4 Fun Things to Do to See Christmas Lights in Gatlinburg

Are you planning on being in town for the holiday season? If you are, you’re probably searching for ways to celebrate and get in the spirit of the season while you’re here. Luckily, Gatlinburg has plenty of fun ways to take in the sights and enjoy the decorations, and one of the most popular is to see the holiday lights in the Smoky Mountains! While you will find fun things to do all over the place, Gatlinburg is especially spectacular this time of year. Check out these 4 fun things to do to see Christmas lights in Gatlinburg:

1. Lights Over Gatlinburg

At the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, you can experience the Lights Over Gatlinburg event during the holidays. It runs from the beginning of November to the end of January, and the park is open from 9 am to 10 pm, allowing guests to really take it all in! Thousands of lights are added all over the observation deck, the SkyBridge, and the SkyTrail to make the area feel magical. Watch as dancing trees light up and celebrate, and pick out the perfect photo spots throughout the park. All of the experiences with the Lights Over Gatlinburg event are included in regular admission to the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park. This is a fantastic way to take in the Christmas lights in Gatlinburg!

2. Enchanted Winter of Lights

Another exciting event that gives you a way to take in the beautiful twinkling lights is the Enchanted Winter of Lights at Anakeesta. This annual event decorates the adventure park during the day, and you can watch it light up before your eyes as the sun goes down! Walk through twinkly lights in the villages, sit beside a fire pit to warm up with a hot beverage, and watch the kids play amidst the fun decorations!

A new addition to the park this year is Astra Lumina, a new experience that provides guests with mystical wonder. The stars have fallen from the sky for a few moments, and by the end of the trail, they have returned to the sky!

3. Visit the Gatlinburg Space Needle

If you’re searching for an aerial view of the beautiful Christmas lights in Gatlinburg, then you need to be above the skyline! The best way to do that is to visit the Gatlinburg Space Needle! At the top of the 400-foot tower, there’s a 360-degree observation deck where people can look out at downtown Gatlinburg and see the sparkling lights from above. Of course, this is a beautiful sight at night during the holidays, but you also don’t want to miss the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains during the day!

4. Drive Through the City

A popular way to take in the holiday sights is to go on the Gatlinburg Winter Magic Lights self-guided tour. You can walk through downtown Gatlinburg and see the lights as you make your way through the city, but you also have the option to drive through and see even more lights along the way! You’ll see scenes of native wildlife, famous holiday characters, and more. You can even make your way through Pigeon Forge to see the 12 Days of Christmas scenes set up!

We know you’ll have fun exploring the area and taking in the Christmas lights in Gatlinburg. Since you can truly only enjoy the lights at night, what will you do during the day when you’re away from your cabin rental? Check out these other fun things to do in Gatlinburg for some ideas!