Knoxville Christmas events 2023: Enjoy parades, concerts, ice skating and lights

Hayley Choy, Knoxville News Sentinel
Updated ·13 min read

Grab your coat, your loved ones and perhaps a thermos of hot cocoa to enjoy these winter activities around Knoxville this holiday season.

Some of the local seasonal offerings are one-time can't-miss events, while other fun activities will be offered throughout the month or so leading up to Christmas and into the new year.

Whether you're looking for cool outdoor activities such as ice skating and parades, cozy indoor treats and trees or classic holiday music, you can create heartwarming holiday memories for yourself and your family with these fun events around East Tennessee.

Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas

Until Jan. 6

  • Experience 6 million shining, shimmering lights throughout Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas, including the newest ones that will fly above the park each evening as part of a holiday drone show. The new Joyful drone show is a holiday display with hundreds of drones soaring in the air and displaying festive reds, greens and whites.

  • Guests can visit Santa's Smoky Mountain cabin, where he can be found hard at work on that all-important naughty and nice list. Children will be able to peek into Santa’s cozy and look for their names on the coveted list.

  • Dollywood will feature family-favorite shows on indoor and outdoor stages, including its headline show, “Christmas in the Smokies,” which has been a guest-favorite production every Christmas season since it began in 1990. Other Dollywood Christmas classics return, including “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “O’ Holy Night,” “Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs,” “Heart of the Holidays,” “Candlelight Carolers,” “The Mistletones,” “Appalachian Christmas with the Smoky Mountain String Band,” “Holiday Wild Roots” and more.

  • Dollywood’s chefs have a holiday menu including oven-roasted turkey breast, chipotle turkey nachos, pork belly skillet and pot roast mac and cheese, plus sweet treats including red velvet whoopie pie, eggnog cupcakes, toffee hot chocolate and festive Christmas cookies.

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Wilderness at the Smokies Ice Rink

Until Jan. 15

  • The ice skating rink returns for its fifth season at the Wilderness is at the Smokies. The ice rink occupies a 3,200-square-foot portion of the resort’s outdoor wave pool, available to hotel guests and the public.

  • Music, holiday lights and a Winter Wilderland snack area will add to the fun atmosphere.

  • For rink hours, tickets, and other holiday activity information, visit wildernessatthesmokies.com.

Find holiday cheer at Knoxville tree-lightings, ice skating, Christmas parade and more

Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland at Soaky Mountain Waterpark

Until Jan. 7

  • Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland has moved 8 miles south to its new home at Soaky Mountain Waterpark. This drive-through light show has become a favorite family tradition for many.

  • The new location provides a longer drive route as well as captivating new additions, including majestic 25-feet-tall trumpeting angels, a star-studded pathway and more. The custom-built “Santa’s Safari” displays feature eventful Jeep excursions, keep-away games with hippos and diving contests.

  • Snowy Mountain Village inside Soaky Mountain Waterpark offers family fun, refreshments, souvenirs, and activities for kids.

Gatlinburg's Festival of Trees

Nov. 21-26

  • Gatlinburg Celebrates 50 Years of “Festival of Trees," an annual tradition that marks the beginning of the holiday season.

  • The festival features hundreds of elaborately decorated Christmas trees, each sponsored by community members and local organizations to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Smoky Mountains and the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce.

  • Admission is free for the festival, which features decorated trees and wreaths, a Santa photo center and craft area, all located at the W. L. Mills Conference Center.

  • For daily festival times and more information, visit gatlinburgfestivaloftrees.com.

East Tennessee Children's Hospital Fantasy of Trees

Nov. 22-26

  • East Tennessee Children's Hospital Fantasy of Trees will offer its holiday winter wonderland for the community at the Knoxville Convention Center. The annual event is the hospital's largest fundraiser, attracting nearly 60,000 people during the week of Thanksgiving.

  • Travel through a forest of more than 350 beautifully designed trees, holiday accessories, storefront windows, door designs, table centerpieces and an Adopt-a-Tree forest decorated by local schoolchildren.

  • East Tennessee Children's Hospital Fantasy of Trees raised more than $1.3 million in 2022, enabling the hospital to purchase a Lifeline ambulance to transport pediatric patients to and from East Tennessee Children's Hospital.

  • For more information and to purchase tickets, visit etch.com.

Knoxville Celebration of Lights

Nov. 24

  • Downtown Knoxville’s Christmas tree will be lit the day after Thanksgiving. The evening will bring fun, free activities such as crafts, holiday card making and a miniature train set. The Mikki Norwood band will provide live music on Market Square stage.

  • The celebration will be held at Krutch Park Extension, Market Square, Market Street from 6-9 p.m., with music starting at 5:15 p.m. and the tree lighting at 6 p.m.

Downtown Knoxville's Holidays on Ice

Nov. 24-Jan. 2

  • Enjoy the chilly outdoors with ice skating in the heart of Downtown Knoxville. The open-air ice rink is nestled under twinkling lights in Market Square day and night, seven days a week, for children and adults to enjoy.

  • Find online tickets, waivers and more information at knoxvilleholidaysonice.com.

Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concerts

  • The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra is bringing holiday cheer to East Tennessee with eight festive performances in Knoxville, Dandridge, Athens and Harrogate.

  • The KSO returns to the Tennessee Theatre to present Handel’s "Messiah" with the Knoxville Choral Society at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 26.

  • Concerts in Harrogate (Nov. 30), Dandridge (Dec. 1) and Athens (Dec. 5) will feature KSO Resident Conductor James Fellenbaum leading the Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra in a classical Christmas program, including Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” selections from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” and more. Individual concert times, venues, tickets and additional information are available at knoxvillesymphony.com.

  • One of East Tennessee’s favorite holiday concerts takes a traditional twist this year as the KSO presents the 37th Annual Clayton Holiday Concert entitled “An Olde English Christmas.” Four performances at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium will be at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 3 p.m. Dec. 17. The KSO will be joined by GO! Contemporary Dance Works, the Knoxville Choral Society and the newly established Knoxville Symphony Youth Choir to bring traditional Christmas tunes to the stage alongside classic holiday favorites. Highlights include “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,” “In the Bleak Midwinter,” “Good King Wenceslas” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

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Ramsey House Christmas Candlelight Tours

Dec. 1-2

  • Enjoy a tour of Historic Ramsey House, decorated with fresh greenery and candles. Take a step back in history and learn all about Christmas traditions of the early 1800's. Before and after your tour, relax around a warm bonfire, swapping stories, munching on s'mores and sipping on hot drinks.

  • Stop by the blacksmith forge to watch a demonstration, and learn about this time honored tradition.

  • To purchase tickets, view event times, and to find out more information, visit ramseyhouse.org.

Christmas in the Cave at Historic Cherokee Caverns

Dec. 1-17

  • Explore Christmas in the Cave at Historic Cherokee Caverns. Stroll along the cave path decorated with thousands of twinkling lights and scenes. Enjoy shopping with our vendors, photos with Santa and the mean one, crafts for the kids, concessions and more.

  • The cave will be open Dec.1-3, Dec. 8-10, and Dec. 15-17. The operating times are 5-8 p.m. on Fridays and 3-8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

  • Admission is $15 per person, ages 4 and up. Buy tickets online at cherokeecaverns.com or at their ticket booth.

Downtown Knoxville Christmas Parade

Dec. 1

  • Beginning at 7 p.m., Knoxville's Gay Street will come alive with fun, lighted floats, bands, dancers, costumed characters, classic cars and Santa Claus. The 50th WIVK Christmas Parade will march along Gay Street to Magnolia Avenue.

Sevierville Christmas Parade

Dec. 2

  • Be part of the merriment in historic downtown Sevierville during Sevierville’s 61st annual Christmas Parade. The traditional hometown parade, which begins promptly at 11 a.m., features a marching band, car groups, pageant winners, baton twirlers and more.

  • The parade will follow its traditional route this year, traveling north on Forks of the River Parkway, making a right on Main Street, making a right on Court Avenue and returning to the starting point.

  • You can watch the parade from anywhere along the route, but standing along Court Avenue near the Sevier County Courthouse (125 Court Ave.) provides one of the most scenic viewing points.

  • Guests usually begin arriving for the parade 30 minutes to an hour prior to the parade step off. The parade typically takes about 30 minutes to pass a viewing point.

Rocky Hill Christmas Parade and Festival

Dec. 2

  • The 9th Annual Rocky Hill Christmas Parade and Festival returns from 3:30-7 p.m., with the parade starting at 6 p.m.

  • The festivities begin at 3:30 p.m. in the RockyHill Center (intersection of Northshore and Morrell in 37919), where a holiday market area will be open featuring an array of gifts from local artisans, local businesses, and food options. Attendees can enjoy live reindeer, face painting, photo booths, kids' craft activities, and even a live story reading by none other than the Grinch himself!

  • Music lovers are in for a treat with a fantastic lineup of musical artists taking the stage. The headliner of the evening is local artist Will Carter at 4:45 p.m., with a performance by Whiskey Compass prior starting at 4 p.m.

  • The Parade will step off at 6 p.m., featuring a colorful procession of beautifully decorated floats, marching bands, community groups, and of course, Santa Claus himself. A tree lighting by Santa will immediately follow the parade.

  • Admission is free and the parade begins at the Rocky Hill Ballpark, passes Rocky Hill Elementary, goes down Morrell and turns on Northshore, where it ends at Rocky Hill Baptist Church.

Appalachian Ballet Company's 'The Nutcracker'

Dec. 2

  • The Appalachian Ballet Company will present the annual holiday tradition, "The Nutcracker," in its 52nd season. The production features live music by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for all public performances conducted by James Fellenbaum.

  • For over 100 years, this classic story has enchanted audiences of all ages. Come see the magic with lavish scenery, beautiful tutus, toy soldiers and dancing snowflakes at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium or the Clayton Center for the Arts.

  • Showtimes, locations and ticket information can be found at appalachianballet.org.

Knoxville Community Band's Christmas Concert

Dec. 3

  • Join the Knoxville Community Band's Christmas Concert and food drive at the Bijou Theater. The annual Christmas concert is free to the public and will collect food and donations to benefit the FISH Hospitality Pantries.

  • The event will collect any food that is shelf stable, unopened and unexpired before the start of the concert.

  • FISH Hospitality Pantries provides food packages each month to over 7,000 families in the Knoxville area. Learn more from their website: fishpantries.org.

Knoxville Tour de Lights

Dec. 9

  • Take a holiday bike ride with the Tour de Lights this winter season. This free and family-friendly holiday bike ride will kick off and conclude at Mary Costa Plaza at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum.

  • The event will be 3:30-8 p.m. and will include a Holiday Market & Expo, food vendors and a guest appearance by Santa himself.

  • Visit Knoxville and Bike Walk Knoxville encourage cyclists to register every participant in their group for the ride, which enters each person for a chance to win prizes.

  • All riders and participants are welcome to decorate themselves and their bikes.

Christmas Across the Mountains at Sugarlands and Oconaluftee visitor centers

Dec. 9

  • The National Park Service invites visitors to experience the spirit of the season at Great Smoky Mountains National Park during two popular holiday events on Dec. 9 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sugarlands Visitor Center will host the Festival of Christmas Past, Present and Future and Oconaluftee Visitor Center will host its annual Holiday Homecoming.

  • All “Christmas Across the Mountains” activities are free and open to the public.

  • At the Festival of Christmas Past, Present and Future, NPS rangers and volunteers, along with staff from Gatlinburg’s Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, will showcase the history of arts and crafts of the mountains. Visitors can enjoy authentic Appalachian music by Wild Blue Yonder, a display of Christmas trees through the decades, caroling, and hands-on kids crafts. Rangers will also lead a special “Memories Walk” on Fighting Creek Nature Trail at 2 p.m., which features NPS volunteers sharing Christmas stories.

  • Oconaluftee Visitor Center’s Holiday Homecoming is a celebration of winter holiday traditions from the many people who call Southern Appalachia home. The Mountain Farm Museum comes to life with demonstrations by rangers and volunteers displaying Appalachian Christmas traditions and winter preparation. Traditions on display include hearth cooking, blacksmithing, and broom making. Visitors are invited to join an old-time jam session with dulcimers, fiddles and banjos from 1-3 p.m.

The Nativity Pageant of Knoxville

Dec. 9-11

  • For the 55th annual Nativity Pageant of Knoxville, the floor of the Civic Coliseum will become the towns of Nazareth and Bethlehem for a reenactment of the birth story of Jesus Christ in a production featuring a 150-voice choir, a 150-member cast, a full orchestra and a stable of live animals.

  • The Nativity Pageant is free to the community. Hours and dates of production can be found at knoxvillenativity.com.

Chabad of Knoxville's Unite Through Light and Nissim Black Concert

Dec. 14

  • Chabad of Knoxville is hosting its annual Chanukah celebration Unite Through Light featuring a free concert and menorah lighting.

  • The free event will be held at World’s Fair Park performance lawn and is open to the entire community, regardless of religious affiliation.

  • There will be pre-concert family-friendly activities on the lawn starting at 5 p.m. including a bounce house, games and traditional latkes. The grand menorah lighting ceremony will take place at 6 p.m.

  • World-renowned American-Israeli rapper, songwriter and music producer Nissim Black will hold a concert at 6:30 p.m.

  • The concert is free, but VIP seating can be purchased for $36 by contacting rabbi@chabadknoxville.org. To learn more, visit chanukahinknoxville.com.

Museum of Appalachia's Candlelight Christmas

Dec. 15-16

  • The Museum of Appalachia will host its annual Candlelight Christmas event, centered around an evening tour of the museum’s pioneer village. Old-fashioned Christmas decorations will adorn the interiors of the authentic log cabins, many of which will be festively lit.

  • Traditional musicians will perform throughout the grounds. Also featured will be local artisans and craftspeople, and a variety of family-friendly activities, including wagon rides, visits with farm animals, popcorn stringing and Christmas storytelling. Blacksmiths, spinners, weavers and others will offer historic demonstrations.

  • The event will be 4-9 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16 at the Museum of Appalachia, 2819 Andersonville Highway, Clinton. Tickets are available online at museumofappalachia.org.

New Year’s Eve at the Sunsphere

Dec. 31

  • Celebrate the new year at World's Fair Park with food trucks, free activities, a silent disco and live music by Knox Vegas DJs and the WIVK Band. Watch the ball drop from the Sunsphere at midnight.

  • This free event starts at 9 p.m. and continues through midnight on the World's Fair Park Festival Lawn.

  • More information about New Year’s Eve at the Sunsphere is available at at knoxvilletn.gov.

If you would like to see your winter or holiday event featured on this list, email Hayley.Choy@Knox.News.com.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville, Gatlinburg Christmas events 2023: Parades, concerts, lights