From November 9th, 2010 through February 28th, 2011 over five million lights will shimmer at dusk throughout this Smoky Mountain town, inspiring a grand jubilee of light arrangements, festive decorations, special events, seasonal delicacies and mountain music. Dripping with lights, Pigeon Forge comes alive in Winter with spectacular light displays illuminate the evening landscape of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee in the four month-long holiday celebration of Winterfest!

PigeonForge.com Blog: Read Latest Updates Leading Up to Winterfest in Pigeon Forge and Surrounding Areas Throughout Autumn | [ >>read blog ] As dusk settles in Pigeon Forge, dazzling light displays glisten in the city from November through February during the holiday Winterfest celebration. This is the perfect time of year to treat yourself to a show at one of Pigeon Forge's theaters [ >>more ]   There are attractions tailored for all ages, all different personalities. Use PigeonForge.com as your complete guide for Things To Do in the Smoky Mountains!	Mark Your Calendar, and Make Plans to Attend These Special Winterfest Kick-Off Events:   November 8 | Sevierville's Winterfest Kick Off "Music Lights and Magic" + "Smoky Mountain Winterfest in 3D"--Visitors will enjoy "Smoky Mountain Winterfest in 3D!" Glasses are available at the Sevierville Visitor Center on Hwy 66 (while supplies last.) These glasses will help visitors see Winterfest in a whole new light! [ >>details ] November 9 | Pigeon Forge 's 21st Annual Winterfest Kick Off At Patriot Park--Pigeon Forge Winterfest will kick-off November 9th. Touring the light displays is a favorite activity for our visitors.[ >>details ] November 10 | Gatlinburg's Winter Magic™ Kickoff & Chili Cookoff--The City of Gatlinburg kicks off Gatlinburg Winter Magic from 5 to 8 p.m. on the Downtown Parkway by turning on over three million lights.[ >>details ] November 21 | Pigeon Forge Free Trolley Rides--A trolley tour makes enjoying Winterfest displays easy, since trolley operators know where every last display can be found.[ >>details ] December 4 | Sevierville's 48th Annual Christmas Parade--A traditional hometown parade with baton twirlers, pageant winners, marching bands and floats.[ >>details ] December 4 | Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Parade--7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 4 including marching bands and giant helium balloons taking to the streets.[ >>details ] December 1 - 5 | Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Holiday Arts & Crafts Show--Unique handcrafted gifts made by members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community are offered as they host their annual holiday show at Gatlinburg Convention Center. [ >>details ] .
Pigeon Forge 's 21st Annual Winterfest Kick Off At Patriot Park Pigeon Forge Winterfest will kick-off November 9th. 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! [ >>back ]
The evening wraps up with "flipping the switch" on the area's first Winterfest lighting. Call 1-888-738-4378 for more information. Sevierville's Winterfest Kick Off "Music Lights and Magic" + "Smoky Mountain Winterfest in 3D" Sevierville's Winterfest is a must-see event The city of Sevierville offers free food, local entertainment, kids games, and fireworks. Kicking off November 8th in downtown Sevierville, the festival is entitled "Music, Lights and Magic." It marks the beginning of the illumination of thousands of lights outlining the city.   IMPORTANT | Visitors will enjoy "Smoky Mountain Winterfest in 3D!" Glasses are available at the Sevierville Visitor Center on Hwy 66 (while supplies last.) These glasses will help visitors see Winterfest in a whole new light! [ >>back ] Gatlinburg's Winter Magic Kickoff & Annual Chili Cookoff The City of Gatlinburg kicks off Gatlinburg Winter Magic™ from 5 to 8 p.m. on the Downtown Parkway by turning on over three million lights. Enjoy live entertainment by the Marvelettes, sample chili recipes from local restaurants and businesses. A spectacular fireworks display at dusk during the opening ceremony. This is an event you won’t want to miss! Bring your appetite and a willingness to sample new or improved recipes when the City hosts its 19th Annual Winter Magic™ Kickoff & Annual Chili Cookoff on November 10th., 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 $8 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. [ >>back ]

 

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Trolley Tour of Lights

 

Touring the light displays is a favorite activity for Winterfest visitors aboard the area's guided trolley holiday light tours. View the beautiful Winterfest light displays aboard the comfort of a temperature-controlled trolley. Winterfest Trolley Tours make enjoying Winterfest displays easy, since trolley operators know where all the displays can be found. Look forward to seeing winking and dancing bears, toy soldiers, hot air balloons and much more... The rest you have to see for yourself! [ >>back ]

 

City of Pigeon Forge Trolley Tours

Where: Pigeon Forge Funtime Trolley Station at Patriot Park.
When: November 10 thru January 29 (Mon. - Fri. only) at 6:30 p.m.
How much:The guided tour costs $5 per person.
For more info: Call the Pigeon Forge Fun Time Trolley at 865-453-6444 for reservations and departure times. [ >>back ]

 

City of Gatlinburg Trolley Tours

Where: Gatlinburg Welcome Center at Ripley's Aquarium, stoplight # 5 on the Parkway.
How much: The guided tour costs $5 per person.
For more info: Call the Gatlinburg Welcome Center at 865-436-0535 for reservations and more details.

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Sevierville's 48th Annual Christmas Parade

December 4, 2010--A traditional hometown parade with baton twirlers, pageant winners, marching bands and floats leading up to the appearance of the Grand Marshal – Santa Claus! Parade begins at 11am and can best be viewed on Forks of the River Parkway and Court Avenue in historic downtown Sevierville, TN. [ >>back ]

 

 

City of Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Parade

December 4, 2010--The City of Gatlinburg and Land O’ Lakes Half & Half invite you to bundle up and generate a spirited dose of holiday cheer and soak up Gatlinburg’s 35th annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 4 including marching bands and giant helium balloons taking to the streets. [ >>back ]

 

 

Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Holiday Arts & Crafts Show

December 1 - 5, 2010--Unique handcrafted gifts made by members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community are offered as they host their annual holiday show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. [ >>back ]

 

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21st Annual Wildnerness Wildlife Week™
January 8-15, 2011

 

Come explore the wild Smoky Mountain wilderness at the 21th Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week,™ January 8-15, 2011. 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, hands on workshops and lectures on topics ranging from Smoky Mountain history to plant and animal habitation. Music lovers will enjoy tunes performed by authentic Smoky Mountain musicians at AppalachiaFest. 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; storytelling, fishing, music, photography and more.
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. [ >>back ]

 

All Wilderness Week activities are offered free of charge.

 

 

11th Annual Saddle Up!
February 24-27, 2011

 

The annual Saddle Up! Week in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee features concerts and narratives by some of America’s finest western musicians, cowboy poets and storytellers. Past events featured performances by legendary western cowboy artists such as Donnie Blanz, Baxter Black, Don Edwards, Jim Bowman, Trudy Fair, Waddie Mitchell, 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. All ages enjoy great storytelling, music and Western entertainment. Participants will enjoy the annual Chuckwagon Cookoff, concerts at area theaters and Sunday morning cowboy church. Plan to visit the many Pigeon Forge theaters during Saddle Up! this year for some wild, wild Western laughs! [ >>back ]

 

17th Annual "A Mountain Quiltfest™"
March 8-13, 2011
More Info

 

Pigeon Forge will host the 17th Annual “A Mountain Quiltfest™” March 8-13th 2011. This festival attracts over 20,000 visitors from around the country to the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. 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. Instructors for the 2011 event include Charlotte Warr Anderson, Elsie M. Campbell, Sally Collins, Klaudeen Hansen, Jody Houghton, Bonnie K. Hunter, Jo Morton, and Darlene Zimmerman.

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, as well as classes and lectures taught by some of the nation’s most recognizable names. Stay posted for more details and class schedules. [ >>back ]

 

 

For a complete listing of events, visit the official Pigeon Forge Calendar of Events!