Christmas in Pigeon Forge: 15+ Fun Ways to Celebrate the Season (2024)

Pigeon Forge, TN, is the perfect family-friendly spot to celebrate the Christmas season. With plenty of Christmas shows, holiday lights, delicious restaurants, fun adventures, and great attractions, Christmas in Pigeon Forge cannot be beat.

Ready to learn more about the holiday season in this Tennessee town? We’ve gathered up our favorite things to do to celebrate Christmas in Pigeon Forge!

CHRISTMAS IN PIGEON FORGE: PIGEON FORGE WINTERFEST

Pigeon Forge Winterfest is a months-long celebration that includes special holiday events, shows, parades, driving tours, and plenty of twinkling Christmas lights!

The biggest draw is the Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights that lets you see the town transformed into a winter wonderland. You can see more than 5 million holiday lights in Pigeon Forge during the season! The lighting displays are sparkling and spectacular. Walk along the free one-mile immersive installation on the banks of the Pigeon River for souvenir selfies and the perfect Christmas card photo ops.

In addition to all the lights, you’ll find Jeep Tours, a Polar Express train ride, Pigeon Forge shows celebrating the holiday, a helicopter tour to see the lights, and so much more! The Pigeon Forge Event Calendar is full of things to do!

Insider Tip: Winterfest continues well beyond the traditional holiday season. Light displays stay in place until the end of February. Take advantage of off-season vacation packages and bargains galore when crowds are smaller.

Read More: Christmas in Tennessee: 23+ Can’t Miss Events You’ll Love

DOLLYWOOD’S SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS

Dollywood’s 6 million dazzling lights, award-winning holiday shows and delicious food options make it easy to understand why Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas has been known as America’s Best Christmas Event for over a decade.

DOLLYWOOD’S NEW CHRISTMAS DRONE SHOW

Dollywood debuted a new Christmas drone show for the holiday season in 2023 called Joyful! Season of Light. This holiday drone show is full of colorful lasers, synchronized drones creating festive scenes, Christmas music, and fireworks!

You’ll find the 10-minute show in the Wildwood Grove area toward the end of the night, which makes it a great way to close out your evening.

LIGHTS, SHOWS, AND DINING AT DOLLYWOOD

Each land at Dollywood is decked out in millions of lights — and each area has its own theme. Make sure to stroll through the theme park just to take in the beauty of the lights!

You’ll also find holiday-themed shows at Dollywood during their Smoky Mountain Christmas event. “Christmas in the Smokies” and “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” are a couple of can’t-miss classics. They also have several shows outside throughout the park as well.

Dollywood always has great options for dining, but during their Christmas event they have seasonal offerings too! Try a Christmas Toastie Sandwich, an Eggnog Cupcake, or a Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream Sandwich. They even offer a Christmas Tasting Pass so you can try it all! Be sure to try the famous cinnamon bread at Dollywood’s Spotlight Bakery. Trust me, you will be glad you waited in line.

DOLLYWOOD’S HEARTSONG LODGE & RESORT

HeartSong Lodge & Resort is Dollywood’s newest resort in Pigeon Forge, and a great place to stay during the holiday season.

Book a Smoky Mountain Christmas Stay & Play Package and receive two one-day Dollywood admission tickets during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas. Just park and play with free trolley transportation to Dollywood. Add even more VIP experiences for your family with exclusive privileges like priority park access, complimentary Dollywood TimeSaver Passes and package delivery. On Saturdays, enjoy early park entry for exclusive ride times.

The stunning 4,000 sq. ft. four-story atrium lobby at HeartSong welcomes guests with a warm stone fireplace and lantern-inspired windows that create an inviting atmosphere. Discover new delicious dining options, created by resort chefs, in the full-service restaurant, lounge, private dining room, and a to-go market.

Stay Here: HeartSong Lodge & Resort

CHRISTMAS AT DOLLY PARTON’S STAMPEDE

Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction in Pigeon Forge is the perfect place to visit this time of year.

Join the cast, including 32 magnificent horses, and take a nostalgic holiday trip with a friendly North Pole versus the South Pole rivalry. Watch in delight as the Sugar Plum Fairy brings toys to life right before your eyes. A poignant live nativity scene, which includes three kings arriving atop real camels, brings the true meaning of Christmas to life. Santa also makes an appearance in a horse-drawn sleigh.

Keep your family entertained and enjoy the show while dining on a famous four-course meal that includes creamy vegetable soup, biscuit, a whole rotisserie chicken, hickory-smoked pork loin, buttery corn on the cob, an herb-basted potato, and a flaky apple pastry, plus unlimited refills of coffee, tea and co*ke products.

Read More: 12+ Exciting Things To Do in Pigeon Forge

FAMOUS FESTIVE FAVORITES

HOLIDAY SPIRITS

Get in the holiday spirit! Sip Ole Smoky Moonshine at the tasting room located at The Island in Pigeon Forge and taste local vintages on the Rocky Top Wine Trail, a cluster of five wineries offering free tours and tastings.

OLD MILL RESTAURANT

Don’t miss the most important meal of the day at The Old Mill Restaurant, where an 1830 gristmill anchors a charming complex with two country cooking eateries, a creamery and a candy shop.

I strapped on the feedbag and tried the Old Mill Country Breakfast with two farm fresh eggs cooked to order, small pancakes, stone-ground corn grits, homemade biscuits, Old Mill seasonal preserves, home fried potatoes and country sausage gravy.It was delicious!

MAMA’S FARMHOUSE RESTAURANT

And, remember no one leaves hungry at Mama’s Farmhouse, a family-style staple located in a rustic barn and serving chocolate gravy! Who knew that was a thing? You can even get married there!

MOUNTAIN-INSPIRED ADVENTURES

PINK JEEP SMOKY MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE TOURS

See the Smokies like never before from the back of a custom, heated Pink Jeep Wrangler. The local, certified adventure guides bring the history and magic of the mountains to life and the pristine Smoky Mountain tours offer hidden gems around every bend, including a thrilling, 4×4 off-road adventure.

Book a 3-hour tour and experience the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ride through thick forests, past roaring streams and cascading waterfalls on this Pigeon Forge to Smoky Mountains tour. End with a thrilling, 4×4 off-road adventure. Holiday Tours are available!

SMOKY MOUNTAIN ALPINE COASTER

Take a real thrill ride on the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster. You control the excitement on the mile-long track that follows the mountain terrain. Sit back and enjoy the view as you ascend to the top of the track. This alpine coaster offers the longest downhill ride in America.

Seriously, this was my favorite ride. It was the perfect combination of a nature hike with a swift adrenaline rush. I actually rode it twice! I dare you to try it. The attraction is open 365 days a year.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN WHEEL & THE ISLAND

View the Smokies on the towering 200-foot-tall Great Smoky Mountain Wheel at The Island in Pigeon Forge. The giant Ferris wheel sits at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and riders get an unparalleled view in comfortable, all-glass gondolas that seat up to eight guests. As the centerpiece to The Island in Pigeon Forge, it stands as one of the tallest attractions in the Southeast.

Winterfest at The Island in Pigeon Forge is unlike any experience in the Smokies with millions of lights, one of the region’s most spectacular Christmas trees, and more. The 23-acre property lights up as the sun goes down to create a hip holiday ambiance. Get unlimited rides for 48 hours on The Island attractions for one price. Battleground: Tactical Laser Tag and Arcade City offer more options for fun.

PIGEON FORGE SNOW

Bring the whole family for one-of-a-kind indoor snow tubing action! Hot or cold, rain or shine, Pigeon Forge Snow stays open year-round, but it’s especially fun during the holidays. You’ll find snow-covered downhill tracks along with an escalator ride back to the top.

Kids love the snow play area and arcade games. Parents can relax in massage chair to watch.

OUTDOOR GRAVITY PARK

Outdoor Gravity Park is an amazing adventure destination in Pigeon Forge that features the only zorbing park in the US. Zorbing was invented in New Zealand and is the act of rolling down a hill in a giant 11-foot inflatable ball with up to 3 people.

Ride down their 1000-foot hill with 3 different tracks to choose from. Ages 5 years and up can ride.

FANTASTIC VOYAGES & ATTRACTIONS

CHRISTMAS AT THE TITANIC

Inside and out, the TITANIC Museum attraction is purely magical during the winter holidays.Experience what it was like aboard ship and how it might have looked on a Christmas voyage 108 years ago.

The beauty and charm of the once-upon-a-time Edwardian Christmas will dazzle and truly amaze guests. More than $100,000 has been invested in all the trimmings: twinkling lights, lush garlands, wreaths and towering Christmas trees.

PAULA DEEN’S LUMBERJACK FEUD

Sample Paula Deen’s specialties at a super supper show at Lumberjack Feud. For the Christmas season, a holiday meal is included with each full ticket priced admission ticket. The meal includes a tender turkey sandwich, dressing, Paula Deen’s green beans, cranberry sauce, chocolate peppermint pie, and drink of choice.

Enjoy viewing the action from state-of-the-art, climate-controlled grandstands and experience the most unique show venue in all of the Smokies. I even got a free ax throwing lesson from a real live lumberjack! Then, I used my new skills again later at West by God CoalFired Pizza (which also features ax- throwing stations with digital targets).

HOLLYWOOD WAX MUSEUM

The Great Ape is feeling festive. At Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center, check out the gargantuan-sized Santa hat on the iconic ape, just inside the lobby. Wear your own Santa hats for extra fun and a photo when you visit. It’s a holiday souvenir photo you’ll go ape over!

Pose with your favorite celebrities using fun props and costumes for the best pics from your vacation! Swooning is totally in order as you catch a Hollywood hunk or leading lady looking right at you. Yes, their lifelike qualities are stunning due to the detailed process the artists use to make a wax figure. Along the way, you’ll also get to know more about the stars, from their pets to their pet peeves

CHRISTMAS AND SANTA AT CRAVE GOLF

Bring the family to enjoy a one-of-a-kind candy-themed celebration during Christmas at Crave Golf Club. Play a game of Christmas mini golf or mini bowling set among nearly 100 Christmas trees, 30,000 Christmas lights and 20,000 ornaments. Check the schedule for days and times to bring the kids for photos with Santa.

MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO TENNESSEE

• YOUR TENNESSEE VACATION
• WEEKEND GETAWAYS: 13 Fantastic Weekend Getaways in TN You Will Love
• HOTELS:
• KIDS: 23+ Absolute Best Things To Do in Tennessee With Kids
• GATLINBURG: 33+ Essential Things To Do in Gatlinburg TN for Family Fun

WHERE TO STAY IN PIGEON FORGE