Find out what the Smokies are all about. We'll keep you informed of all the fun activities like hiking, shopping, fishing, or scenic mountain drives. Learn about all the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge attractions, restaurants, and shopping.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
November 2006 Gatlinburg Event Calendar
Nov. 8 - Gatlinburg Chili Cook-off - Bring your appetite and a willingness to sample new or improved recipes when the City hosts its 17th Annual Winterfest Chili Cookoff on Wednesday, November 8, at Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza and River Road!
Nov. 8 - Gatlinburg Winterfest Kick-off & Chili Cook-off The City of Gatlinburg magically lights up the winter nights with over 2 million spectacular lights in fantastic displays throughout the town. Gatlinburg Winter Magic launches a new era of winter-long visual entertainment in Gatlinburg. Featuring all new, one-of-a-kind LED lighting displays along Gatlinburg’s famous Downtown Parkway, adjacent River Road, and the triangle juncture of the two, the first phase of a three-year, $1 million rollout of custom designed and fabricated lighting displays will be marked by sections reminiscent of winter forests, romance, and evergreens.
Nov. - Dec. - Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Rides - The best way to view the more than 40 lighting displays and numerous other lights featured in Gatlinburg Winter Magic is to hop aboard the Trolley Ride of Lights and take a leisurely ride through the city. Trolleys depart from the Gatlinburg Aquarium Welcome Center at Traffic Light No. 5 (Mass Transit Center) at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 p.m. nightly from November through December 30 excluding Dec. 1, 24 and 25, then continue every Saturday night during January. The Trolley Ride of Lights is a guided narrative tour that lasts approximately 45 minutes. This year tickets are only $4 and advance reservations can be made at the Aquarium Welcome Center or by calling 865/436-0535. Group reservations are also welcomed.
Nov. 11 - Veteran's Day Celebration - Gatlinburg's 4th Annual Veteran's Day Celebration salutes the men and women of America who have served in our Armed Services. The stirring musical tribute and ceremony is held at 11 a.m. on Ripley's Aquarium Plaza.
Nov 21 - Thanksgiving Arts and Crafts Show - Members of the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community Gather for demonstrations and sales at the convention center.
Nov 24-25 - Nutcracker "Sweet" Performance & Festival of Trees Dozens of ornately decorated Christmas trees await visitors to this Winter Wonderland at W. L. Mills Conference Center on Friday & Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. Then at 7, get in the holiday spirit with the presentation of Nutcracker "Sweet" by the Smoky Mountain Dance Theater Company.
Nov. 27 - Dec. 3 - Christmas Arts and Crafts Show Members of Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community assemble to make Christmas Shopping easy at the convention center.
Dec. 1 - Fantasy of Lights Parade Gatlinburg's 31st Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade ushers in the holiday season at 7:30 p.m. in downtown with millions of twinkling lights and more than 100 parade entries.
Ribbon cut on Sevierville's expanded welcome center
SEVIERVILLE - The Great Smoky Mountains Association, Friends of the Smokies and the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce celebrated their new partnership Monday with the official opening ceremony for the expanded visitor center.Full Story
Families and Thanksgiving celebrations go hand-in-hand, and you won't find a better place to relax and enjoy some quality time with your loved ones than the Smoky Mountains. To get an authentic connection to the wooded, mountainous beauty of the Smokies, you'll find that a cabin retreatis the ideal accommodation that affords all the comfort and privacy you could want, and a fully-equipped kitchen to boot! But while you're waiting for that 20 pound turkey to thaw, why not take advantage of the local holiday activities?
The areas in and around the Smokies (Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg) are bustling around Thanksgiving, and whether you're looking for shows, crafts, or a fun-filled trolley ride around town, your family will have plenty to do to get everyone into the holiday mood!
The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Thanksgiving Show from November 21 to November 25, 2006 is being held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Since admission is free, you'll definitely want to stop by and view the handmade crafts, beautiful displays, ... Read More. . .
Sevierville (TN) – During the winter months, Sevierville and the Great Smoky Mountains area sparkle with millions of twinkling lights during Smoky Mountain Winterfest (Nov. 6 – Feb. 28). Now in its 17th year, Smoky Mountain Winterfest has become a holiday tradition for many visitors who return year after year to enjoy the lights, shopping, shows and attractions. Viewing Smoky Mountain Winterfest lights with friends and family is a great way to get in the holiday spirit. Click here for the full Sevier County New story.
Sure it's October, but it's never too early to begin thinking about Thanksgiving! Make sure you take your family to the Thanksgiving Arts and Crafts Show on Tuesday, Nov. 21 through Saturday, Nov. 25, 2006. You'll see jewelry, brooms, pottery, baskets, candles, leather, candy, ceramics, wearable fashions, frameable art, oils and watercolors, quilts, wood crafts, lucite, stained glass, plus much more. This event is the perfect way for your family to kick off the holiday season!
Best Color in Years! Says Great Smoky Mountains Association
According to the Great Smoky Mountains Association (GSMA) newsletter on 10/20/2006:
"The leaf color right now in the park is the best in many years according to professional photographer Bill Lea, high-mileage hiker Tom Harrington, and other experts! "
"Especially gorgeous is the color on the North Carolina side of the park and along the Blue Ridge Parkway between Cherokee and Asheville. "
Fall is the perfect time for your family to see Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains in all their glory. In order to maximize your viewing opportunities, Gatlinburg offers afall foliage report each Monday thru early November courtesy of the Public Information Office of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's a great way to quickly learn all you'll need to catch the brilliant colors of your surroundings when they're at peak perfection. And don't forget-you can save an hour in travel time while viewing more fall foliage with the scenic alternate routes to Gatlinburg and on your return home!
You may have heard of Gatlinburg's famous Winterfest, but you've never seen it like this! On Wednesday, November 8, the unveiling of Gatlinburg Winter Magicwill signify the transformation to a new era of winter-long visual entertainment in Gatlinburg. Featuring all-new LED lighting displays on Gatlinburg's famous Downtown Parkway, the adjacent River Road, and the triangle juncture of the two, the first phase of a three-year, one million dollar rollout of custom designed and fabricated lighting displays will be marked by sections reminiscent of winter forests, romance, and evergreens.
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