Halloween is this weekend, and right behind it comes the best-lit season in the Smokies. The holiday lights in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville switch on next week, starting Thursday, November 5. If you’re planning a November or December trip, here are the dates to put on your calendar.
Gatlinburg Winter Magic starts Thursday, November 5
Visit Gatlinburg’s events calendar lists Gatlinburg Winter Magic starting November 5. The lights run through February 15, 2027, and they’re free to see. Displays line the Parkway and the side streets downtown, so you can drive through slowly or park once and walk.
A few other Gatlinburg dates worth knowing:
- Veterans Day Ceremony: Wednesday, November 11.
- Gatlinburg Winter Festival & Chili Cookoff: Thursday, November 12.
- Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade: Friday, December 4, at 7:30 p.m. downtown. The city’s Christmas page says the parade is free and open to everyone, and it’s a good idea to get there early to grab a spot along the route.
For more on the lights themselves, see our Gatlinburg Winter Magic guide.
Pigeon Forge Winterfest lights start Friday, November 6
According to My Pigeon Forge, the city’s official tourism site, Winterfest drapes Pigeon Forge in more than 6 million lights from November 6, 2026, until January 31, 2027. There are two easy ways to see them:
- The Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights starts at the north end of the Parkway and takes you past the displays through town.
- The Wonders of Light Walking Trail has larger-than-life, nature-themed light displays along the city’s Riverwalk nature trail.
The big party is the Winterfest Kickoff on Friday, November 13, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Patriot Park, 186 Old Mill Avenue. It’s free, with live music and the Winterfest Christmas Market, which has more than 25 booths of seasonal crafts and gifts.
Sevierville joins in on November 6
Visit Sevierville lists its Winterfest season from November 6, 2026, to February 15, 2027, and notes that the three cities together have more than 15 million lights along a 25-mile stretch. Here’s what’s on Sevierville’s schedule:
- Tanger Sevierville tree lighting: November 6, to kick off holiday shopping at the outlets.
- Seasonal outdoor ice skating at Wilderness at the Smokies: November 6 to January 10.
- Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland, a drive-through light and music show: November 13 to January 3, 2027.
- Christmas at the Courthouse: Thursday, December 3, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Sevier County Courthouse, with the tree lighting, crafts for kids, photos with Santa, snacks and music.
- Sevierville’s 64th Annual Christmas Parade: Saturday, December 5, at 11 a.m.
And of course, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas opens November 6 too. Our Dollywood post has what’s coming this year.
Tips for seeing the lights
- It gets dark early. Daylight saving time ends Sunday, November 1, so the lights will be glowing by early evening. You can see a lot without staying out late, which is nice with little ones.
- Go on a weeknight if you can. The Parkway in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg gets busy on weekend evenings, especially on kickoff and parade nights.
- Walk part of it. Downtown Gatlinburg and the Pigeon Forge Riverwalk are both nicer on foot than from a line of traffic.
- Bring a jacket. November nights in the mountains get cold quickly once the sun goes down.
- Check before you go. Event details can change, so confirm times with each city’s tourism site before you head out.
Planning ahead? Our November events guide and December events guide cover the rest of the season.