Planning on coming to the Smokies this weekend for some Christmas time with the family? Here are some of the things to consider to get into the spirit.

* Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade *
12/1/17

From Gatlinburg.com: “More than 60,000 people come to view the award-winning parade featuring lighted floats, marching bands, equestrian units, giant balloons and of course Santa Claus! The parade route starts at Baskins Creek Bypass on Hwy 321 (East Parkway) and travels to Hwy 441 (Main Parkway) and continues from light 3 to traffic light 10.”
https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/fantasy-of-lights-christmas-parade/

* Sevierville Christmas Parade 2017 *
12/2/17

From PigeonForgeWinterfest.com: “Viewing the Christmas parade with friends and family is a great way to get in the Christmas spirit! This year’s parade takes place December 2, 2017 in downtown Sevierville from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.”
https://pigeonforgewinterfest.com/event/sevierville-christmas-parade-2017/

* Christmas in the Smokies Bluegrass Festival *
12/6/17 – 12/9/17

Another small but long-running Christmas tradition in the Smokies, this is a four-day festival featuring, you guessed it, almost non-stop Bluegrass music from more than two dozen artists and bands that perform at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center. http://bluegrasschristmasinsmokies.com/

* Ober Gatlinburg – Winter Sports *
Ober Gatlinburg is the mountainside amusement park overlooking the city and it functions in the Winter season as both a family fun center and a sports center where they offer the only place to ski, snowboard, snowtube and ice skate for miles around. Definitely a worthy visit. www.obergatlinburg.com

* The Village *
Does anything in downtown Gatlinburg bring that old-timey Christmas-in-town experience like The Village? No sir. This little slice of heaven offers a wonderful pancake restaurant, candy shop, jewelry, toys and gifts, bakery, Christian shop, Celtic store and much more to see and experience. http://www.thevillageshops.com/

* The Arts and Crafts Community *
Naturally, an environment like the Glades and further artisan places along Highway 321 will be the perfect place to build holiday spirit. Many places will have Christmas sales, wonderful gift items you can’t find just anywhere, music playing both on speaker and occasionally live, awesome restaurants like Three Jimmys, The Ship and, of course, much more just waiting for you to discover it. http://www.gatlinburgcrafts.com/

See more at www.gatlinburg.com.