group of people watching fireworks
December 20, 2023

This year is almost over! There’s no better way to end the year on a good note than ringing in the new year in the Smoky Mountains. You can celebrate in style with everything from live music to fireworks! There are lots of great places you can go to celebrate in Gatlinburg. To make it easier for you to decide where to go, we’ve put together this list of the best places to spend New Year’s Eve in Gatlinburg!

1. Gatlinburg Space Needle

Fireworks shooting from the Gatlinburg Space Needle

Returning again this year, the city of Gatlinburg will ring in the new year with the Annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks Show. Known as the “Best New Year’s Eve Show in the South,” this is one of the most popular ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Gatlinburg. This family-friendly event is one of the largest New Year’s Eve events in the country, and it’s free to attend. The event centers around the Gatlinburg Space Needle in downtown Gatlinburg. The festivities start on December 31 at 9:30 p.m. with a live band performance. This year, a drone show will light up the sky at approximately 11:50 p.m., featuring various displays that pay homage to the Gatlinburg area. The show will end with spectacular fireworks from the Space Needle as the ball drops to mark the start of the new year!

2. Gatlinburg SkyPark

If you want to see fireworks from a unique vantage point, spend your New Year’s Eve in Gatlinburg at the Gatlinburg SkyPark. This year, the Gatlinburg SkyPark is hosting New Year’s Eve Lights of Wonder on December 31. You can watch as fireworks are launched from the Gatlinburg Space Needle while standing on the SkyBridge 500 feet above Gatlinburg and about 100 feet above the Space Needle’s launch pad. This will give you a perfect, unobstructed view of the amazing fireworks display. As part of this ticketed event, the SkyDeck will transform into a huge dance floor with the help of Ear Jams Silent Disco so you can dance the night away. Ring in the new year with music, dancing, and fireworks!

3. Gatlinburg Cabin

happy bear cabin

Would you prefer a private New Year’s Eve celebration? If you want to avoid the crowds and celebrate New Year’s Eve in Gatlinburg with just your loved ones, then you can’t go wrong with renting a Gatlinburg cabin. You can watch the ball drop on the large TV and toast with champagne to welcome in the new year. Whether you want to mark the start of the new year by sharing a kiss with your significant other or cheering with all your friends, a private cabin rental is a great place to be when the clock strikes midnight! Then, you can retire to a comfortable bed without worrying about getting stuck in traffic leaving the festivities.

Where to Stay This New Year’s Eve in Gatlinburg, TN

There’s no better place to spend New Year’s Eve than Gatlinburg, TN! Whether you want to party the night away on the dance floor or spend a quiet night in with your sweetheart, there’s something for everyone. Take a look at our Gatlinburg cabin rentals to find the perfect place to stay for your New Year’s trip!

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