Tag: Pigeon Forge events

Dollywood’s Parade of Lights

To say Dollywood’s Parade of Lights is “electric” would be putting it very mildly. You could go through a handful of adjectives to describe the annual Christmas event that’s really become a show-stopper, again literally, every December.

The Parade of Lights is probably an event you would compare to Disney World has its Electric Light Parade, but on a much smaller scale. And though Dollywood’s version is much smaller, it’s still big on fun and allows for great memories that will last a lifetime. You’ll see a lot of recognizable characters from Dollywood as well as Christmas-time friends you’ll recognize from as far back as your childhood. It’s a great event that the whole family will enjoy.

Of course, these are just a few of the things to keep you and your family busy during this annual Christmas event. Dollywood’s rides, restaurants and Santa’s Workshop bring you plenty of holiday magic, too.

A one-day admission to Dollywood costs about $60. However, if you plan on going more than once or plan on returning in 2011 you can buy a season pass good for the remainder of 2010 and 2011, all for less than two one-day admissions. You will also find more specials online.

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas includes not only the Parade of Lights, but over 4 million shining Christmas lights hung all over the Pigeon Forge theme park. It is a winter wonderland. Most of the same shows you’ve enjoyed in years past are back this year including Dolly Parton’s all-time favorite Christmas in the Smokies. So make plans to come be a part of Dollywood’s Parade of Lights and enjoy Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas with your family and friends.

Dollywood’s Christmas in the Smokies

Dollywood’s Christmas in the Smokies live show is one of the highlights of the Pigeon Forge theme park’s Smoky Mountain Christmas every year.

The show will bring back all your Christmas memories in one fabulous show. The holiday musical Christmas in the Smokies is a production apart from the rest of  Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas. Christmas in the Smokies features a 12-member cast of actors and actresses performing those holiday favorites heard in hometowns across the country.

Along with the annual presentation of Christmas in the Smokies, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas will drape the popular theme park in millions of Christmas lights, operate a giant Santa’s workshop, holiday rides for the kids, and shops and restaurants decorated tot he “nines” in Christmas attire. Dollywood should seem like a twinkling wonderland to most, at least that’s the goal.

Come be a part of Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas and the millions of Christmas lights that shine throughout the park during the month of December.

“I’m thrilled that my Smoky Mountain Christmas festival won its third Golden Ticket Award for Best Christmas Event, and it means the world to me that families get to enjoy the smiles and squeals of the little kids — and the big kids, too — as they spend the holidays together at Dollywood,” said Dolly Parton, following the announcement of the Golden Ticket Award last year. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas is annually recognized as one of the best holiday events in the south.

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas includes more than 20 rides and attractions in its winter wonderland, including the Thunderhead and Mystery Mine roller coasters.

You should also know about the dining opportunities at Dollywood during the holidays including a number of special buffets. Diners at Aunt Granny’s restaurant are joined by the Coca-Cola Santa each operating day through Dec. 23. In addition to oven-roasted turkey, pulled ham, cornbread dressing and other familiar favorites, new items offered only during Smoky Mountain Christmas include the Spotlight Bakery’s 25-pound pies in four holiday flavors — cranberry walnut, brown sugar pecan, white chocolate, and oatmeal and cranberry apple pies — each available by the slice.

Dollywood’s Appalachian Christmas

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain String Band is back this year with their presentation of an Appalachian Christmas at Dollywood. Come hear some of your favorite holiday tunes and Christmas melodies at the Back Porch Theatre at Dollywood.

The annual Smoky Mountain Christmas festival at Dollywood, which includes Dollywood’s Appalachian Christmas, is a month-long Christmas spectacular set against the backdrop of the Smoky Mountains. Guests will be privy to nearly 4 million Christmas lights and over 20 rides and attractions, including Wild Eagle after dark. Celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas in the Smoky Mountains during the 7-week festival that goes until Dec. 30.

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Miniature Railroad debuts at this year’s Smoky Mountain Christmas. Guests can see this at the Wings of America stage area in Craftsman’s Valley. This model train display is 1,000 square feet of electric fun. In all, it’s 6 model trains running over bridges and around a working waterfall.

“Singing Christmas carols, eating great food and enjoying the company of family and friends is what the holidays are all about,” Dolly Parton said. “My Smoky Mountain Christmas festival at Dollywood is that special place where folks can do all of that while they make their memories and celebrate their own traditions with the ones they love. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.”

In addition to An Appalachian Christmas, Dollywood’s stages are set for holiday performances like Christmas in the Smokies, Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs, Dollywood’s Christmas on Ice!, O’ Holy Night, and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Come see Carol of the Trees, The Polar Express 4D Experience and the nightly Parade of Lights (through Dec. 23). Santa’s Workshop will be open until Dec. 23.

Dollywood’s Carol of the Trees

It’s a fact that there is no shortage of Christmas lights in Pigeon Forge this year, especially when you take in the millions of lights that make up the town’s Winterfest celebration each year. While it’s truly an amazing sight, there’s just something about Dollywood’s Carol of the Trees that makes it stand out among all the lights in the area every year.

Carol of the Trees begins at dusk among the millions of Christmas lights hung in and around Dollywood. Look for the trees surrounding Rivertown Lake as they take center stage in the evening. Thousands of lights on the trees join lighted toy soldiers and more in a celebration of music and lights. It’s a 15 minute show that you don’t want to miss at Dollywood.

During the Carol of the Trees show, holiday lights are synchronized with Christmas music and really creates a holiday show for the senses as some would say.

Dollywood’s Carol of the Trees is a part of Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas (Nov. 10 – Dec. 30), an annual event put on at Dollywood that features  over 4 million Christmas lights and includes shows you’ll remember from years past. Of course, one of the most talked about is Dolly Parton’s all-time favorite Christmas in the Smokies. Dollywood is a safe and fun place to bring the kids or the whole family this Christmas season. Stop by and take in a few, or even all of the performances put on by Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas.

New Years Eve in Pigeon Forge, or Gatlinburg

There are a couple of options for those of us who will be spending New Years in and around Pigeon Forge, Tn.

If enjoying fireworks is what you’re longing for this New Year’s, trot on over to Gatlinburg for its annual New Year’s Eve festivities downtown. The space needle in the middle of downtown is the place to be around 11 p.m. as many vendors hand out free party favors such as streamers, whistles, hats, and funny glasses to you and thousands of your new, closest friends. The action builds up until midnight when the ball drops at the top of the space needle and fireworks fly into the night as New Years comes alive in Gatlinburg, TN.

If your lucky enough to secure one of the balconies from one of the hotels on the opposite side of the street from the space needle, you’ll be privy to an exceptional fireworks display. There are also some parking garages located nearby that are good viewing spots if you can get up top. In essence, just make sure you can clearly see the top of the space needle and you’ll be fine. Park along River Road or on either end of town if you’re planning on leaving town that night… just stay away from downtown. The closer you are to the space needle, the more likely you’ll stay the night. Besides, that might be more fun anyway!!!

More Gatlinburg info:
Local Phone: (865) 430-4148
Toll-Free: 1-800-588-1817

Have a blast and HAPPY NEW YEAR from all of us in Pigeon Forge, TN!

Dollywood’s Christmas On Ice

Dollywood’s Christmas on Ice! is back again this year as a part of Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, which includes such popular shows as Carol of The Trees, Appalachian Christmas, and The Polar Express 4-D Experience.

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas features a dazzling display of over 4 million colorful Christmas lights, holiday shows, and events aimed at highlighting such a magical time in the Smoky Mountains.

Dollywood’s Christmas on Ice! presents the Ice Theater of New York, the nation’s premier ice dance ensemble. The cast also includes six singers who perform a variety of Christmas favorites—“Snow,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “O’ Come All Ye Faithful” and much more.

This festive indoor ice skating production showcases skaters performing daring spins, spirals and fancy footwork in a genuine ice rink that will be created and frozen on the stage of DP’s Celebrity Theatre. With colorful costumes, Dollywood’s Christmas on Ice evokes a magical sense of Christmastime pageantry and celebration.

Smoky Mountain Christmas invites guests to also enjoy more than 20 rides and attractions, from Dollywood’s award-winning Thunderhead and Mystery Mine coasters to Country Fair’s family rides.

Santa and his hardworking elves can be found in Santa’s Workshop until Dec. 23. Stop by and tell him what you really want for Christmas. In Santa’s Workshop, guests also find an incredible display of larger-than-life-sized toys! A very busy guy this time of year, Santa makes his way through the park each evening (weather permitting) in the much-loved Parade of Lights, where brightly colored floats are accompanied by a cast of fun characters. Plus, Aunt Granny’s restaurant hosts daily dining with Coca-Cola Santa through Dec. 23.

Dollywood is a 150-acre family adventure park located in Pigeon Forge, Tn at the footsteps of the Great Smoky Mountains. Dollywood itself is open 9 months out of the year from late March through December. The theme park offers guests over 40 rides and attractions; award-winning live entertainment featuring country, bluegrass, gospel and mountain music; and a number of East Tennessee crafters.

For more information, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit dollywood.com.

Christmas in the Smokies Bluegrass Festival

If you love bluegrass music, and who doesn’t, you’ll want to be in Pigeon Forge during the second week of December for the Christmas in the Smokies Bluegrass Festival. It’s a mixture of two very popular reasons people flock to the area every year: Christmas and bluegrass.

Special guest Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver headline the 2012 Christmas in the Smokies Festival, December 12-15 at the Ramada Inn & Smoky Mountain Convention Center in Pigeon Forge. Not only that, but festival-goers will get to take part in instrument workshops for $25 per class. To start the week out, Wednesday will feature workshops, square dancing, jamming and a free concert.

As mentioned, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver is renowned in the musical world. Their instrumentation and harmonies are second to none. Their old gospel sound takes you back to yesteryear and makes you feel like you’re in one of those old country churches clapping your hands and tapping your feet. Combine that with a powerful presentation and you’ve got one heck of a headliner for the Thursday, December 13 show.

The great bluegrass music doesn’t stop there, Marty Raybon, former frontman for the band Shenandoah, will leave people in awe this Christmas with his amazing bluegrass vocals. The Raybons band’s traditional tenor sound will be on full display during their Saturday night concert December 15th.

Headlining the Thursday and Saturday night festival slots will be Goldwing Express. Their shows have gained them notoriety in the United States and Canada as well. Not only do they harken back to their Native American heritage, Goldwing Express will mix it up with country, gospel and comedy performances during their show. It’s one that definitely should not be missed.

Also appearing on Saturday night, and Friday as well, is Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-press. Osborne is widely known for his talents on the mandolin and his hit song “Rocky Top” is especially well-regarded in these parts.

In all, the festival will feature 15 talented bluegrass artists including: Carolina Road, Your Host Band; Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Marty Raybon, Goldwing Express, Ralph Stanley II, Bobby Osborne & Rocky Top X-Press, Gary Waldrep Band, Jerry Butler & The Blu-J’s, Remington, Ryde, Bluegrass Mountaineers, The Larkins, Reno Tradition, Mountain Faith, Hart Brothers and Bluegrass Gentleman.

TICKETS AND INFORMATION

Advance tickets for Artist Circle are $34 per days and $90 for three days. Reserved seats are $28 for per day and $75 for three days. General admission prices is $23 for per day and $60 for three days.

The show on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 is FREE to all Christmas In The Smokies ticket holders. You must at least purchase a one (1) day ticket to the festival to obtain a free ticket for Wednesday. For more information on tickets, call 919-779-5672. Children Under 12 are FREE.

Saturdays in December = Snow at the Titanic

Calling it “Real Snow off the Bow,” the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge has taken it upon themselves to turn the area into a winter wonderland whether it snows or not this December. At least on Saturdays.

As a part of Titanic’s Christmas in a Winter Wonderland, the popular Pigeon Forge attraction is creating their own snow starting November 22-24 and every Saturday in December – 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, beginning at 7pm. And there is no need to worry about money, it’s FREE and there will also be FREE parking. Just remember to bring your camera!

So if you’re wondering if it will snow this year in Pigeon Forge, the answer is “YES”. Pigeon Forge’s Titanic Museum Attraction even guarantees it. We’re talking real snow here. Yes, REAL snow. The snow is just a part of the Titanic museum’s “Christmas in a Winter Wonderland,” dedicated to honoring the memories and celebrating the lives of the 2,208 passengers and crew who lost their lives aboard the Titanic.

Every Saturday in December, the Titanic will produce real, falling snow off the ship’s bow. Not only that, the entire ship will be adorned in Christmas lights and decorations, so pack a camera, camcorder, have your smartphone ready because it’s going to be an amazing night you won’t want to forget.

“Everything about our Christmas in a Winter Wonderland Celebration is aimed at giving our visitors and their families a unique, memorable holiday experience,” said officials with the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge. “A memory that will last forever – and isn’t that what Christmas is all about?”

For more information on the Titanic Museum Attraction’s Christmas in a Winter Wonderland or the Titanic attraction itself, call 800-381-7670.

Breakfast with Santa at the Old Mill

Join Santa Claus for breakfast at the Old Mill on December 1 and bring your Christmas wish list.

Kids! Here’s your chance to tell Santa Claus everything you need to tell him before he makes his magical Christmas Eve run. It’s Breakfast with Santa Claus at the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge, December 1.

Children of all ages are welcome to share their hope and wishes with the man himself – Santa. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy one of the finest Southern=style breakfasts in the Smokies at the Old Mill Square. What more could any child ask for? Well, a new bike, video games, you get the picture.

The Old Mill is known around the region for its delicious country breakfasts of eggs, country ham, sausage, hickory smoked bacon, pancakes, and biscuits. And don’t forget their omelets. Choose from a cheese, vegetable, or Southern omelet.

Also located on the Old Mill premises is the Old Mill Pottery House Cafe & Grille, the Old Mill General Store, the Old Mill Pigeon River Pottery, the Old Mill Farmhouse Kitchen, the Old Mill Creamery, the Old Mill Candy Kitchen, the Old Mill Toy Bin, and Sassafras – the newest store and a unique shop featuring jewelry, apparel, purses, bags, hats, scarves and much more.

Since 1830, the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge has entertained and fed visitors the world over. It has become a true Smoky Mountain destination for those looking for great food, a wonderful shopping experience, and knowledge on the history of the Smoky Mountains. Guests can still watch meal and flour being ground by the water powered granite French Burhr in the mill just as they did it in the 1800s, or candy making, or new pottery thrown.

Additional information on the Old Mill’s Breakfast with Santa Claus can be obtained by calling 865-428-0771.

Old Mill Holiday Open House

Come to the Old Mill Open House on November 10 and sample some great holiday foods and shop some great deals.

If you live anywhere in the vicinity of Pigeon Forge, you’ve more than likely heard about the Old Mill, Old Mill Square, the Old Mill restaurants, etc. Well, for those of you who have yet to shop or taste any of their delicious food at the restaurant or the Old Mill Pottery House Cafe & Grille, a great opportunity is coming your way. It’s the Old Mill’s Holliday Open House on Saturday, November 10 from 10 am to 6 pm.

It’s one of the best times to shop for gifts at the Old Mill and sample some of their holiday food they’ve specially prepared for this occasion. We’re talking great Southern food that will leave you planning your next trip to the Old Mill restaurant. The restaurant itself has made a name for itself by offering some of the best breakfast servings in the Smokies with such edible delights as homemade biscuits, pancakes and omelets. Lunch and dinner includes Southern specialties like homemade meatloaf, southern fried steak, country ham, fried chicken, chicken pot pie, spicy broiled catfish, and much much more.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking to shop some great deals on local products and Old Mill fare, the Old Mill general store will have everything from their own corn meal, flour, pancake mix, and various specialty mixes. That, along with so many jellies, jams and local products, you won’t know what to do with yourself. At the general store, you can find something for everyone on your Christmas list.

Looking for something a little more crafty? The Old Mill Pigeon River Pottery house has a number of specialty and serving pieces in many unique glazes, plus a collection of original sculptures that really set off a home’s decor. Just another great Christmas shopping opportunity to be had at the Old Mill’s Holiday Open House event.

So, if you’ve never been out to the Old Mill, it’s restaurants and shops, or if you’ve been a hundred times, stop by the Holiday Open House event Saturday, Nov. 10 and get reacquainted with or introduced to Old Mill Square. We know you’ll find something you’re sure to come back again for.

Old Mill Square
175 Old Mill Avenue at Traffic Light No. 7
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee 37868
865-428-0771