Find all the holiday parades, festivities and fun on our ultimate list

The holidays are here, with events stretching from November into early January to light up your days and nights with seasonal cheer.

Knoxville, Gatlinburg and communities all around have lights displays, parades, concerts and festivals in store for all ages, a filling feast of Christmas treats.

Take the family to an ice skating rink or a performance of “The Nutcracker,” spend a holiday-themed day at Dollywood or Anakeesta, watch a parade or join in an evening bike ride, looks at the lights in a cave or a ballpark, take the kids to see Santa and even get some special gift-shopping in: check our list for a glorious array of events to suit the season.

If your organization has a public holiday-season festival, program or activity to add to this list, email information to hayley.choy@knoxnews.com or news@knoxnews.com.

East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Fantasy of Trees

Nov. 26-30

• This year marks the 41st anniversary of East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Fantasy of Trees Nov. 26-30 at the Knoxville Convention Center. Enjoy the designer trees, gingerbread village, boutique shops and thousands of twinkling lights.

• All funds raised will support the expansion and renovation of the Hogs for the Cause Hematology/Oncology Center.

Gatlinburg’s Festival of Trees

Nov. 26-30

• The Festival of Trees returns to W.L Mills Conference Center on Nov. 26–30. Now in its 52nd year, this beloved event welcomes visitors to step into a dazzling world of lights, elaborately decorated Christmas trees, music, a children’s craft and play area, photos with Santa Claus and inspiration for holiday decorating and traditions.

• While admission is free, donations and proceeds from the event benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains and the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

• Festival hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. Children are invited for photos with Santa 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

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Town of Farragut’s Hot to Trot 5K/10K and Fun Run

Nov. 27

• The Hot to Trot 5K/10K will start at 7:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, with the Fun Run beginning at 9 a.m.

• The 5K course starts on Parkside Drive in front of Fleet Feet Knoxville and goes through the Turkey Creek area before looping back. The 10K course is a two-loop course. The Fun Run is just one mile.

Santa at West Town Mall

Through Dec. 24

• Santa is scheduled to be at West Town Mall for visits and photos with kids through Dec. 24. For hours and reservations, go to simon.com.

• Special, sensory-friendly visits and photos with Santa will be offered 9-10:30 a.m. Dec. 7. in front of JCPenney before the mall opens. Reservations are required for the private “Caring Santa” event at whereissanta.com.

Campbell Station Skate

Through Jan. 4

• The Town of Farragut is hosting its ice rink, Campbell Station Skate, surrounded by a dazzling display of holiday lights through Jan. 4 at the Farragut Mayor Ralph McGill Plaza.

• The ice rink is open 4-8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 1-8 p.m. Friday-Sunday. The rink will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Stampede

Through Jan. 3

• The dinner show has been transformed into a holiday wonderland, taking guests on a lively yuletide adventure including a full-scale living Nativity, elaborate holiday decorations, Santa Claus and a “big” assortment of toys, a magical aerial performance and a four-course feast. “Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Stampede” runs through Jan. 3, 2026.

• The Christmas feast includes the Stampede’s signature creamy vegetable soup, a biscuit, a whole rotisserie chicken, pulled pork, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, a choice of a hot apple turnover or coconut chocolate cake, and unlimited Coca-Cola products, tea or coffee. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available upon request.

• Show times and reservations are available by calling (865) 453-4400 or visiting dpstampede.com.

Comedy Barn Christmas

Through Jan. 3

• The Comedy Barn Theater adds holiday humor and Christmas tunes to its award-winning show for all ages, “A Comedy Barn Christmas” though Jan. 3.

• Show times and reservations are available by calling (865) 428-5222 or visiting comedybarn.com.

Hatfield and McCoy Christmas Dinner Feud

Through Jan. 3

• The holly-jolly chaos of the Christmas season is back with a classic Christmas disaster at the Hatfield and McCoy Christmas Dinner Feud in Pigeon Forge. America’s two favorite feuding families have a few seasonal squabbles running through Jan. 3.

Through Jan. 4

• Dollywood’s 35th celebration of Smoky Mountain Christmas runs through Jan. 4. In the glow of more than 6 million lights, guests will find a captivating winter wonderland filled with joyous holiday sounds and the scents of delicious Christmas culinary creations.

• The holiday celebration includes fireworks, entertainment, rides, seasonal menu items and visits with Santa.

• For more information, visit dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.

Enchanted Christmas at Anakeesta

Through Jan. 4

• When the sun sets in the Smokies, Anakeesta mountain comes to life with a celebration of lights. Gather around the fire with family and friends for hot cocoa or a hot toddy, then stroll through the magical villages and enjoy dining and light displays.

• Start your visit with breakfast with Santa, which includes early access to Anakeesta before other guests arrive, all-day access to the park, a breakfast served at Cliff Top, a singalong and a professional photo with Santa.

Wilderness at the Smokies Ice Rink

Through Jan. 11

• The Wilderness at the Smokies ice skating rink occupies a 3,200-square-foot portion of the resort’s outdoor wave pool, and it is open to the public and hotel guests. Music, holiday lights and a Winter Wilderland snack area add to the fun.

Knoxville’s Holidays on Ice skating rink

Nov. 28-Jan. 4

• Enjoy skating under the stars and twinkling lights while listening to music every night in downtown Knoxville’s Market Square.

• Daily tickets for skating ‒ which includes entry fee, skate rental and unlimited time on the ice ‒ are $12 for adults and $9 for children age 12 and younger. Season passes are $50 for adults and $35 for children.

• Find rink hours, theme nights, and a link to buy tickets online on Knoxville’s website, knoxvilletn.gov.

Nov. 28

• Enjoy live music with Jingle 5 at 5:15 p.m., followed by the lighting of the 42-foot tall Mickey Mallonee Christmas in the City tree in Krutch Park Extension at 6 p.m. Nov. 28. More live musical performances on the Market Square Stage start at 6:30 p.m. Other activities will include crafts for kids, a miniature train set and food trucks.

• Events will be along Gay Street, Krutch Park Extension, Market Street and Market Square. Gay Street will close to traffic starting at 4:30 p.m.

Knoxville Symphony Orchestra’s Classical Christmas Concert, ‘Messiah’

Nov. 30

• The Knoxville Symphony’s holiday tradition continues with Handel’s “Messiah” at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Tennessee Theatre.

• Conductor Aram Demirjian will lead the Knoxville Symphony, with performances by soprano Abigail Santos Villalobos, mezzo-soprano Jan Wilson, tenor Eric Ferring and bass Kevin Burdette.

A Safety City Christmas

Dec. 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18

• Take a stroll or a ride through Knoxville’s Safety City, 165 S. Concord St., 4-8 p.m. on scheduled evenings in December. Families can take their bicycles, non-motorized scooters, push cars, strollers and wagons. Admission is free.

• Safety City will be collecting canned food items for Second Harvest Food Bank during the events.

Santa at the Sunsphere

Dec. 5-7

• Photo packages cost $20-$65.

• Visit Knoxville will offer reservations at visitknoxville.com for kids to get photos with Santa.

Downtown Knoxville Christmas Parade

Dec. 5

• The 52nd annual WIVK Christmas Parade in downtown Knoxville will begin at 7 p.m. Dec. 5. Bands, dancers, lighted floats, characters and Santa Claus will parade down Gay Street from Hill Avenue to Jackson Avenue.

• For parade route and information, visit wivk.com.

Gatlinburg’s Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade

Dec. 5

Cherokee Caverns’ Christmas in the Cave

Dec. 5-7, 12-14, 19-21

• Visit the historic Cherokee Caverns for an underground Christmas wonderland. Enjoy themed scenes, photo ops, thousands of twinkling lights and festive music among the stalagmites and stalactites.

• The holiday festivities will take place the first three weekends of December. For information on activities, tickets, and hours, visit historiccherokeecaverns.com.

Dec. 5-Jan. 5

• The Knoxville Smokies will present the Smokies Winter Wonderland Lightshow Dec. 5-Jan. 5, excluding Dec. 25. The lightshow will operate 6-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 6-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

• Tickets start at $9.99 for single-day admission, and $8 per ticket for groups 20 or more. Kids age 3 and younger are free.

• Guests can enjoy holiday fun for all ages with meet-and-greets with Santa (Thursday–Saturday), festive cookie decorating and ornament painting, and a special station to write letters to Santa. Families can take a kids’ train ride around the ballpark, shop local vendors and themed Smokies merchandise, and indulge in seasonal food and drinks, including build-your-own s’mores.

• For any questions about the Smokies Winter Wonderland Lightshow or group reservations, call the Smokies ticket office at (865) 286-2300 or visit milb.com.

Fountain City Christmas Parade

Dec. 6

• The Fountain City Christmas Parade is celebrating the season with local pride and student-led spirit at 9 a.m. Dec. 6. Spectators can enjoy free hot chocolate, sweet treats, cheerful giveaways, and plenty of holiday magic.

• The festive route will begin at Gresham Middle School, crossing Broadway, and finishing at Central High School.

Karns Christmas Parade

Dec. 6

• The annual Karns Christmas Parade will begin at 9 a.m. Dec. 6 and will follow the route of Oak Ridge Highway from Ingles to the Karns red light.

Sevierville Christmas Parade

Dec. 6

• The 63rd annual Sevierville Christmas Parade will begin at 11 a.m. Dec. 6, starting at the parking lot of First Baptist Church Sevierville.

• Parade information can be found at scoc.org.

Rocky Hill Christmas Parade and Festival

Dec. 6

• The Annual Rocky Hill Christmas Parade and Festival returns for its 11th year. The festivities kick off at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at Rocky Hill Center, featuring a holiday market with local artisans and a variety of food trucks. Attendees can enjoy face painting, photo booths, kids’ crafts and a story read by the Grinch.

• At 6 p.m., the parade will begin, showcasing floats, marching bands, community groups and Santa Claus. Santa will lead a festive tree lighting immediately following the parade.

• The parade begins at the Rocky Hill Ballpark, continues past Rocky Hill Elementary, travels down Morrell Road and turns onto Northshore Drive before concluding at Rocky Hill Baptist Church. For more information, visit rockyhillchristmasparade.org.

Powell Lions Clubs Christmas parade

Dec. 6

• The Powell Lions Clubs 43nd Annual Christmas Parade will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 at Powell Middle School, going through downtown Powell and finishing at Powell High School.

Appalachian Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’

Dec. 6-7 and 12-13

• The Appalachian Ballet Company will bring dancing sweets, mice and snowflakes to two local venues with the traditional holiday ballet “The Nutcracker,” accompanied by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.

• Performances will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 and 3 p.m. Dec. 7 at Knoxville Civic Auditorium, and at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and 3 p.m. Dec. 13 at Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville.

Mission of Hope’s Keyboards at Christmas

Dec. 6-7

• For the last 13 years, talented musicians from across East Tennessee have come together to perform a holiday show to benefit the Mission of Hope organization. Keyboards at Christmas returns to the Clayton Center for the Arts at Maryville College at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 and 3 p.m. Dec. 7.

• Seven accomplished pianists – Timothy Conner, Rhonda Mayfield, Donna McNeilly, Trey Ogle, Marilyn Peterson, Gregg Randolph, and Sabra Wright – will perform holiday favorites on grand pianos. This year’s program also will feature special performances with vocalists, cello and flute.

• Tickets are $29.99 each, with a group discount price for groups of 10 or more. Reserved seating is available for all tickets. Parking is free. Tickets may be purchased through missionofhope.org, which links directly to the Clayton Center’s box office.

• All proceeds benefit Mission of Hope, a Knoxville-based nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the needs of impoverished families in rural Appalachia.

Gibbs Christmas Parade

Dec. 7

• The Gibbs Christmas parade will begin at 2:30 p.m. at Gibbs High School and will end at Clear Springs Baptist Church.

Town of Farragut Christmas Parade and Santa’s Village

Dec. 7

• The Town of Farragut Christmas Parade will begin at 4 p.m. Dec. 7. The parade will begin on Jamestowne Boulevard at the Farragut Community Center and will continue up Jamestowne in front of Faith Lutheran Church and behind the Village Green Shopping Center, turning into the west entrance of the shopping center and ending at Santa’s Village.

• This year, Santa’s Village will be open 1-5 p.m. at the Village Green Shopping Center, located behind Farragut Mayor Ralph McGill Plaza beside the Farragut Skating Rink.

Museum of Appalachia’s Candlelight Christmas

Dec. 12-13

• The Museum of Appalachia’s beloved holiday tradition Candlelight Christmas returns Dec. 12-13, inviting guests to step back in time and experience the warmth and wonder of an old-fashioned Appalachian Christmas.

• The centerpiece of this festive event is an evening tour of the Museum grounds, beautifully illuminated for the season. Visitors can stroll through the pioneer village, where historic log structures are adorned with simple, handcrafted decorations inspired by 19th-century holiday traditions. Throughout the evening, guests can enjoy live music, traditional dancing, and Christmas storytelling, along with a wide range of demonstrations and activities. Families can sip sassafras tea, visit with Santa Claus, and browse the Holiday Market, featuring handmade gifts, baked goods, and the works and wares of local artisans.

• Candlelight Christmas runs 4-9 p.m. each evening. Tickets and more information are available at museumofappalachia.org.

Corryton Christmas Parade

Dec. 13

• The Corryton Christmas Parade will begin at 11 a.m. Dec. 13 at the Corryton Branch Library.

Nativity Pageant of Knoxville

Dec. 13-15

• Now in its 57th year, the annual Nativity Pageant of Knoxville portrays the Christmas story with community volunteers making up the 120-member cast and the 150-voice choir. Special music will begin 30 minutes before the start of the pageant.

• Performances will be at 3 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14 and 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum, 500 Howard Baker Jr. Ave. Admission is free and seating is open. The one-hour performance starts in darkness, so guests are asked arrive early to avoid searching for seats in the dark.

Tour de Lights

Dec. 13

• Visit Knoxville will present Tour de Lights with Bike Walk Knoxville on Dec. 13. This free family-friendly event will feature the annual holiday bike ride along with a Holiday Market at Mary Costa Plaza at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum.

• The ride begins at 5:30 p.m., inviting participants of all ages to embrace the holiday spirit by decorating themselves and their bikes in creative, festive themes. The Holiday Market will be 3:30-7:30 p.m. Tour de Lights will also include a costume contest. The Peppermint Village will feature face painting and balloon creations.

• Riders will line up on the eastbound side of Howard Baker Jr. Ave. between the Knoxville Civic Coliseum and Hall of Fame Dr. The route will explore East Knoxville, including the Parkridge neighborhood, as well as downtown Knoxville with a grand finale down Gay Street.

Halls Christmas Parade

Dec. 13

• The Halls Christmas Parade will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 13 at Halls High School and will travel down Maynardville Highway.

Oak Ridge Christmas Parade

Dec. 13

Candlelight Christmas

Dec. 18 and Dec. 20

• Jackson Terminal will be transformed by thousands of flickering candles to host a performance of classic Christmas carols and timeless holiday melodies, performed by a talented local string quartet.

• Candlelight: Christmas Special featuring “The Nutcracker” will be at 8:45 p.m. Dec. 18. Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings will be at 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. Dec. 20

NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet

Dec. 19-20

• NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet’s international ensemble will preform at the Tennessee Theatre Dec. 19-20. The 33rd annual North American tour showcases a fusion of talent from esteemed ballet capitals worldwide, converging on one stage to spread the overarching message of the holidays: peace.

• This production takes the Nutcracker in an innovative new direction. Seamlessly blending classical ballet with avant-garde circus techniques, acclaimed Ukrainian choreographer Viktor Davydiuk breaks new ground in ballet-theatrical presentation through his lively reimagined staging. Headlined by principal dancers from Ukraine’s esteemed opera houses and featuring a troupe of 40 exceptional artists from around the globe, NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet honors the cherished tradition of the classic holiday favorite.

• Performances will be at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 19 and at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 20. at the Tennessee Theatre.

• For more information, showtimes, or to purchase tickets, visit nutcracker.com.

Tennova Farragut’s Frosty 5K

Dec. 20

• Take a run around Farragut in Tennova Farragut’s Frosty 5K. The race will begin at 9 a.m., starting at the Farragut Community Center and going through the Village Green neighborhood.

• Register for the run at runsignup.com. All proceeds will benefit the Farragut High School cross country teams.

Mike McGill’s Christmas Spectacular

Dec. 22

• Celebrate the season with Mike McGill’s 13th Annual Christmas Spectacular at the Bijou Theatre at 7 p.m. Dec. 22. With a decade-plus of holiday tradition, Mike’s Yuletide show continues to raise funds for Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee’s Food for Kids program.

New Year’s Eve at the Sunsphere

Dec. 31

• Welcome 2026 with an evening of food trucks, a silent disco, live music with Liquid Velvet and a midnight ball drop from the Sunsphere.

• Festivities will begin at 9 p.m. Dec. 31 and conclude at midnight on the World’s Fair Park Festival Lawn.

Oak Ridge’s New Year’s Eve Countdown Party

Dec. 31

• Celebrate the start of 2026 with a free New Year’s Eve Countdown Party hosted by Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge at 7 p.m. Dec. 31 at A.K. Bissell Park.

• The event will feature live performances by the Jaystorm Project and the Fairview Union, a beer garden, food trucks, a dropping of the lighted atom and fireworks at midnight. Bring a lawn chair for the free, family-friendly celebration.

Gatlinburg’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show and Ball Drop

Dec. 31

• Eventgoers can enjoy live music by local artists. The performances and ball drop will lead into a fireworks finish to welcome the New Year.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: 40 ways to celebrate the Christmas season in Knoxville and beyond