A new holiday experience is opening in Townsend, Tennessee. Smoky Mountain Lights: A Peaceful Side Christmas Experience is a drive through light show that families and children of all ages can enjoy.
Located at the Townsend Visitor Center, this experience is a Smoky Mountain-themed wonder. With lights depicting bears, camping, the balloon festival, attractions like old mill, jeeps and even Bigfoot, visitors will get into the holiday spirit with familiar Smoky Mountain icons.
The Christmas Village will also be open next to the light experience. Guests will have the opportunity to shop around vendor booths, enjoy kettle corn and hot chocolate, stop at food trucks, take pictures with the giant Christmas tree, and on the weekends, Santa will make an appearance. Pictures with Santa will be especially spectacular this year as he will be sitting on his distinctive Smoky Mountain chair, custom made by Tennessee native chainsaw artist Bubba Daniel.
As the inaugural event, Kim Mitchell, the director of tourism for the Blount Partnership, looks forward to sharing the light show with both residents and visitors to the area. “Townsend is a beautiful place to visit in the winter with stunning scenery and ample activities, and with the light show, we want to offer a fun holiday event while sharing what the area has to offer this time of year,” said Mitchell.
While families experience Smoky Mountain Lights, we recommend they check out the other great venues and attractions Townsend has to offer.” Mitchell sees Smoky Mountain Lights as an addition to the area that will encourage more visitors during the holiday travel season. “As the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Townsend offers a tranquil getaway to escape the holiday hustle with numerous options for family-friendly activities, and attractions like Smoky Mountain Lights provide added appeal,” said Mitchell.
All ages are welcome to enjoy this attraction taking place November 25, 2022 to January 1, 2023. It opens at 5 p.m. and closes at 10 p.m.
Entry is $25 per car.
For more information on Smoky Mountain Lights, click here.
Christmas in the Village – Step back in time to a pioneer Christmas celebration in the Village at the Heritage Center in Townsend. Enjoy the holiday as living history interpreters guide visitors through the Historic Appalachian Village filled with lights, decorations and opportunities to create their own crafts and
indulge in hot chocolate, apple cider and kettle corn. Every Friday and Saturday from November 25 to December 17, tours will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the last tour starting at 7:30 p.m.
City of Alcoa Tree Lighting – Celebrate the lighting of the City of Alcoa Christmas Tree on November 28 at 6:15 p.m. The ceremony will occur at the Springbrook Corporate Center on the Pedestrian Bridge and will be followed by music, refreshments, hayrides and visits with Santa Claus.
Blount County Festival of Trees – Christmas trees of all sizes, colors and themes will illuminate the Blount County Courthouse lawn in Maryville this month. The event will occur all month long for people to drive or walk by and see, but the festival opening will occur on December 1 at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy entertainment, refreshments and visits with Santa Claus. Register today and enter your own tree in the festival.
H.O.M.E For the Holidays – H.O.M.E. (Hall-Oldfield-Maryville Empowerment) and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center are partnering to host this annual community celebration. Kick off the holidays here from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. with the tree lighting at 6 p.m. on December 3.
Townsend Christmas Parade – Celebrate the holiday season at Townsend’s annual Christmas parade. This year, the parade will take place on December 4 from 2:30 p.m.– 4:30 p.m, starting at Townsend IGA and ending at Nawger Nob Village.
Smoky Mountain Christmas at the Museum – On December 10, the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum will host an outdoor family friendly Christmas event in Townsend. More details for times will be released soon on their website.
Christmas with the Annie Moses Band – The “first family of American music” is back at The Clayton Center for Christmas with Annie Moses Band. The group makes a stop on their tour on December 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Alcoa/Maryville Jaycee’s Christmas Parade – On December 4 at 11 a.m., the annual Jaycee’s Christmas parade will be rolling through downtown Maryville. This year’s theme is “A White Winter Wonderland Christmas.” Any groups wanting to register to be in the parade can visit their website for details.
