Gatlinburg is the place to be on Friday December 2 at 7:30 p.m., as the town shows off with their 36th annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas parade. This year event includes over 100 entries including marching bands from Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia and Alabama, floats, giant helium balloons and the Oscar Mayer Wiener mobile.
Sharky and Sharkette from Ripley’s Aquarium in the Smokies will serve as this year’s Parade Grand Marshals.
Gatlinburg’s Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade begins at traffic light 1A on Highway 321 and marches straight through the center of town ending at traffic light 10. Try to arrive early to stake out your spot along the parade as the event draws upward from 80,000 viewers.
The following morning Sevierville hosts their 49th annual Christmas Parade. The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. and proceeds along the Forks of the River Parkway to Court Avenue in the heart of downtown historic Sevierville. Santa, himself will serve as the Grand Marshal of the Christmas Parade that will feature marching bands, floats and beauty queens.
After the parade be sure to visit the Christmas Place, the South’s largest Christmas shopping village to view over 60 designer- themed Christmas trees, grab a hot chocolate and search for this year’s tree ornament from the thousands of ornaments on display.
Or check out the new Smoky Mountain Opry and Christmas Fest Village (former Miracle Theater). The area in front of the theater has been transformed into a Christmas Wonderland complete with an ice skating rink, Santa Land with reindeer, a Christmas Carousel and a s’more pit where visitors make their own toasted marshmallow treats. Entrance to the Christmas Fest Village is free. www.smokymtnopry.com