Are you ready to jump into the Christmas Holiday Spirit? The annual Gatlinburg Festival of Lights Christmas Parade is the best way to start your Christmas season! Come to downtown Gatlinburg and enjoy the beautiful lights and performances from the featured groups of the parade. Here is everything you need to know about the Gatlinburg Festival of Lights Christmas Parade:
What to Expect From the Parade
The Gatlinburg Festival of Lights Christmas Parade starts in downtown and typically showcases Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, the Wienermobile that was designed by Carl Mayer, and Santa Claus himself. The parade will be exciting for young and old with over 100 parade entries, a dozen marching bands from Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama, and giant helium balloons! At Winter Wonderland at the Carousel, You’ll have the opportunity to meet Santa and try a selection of tasty treats at the Carousel Mall. In order to get in the Christmas spirit, be sure to attend The Gatlinburg Festival of Lights Christmas Parade.
Where is the Best Place to View the Parade?
The main viewing area for the parade is at Traffic Light #3. The parade begins at Traffic Light #1A on Hwy 321 and ends about an hour-and-a-half later at Traffic Light #10. Anywhere on the main downtown strip is an excellent place to view the parade. If you get the opportunity to view the parade from Loco Burro’s rooftop bar, you’ll be able to see the floats, bands, and balloons all the way down the strip. Take in the Gatlinburg Festival of Lights Christmas Parade with a birds-eye view. No matter where you decide to take in the parade from, you will be glad you chose to experience what a Smoky Mountain Christmas is all about.
Tips for the Parade
Since the delighted over 20,000,000 people from all over the world in years past, this event is always packed with visitors. In order to secure a good seat, we recommend you arrive early to find your spot. We also suggest you dress warm for the parade. Tennessee Decembers can get very chilly and require lots of clothing layers. If you’re going to be sitting and watching the parade for a long time, you’re going to want to be as warm and cozy as possible.
Where to Stay
When you come to the Smokies for your Christmas getaway, you’ll want to stay in a cabin that has everything you could need for an amazing vacation. Our cabins have tons of amenities that you and your family will love. Cuddle up by one of our wood or gas burning fireplaces or watch your favorite movies in our theater room. Your kids will love our game rooms and the adults can relax in the hot tub after a long day of walking around chilly Gatlinburg.
After you enjoy the Gatlinburg Festival of Lights Christmas Parade you can start planning the next Smokies event you and your family want to attend. Check out other events in the area while you’re vacationing in Gatlinburg and plan out the rest of your awesome trip!
