at 7 p.m. You’ll also get to see their Steampunk Parade led by the Titanic ‘Fantasy’ Princess.

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Tree Lighting at The Island: Festivities begin at The Island at 6 p.m. and include live entertainment, lots of shopping, a tree lighting ceremony and special appearances by Paula Deen and Santa.

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Winter Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales: Enjoy Christmas entertainment along the Parkway of downtown Gatlinburg with strolling performers, holiday music, and visits with Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, and Santa’s Elves. Performances are from 5-9:30 p.m. December performance dates include December 2-3, 9-10, 16-17.