🎄Sevier County Christmas Stuff AND New Years Eve events that You Might Be Interested In!🎄

Hi Everyone,

I have been doing some research for all things Christmas and New Years Even in Sevier County for 2024.  What's Open for Meals, Fun Stuff to Do, etc.  Dollywood is closed on Christmas Eve Tuesday, as well as Christmas Day Wednesday, reopening at 11am on Thursday.

As of this writing, Thursday December 26th says the Crowd Calendar for Dollywood attendance will be at 83%, which makes it a "Pack Your Patience" kind of day as it will be very busy.  It would be a PERFECT day to take the Pigeon Forge Trolley and skip all the parking lot stress.  The Trolley will drop you off at the Front Gate.  Watch my quick Video Guide Below.  Note that the parking lot at Patriot Park may be at capacity - maybe not but note that the Overflow Parking Lots are adjacent to the Teaster Lane side of The Island.  Watch the video and you'll see what I am referring to.

What is in this article?

🟣Restaurants that are open.  I've researched online and found a few restaurants that are open on Christmas Eve and Christmas.  Happy to add to this list - drop a comment to let me know.

🟣Other entertainment options that are open on Christmas, like Snow Tubing, Ripley's, Mountain Coasters and more!

🎄Let's Get Started🎄

🟡⚫NYE INFO BELOW...I will update this post as I come across new events.

🟡NYE AT DOLLYWOOD RESORTS - TWO PARTIES, ONE AT DREAMMORE AND ONE AT HEARTSONG.

Dollywood Parks & Resorts

🟡NYE AT THE ISLAND

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🟡Gatlinburg Road Closures for NYE - WATE-tv Link

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Other fun things you will want to check out while you're in the area.

🟣Entertainment Options

🟢Ober Gatlinburg

🟢The Island

Winterfest is happening at The Island during Christmas.

🟢Anakeesta

Enchanted Christmas - more info at their website HERE.

🟢Skyland Ranch

Christmas Feast, Festival of Lights Info and More - Click Here

🟢Mountain Coasters

• Guide To Mountain Coasters - Every Single Coaster, how they do pricing, LOTS OF INFO.  Take a look at all the types of mountain coasters in Sevier County.  All of them should be open on Thanksgiving...and they may be busy.

🟢Ripleys Everything

Aquarium - Open 365 days a year.

Everything Else - Should Be Open - Here's their other stuff - click here.

Seen on Ripley's Aquarium FB Page

Ripley's Attractions in Sevier County
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum

Super Fun Zone

Moving Theater

Haunted Adventure

Mirror Maze

Davy Crockett Mini Golf

Old MacDonald's Farm Mini Golf

Mountain Coaster

Super Fun Park

🟢Wonder Works

Pigeon Forge Attractions | Things to Do in Pigeon Forge

🟢Dig N Zone construction experience park

Seasonal Events - Dig'n Zone Theme Park

🟢Snow Tubing

Outdoor - Rowdy Bear, Skyland Ranch & Ober

Rowdy Bear Mountain - Smoky Mountain Snowpark in Pigeon Forge | Pigeon Forge Snow Tubing

Skyland - Snow Tubing

Indoor - Pigeon Forge Snow

Indoor Snow Tubing and Snow Park | Pigeon Forge Snow

Check out my short video about Pigeon Forge Snow

🟢Go Karts

Xtreme Racing Center of Pigeon Forge (4.4 stars google)

SpeedZone Fun Park (4.4 stars google)

The Track Family Fun Park (4.5 stars google)

NASCAR SpeedPark (4.2 stars google)

Space Race Adventures (4.6 stars google)

Adventure Raceway (4.4 stars google)

🟢Trampoline Park

Sevier Air Trampoline and Ninja Warrior Park (4.7 stars google)

Christmas Restaurants and Events - These restaurants say that they're open Christmas Eve and Christmas.

🔴Bubba Gump Shrimp

🔴Calhouns PF & G'burg

🔴Crawdaddy's

🔴Crockett's Breakfast Camp

🔴Cherokee Grill

🔴Chesapeake's

🔴Jason Aldeans

🔴Loco Burro

🔴No Way Jose's - PF & G'burg

🔴Smith and Son Corner Kitchen

🔴Smoky Mountain Brewery- PF & G'burg

🔴Gauche Urbano

🔴Hard Rock Cafe

🔴JT Hannah's Kitchen

🔴Reagan's House of Pancakes

🔴Apple wood Farmhouse and Grill - reservations needed

🔴Five Oaks farm kitchen

🔴Fort Worth Steakhouse

Other things I've seen online, below.

🔴Local Goat - closed 24th & 25th.

🔴Paula Deen's Restaurant at The Island in Pigeon Forge

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Gatlinburg, below...

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🔴List of Grocery Stores and Drug Stores that are open on Christmas - Click Here  Locally, the big chains are Kroger, Publix, Aldi, DG Market & Food City...and Walmart & Target too.

🔴List of Fast Food places that are open on Christmas - Click Here

🟢🔴🟢🔴 Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas 2024 - Tasting Pass Menus, Info and More!🟢🔴🟢🔴

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood has released information related to the Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival.  I've got menus, operating calendar and more below.  Smoky Mountain Christmas starts on Friday, November 1st and runs thru January 5th, 2025.

Dollywood is open daily throughout the Festival Except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas.  Dollywood's schedule through the festival is 11am to 9pm.  Dollywood closes on New Years Eve at 9pm, so no midnight celebration at the park.  However, the resorts have celebrated in the past with a prix fix event.  I'll keep my eyes peeled for it and report it back here if I do. LINK TO NYE at the Dollywood Resorts - Click Here for info.  You'll see there is one event at each resort and they're unique - so check that out.

🎄🎄🎄 

Let's dig into some more details.

🟠Christmas Festival Menu Items - Beverages, Savory Bites & Desserts

🟡Beverages

 🟡Savory Bites

 🟡Desserts, mmmm desserts

Click on any picture to enlarge - These are from the Dollywood Website, Check it out HERE.

🟠Country Fair Buffet Menu-Christmas Buffet

🟠Tasting Pass Options

Don't forget to use your Gold & Diamond Pass for a discount.

This tasting pass operates the same way as all the other passes before it.  You get to choose any five items from the Christmas Festival Menu.  You don't have to use them all in one visit.  You can share a pass - they could make for a great date night meal! 

🟠What's Up Around The Park?  

Relive the magic of last year's Smoky Mountain Christmas festival through these videos of our fun activities. Get excited for what we have in store for 2024!

Christmas Drone Show - Watch my 2023 Drone Show Video Below

🟠Rides - Weather Permitting, All of the rides should be in operation, except for the two water rides which have closed for the season.

Dollywood does have Weather Guidelines that they follow for inclement weather and temperatures, and Smoky Mountain Weather can throw some curveballs.  Read my blog post about Dollywood's Weather Guidelines HERE.

🟠Park Map for Smoky Mountain Christmas - PDF Click Here

 

🟠VIP Tour

🟠Photo Opportunities

 This was written and published by Wes Ramey for the dollywood blog in 2023 but, it's still great info in my opinion, for photo opportunities, entertainment, everything!

Read it HERE

The spirit of Christmas shines merry and bright during our Smoky Mountain Christmas festival presented by Humana during this special season, with the event beginning on Nov. 4 and ho ho ho-ing all the way through Jan. 6, 2024!  The 15-time winner for Best Theme Park Christmas Event boasts more than 6 million shining, shimmering lights throughout the park, but the newest ones will fly above the park each evening as part of a stunning holiday drone show - Joyful. Our summer drone show has been one of my family’s favorite nighttime experiences for the last several years, so we are really looking forward to this sparkly new sight during the holiday season.

 Read the rest at the link above.

🟠Music / Entertainment / Performances / Meet N Greet

More Information Coming Soon.

You Can Check the Daily Schedule at this link - new links are posted here each week.  Click Here.

Here's the Schedule for Week Two.

Pro Tip:  Notice how Dollywood uses an orange font in the showtimes above?  If you would like to see every single show, then plan your day according to those orange showtimes.

Shows/Performances...

• Heidi Parton's Christmas to Remember is new this year.
• Appalachian Christmas is the Smoky Mountain String Band's Christmas Show, if you weren't aware.
• Looks to me like all of the other shows are returning from last year.

Other Cool Stuff...

• Snow in the Grove is new this year.  Everyday beginning at 6pm, then every half hour with the last one at 8:30pm.
• Merry & Bright FIREWORKS Show is new this year.  It takes place in Wildwood Creek on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:45pm. This show replaces the Joyful Drone and Fireworks Christmas Show from last year.   See my video of the 2023 Joyful Show HERE.
• Always popular Santa's List returns to The Village.  It's everyday from 11am to 8pm in the Heartsong Theater.
• Wings of America (Bird Show) moves to Saturdays Only with a special holiday themed show.
• The Dolly Parton Experience will have some Christmas related items throughout the various exhibits, as I understand it.  

⭐Check out Dollywood's Website for the latest information about Special Smoky Mountain Christmas Entertainment.  HERE.  

🟠Dollywood App

🟠Special Offers

Note that the $82 offer ends on 11/24/24.

🟠Season Passes

Read my article about Season Passes that, if you purchase a 2025 pass now, will include admission to this Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival.  Read that HERE

🎄🎄🎄 

Check out my previous videos from Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas to get a preview of all the fun you can expect.

🔵Blog Posts with other Helpful Trip Planning information

• Getting To Dollywood by Plane
• Dollywood Menus for 2024
• Hotels with High Ratings in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a spreadsheet that incorporates ratings from different reliable sources, and ranked hotels in the area.  I've listed out columns for things like indoor pools, hot tubs and more on the spreadsheet.  Very helpful if you, or someone in your group is looking for a specific amenity.
• Top Breakfast Restaurants in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a list of the best Breakfast restaurants in Pigeon Forge using ratings from various reliable sources, and ranked them in my blog post.
  
• 30 Great Places to Eat In Pigeon Forge that are open after 2pm! A list of highly rated establishments that are open past 2pm.
• Guide To Mountain Coasters - A look at all the types of mountain coasters in Sevier County.
• Dollywood's 2024 Operating Calendar
• 8 Things to do at Dollywood if you don't care for rides - There's a lot to do!
• Pigeon Forge Trolley Info You'll Want to Know!
• Trip Advisors Top 10 Budget Friendly Hotels in Pigeon Forge.
• Tons of YouTube videos - I have so many YouTube videos of Dollywood including every festival and lots of general park updates as well as many Big Bear Mountain footage.
• Check out my 2023 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2023.
• Check out my 2022 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2022.

Good luck with the planning process and ask any questions you may have in the comments below.  I'll do my best to answer or point you in the right direction.

#Dollywood #DollywoodTripPlanning #PigeonForgeTennessee #TennesseeTourism #vlog #blog #pigeonforgeattractions

🔴🔴Merry Christmas from the What's Up At Dollywood Crew!🔴🔴

Hi Everyone,

We want to wish everyone a great Holiday and Merry Christmas!

We've got three Smoky Mountain Christmas videos to share with you now, and my night at Dollywood is currently in edit, so I plan to publish that in the near future, so hold tight for that one.  You won't want to miss it.

Check out what I have published so far!

🔔 My Day at Smoky Mountain Christmas

🔔My visit to the Mountain Blown Glass Shop

🔔Joyful Drone Show! - New for 2023.

I hope everyone is having a great holiday!  I will be back later this week with my second-annual year-in-review with all of my Dollywood related YouTube videos from 2023.  If you don't want to wait, check out every single one of my Dollywood Videos Right Here

All the best!

Team What's Up At Dollywood!

🤩 Dolly Parton interview round-up 🤩

Hi Everyone,

Here is a round-up of recent Dolly interviews.   Dolly has been on a blitz lately, giving interviews left and right in anticipation of the release of her rock album, Rock Star, out Friday, November 17th, 2023.

Dolly Parton Interviews

During the grand opening of the HeartSong Lodge and Resort, Dolly Parton sat down for a series of interviews with various media outlets.

United Kingdom Promotional Trip

As part of her recent promotional trip to the United Kingdom, Dolly Parton conducted an interview with BBC reporter, Zoe Ball.

CBS and ABC Interviews

Dolly Parton has also been featured in recent interviews with CBS and ABC.

🟢🟢🟢

Nashville's Talk of the Town - a 30-minute episode dedicated to Dollywood, HeartSong, their Dolly interview and a nice look at Nashville's Lipscomb University's exhibit on Dolly's style team gurus who make Dolly's clothes for all her various events, performances, engagements, etc.  Its a peek behind the curtain, so to speak, or Behind The Seams, as Dolly puts it in her new book, which is the basis for the exhibit.  Watch that HERE.

Fox 5 Atlanta - Read more and Watch that HERE.

WGN-TV Morning News in Chicago - Great interview, watch below...

WBTV-News Charlotte, NC - Watch below...

🟢🟢🟢

This recent BBC interview can be watched, below...

🟢🟢🟢

Norah O'Donnell and CBS

ABC News with Robin Roberts Full Interview

Unfortunately, this video for the full interview was pulled down.  If you have HULU, you can watch the full interview there.

However, here is a teaser video from GMA....watch that below.

🔴🟢 Dollywood's Tasting Pass and Celebration Hall Buffet Info for 2023 🟢🔴

Hi Everyone,

I have a couple of updates about the Smoky Mountain Christmas food options for you today.

🔵 First, The Celebration Hall Buffet (Country Fair Area) is continuing from the previous festival into the Smoky Mtn Christmas Festival.

 🔹 One great way to access the Celebration Hall is to use the Handicapable pathway behind Dogs N Taters, that runs alongside the rampage ride, under the train and then boom, you're right there.  As opposed to going up the hill towards the Village, crossing the tracks, and down the hill into Country Fair.

Click Here to Buy Tickets at least 24 hours in advance, if you like, and you can read more details as well.

https://www.dollywood.com/themepark/dining/christmas-festival-buffet/

Here are the menu offerings - subject to change, it says!  Click image to Enlarge.

Here's a recent picture of the Celebration Hall.  I took this b/c they razed a little building, you can see how the pavement is different, but now there's plenty of space to linger!

🔵 Second, Dollywood has released information about its popular Tasting Pass for Smoky Mountain Christmas, so let's dig into it.  All this info comes from Dollywood.com/themepark/dinding/christmas-tasting pass - LINK HERE.

Menu Offerings for 2023, Click to Enlarge

Here's the link to the "BUY NOW" button above, click here.

What do you think about either of these options?  Will you and your guests use the tasting pass?  If so, what are your thoughts about it all?  Tell me in the comments!

Dollywood's Sensory-Sensitive Day for 2023

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood just announced its event for Sensory-Sensitive Day.  It is on Saturday, November 18th, 2023 from 8:30 am to noon.  The park opens at 10am, but will continue with this program until noon.

Go to FB via this link, for more info and to Register - here.

Join us at Dollywood on Saturday, Nov. 18 for Sensory-Sensitive Day. This event provides a welcoming space to enjoy some of Dollywood's world-class attractions with limited sound and light interruptions. This event begins at 9 a.m. before the park opens at 10 a.m. and will continue through noon. Event space is limited and only available for pre-registered event participants. For a full schedule and more information, click here: https://www.dollywood.com/.../sensory-sensitive-hours/

💵 Dollywood's DreamMore Resort Flash Sale - Up to 30% your stay, per night

Hi Everyone,

Just passing this promotion on to you all!

More info HERE 

🎄 Dollywood's Light The Way 5k - Friday November 10th, 2023 at 11pm 🏃🏼

 

Official Website Here.

There is nothing quite like Dollywood at Christmas. Experience a nighttime run in the nation’s most beautiful holiday park during the award-winning Smoky Mountain Christmas festival by registering for the 10th annual Light the Way 5K! It’s never too early to get in the Christmas spirit, so register now for the 10th annual Light the Way 5K to take place at Dollywood Friday, November 10 at 11 p.m.

Runners will begin at Dollywood’s Front Gate area and travel through the theme park twice, giving them time to take in the five million Christmas lights. Walkers will have the opportunity to follow the route for one loop around the park.

We are excited to announce that this year’s race is being facilitated by the Knoxville Track Club (ktc.org). KTC will chip-time the event and work with the event team to provide runners with the best experience possible. 

Medals will be awarded to every participant in Light the Way 5K 2023 and will be distributed at the finish line. Awards will be presented to the top three overall finishers for both men and women and all age groups.

Online registration is encouraged for Light the Way 5K as the race is limited to 1,500 participants. The registration fee is $45 until September 5 and $50 from September 6 through November 10. Race day registration will take place from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. at Dollywood’s Splash Country. For information on group registration, email info@keepsevierbeautiful.org.

PACKET PICK-UP

Wednesday, November 8 - REI Knoxville (6700 Papermill Drive NW) 4:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Thursday, November 9 - REI Pigeon Forge (2655 Teaster Lane, Suite 310) 4:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Friday, November 10 - Dollywood’s Splash Country Pigeon Forge (2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd) 11:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M.

THERE ARE NO REFUNDS FOR THIS RACE AND STROLLERS ARE NOT ALLOWED!

🎃 Promotion: Dollywood for $55 after 5pm! Through November 5th, 2023 🎄

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood is currently running a ticket promotion for the rest of the Harvest Festival/LumiNights and two days into the Smoky Mountain Christmas festival.  So, if planning is your thing, go ahead and purchase your Christmas tickets now for Christmas, in case they sell out, as they might as that date approaches.  As you see below, the promotion ends November 5th.

find this deal here: dollywood.com/tickets

That's TWO opportunities to see Smoky Mountain Christmas at a discounted rate.  Enjoy if you're able to take advantage of this opportunity.

🔵Blog Posts with other Helpful Trip Planning information

• Getting To Dollywood by Plane
• Hotels with High Ratings in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a spreadsheet that incorporates ratings from different reliable sources, and ranked hotels in the area.  I've listed out columns for things like indoor pools, hot tubs and more on the spreadsheet.  Very helpful if you, or someone in your group is looking for a specific amenity.
• Top Breakfast Restaurants in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a list of the best Breakfast restaurants in Pigeon Forge using ratings from various reliable sources, and ranked them in my blog post.
  
• Tons of YouTube videos - I have so many YouTube videos of Dollywood including every festival and lots of general park updates as well as many Big Bear Mountain construction updates from all of 2022.  Check out my 2022 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2022.
• Big Bear Mountain Preview Day Video - tons of off-ride footage.
• Sing-A-Long with Dolly Parton as she opens Big Bear Mountain + BBM POV!!!
• Mountain Coasters! - your complete guide to all of the mountain coasters near Dollywood - there's 13!
• Pigeon Forge Restaurants open past 2pm! - Here's a ranking of some of the best restaurants - decided by YOU - In Pigeon Forge that are open past 2pm....click here for that blog article.
• Pigeon Forge Trolley Explained - Check out this under-used perk of staying at a hotel on the Trolley Route.

Good luck with the planning process and ask any questions you may have in the comments below.  I'll do my best to answer or point you in the right direction.

#Dollywood #DollywoodTripPlanning #PigeonForgeTennessee #TennesseeTourism #vlog #blog #pigeonforgeattractions

Updates to "Hotels With High Ratings Blog Article"

Hi Everyone, 

I'm excited to announce that I've updated my blog post about the top hotels in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee! This is one of my most popular articles, and I know you all get a lot of use out of it. I love being able to help you out with practical information, and I hope you find this update helpful.

In the article you will see two new hotel newsy things that I share, but I will share them again here - since you're here and all.

1) A brand new Adult (Marriott Bonvoy) Hotel (Row 39) is scheduled to open in September 2023, and that may be of interest to some of you.  Read an article about it here:  https://tinyurl.com/4dhh7vaj

From the article: 

Get ready to go back in time for your vacation. Way back in time.

The Wayback is a groovy, retro-themed hotel mostly for adults opening in Pigeon Forge between Flapjack's Pancake Cabin and the Jurassic Jungle Boat Ride.

Inspired by old roadside motels in Palm Springs, the hotel is hoping to provide a "vibrant escape amidst the high energy of downtown Pigeon Forge."

The 134-room hotel is expected to open in early September, according to general manager Marty Rothchild, and is developed by Sevierville-based company Aatmos. It's a Tribute portfolio hotel, part of the Marriott family.

Marriott Bonvoy is Marriott's loyalty program for frequent guests. This hotel is geared towards its members, who enjoy a variety of amenities as part of their stay. Non-members are also welcome at this hotel, but they do not receive the same amenities as members. I wanted to point out this distinction so that you can make an informed decision about whether to become a Marriott Bonvoy member before booking your stay.

2) Country Cascades - Row 25 on Spreadsheet - Recently announced a new $14 million dollar expansion to its indoor water park offerings.  It's scheduled to open in 2025.  You can read more and see renderings here:  WATE TV news

Click On for the updates...

Updated article here- Click Here

Updated Spreadsheet - Click Here

Good Luck with your planning!

Dollywood Weather Alert for Tuesday December 27th, 2022 - CLOSED TUESDAY

 UPDATE 12/27/2022 - Hi Everyone, Dollywood has updated their operations schedule for Tuesday and decided to remain closed Today, Tuesday, December 27th, 2022.

🦋🦋

Monday's forecast in Knoxville was that we would have a clipper system quickly pass through and bring about a half inch of dry snow.  Well, instead, it snowed for 12 hours and we got a couple of inches of snow and some areas around here received more than that, so I am not surprised by this decision after looking at some social media posts of Dollywood yesterday.  All the water features were frozen over, with large icicles dangling about.  The parking lot looked like an icy mess.  Today is the first day above freezing since last Thursday - it's going to take some time to resemble normal again.  

If you're in the area there is still tons of stuff to do!  Here's a small list of options:

• Ober Gatlinburg.  You can ride the aerial tram from the station in downtown Gatlinburg up the mountain.  Skis and Snowboards are available for rent at the top.  
• Mountain Coasters - I've lost track of how many there are right now, but here's a few - Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster and Goats on the Roof, both in Wears Valley.  The newest one is at Sky Ranch across from Tanger Outlets.  Rowdy Bear has numerous coasters in different styles as well as snow tubing indoor and outdoor.  Rocky Top coaster near Dollywood.  There are two others in Gatlinburg adjacent to Hillbilly Golf.  I know I am missing a few others.
• Mountain Mile behind The Island - several activities and thrill rides to choose from.
• The Island in Pigeon Forge has several rides and the giant wheel.  Plus, lots of restaurants to pick from...and shows to see.
• Anakeesta - I believe it is open today 9am to 9pm.
• Gatlinburg Aquarium.
• Gatlinburg Skylift and bridge - they're open today.
• Shopping - no shortage of that!   Five Oaks comes to mind first.  Shopaholics will enjoy that, and there are many more options than that.
• Titanic Museum
• Wonderworks Museum
• Dave and Busters

Good luck everyone, stay warm.  The forecast for the rest of the week looks warmer!