The Trolley Ride of Lights is sponsored by the City of Gatlinburg Department of Tourism. This tour is available during the winter season, from November through December every day except for December 4th, 24th, 25th and 31st. In January, the tour is only held on Saturdays. You get to ride on a historic trolley through the magical streets of downtown Gatlinburg past all the quaint shops and tourist attractions to see the Gatlinburg Winter Magic lights. Tickets are $5 per person as of 2010, and you should reserve your space since this is a popular holiday event. Each night the trolley tour begins at 6:30 .m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The tour departs from the Ripley's Aquarium Plaza, where the Ripley's Aquarium is located, a great place to spend the afternoon before leaving for the Trolley Ride of Lights.
Trolley Ride of Lights
Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce.
P.O. Box 527
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865-436-0535
eventsgatlinburg.com
Ober Gatlinburg is Tennessee's sole ski resort. Sitting atop Mount Harrison, Ober Gatlinburg opens in December for snow tubing, snow boarding and ice skating. No matter what your ability, you will find a snow activity. You can take a one-hour snowboard and ski lesson for $16, and rent equipment for $19 to $30 per day, as of 2010. There is an annual two-day event, the Gatlinburg Christmas on Ice, that is held on the ice rink at the ski resort, and admission is free. Ober Gatlinburg has a restaurant and lounge in a hall with cathedral ceilings and a wood-burning fireplace that gives you a mountaintop view. Shopping and tourist attractions are located at the downtown Tramway and ski lodge area shopping malls.
Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort & Amusement Park
1001 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865-436-5423
obergatlinburg.com
The Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade has been held every year since 1975 in December. More than 100 floats, marching bands and helium balloons make up the parade with approximately 80,000 visitors. According to the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce, the Southeast Tourism Society has rated this parade as one of the top 20 events in the South. Admission to the parade is free. The parade route travels through downtown Gatlinburg and begins at 7:30 p.m., lasting approximately one and a half hours. Children can visit with Santa Claus before the parade at 6 p.m. at Riverbend Mall, situated as a destination on the parade route.
Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade
Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 527
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
800-568-4748
eventsgatlinburg.com
