Winter in Gatlinburg is a magical wonderland thanks to Winterfest and Gatlinburg’s Winter Magic. Every night, millions of spectacular lights and lighted displays illuminate the winter with fanciful snowmen, holiday themes and animals that the smokies are famous for. You can take in these amazing light displays at your own pace in the comfort of your vehicle, or you can enjoy the Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights in the comfort of a Gatlinburg Trolley. Departing from downtown Gatlinburg at 6:30, 7:30 & 8:30, these specially designated trolleys allow you to sit back and soak up the spirit of the winter magic for only $5, with children under 3 FREE if riding on an adults lap. You can enjoy one- of-a-kind LED displays all along the Parkway and River Road that feature the latest $1.6 million-plus rollout of custom designed sections showing winter forests, evergreen and romance themes. The trolley tours do not run on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. If the Winterfest lights are not enough for you, make sure that you attend the 43rd Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade presented by Ole Red on December 7th. The parade begins at 7:30 on the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg. 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! Bleacher seats are now available to purchase for $20, which comes with a Santa hat and a digital download of the Parade with each seat purchased. Those seats can be purchased on the chamber website at gatlinburg.com! Make sure to end your year off right at the 30th Annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Firework Show at the space needle in downtown Gatlinburg. At midnight on December 31st, you can welcome in the New Year in grand style at this family friendly celebration, which is one of the largest in the nation. Nearly 50,000 people will gather around the intersection of the Parkway and Historic Nature Trail, where at the stroke of midnight fireworks will blast off the rooftop of the 400-foot tall Space Needle with special music choreographed for the fireworks show. The Space Needle has added rhythmic LED lights to the tower, making for a spectacular display that is sure to enhance the already amazing event. With so many special events, arts and crafts shows, festivals and parades, it is no wonder that Gatlinburg has become a focal point of so many families’ holiday plans. Make sure to check out the calendar of events on page 17 to see what other winter events are offered in Gatlinburg and the surrounding cities during the Winterfest Celebration and the Christmas season. There is no place better to experience the magic of winter than the Smokies and we are so glad that you decided to spend this special time with your families right here with us. 91 SmokyMountainNavigator.com