Less than 100 miles from home:
Fall Creek Falls State Park
Christmas on the Mountain
Christmas on the Mountain takes place in the idyllic natural setting of Fall Creek Falls State Park, a 25,000-acre park on the Cumberland Plateau. Enjoy plenty of good old-fashioned holiday fun at this three-day event, which includes music, crafts, food, a silent auction, activities for kids and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Location: Fall Creek Falls State Park in Van Buren and Bledsoe counties, TN
Dates: December 4-6; call for event hours
Cost: Free
Information: (423) 881-5708 or www.tennessee.gov/environment/parks/FallCreekFalls
Red Clay State Park
Trail of Lights
Enjoy a candlelit walking tour (half-mile) at Red Clay State Park, which served as the capitol and last council grounds of the Cherokee Nation from 1832-1838. Holiday events include bluegrass and holiday music, carolers and food. Bundle up and bring a flashlight, too.
Location: Red Clay State Park in Cleveland, TN
Date: December 20 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: $5/car
Information: (423) 478-0339 or www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/RedClay
Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are sprinkled with quaint towns and villages that are the perfect setting for old-fashioned holiday celebrations. Listed below are highlights of the area’s favorite community celebrations.
Blue Ridge Holiday
Art Show & Sale
The Blue Ridge Mountain Holiday Art Show & Sale is a great place to start your holiday shopping. Hand turned wooden carvings, hand-crafted items, jewelry, holiday ornaments and homemade soaps are only a few of the things that will be available.
Location: Blue Ridge, GA, Old Courthouse, West Main Street
Dates: November 21 through December 18; Weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Information: (706) 632-2144 or www.blueridgearts.net
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Santa Express
Come ride the holiday train and see Santa, Mrs. Santa and the elves. Listen to Christmas stories and carols as the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway chugs along the rails through picturesque mountains during a one-hour round trip.
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Dates: November 27 through December 24; Call for trip times
Cost: $30/adult; $15/ children (ages 2-12); Children under age 2 are free
Information: 1-800-934-1898 or
www.brscenic.com
Copperhill, TN
Light Up the Basin
Young and old are invited to help throw the switch to Light Up the Basin for the holiday season in Copperhill, Tenn. The lighting of the town’s Christmas tree, a candlelight parade with carolers, and the lighting of a giant wreath on the Old Steel Bridge – plus cookies, cocoa and free pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus – make this an event worth attending.
Location: Copperhill, TN and McCaysville, GA communities; Festivities begin at the McCaysville United Community Bank and parade to Grande Avenue
Date: December 4 at 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Information: www.ocoee-info.com or 1-800-899-6867
Ducktown, TN
Festival of Trees
Enjoy the spirit of the season as you visit this indoor display of beautiful Christmas trees decorated by local businesses, schools and organizations at the Ocoee Whitewater Center beside the Ocoee River.
Location: Ocoee Whitewater Center, 4400 Hwy. 64, Ducktown, TN
Dates: December 4-27; Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Information: www.fs.fed.us/r8/ocoee or 1-877-692-6050
Less than 150 miles from home:
Dahlonega, GA
Holiday Art Show and Sale
Dahlonega’s local artists exhibit and sell their artistry, offering a unique variety of gifts. Make your list, check it twice and head to Dahlonega for this unique shopping opportunity.
Location: Olde Cannery Art Center in Dahlonega, GA
Dates: November 15 through December 21; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Information: Email questions to info@ dahlonegaarts.org
Old Fashioned Christmas
Dahlonega’s Old Fashioned Christmas is a month-long celebration with plenty of festive holiday events, including caroling, entertainment, wine sampling and live theater performances. Festivities continue almost daily throughout December until after New Year’s Day.
Location: Dahlonega, GA
Dates: Lighting of the Square on November 27; Holiday Parade on December 5
Cost: Free to the public, some charges may apply for theater performances
Information: Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Visitors Center at (706) 864-3513.
Blairsville, GA
Mistletoe Market & Sugar Plum Tearoom
Talented craftsmen from the region sell their handicrafts at this popular craft show. Preview party includes silent auction, food and demonstrating artists. Relax and enjoy holiday treats at the Sugar Plum Tearoom, which serves soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts.
Location: North Georgia Technical College in Blairsville, GA
Dates: November 20 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. preview party; November 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; November 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Preview Party only $5/person; Event free
Information: (706) 896-0932 or www.mtnregartscraftsguild.org
Less than 200 miles from home:
Gatlinburg, Tn
Experience winter magic in the quaint mountain resort town of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Beginning November 4 and running through February 28, Gatlinburg’s Winter Magic Celebration transforms the town into a true winter wonderland. Listed as one of the winter’s “Top 20 Events” by the Southeast Tourism Department, this destination is sure to deliver a generous helping of holiday spirit.
Trolley Ride of Lights
Who needs snow when an entire town is blanketed in millions of twinkling LED lights? Take the Trolley Ride for a leisurely tour of the multitude of glistening holiday displays or stroll up and down the parkway on foot for an up-close look. Over the last three years, the city has added $1.5 million worth of new displays, plus a 100 percent conversion to energy efficient LED bulbs.
Location: Trolleys depart from the Mass Transit Center/Trolley Center at Ripley’s Aquarium
Dates: Trolley Tours begin November 4 and run nightly (6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.) through December and Saturdays in January. No tours available December 4, 24, 25 or 31.
Cost: $5 per person
Information: www.eventsgatlinburg.com or (865) 436-0535;
Reservations recommended
Holiday Arts &
Crafts Show
Get a head start on Christmas shopping at the Holiday Arts & Crafts Show in Gatlinburg, Tenn. Shop in the comfort of the Gatlinburg Convention Center and enjoy crafters offering unique gifts including pottery, woodcarvings, candles, quilts, woven art pieces and paintings. The great selection makes it easy to buy gifts that are indeed “Made in the USA.”
Location: Convention Center
Dates: November 23– December 6;
Open daily at 10 a.m.
Cost: Free
Information:
www.gatlinburgcrafts.com
Winter Magic Tunes
and Tales
Throughout the holiday season, costumed characters and storytellers wander the main parkway of Gatlinburg entertaining visitors of all ages with caroling and storytelling. This fresh air venue is the perfect cure for cabin fever.
Location: Downtown Gatlinburg
Dates: Every Friday and Saturday evening from November 27 through December 20
Cost: Free
Information: www.gatlinburg.com or 1-800-568-4748
Fantasy of Lights
Christmas Parade
Celebrating its 34th year, Gatlinburg’s Fantasy of Lights Parade delivers an abundance of holiday cheer with over 100 parade entries including floats, marching bands and giant helium balloons. The street-party atmosphere includes a pre-parade appearance by Santa Claus and a full line-up of entertainers providing holiday music and dance performances.
Location: The main parkway of Gatlinburg beginning at Traffic Light #1A on Hwy 321 and ending at Traffic Light #10. Santa and street performers will be at Traffic Light #3 across from the Gatlinburg Visitor Center.
Date: December 4; Entertainment begins at 6 p.m. and parade begins at
7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Information: www.gatlinburg.com or 1-800-568-4748
Pigeon Forge, TN
There’s a lot more than shopping malls in this mountain town. Pigeon Forge boasts an incredible line-up of holiday activities that capture the essence of the season - Southern style. Of course, while you are there you’ll want to take advantage of the affordable shopping options, too.
Smith Family
Christmas Show
For a stage show heavily steeped in Southern music and culture, you will want to visit the Smith Family Dinner Theater during the holidays. Its Christmas Show combines great music with generous helpings of Southern-style favorites like fried chicken, pot roast, farm-fresh vegetables and homemade desserts.
Location: 2330 Parkway, Traffic Light #1, Pigeon Forge, TN
Dates: Christmas Show is presented most dates from November 1 through December 30 (some days have two performances); contact the theater for reservations
Cost: Dinner and show $37.95 for adults; teens half-price; children (ages 12 and under) eat free with paid adult admission. Coupon for $5 off available online.
Information: 1-866-399-8100 or www.smithfamilytheater.com
20th Annual Pigeon Forge Winterfest
Pigeon Forge positively glows with more than 5 million sparkling Winterfest lights for its four month winter season. The Fun Time Trolley offers guided tours of fanciful light displays – a fun and affordable ride through this winter wonderland. Special guests for the November 5 kickoff at Patriot Park include the Duggar family from TLC’s reality show “18 Kids and Counting.”
Location: Winterfest Kickoff at Patriots Park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Dates: November 5 – February 28
Winterfest Kickoff Event: November 5 at Patriot Park
Winterfest Light Displays: November 5 through February 28
Trolley Tours: Check with Fun Time Trolley for tour dates and times.
Information: www.MyPigeonForge.com; call (800) 251-9100 for Winterfest information; call (865) 453-6444 for Fun Time Trolley reservations
Smoky Mountain
Christmas at Dollywood
Adorned with more than 4 million lights, this popular summer park is transformed into a magical winter wonderland November through December. Kids will especially enjoy Santa’s Workshop, the Parade of Lights and over 30 rides, and adults will enjoy the park’s efforts to take folks back to a simpler time and place with Southern Gospel and acoustic instrumental performances. Musical masterpiece performances like Babes in Toyland, Christmas in the Smokies and Appalachian Christmas are perennial favorites. Jack Frost may be nipping at your nose, but your heart and soul will be warmed with the memories made at this holiday venue.
Location: Dollywood Theme Park
Dates: November 7 through January; check website for operating schedule
Cost: Free for ages 3 and under; $42.45 for ages 4-11; $53.65 for ages 12-59; $50.30 for seniors 60+
Information: www.dollywood.com
or call 1-800-365-5996
Nashville, TN
A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland Resort
The Christmas experience at Gaylord Opryland is unparalleled, with a full spectrum of events sure to please young and old alike. More than 2 million twinkling lights and more than a dozen shows and attractions will keep the entire family entertained. For country music lovers, there is Louise Mandrell’s Joy to the World Christmas Dinner and Show. And all music lovers – country or not – will delight in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Radio City Rockettes. Other activities include gingerbread decorating, photos with Santa, train rides, a craft fair, an interactive ice sculpture exhibit, The Polar Express 4-D and ICE, featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles Schulz.
Location: Gaylord Opryland Resort, 2800 Opryland Hotel Drive
Dates: November 20 through
January 2, 2010
Costs: Prices vary
Information: www.ChristmasAt
GaylordOpryland.com or call
1-888-999-OPRY(6779)
Stone Mountain, GA
Stone Mountain Christmas
It wouldn’t be a Stone Mountain event without one of their signature laser light shows – and the holidays are no exception. The night sky is ablaze with color and lights for the laser light show choreographed to classic and contemporary holiday music. For added excitement, the park closes the show with a spectacular fireworks finale. Stone Mountain becomes a land of enchantment as the park is filled with millions of twinkling lights, carolers, holiday concerts, Santa Claus and more.
Location: Hwy 78 E., Exit 8
Dates: November 14 through December 30. Park is closed December 24 & 25.
Show times may vary based on weather, maintenance or crowd conditions. Shows may be canceled or added without notice. Please confirm dates and times by phone or Internet before making travel plans.
Costs: $26 for adults; $21 for children (ages 3-11); children (ages 2 and under) free
Information: www.stonemountainpark.com or call (770) 498-5690 or
1-800-401-2407