Celebrate your Smoky Mountain Christmas this season at the most festive attraction in the Smokies! With the brightest lights and newest additions to the park along with your favorites, your family will enjoy all the fun this festival has to offer. See the park transform into a winter wonderland and enjoy all your favorite rides, shows, food , and more! Experience DOLLYWOOD’S SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS from November 10th through January 5th.

Exciting New Additions

The largest christmas expansion is here and glowing all season long! Experience the all new Glacier Ridge, a fantastical winter wonderland packed with lights and displays. Not only are there dazzling lights, but also, see the beautiful 50 foot video motion christmas tree that will make your spirits extra bright!

Tis The Season of Show Stopping Performances

Your favorite stories will come to life through the many productions at Dollywood. Smoky Mountain Christmas brings you your FAVORITE SHOWS including, It’s A Wonderful Life, Christmas in The Smokies, Dreamland Drive- In, and so many more. Celebrate the season with festive music, dancing, and cheer!

Parade of Many Colors

Grab a blanket and some hot cocoa! It’s time for the much loved Parade of Many Colors! In addition to the shows, this tradition is a favorite for all those, young and old, to celebrate the season and dazzling light displays. The Parade of Many Colors begins at 8:15 pm each night during the Smoky Mountain Christmas festival. Watch as the light studded floats and characters move through the park to entertain each and every visitor.

Grab the family to head to Dollywood this season for the Smoky Mountain Christmas festival! Seasonal favorites of holiday food, games, shows, and lights make the season bright and merry. Plan your christmas visit and grab your tickets today! VISIT DOLLYWOOD!

Autumn is finally here and we know what that means – gorgeous fall colors! Now that the fall equinox has passed, it is officially fall in the Great Smoky Mountains.  So, while temperatures begin to cool, there’s a few things everyone needs to know to help them plan the perfect fall getaway.

Beginning in late September, the leaves in the higher elevations begin to change and like a waterfall cascading down the mountain will continue to change to the lower valleys as the days progress through the month of October.  Typically, the middle two weeks of October are peak in the mountains, Pigeon Forge has brilliant colors typically through the end of the month.

Here are a few places that we recommend visitors go now to see the leaves before the peak of the season comes.

Newfound Gap Road

There is no questioning Newfound Gap Road’s popularity throughout the fall season, however for visitors traveling to the Smoky Mountains in mid-fall it is key to point out that you can still drive along this road and see some of the leaves changing colors at one of the many overlook stops. While driving on this Smoky Mountain driving trail, be sure to stop and see the Franklin D. Roosevelt and John D. Rockefeller, Jr., memorial on the Tennessee-North Carolina state line.

Clingmans Dome

Clingmans Dome is the tallest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From its observation deck, visitors can see upwards of 100 miles away on a clear day. Thanks to the high elevation that this deck has, Clingmans Dome is one of the first places guests can go to see the Smoky Mountains fall colors begin to change.

Cades Cove

Cades Cove is hands down one of the most popular areas in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. An area that is known for its beauty year round, we encourage guests to drive the loop road when the leaves are at their peak. If you want to capture the true majestic beauty of the Smoky Mountains fall colors, you will see them from Cades Cove.

Wears Valley

The peaceful mountain hideaway located between Pigeon Forge and Townsend, the Wears Valley area of the Smoky Mountains is a great place for families to go who are looking to a relaxing retreat from the hustle and bustle. This area is best-known for it’s rolling mountain view and quiet nature.

Vacations are all about relaxing, having fun, and, of course, shopping!  Here are our Top 10 places to shop on your next trip to the Smokies:

Tanger Outlets, Address/Map, 2.0 Miles Away, 800-408-8377
The Island, Address/Map, 0.8 Miles Away, 865-286-0119
Rocky Top Harley Davidson, Address/Map, 0.4 Miles Away, 865-774-3445
Christmas Place, Address/Map, 0.3 Miles Away, 800-445-3396
Smoky Mountain Knife Works, Address/Map, 9.8 Miles Away, 865-453-5871
Old Mill General Store, Address/Map, 2.0 Miles Away, 865-428-0771
Three Bears General Store, Address/Map, 1.3 Miles Away, 800-867-2272
Stages West, Address/Map, 0.8 Miles Away, 865-453-8086
Lid’l Dolly’s Dresses, Address/Map, 1.1 Miles Away, 865-429-4867
Thomas Kinkade Gallery & Gifts, Address/Map, 3.0 Miles Away, 865-366-3266

Whether you’re an adventure junkie or someone who likes a little thrill, the Smoky Mountain area boasts some of the best ziplining experiences in the country.  It’s also a fantastic way to experience our mountain area up close and personal for some of the best views around.

Here are three of our favorite ziplining adventure parks to choose from that offer safe, fun experiences for people of all ages and skill levels.

Climbworks Canopy

Climbworks Canopy provides guests with an incredible 2 ½ hour guided adventure in the treetops.  The nine ziplines are connected by sky bridges providing amazing views and the thrill of a lifetime.
Foxfire Mountain

One of the first ziplines in the area, Foxfire Mountain is a fantastic outdoor adventure park that’s easy to get to and great for ages 8 and up.  The two tour features seven ziplines, a swinging bridge and ATV rides.  The tours includes two certified guides and doesn’t require any climbing.  They also offer other packages, including whitewater rafting combos.

Gatlinburg Zip Lines Adventure Park

Boasting the area’s largest age range, Gatlinburg Zip Lines Adventure Park offers an adventure for everyone ages five to 75.  Like the other, certified guides ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, and are there to tour you for 1 ½ hours over nine ziplines.  The park also features a sky bridge, and views that overlook downtown Gatlinburg.

Wears Valley Zip Line Adventures

If height is what you’re looking for, then Wear Valley Zip Line Adventures has you covered with the highest zip line in the Smokies.  Located between Pigeon Forge and Townsend, this popular outdoor park offers spectacular views of the Smoky Mountains and is easy to get to for a short adventure.