The Best Group Activities This Smoky Mountain Holiday Season

Have you ever dreamed of spending a magical holiday season in the Smoky Mountains with your loved ones? Picture yourself surrounded by the warmth of festive lights, the laughter of family and friends, and the breathtaking backdrop of the Smokies. In this blog, we will guide you through some of the best group-friendly holiday activities happening in the Smokies this holiday season. To ensure your Smoky Mountain getaway is filled with joy and unforgettable moments, continue reading!

• Winterfest Wonders of Light Walking TrailLocation: Riverwalk Greenway, Pigeon ForgeDetails: The Winterfest Wonders of Light Walking Trail is a free and family-friendly attraction featuring over six million lights, more than forty displays and various deciduous trees decked out for the season. The trail, located along the Riverwalk Greenway in Pigeon Forge, invites you to stroll amidst stunning light displays portraying various scenes and characters. From animals to snowmen, elves, and Santa Claus, the festive atmosphere is accompanied by holiday music and beautiful views of the Little Pigeon River.
  Why It’s Great for Groups: This trail is suitable for all ages and abilities, providing a relaxing and scenic setting for groups to share the holiday spirit, just be sure to bundle up and wear some decent walking shoes!
• Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland
  Location: Tennessee Smokies Baseball Stadium, Sevierville
  Details: Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland is a drive-through light show featuring hundreds of thousands of LED lights synchronized to music. The newly extended route at the Soaky Mountain Waterpark in Sevierville dazzles visitors with intricate displays, creating shapes like tunnels, trees, stars, and snowflakes. Tune in to the radio station for custom music and enjoy spirited safari-themed displays and antics along your twinkling adventure.
  Why It’s Great for Groups: This drive-through experience is fun and entertaining for everyone, offering a unique and spectacular light show from the comfort of your own vehicle.
• Lights Over Gatlinburg at Gatlinburg SkyPark

• Location: Gatlinburg SkyPark, GatlinburgDetails: Lights Over Gatlinburg transforms the Gatlinburg SkyPark into a winter wonderland with thousands upon thousands of lights and decorations. Enjoy panoramic views of the city and mountains illuminated by the lights while riding the Gatlinburg SkyLift. Walk across the Gatlinburg SkyBridge, the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, and explore the Gatlinburg SkyDeck for photos, shopping, and warmth by the fire pit.
  Why It’s Great for Groups: Lights Over Gatlinburg offers a thrilling and adventurous experience for everyone, allowing groups to enjoy the beauty and charm of Gatlinburg during Winterfest from a whole new perspective.
• Redneck Comedy Bus Christmas Light Tour
  Location: Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg
  Details: The Redneck Comedy Bus Christmas Light Tour is a hilarious and festive tour taking you through the best light displays in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Aboard a custom bus, enjoy entertainment from a professional comedian guide who shares jokes, stories, and trivia about the area and the holiday season. Marvel at the incredible light displays adorning the streets and attractions.
  Why It’s Great for Groups: This bus tour provides a funny and enjoyable way for groups to witness the highlights of the Winterfest celebration in comfort and convenience. This an all-ages appropriate adventure!
• The Island at Pigeon ForgeLocation: Pigeon Forge

  Details: The Island at Pigeon Forge is a shopping, dining, and entertainment complex with over 60 retail and specialty shops, 18 restaurants, and 15 attractions. During Winterfest at the Island, the festive atmosphere and holiday cheer are fully embraced with all sorts of decorations, including a 40-foot-tall walk-through Christmas tree and a colorful dancing fountain show. Ride the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel for stunning views and explore attractions like the Island Ropes Course, Tree Fall Drop Tower, SkyFly: Soar America, and so much more!
  Why It’s Great for Groups: The Island at Pigeon Forge offers diverse options for shopping, dining, and entertainment, ensuring a fun and exciting experience for everyone in the group.

• Candy Christmas at Crave Golfing
  Location: Crave Golf Club, Pigeon Forge
  Details: Candy Christmas at Crave Golfing is a seasonal event that transforms the Crave Golf Club into a candy-themed wonderland with over 30,000 Christmas lights, 20,000 ornaments and 100 trees. Play mini-golf courses featuring candy canes, gingerbread houses, and sweet treats, grab photos with Santa (or the Grouch) and indulge in all sorts of goodies at the Sweet Shop.
  Why It’s Great for Groups: This candy-themed mini-golf experience is fun and sweet for everyone, offering a unique and delicious way to enjoy the holiday season.
• Dollywood Smoky Mountain Christmas

Location: Dollywood Theme Park, Pigeon Forge

Details: When a Smoky Mountain Christmas arrives at Dollywood, the park transforms into a holiday paradise with over six million lights, festive shows, and special attractions. Enjoy award-winning shows, ride thrilling attractions such as the new Big Bear Mountain rollercoaster and explore Glacier Ridge and Santa’s Village to enjoy all the senses and wonders of the holiday.
Why It’s Great for Groups: Dollywood Smoky Mountain Christmas provides a festive and joyful experience for everyone, allowing groups to immerse themselves in the magic and joy of the holiday season in the Smokies.

• Snow Tubing and Ice Skating at Ober Mountain
  Location: Ober Mountain Adventure Park and Ski Area
  Details: Snow Tubing and Ice Skating at Ober Mountain are popular winter activities at the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area. Experience the thrill of sliding down snow-covered slopes on a tube and enjoy gliding on the ice at the indoor ice-skating rink. Take a ride on the Aerial Tramway for spectacular views of the city and mountains.
  Why It’s Great for Groups: Snow Tubing and Ice Skating at Ober Mountain provide exhilarating and enjoyable experiences for everyone, allowing groups to partake in classic winter sports in the Smokies.
• Christmas in the Village at GSM Heritage Center

• Location: Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, Townsend
  Details: Christmas in the Village is a seasonal event celebrating the traditions and culture of the Smoky Mountains at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend. Explore the historic village, witness live demonstrations like candle making and blacksmithing, and enjoy local music, stories, and legends capturing the spirit of the Smokies. Kettle corn and hot apple cider will also be available for purchase.
  Why It’s Great for Groups: Christmas in the Village offers an educational and cultural experience for everyone, allowing groups of all ages to learn about the history and heritage of the Smoky Mountains.

A Perfect Retreat for the Group

To make a wonderful holiday trip absolutely perfect, make sure to reserve a cabin at Parkside Resort for your yuletide stay. Between the luxurious accommodations, heaps of fantastic amenities and convenient location (we’re only minutes from the festive fun), there’s no better place to stay in the Smokies! After spending the day exploring all the great sights, treats and activities that the Christmas season has to offer in the Smokies, head back to your cozy mountain cabin to enjoy a hot cup of coco while the group muse over which lighting displays and activities were their favorites of the trip. While we can’t tell you what to do or where to go first during this year’s Smoky Mountain holiday season, we can guarantee you one thing, it’ll be a Christmas celebration like you’ve never experienced before!

The Winterfest 2023-2024 festivities have already begun and will continue through February 18^th, 2024 throughout the towns of Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville. Call us today at 888-908-6066 or visit our website to learn more about our amazing accommodations!