We're posting early this month to cover several Christmas related events going on in the early part of December. Others have already started, but if you've come to this article for ideas to build your itinerary for a Christmas trip to the Smokies, it'd be criminal not to mention them!
First things first, a couple Christmas events have already started, but they are extended well beyond December 25th. Dollywood is, naturally, having their Smoky Mountain Christmas festival from now until January 4th, and all your favorite shows, parades, and lighting structures will be back and on great display. Definitely a must-see for anyone coming to the Smokies. www.dollywood.com
Another new event we have this year, also going on right now, is the new Christmas in Wears Valley in, you guessed it, Wears Valley, Tennessee. At the Wears Valley Ranch each weekend from here to December 31st there will be hayrides, carol singing, storytelling, and all kinds of old school Appalachian culture holiday fun to join in on. www.christmasinwearsvalley.com.
After that, we have the annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade in downtown Gatlinburg on the night of December 6th. This is the best Christmas Parade in East Tennessee with more floats than you can count, all your favorite Christmas characters, and some amazing designs, lights, and treats for everyone to see. www.gatlinburg.com.
The next day, we have a special guest appearing at Cove Creek RV in Wears Valley as part of Christmas in Wears Valley - Bill Landry, the host of "The Heartlander Series" and one of the best storytellers in the area. He will be appearing and signing books at Cove Creek RV on Saturday, December 7th, at 4:00PM. www.christmasinwearsvalley.com.
Finally, there is New Years Eve. Gatlinburg will celebrate it as it traditionally does with music and entertainment downtown and a huge fireworks display on the Space Needle the moment it turns 2014. It's nearly 15 minutes of insane pyrotechnics exploding into the night sky and it's more incredible to see in action than you can imagine. www.gatlinburg.com.
We're keep you informed on new special events starting the new year out next month. As always, keep checking back with Allthesmokies.com for new things to see in the Smokies!
