Gatlinburg Winter Magic
Early November through mid-February · Running since 1989
The whole town lit up for three and a half months — millions of lights across the Parkway, the bridges, and the trees, plus a heated trolley tour, a snowpeople scavenger hunt, and a season of events. The lights stay on well past New Year's.
Gatlinburg Winter Magic is the town's Winterfest celebration, when millions of Christmas lights cover downtown from early November into February. The Parkway, River Road, bridges, and trees all glow with displays inspired by Smoky Mountain wildlife and Appalachian heritage. It started as a small holiday display in 1989, and today visitors come back year after year to walk the lights, ride the heated Trolley Ride of Lights, and enjoy a season full of holiday events.
When: early November into mid-February
Where: downtown Gatlinburg and the Arts and Crafts Community loop
Free self-guided lights tour; guided Trolley Ride of Lights for a small fare
Running since 1989
When it runs
Winter Magic usually begins on the first Thursday of November and runs until around mid-February. Check gatlinburg.com for this year's dates. That's a longer season than many people expect. The Christmas lights stay up well past New Year's, and a quiet January evening on the Parkway feels very different from Christmas week.
The lights
Millions of LED lights cover downtown: buildings, lampposts, bridges, trees, and the streets along the Parkway and River Road. The displays mix classic favorites like dancing snowmen with custom scenes of Smoky Mountain wildlife and Appalachian life. The whole display switches on at once at the Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff on the first Thursday of November.
The Winter Magic Lights Tour
The free, self-guided lights tour lets you drive or walk through the displays at your own pace. Plan your route in the Visit Gatlinburg app or with the printable map at gatlinburg.com. The Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community loop east of town is decorated too, a quieter drive away from the downtown crowds.
The Trolley Ride of Lights
The Trolley Ride of Lights is a heated, guided tour of the light displays aboard a Gatlinburg Trolley, about 45 minutes long. It typically leaves from the Mass Transit Center near traffic light #5, with several evening departures. It usually runs nightly from late November through December, then on Saturdays in January, and skips some holiday nights, like the Christmas Parade night, Christmas Eve and Day, and New Year's Eve and Day. There's a small fare, and young children on a lap ride free. Reservations are recommended. Check gatlinburg.com for this year's schedule and to book.
The Snowpeople Scavenger Hunt
Life-size snowpeople are hidden around downtown during the season. Use the Visit Gatlinburg app to find them all and share your photos. It's free and a fun way to keep kids moving on a cold evening walk.
Events through the season
Winter Magic is packed with events. It kicks off with the Winter Magic Chili Cookoff in early November, followed by the Veterans Day Celebration on November 11. The Arts and Crafts Community holds its Thanksgiving and Christmas craft shows, and a Festival of Trees has been held in past years. The Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade comes on the first Friday in December, and the New Year's Eve ball drop and fireworks close out the year. In February, Pancake Week arrives while the lights are still up.
See the lights from above
For a different view, look down on the lights from Anakeesta, the SkyBridge at the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, or the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle.
Tips for visiting
Go on a weeknight — traffic and parking peak around Thanksgiving, parade weekend, Christmas week, and New Year's. A weeknight in early December has the same lights with far fewer people.
Book the trolley early — Trolley Ride of Lights seats fill up, especially on weekends.
Bring the dog — most outdoor displays are dog-friendly. See our pet-friendly cabins.
Download the Visit Gatlinburg app — it runs the lights tour and the scavenger hunt.
Dress warmly — walking the Parkway means a cold mountain evening.
Consider January — the lights are still up, the crowds are gone, and cabin rates are often lower than in December.
More to do during Winter Magic
Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas runs from November into early January, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies makes a good daytime stop, and Ober Gatlinburg offers skiing and ice skating in winter. See our guide to things to do in Gatlinburg in December and all Gatlinburg events.
Frequently asked questions
When are the Gatlinburg Christmas lights up?
From early November, usually the first Thursday, into mid-February. Check gatlinburg.com for this year's dates.
Is Winter Magic free?
Yes. Walking or driving the lights is free. The guided Trolley Ride of Lights has a small fare.
What is the Trolley Ride of Lights?
A heated, guided trolley tour of the light displays, about 45 minutes long. Reservations are recommended.
Is Winter Magic the same as Winterfest?
Winter Magic is Gatlinburg's Winterfest celebration. Pigeon Forge and Sevierville hold their own Winterfest light displays during the same season.
Is it dog-friendly?
Yes, most outdoor displays are dog-friendly.
When's the best time to see the lights?
Weeknights in early December or any evening in January, when crowds are lighter.
Stay for the lights with our Christmas cabins, cabins decorated for Christmas, and cabins with fireplaces, or browse all of our Gatlinburg cabins. Book direct and the Stay & Play Pass includes free attraction tickets for every paid night.