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Taking the family on a Gatlinburg Christmas vacation is the perfect adventure to share the joyous spirit of the holiday. With the snow-capped Smokey Mountains as the backdrop and plenty of indoor and outdoor activities, Gatlinburg is picture-perfect. Endless opportunities for some Christmas fun make it a breeze to decide what to do in Gatlinburg during the holiday season.
Jumping aboard the Gatlinburg Christmas Trolley Ride of Lights is a wonderful way to soak in the magic of the holiday. The picturesque journey travels along the famous downtown Parkway adjacent to River Road. Along the way, there are over $1.6 million lights marked in sections of evergreens and winter forests. Dancing fountains, whimsical snowmen and shiny rocking horses are just a few of the illuminating kaleidoscope. Indigenous animals of the mountains are also part of the lineup, including deer, foxes and rabbits.
The city of Gatlinburg spices up the festive season with free weekend entertainment live on the parkway on Friday and Saturday nights. Groups of Dickens-style carolers and storytellers donned in traditional Victorian costumes stroll the streets singing popular holiday tunes and narrate classic Christmas stories. Barber-shop quartets and costumed bears greet and please the crowds. The lit-up streets are ideal for family strolls and stops at the cozy cafes for warm hot cocoa and gingerbread treats. From November through January, the city of Gatlinburg is pure Christmas magic.
Other popular events include the Gatlinburg Christmas Light Show Parade, the Smokey Mountains Christmas Arts and Craft Show and the Christmas on Ice Skating show. At every turn, the city of Gatlinburg is jam-packed with fun events for the entire family. Each event is guaranteed to bring out the child in everyone.
The Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort is a must-do on the list of what to do in Gatlinburg. The ski park offers powder fun for all skill levels. In addition to skiing, there’s snow tubing, snowboarding and sledding. For those seeking a panoramic view of the park, there’s an aerial tramway and thrilling alpine slide. Fine restaurants and chic shops surround the park for visiting after a fun day on the slopes.
Adding pizazz to a Gatlinburg Christmas and another must-do on the list of what to do in Gatlinburg is the renowned Ripley’s. Ripley’s features the Believe or Not Museum filled with the odd and unusual. The park also features a large aquarium, haunted adventure, a mirror maze, fun zone, mini golf and a moving theater. The Ripley Aquarium of the Smokies showcases an underwater tunnel with 12-foot sharks and thousands of exotic marine life. Guests enjoy the dancing penguin and diving shows. Families can enjoy having their pictures taken with their favorite movie stars, marveling at the bizarre oddities or navigating through the network of mirrors. It’s a day of family fun at Ripley’s.
Spending the Christmas season in Gatlinburg is a fairytale come true. It’s the perfect destination to create unforgettable family memories to be shared forever.
