With twinkling lights and holiday delights, winter is a special time to visit Sevierville, Tennessee. The 29th Annual Smoky Mountain Winterfest Celebration is glowing bright – with more than 15,000,000 lights decorating the Parkway in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg. Combine that twinkling beauty with holiday shows, shopping, and great places to enjoy warm winter meals and you've got Smoky Mountain Winterfest. Winterfest is an amazing event that spans the entire Smoky Mountain area, but making it even better is the new additions that just help to improve an already spectacular celebration. This year, a new outdoor ice rink will be open at Wilderness at the Smokies! This exciting addition to Smoky Mountain Winterfest gives guests at the indoor water park resort the opportunity to enjoy ice skating with family and friends. Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland (Nov. 9 – Jan. 6) is back to delight with an all-new North Pole display. See Santa and pals having all kinds of fun – perfectly synchronized to the Christmas music played over your car radio. Their new custom built, giant, all-LED displays are guaranteed to delight. From November 16 through December 23 guests who visit Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland can also enjoy Santa's Workshop (free with admission to the light show). Visit the jolly old elf himself and spend time in the petting zoo. Special events highlight Winterfest and this season it has gotten even better. Make plans to attend the 56th Annual Sevierville Christmas Parade on December 1 beginning at 11am. This hometown Christmas Parade is a holiday delight and winds its way through historic downtown Sevierville. On December 9 is a fun 5K & Half Marathon that's perfect for those who love Christmas, overplayed holiday music, and devouring candy and cook- ies! Beginning in early November, great shows like Smoky Mountain Opry, Celebration!, Dolly Parton's Stampede, and Country Tonite begin their nightly spectacular Christmas shows. With so many shows in the smokies helping to bring holiday feelings to the stage, you will certainly not be short for entertainment while you are visiting! If you would like to mark your Winterfest trip with the perfect souvenir, make sure to pick up the new, official Smoky Mountain Winterfest shirt to take home with you. The 29th Annual Smoky Mountain Winterfest long sleeve t-shirt will go on sale at the beginning of November and be available exclusively at city operated welcome centers in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg during the entire Winterfest Event. Visiting Smoky Mountain Winterfest each year is a wonderful tradition for family and friends. From snow skiing and ice skating to shopping, shows, and enjoying all the lights – Smoky Mountain Winterfest is a holiday tradition worth making your own. Thank you for making the Smokies a part of your Holiday’s and we hope that you come back again, and make our tradition of Winterfest part of your Christmas tradition every year! 21 SmokyMountainNavigator.com