Pigeon Forge is a charming place any time of year, but it truly comes to life over the holidays. Like Frosty the Snowman donning his hat and corncob pipe when Santa’s magic washes over him, the quaint town of Pigeon Forge takes on a whole new aspect come the winter months.
If you’re looking for the perfect place to spend the holidays – or enjoy a little family time or romance before or after – there’s no better destination. Here are seven of our favorite Christmas experiences to enjoy in Pigeon Forge this year.
1. Pigeon Forge Winterfest
Photo credit by @beverlyeugene on Instagram
Anything named “Winterfest” has to be pretty great, right? Well, you’re not wrong: Winterfest is a collaborative production between the towns of Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville, and it’s every bit as festive as the epithet implies.
Pigeon Forge alone dresses up in more than 6 million lights, creating a festive atmosphere complete with music, shopping, fun foods, theater performances, and more. You’ll find awe-inspiring displays all across town, whether you’re getting dinner out or strolling the streets in your fuzziest mittens.
It’s the ideal way to celebrate with family and friends, especially in the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year’s Eve. If you don’t care much for the days themselves, you’re in luck: Winterfest keeps twinkling well into January!
2. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas
Dollywood
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(800) 365 5996
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Dollywood, like Pigeon Forge, is a fun-filled experience any time of year – but it truly shines during the holidays. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas takes the theme park’s beautiful grounds to all new heights, with cheerful lights shimmering across its acres and visible from its sky-high rides (such as Big Bear Mountain).
At Dollywood, you can enjoy thrilling rides, delicious food, and holiday shopping. You’ll also get a one-of-a-kind look at the all-new Christmas drone show, where hundreds of tiny UAVs lift into the sky as the sun sets, giving Christmas an ultra-modern twist.
3. Candy Christmas at Crave Golf
Crave Golf Club
2925 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 366-3403
It’s hard to find a more excellent theme than candy around which to base a Christmas celebration, so in our ever-so-humble opinion, Crave Golf Club does it right. Their Candy Christmas celebration has it all: hundreds of Christmas trees, thousands of ornaments, and absolute oodles of Christmas lights. The scenery becomes something out of the North Pole, inviting old and young alike to celebrate.
If you’re bringing little ones, make sure to check the schedule for when Santa will be there! Snap a picture on Old Saint Nick’s lap, then stop by to visit the Christmas Grouch as well. It’s the complete naughty and nice experience – plus candy.
4. Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Stampede
Dolly Parton’s Stampede
3849 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 453-4400
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Photo Credit by @dollysstampede on Instagram
Dolly Parton has put her stamp all over Pigeon Forge, which lies a mere 2.5 miles down the road, so it’s no surprise that the park has an entire show dedicated to the holly jolly Christmas days.
What exactly is Dolly Parton’s Stampede, you’re wondering? Simply put, the best dinner and horse show combo you’ll ever see. With dozens of horses and extremely skilled riders, the show makes for excellent entertainment while you enjoy heartwarming time with family and tummy-filling Southern fare. The arena is coated in Christmas cheer, with poinsettias, holiday costumes, fairy lights, and falling snow.
The show itself is a hoot and a half, as Dolly herself might say. Filled with elves from the North Pole and South Pole, you’ll see festive competitions, good-natured jokes, and family-friendly jokes all around.
5. Christmas at the TITANIC
Titanic Museum Attraction
2134 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(417) 334-9500
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Photo Credit by @ashborow24 on Instagram
The real RMS Titanic’s voyage was tragically cut short by an iceberg hiding in the silence of that black, moonless night in 1912. Fortunately, there is a half-scale model of the Titanic in Pigeon Forge, and it’s the perfect place to spend a lovely evening during the holidays.
Christmas at the TITANIC is a once-in-a-lifetime event, where you’ll enjoy the same sounds, sights, and scents that passengers might have every year had the mighty passenger liner not sunk into the watery depths of the Atlantic. From bunting and twinkle lights to songs and gifts, this is the best way to enjoy a true Edwardian Christmas this year.
6. Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show
119 Music Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 908-7469
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If you don’t know about the Hatfields and McCoys, we’re not sure what you’ve been doing all this time. As classic a piece of Americana as fiddles or apple pie, this famous family feud left dozens dead, injured, or in jail, and the violence continued even after the trials resulting from the main massacre. It’s high time we reinvented the story with a happier ending, don’t you think?
Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud is here to do just that, and with a Christmas twist, no less. Voted the best dinner show in Pigeon Forge, this rollicking show rolls up its sleeves for the holidays, serving both excellent homemade fare and delightful plot twists. Enjoy classics like fried chicken, smashed taters and coleslaw, veggie soup, and more – not to mention a delicious dessert.
7. The Comedy Barn Christmas Show
Comedy Barn Theater
2775 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 428-5222
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Love to laugh? That’s what the holidays are for, and the Comedy Barn is doling out plenty of giggles this season. Their Christmas show is unforgettably funny, but don’t let that distract from the gorgeous costumes, nostalgic museum, delightful decorations, and wonderful ambiance.
Best of all, the Comedy Barn Christmas Show is appropriate for the whole family. No longer do you have to leave the little guys at home in order to enjoy some laughs in the evening, because the show is totally clean and above board (without sacrificing even a lick of fun). Come see jugglers, ventriloquists, and real, live animals along with their comedian friends … and get into the Christmas spirit in high style.
Note that hours do vary for restaurants and shows over the winter holidays, so make sure to check websites and descriptions carefully before bundling up and heading out.
We hope this list has helped you consider your options. And with that, we’ll leave you to plan your Most Magical Trip of the Year!
