Spectacular light displays illuminate the evening landscape of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee in the four month-long holiday celebration of Winterfest. Over five million lights shimmer at dusk throughout the Smoky Mountain town, inspiring a grand jubilee of light arrangements, festive decorations, special events, seasonal delicacies and mountain music.
Each year Winterfest opens a world of fun, free things to do in Sevier County. The entire county gets involved, putting on the most impressive holiday festival in the state of Tennessee. There are attractions tailored for all ages, all different personalities. Anyone can find something fun to do or see!
Winterfest Kick-Off Events
As dusk settles in Pigeon Forge, dazzling light displays glisten in the city from November through February during the holiday Winterfest celebration. You will see over five million lights shimmering in the night sky, lighting up more than just the town. During Winterfest, the city of Pigeon Forge comes alive with joyous Christmas cheer; festive ornaments adorn the storefronts and streets, special events fill the days and evenings with excitement and fond memories, seasonal delicacies entice the senses and mountain music fills the soul with good ole Smoky Mountain rhythm.
Pigeon Forge 's Winterfest Kick Off - Illumination in Patriot Park
November 8 Pigeon Forge Winterfest will kick-off November 8 at 4 p.m. Touring the light displays is a favorite activity for our visitors, and there's no better or easier way than onboard our city's Trolley Tour of Lights. If you've not had the oppurtunity to experience Pigeon Forge Winterfest, we invite you to join us this year to see why Winterfest is a favorite for visitors and local residents alike. Remember, Winterfest begins in November and continues through February, and you're welcome anytime. We will leave the lights on for you...all five million of them!
Special events to look forward to include the Wilderness Wildlife Week, a celebration of the outdoors and top-rated educational festival. Learn nature photography, participate in outdoor wilderness treks, highfalutin' Storytelling festival, rousing live performances by some of the nation's finest western musicians and cowboy poets, and much more. Be sure to take a ride on the Pigeon Forge Fun Time Trolley and on Gatlinburg's Winterfest Trolley for a journey through the cities' landmarks, highlighted by the decorative light displays. To learn more about upcoming Winterfest events, keep reading... There will be something the entire family will delight in; browse the various Winterfest events on www.PigeonForge.com and plan your trip today!
Sevierville's Winterfest Kick Off- Music Lights and Magic
November 6 Sevierville's Winterfest is a must see event The city of Sevierville offers live music, dancing in the streets, hayrides with Santa, and hot cocoa by the mugful is just the beginning. Kicking off November 6th at the Community Center at approxiametly 2 p.m., located just off Dolly Parton Parkway, the festival marks the beginning of the illumination of thousands of lights, outlining the city. Call the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce at 1-888- SEVIERVILLE for more information.
Gatlinburg's Winterfest Kick Off-Annual Chili Cook-Off
November 7 Bring your appetite and a willingness to sample new or improved recipes when the City hosts its 18th Annual Winterfest Chili Cookoff on Wednesday, November 7 at 5 p.m., in downtown Gatlinburg! Over 20 chili vendors will serve up the most mouth-watering recipes of mild and delightful to wild and adventurous homemade chili in portions suitable for sampling, then you will get to cast your vote for People's Choice Award once you have been pleasantly filled. Judges will also select winners in catergories including best taste, booth presentation, design of aprons and most unique chili name. Admission is only $7 for a spoon and voting ballot, and the evening's program includes the "flip of the switch" for the second phase of the Gatlinburg Winter Magic lights program, so come on down! Gatlinburg Winter magic is a new era of winter long visual entertainment in Gatlinburg.
Trolley Tour of Lights
Touring the light displays is a favorite activity for Winterfest visitors aboard the area's guided trolley holiday light tours. A trolley tour makes enjoying Winterfest displays easy, since trolley operators know where every last display can be found. Take your pick of a tour of Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, or enjoy both!
City of Pigeon Forge Trolley Tours
Enjoy the comfort of the temperature controlled trolley while your host points out the highlights of the city. The Funtime Trolley Tour of Lights will run Monday through Friday starting at 6:30 p.m. except on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. The final trolley tour of lights will run on the last Friday in January.
Where: Pigeon Forge Funtime Trolley Station at Patriot Park (click for map).
How much: The guided tour costs $5 per person.
For more info: Call the Pigeon Forge Fun-Time Trolley at 865-453-6444 for more details.
City of Gatlinburg Trolley Tours
To view light displays in Gatlinburg, hop on Gatlinburg's Winterfest Trolley Ride of Lights for a delightful 45-minute guided narrative tour of the city. Rides depart from the Gatlinburg Welcome Center at traffic light Number 5 (at the Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies), beginning November 3rd. Rides are $4, scheduled to leave at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. nightly throughout November and December. The trolley is closed on Christmas day; rides resume in January on Saturday nights only. Look forward to seeing winking and dancing bears, toy soldiers, hot air balloons and much more... The rest you have to see for yourself!
Where: Gatlinburg Welcome Center at Ripley's Aquarium, stoplight # 5 on the Parkway.
How much: The guided tour costs $4 per person.
For more info: Call the Gatlinburg Welcome Center at 865-436-0535 for reservations and more details.
18th Annual Wildnerness Wildlife Week™
January 12-20, 2008
Come explore the wild Smoky Mountain wilderness at the 18th Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week,™ January 13-21, 2008. Headquartered in the Music Road Hotel & Convention Center, there will be a full schedule of outdoor recreational activities that will unite visitors with the rustic beauty of nature in the Smokies. Nearly 100 mountain experts will guide guests on walks, hikes, seminars and lectures on topics ranging from Smoky Mountain history to plant and animal habitation. There will be many special events for children and families alike, with hikes through the Smokies ranging from peaceful strolls to demanding, multi-mile voyages; topics vary according to the hike.
Wilderness Wildlife Week has something stimulating for any age, bringing thousands of nature lovers to Pigeon Forge each year, it is recognized for its contributions to environment and education by the International Festivals & Events Association.
All Wilderness Week activities are offered free of charge. Call Music Road Hotel & Convention Center to make your reservations, 1-866-758-0998.
17th Annual Smoky Mountains Storytelling Festival
February 7-9, 2008
Each February Sevier County residents celebrate Smoky Mountain storytelling heritage in the Smoky Mountains Storytelling Festival. Storytelling ancestors of old would spin wild tales combining education with humor to create what is now recognized as traditional mountain art. This year, some of the nation’s best storytellers will perform and instruct workshops at the Pigeon Forge Winterfest Storytelling Festival.
The 2008 Smoky Mountains Storytelling Festival will be held in the Country Tonite Theatre this February 7-9. Come and hear your fill of tales, from classic folklore to haunting ghost stories to wild western accounts.
Featured storytellers this year include musicians, historians, and other entertainers. The talented tale tellers this year have been invited to produce the most entertaining, most exquisite storytelling festival yet. For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.smokymountainstorytellingfestival.com.
8th Annual Saddle Up!
February 21-24, 2008
The annual Saddle Up! Week in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee will feature concerts and narratives by some of America’s finest western musicians, cowboy poets and storytellers. Past events featured concerts from legendary western cowboy artists such as Donnie Blanz, Jim Bowman, Trudy Fair, Charlie Halloway, Chris Isaacs, Brian McRae, Dan Roberts, Amanda Shires, Red Steagall and the Boys in the Bunkhouse, the Quebe Sisters, Dave Stamey, and Andy Wilkinson.
Saddle Up Week is a splendid family event; people of any age can enjoy great storytelling, music and Western entertainment. Cowboy fans will love watching the Cowboy Action Shooting Competition and shopping in the Cowboy Clothing Mart. Workshops and event schedules are posed below to help you plan your Saddle Up! week in Pigeon Forge. Plan to visit the many Pigeon Forge theatres during Saddle Up! this year for some wild, wild Western laughs!
14th Annual A Mountain Quiltfest
March 12-16, 2008
Pigeon Forge will host the 14th Annual “A Mountain Quiltfest” in March 2008. This festival attracts over 20,000 visitors from around the country to the Pigeon Forge area. Hosted by the Piecemakers and Sevier Valley Quilters Guilds, the spring event brings quilting enthusiasts to compete in a world-renown, multi-category quilt show. The Southeast Tourism Society awarded “Festival of the Year” to Mountain Quiltfest in 2004 for events with attendance of less than 100,000. While Quiltfest was recognized by the STS as a “Top 20 Event” on numerous occasions, 2004 marked the first time the event was named “Festival of the Year.”
Be sure to enjoy the special display of show quilts and shop for unique items prior to public opening. Opening Night Celebration will feature instructors, vendors and sponsors to answer questions and meet your quilting needs.
A Mountain Quiltfest offers a unique opportunity for the display and viewing of creative quilts, not to mention classes and lectures taught by some of the nations most recognizable names. Stay posted for more details as the event plans are finalized.
For a complete listing of events, visit the official Pigeon Forge Calendar of Events!
