Events for November 8, 2026

Celebrate fall in the Smokies with Autumn’s GLOW, a NEW seasonal celebration at The Island in Pigeon Forge. They are bringing the colors and feeling of fall to The Island with glowing displays, seasonal entertainment, festive photo spots, shopping, dining, and special events throughout the season. Autumn’s GLOW: A Symphony of Light The Island Show Fountain gets a fall makeover with Autumn’s GLOW: A Symphony of Light. Watch the fountain come to life with a seasonal soundtrack while floating maple leaf lanterns cast a warm harvest glow across the water. Fall Views From the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel joins the celebration with new harvest-themed light shows throughout the season. Take a ride after dark for a view of the illuminated fountain and glowing maple leaf lanterns from above. More Fall Fun at The Island There’s even more to enjoy while you’re there, from seasonal treats and moonshine flavors to fall decorations, photo opportunities, shopping, and dining. Visit during the day to take in the autumn atmosphere, then stick around after dark to see Autumn’s GLOW light up The Island.http://pigeonforge.com/event/fall-at-the-island/

Christmas takes over Dolly Parton's Stampede during November and December. Your experience begins in our non-alcoholic saloon where you will enjoy special entertainment from our house band Mountain Ruckus. They will perform holiday favorites and add a mixture of comedy. During the main show, the cast, including 32 magnificent horses, takes you on a nostalgic holiday trip with a friendly North Pole - South Pole rivalry. Watch in delight as the Sugar Plum Fairy brings toys to life right before your eyes.  Our live nativity scene, which includes three kings arriving atop real camels, brings the true meaning of Christmas to life. Santa himself will also make an appearance in a horse drawn sleigh. You will enjoy all the holiday entertainment while dining on our famous four-course meal that includes our own original creamy vegetable soup, hot homemade biscuits, tender whole rotisserie chicken, hickory smoked pork loin, buttery corn on the cob, herb basted potato, flaky apply pastry, and unlimited tea, coffee or Coca-Cola products.

Discover the enchanting spirit of Christmas from the comfort of your vehicle as you glide past shimmering lights and captivating displays. This charming, family-friendly attraction is perfect for all ages and offers heartwarming joy at an unbeatable price. So, load up your car (or sleigh), head on over, and get into the holiday spirit! Hot chocolate, milk, and cookies will be available for purchase at the entrance to sweeten your experience. Please note that vehicles taller than 9.5 feet or longer than 22 feet cannot be admitted. Pricing: Pricing varies by date and time. Cheapest pricing is after 9:00 pm. Learn more in the schedule below. Christmas Never Ends ticket prices already include tax and have no hidden fees.

Head to Country Tonite Theatre this Christmas season, where the magic of Christmas comes alive through renditions of Christmas favorites, beautiful choreography, holiday sets and costumes. Along with your favorite cast, you'll be able to enjoy guest appearances from special performers, including Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus and the Sugar Plum Fairy. When the toys come alive during "Where are you Christmas" you'll be ready to book your tickets for the next year's show as well. Christmas showtimes are 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm most days, with a special performance of The Nutcracker on Friday, December 11, 2026.

Christmas is coming to Array Variety Show! Join us for the ULTIMATE Christmas Show in the Smokies as we celebrate “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!” You’ll witness all the festive lights, the timeless music, and the costumes that make the Christmas season so special! This two-hour extravaganza features world-class vocalists, incredible yuletide dancers and amazing musicians performing all your favorite Christmas classics, as well as new favorites.

For more than 30 years, Gatlinburg has celebrated Winter Magic with millions of twinkling lights on festive holiday displays throughout the city. Soak up the spirit of the season from the comfort of your own vehicle or taking a stroll along the parkway and take a memorable journey on the exciting Gatlinburg Winter Magic Lights. Where to stay: Gatlinburg cabin rentals for Winter Magic season.

Join the Redneck Comedy Bus Tour on their Smoky Mountain Christmas Lights Tour this holiday season in Pigeon Forge. Beware of merry rednecks and drunken reindeer aboard this fun-filled festive adventure. Dig out those tacky holiday sweaters, join in some rowdy Christmas carolin' (redneck style) & jingle all the way through Winterfest with newfound friends! Come on down to the rendezvous spot to start your holiday laughter extravaganza! The jolly team of rednecks will greet you with warm holiday spirits, getting you primed for a jingle-filled journey ahead! This tour boards at Cooter's Place Pigeon Forge 177 E Wears Valley Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 on select dates in November and December. Note: This tour is not available on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day.

Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the North Pole to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board THE POLAR EXPRESS™, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Bryson City Depot. You can purchase your tickets online or call our reservations department at (800) 872-4681. We strongly discourage attempting to purchase your tickets the day of as a majority of dates and/or times are sold out in advance. No matter how you purchase tickets, they’ll be waiting at will call. Ticket prices vary by class of service. All departures are from the Bryson City Depot in Bryson City, NC. Plan on being here by 1 hour before your departure. Where to stay: Townsend cabin rentals for a Quiet Side base near the Bryson City train.

There's nothin' like the holidays to bring family together... FOR A FEUD! See why we put the HOLLER in the HOLLERdays! Come join Pa Hatfield and Ma McCoy as they try to set aside their differences in the spirit of the Season. Watch as they bring their two famous feudin’ families together for a night of fun, food and entertainment guaranteed to make you feel better about spending the holidays with your in-laws! Whether you’re city-folk or country cuzins, you’ll love the holiday singing and dancing, mighty feats of strength, jaw dropping stunts and side-splitting comedy. There’s something here for everybody! And Granny’s pulling out all the stops for the holiday dinner! She’s cookin’ up a heap of fried chicken and country pulled pork shoulder barbecue! Add smashed taters, creamy cole slaw, fluffy biscuits, corn on the cob, creamy vegetable soup and Granny’s special dessert and you’ll need to loosen up your belt! It’s the best dinner in town–Granny guarantees it!

Winterfest Christmas Village Just steps away from the Winterfest Wonders of Light Walking Trail, the Christmas Village brings handcrafted gifts, festive treats, and a small town holiday charm to Pigeon Forge Winterfest. Browse one-of-a-kind finds from local makers and soak in the season at this cozy corner of the celebration. Open November 13-15 and November 20-28. Interested in becoming a vendor? More than 40 artisans join the Christmas Village each year, reaching thousands of guests who visit Pigeon Forge during Winterfest. Vendor applications are now open, and SPACE is LIMITED.

Sevierville and her sister cities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are all decked out in lights during the annual Smoky Mountain Winterfest Celebration. Viewing Smoky Mountain Winterfest lights with friends and family is a great way to get in the holiday spirit – and with more than 15 million lights in a 25-mile stretch, there’s certainly plenty to see! Winterfest lights are a huge draw, but once visitors arrive in Sevierville, they also find incredible shopping, attractions, and area holiday shows.

Kickoff Winterfest in Sevierville with the annual tree lighting at Tanger Outlets. This event marks the moment with everything shifts from autumn tones to full holiday sparkle. More information to come as it becomes available. Where to stay: Sevierville cabin rentals near Tanger Outlets.

The Cades Cove Loop Lope is the only organized footrace held inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, to benefit Friends of the Smokies. All funds raised benefit park projects and programs such as historic preservation, wildlife conservation, native plant and grassland restoration, and much more. There are two course options, a 5K or a USATF Certified 10-Mile Loop. Participation is limited to 800 total runners. If you can’t make it to Cades Cove on race day or the race is already sold out, but you still want to support the park, sign up for the Virtual Race! A virtual race can be run (or walked!) anytime, anywhere, even indoors or on a treadmill. Virtual runners will receive a race t-shirt and finisher’s medallion via mail, however, they will not be eligible for awards. Carpooling is essential to maximizing participation in this race. A limited number of vehicle passes will be available for purchase for an additional fee. Registrants who do not purchase a vehicle pass must either carpool with a passholder they know or utilize the group transportation option from the Townsend Visitors Center.

Experience the magic of Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas, one of the park's most beloved holiday traditions. With more than six million twinkling lights, towering Christmas trees, festive entertainment, seasonal flavors and holiday shopping, Dollywood transforms into a winter wonderland in the heart of the Smokies. Take a stroll through the park and see each area come to life with its own holiday look, from the classic red and green of Santa's Village and the wintry blues and whites of Glacier Ridge to the warm candlelight glow of Craftsman's Valley. New for 2026, Country Fair transforms into Peppermint Valley. Dollywood's Holiday entertainment returns with family favorites including Christmas in the Smokies and 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, along with outdoor performances like Appalachian Christmas and O Holy Night. After dark, head to Wildwood Grove for Snow in the Grove, an immersive winter experience featuring the Wildwood Tree, glowing Roly Poly characters, music, colorful lights and snow. The weekends bring even more Christmas magic with festive fireworks set to holiday music. Come hungry, too! Dollywood serves up hearty holiday dishes, festive drinks and seasonal sweets throughout Smoky Mountain Christmas. Guests can also purchase a Christmas Tasting Pass to sample up to five participating festival foods.