2008 Tennessee Mountains and River Valley Christmas Festivals

Festivals By Town in Alphabetical Order

Benton, Tennessee

Home for the Holidays
December 13 ~ 1 pm
Annual Polk County Christmas Parade to take place on Saturday, December 13th, 2008 at 1:00 pm in Benton, TN
for more information 423-338-5040 or 1-800-633-7655

Copperhill, Tennessee

Light Up The Basin
December 5 ~ 6 pm
Young and old are invited to help throw the switch to "Light Up The Basin" for the holiday season.
Local communities coordinate their Christmas Lighting Ceremonies in a
single evening of celebration the night before the annual Kiwanis Christmas Parade.
The evening begins at 6pm, at the McCaysville Branch of United Community Bank,
where Mayor Buddy Finch helps light McCaysville's official Christmas Tree.
A procession of carolers then parades by candlelight to the Copperhill Branch of the BB&T Bank
for another tree lighting ceremony. Participants then make their way to Copperhill City Hall
to help Mayor Herb Herb light Copperhill's Yule Tree.
The crowd then moves back down Grande Avenue for the lighting of the wreath of the Old Steel Bridge.
Folling the tree lightings, celebrants warm up with free hot chocolate and cookies at Rivers Crossing Mall.
Santa Claus will pay a special visit at 6:30 to listen to the wish listes of local youngsters.
There are free candy canes for all children in attendance and free pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
for more information 423-338-5040 or 1-800-633-7655

Annual Kiwanis Christmas Parade in Copperhill
December 5 ~ 2 pm
Small town Christmas parade with "Big Heart", come join us for the annual Christmas parade
in Copperhill. Featuring marching bands and floats. Sponsored by the Copperhill Kiwanis Club.
for more information 423-338-5040 or 1-800-633-7655

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade
December 5 ~ 7:30 pm
Gatlinburg’s Winterfest Celebration features the 33rd Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade.
With millions of twinkling lights and more than 100 parade entries, Gatlinburg’s
Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade is the perfect way to get the holiday season off to an illuminating start!
Enjoy lighted floats, marching bands, and giant helium balloons. Special appearance by Santa himself.

Gatlinburg Winter Magic & Winterfest
November 5 - February 28, 2009
Visitors of all ages can marvel at the traditional mountain scenes, colorful winter displays,
playful teddy bears and other familiar, much-beloved displays both downtown
and along Hwy. 321 which have been making Gatlinburg a must-see destination
for both the young and young at heart for years.
Adjacent to the famous Parkway, River Road features a “magical” touch along the popular
Riverwalk area, where the romantic arched walkway is enhanced by a pair of
graceful 40-foot swans and several ornate floral representations to set the
tone for romance in lovers of all ages.
” Gatlinburg Winter Magic has been named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society.
Winter Magic Tunes & Tales begins during the holiday season, where visitors can meet
characters and storytellers and enjoy caroling and entertainment along the Parkway weekend evenings.

Seven quartets of holiday carolers dressed in traditional Victorian era costumes will
roam the streets of Gatlinburg on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5 pm. to 9 pm through December 20.
The carolers will be delivered throughout the city by horse drawn wagons & carriages
and sing a capella classics of the season.

During the magical Friday and Saturday nights of Winter Magic Tunes & Tales,
Santa Claus & Mrs. Claus will be on hand to meet with children of all ages at the Riverbend Mall.
Zeno the Gatlinburg Bear will also be skipping hibernation this year to make appearances
and greet holiday visitors on the streets.

On Friday nights on the Parkway, a Yule Log fireside sing-along will take place for the
whole family to get together and sing their favorite holiday season songs.

New Year's Eve Ball Drop & Fireworks
December 31 ~ 11 pm
An estimated crowd of 40,000 revelers gather in the streets of downtown Gatlinburg.
At the stroke of midnight, the sky will light up with a fireworks and music show.
The event is free to the public and features music and party favors.

Ocoee, Tennessee

11th Annual Festival of Trees
Ocoee Whitewater Center
December 5 - 28 Open ~ Friday - Sunday 8:30 am- 4:30 pm
Visit the Ocoee Whitewater Center and partake in the beauty of the season
by viewing the Christmas trees on display.
See trees entered in categories such as Most Imaginative, Best Children’s Tree,
Best Historical Theme, and Most Community Spirit.
These imaginative creations by local businesses, schools, and organizations are guaranteed to delight and inspire you.
Free Admission
for more information call 423-496-0102

Tellico, Tennessee

Christmas Candlelight Walk
December 6
Victorian costume street celebration, open house.
Carolers, horse & carriage rides, music, food, and more.
for more information call 423-253-3183

Vonroe, Tennessee

Christmas at Fort Loudoun
Fort Loudoun State Historical Area
December 6
18th Century Christmas re-enactment
Read the Highlander's story about this event "Christmas at the Front"
for more information call 423-884-6217

Enjoy our Christmas Tales.....

A Merry Humble Mountain Christmas	Winter Solitude...a Holiday Tale...	Christmas at the Front...
Christmas at Biltmore Estate	Christmas at Grove Park Inn	Smoky_Mountain_Lights