Thanksgiving Events For 2015

Looking for an idea of what to do during Thanksgiving Weekend? Here's what we posted on our sister blogs for Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

Gatlinburg Lodging:
It's that time of the year again where we look into what activities the Smokies have in store for visitors coming in for the Thanksgiving weekend. This is the perfect way to build Christmas spirit and get excited for holiday cheer, and you and your family won't want to miss it!

First and foremost, Gatlinburg's trio of events at W.L. Mills Auditorium is back on this year between 11/24/15 to 11/29/15, and this year it even extends right into the starting Christmas events in early December. Gatlinburg Festival of Trees (11/25/15 - 11/29/15), The Great Smoky Mountains Thanksgiving Arts and Crafts Show (11/24/15 - 11/29/15) and return performances of The Nutcracker "Sweet" on 11/27/15 and 11/28/15. There's even opportunities, between the 27th and the 28th for you and your family to see all three events in one day! Visit www.gatlinburg.com for more information on those events.

And then, quite literally right after the 29th, the the Great Smoky Christmas Arts and Crafts Show continues on from the Thanksgiving show listed above between November 30th and December 6th. The Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade (as in THE biggest Christmas Parade in East Tennessee) goes on on December 4th. Again, www.gatlinburg.com is where you want to go for more info on that.

And then soon we'll bring you even more info on Christmas events in the Smokies. Enjoy the holidays!

Pigeon Forge Lodging:
Thanksgiving weekend is the biggest chance to build up holiday cheer for the upcoming Christmas season, and the opportunity to make memories that last forever for your family are widespread across the Smokies. Gatlinburg used to be the main show in town for the Thanksgiving weekend, but this year Pigeon Forge has enough to rival Gatlinburg for special events.

Naturally, the first that comes to mind for recommendations is Dollywood for the Smoky Mountain Christmas Celebration they traditionally hold from early November to early January. The entire park turns into a Winter Wonderland with decorations from end to end. Millions and millions of lights, parades, Christmas shows and a Santa's workshop is just the starting point of what Dollywood offers families. See more info at www.dollywood.com.

Also, those who might be interested in seeing fireworks on Thanksgiving day should go visit the Titanic Museum on the parkway. On the 28th, Titanic will be holding a Holiday Snow Wonderland where they will make it snow right on the bow of the ship. You can see more info on this at http://www.titanicpigeonforge.com/.

Then at the Island, they will be having some holiday cheer appearing over the weekend with The Island Carolers, Live Music at Ole Smoky Moonshine, Randy King as Jack Frost and more. Paula Deen's Kitchen will be serving Thanksgiving dinner. More Christmas cheer can be found throughout at Dixie Stampede, Wears Valley, The Old Mill and beyond.

Stay tuned for more Christmas events coming up soon!