There are so many fun things to do at the Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood that it can be tough to see everything in just one day! The good news is that you can hit all the highlights with just a little bit of advance planning and knowledge of the event! To help plan your day, here are the top 4 highlights of the Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood:

1. Glacier Ridge

One of the major highlights of the Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood is Glacier Ridge, a brand new winter wonderland that is Dollywood’s largest Christmas expansion ever! This amazing section of the park includes a dazzling 50-foot Christmas tree. As well as, a recreation of the northern lights and other delightful holiday touches! While the park has already offered millions of sparkling lights during the Christmas season, there have been over 1 million lights added at Glacier Ridge to make the event even more spectacular!

2. It’s a Wonderful Life

Dollywood features several award-winning musical productions during its Christmas event that are sure to fill your heart with the spirit of the holidays! If you only have the chance to see one show, try to catch a performance of It’s a Wonderful Life! This magnificent Broadway style show brings a Christmas classic to life with the timeless holiday story of love and generosity. Some of the other fantastic holiday shows include the Appalachian Christmas, Christmas in the Smokies, ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas and O’ Holy Night.

3. Dollywood Express

Although the Dollywood Express is a wonderful train ride at any time of year, there is just something magical about it during the Smoky Mountain Christmas! An authentic coal-fired steam engine takes you on a breathtaking 5 mile excursion! You will pass through the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains! If you ride during the daytime, you can enjoy pastoral scenery and some of the most beautiful views that nature has to offer. However, you need to ride during the evening hours! You will get a unique perspective of all of the beautiful holiday light displays!

4. Parade of Many Colors

The evening highlight of the Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood is the Parade of Many Colors! This is an exciting holiday tradition here! Moreover, you’ll experience vibrant floats, interactive characters and a number of other fun surprises! The parade only takes place once nightly at 8:15 p.m., so be sure to grab a  spot early to enjoy this festive experience!

Where to Stay

Stay just minutes from the Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood with a holiday vacation at the Valley Forge Inn! Our affordable hotel is conveniently located on the Pigeon Forge Parkway. It features a variety of comfortable rooms to meet your needs. Including, excellent amenities like a free breakfast, private balcony views, a refreshing indoor swimming pool and more!

Check out all of the rooms at our hotel in Pigeon Forge TN today to plan your vacation near the Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood! We look forward to seeing you during the holiday season at the Valley Forge Inn!