Smoky Mountains Winterfest Tour of Lights

In the Spring, you ride the Smoky Mountain roads to see the green returning to the trees and the wildflowers blooming across our Appalachian expanse. In the Summer, you ride to get to the excellent selection of attractions and events we have going on. In the Autumn, we ride to see the foliage turn colors that we think only exist in our distant, nostalgic memories; but what do we ride for during the cold winter?

Four winter wonderful words: “Winterfest Tour of Lights”. One in Pigeon Forge and one in Gatlinburg.

Each year, from the second week of November until somewhere middle of February, most of the main parkways going through the cities, as well as many major roadways around Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville, gets decorated with exquisite lighting displays built to make drivers and their families, groups, friends or self think of Christmas and the wonderful snowy memories of their youth.

MyPigeonForge.com describes it:
“See more than 5 million shining Pigeon Forge holiday lights when you take the Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights! Along your driving tour, you’ll see bear, deer, fox and other critters native to the Smoky Mountains “wandering” through Pigeon Forge. Sparkling lights, giant ornaments, and tall, tall trees are seen on Island Drive and throughout the Island in Pigeon Forge. Even the 200-foot-tall Great Smoky Mountain Wheel shows off the holiday spirit with red, green and white lights. Get a glimpse of some of your favorite fairytale characters lighting up the Pigeon Forge Parkway. You’ll see Mother Goose, the giant clock from Hickory Dickory Dock, the cat and fiddle of Hey Diddle Diddle fame, and Humpty Dumpty, complete with all the king’s horses and all the king’s men. Another highlight of the Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights is a 60-foot-tall tree adorned with colorful lights, ribbons and sparkling ornaments from the very bottom to the twinkling star on top.”

Gatlinburg.com describes their “Gatlinburg Winter Magic” event:
“For more than 30 years, Gatlinburg has celebrated Winter Magic with millions of twinkling lights on festive holiday displays throughout the city. Soak up the spirit of the season from the comfort of your own vehicle or taking a stroll along the parkway and take a memorable journey on the exciting Gatlinburg Winter Magic Lights.”

Are these lights awesome to see? Yes, they are. Do they get even better seeing them from a UTV? Only one way to find out: https://tickets.wildsidetn.com/webstore/shop/viewitems.aspx?cg=wranglerandrazors&c=warsr2.

See more information on Winterfest lights and events at https://www.mypigeonforge.com/event/winterfest/ and https://www.gatlinburg.com/events/seasonal-events/winter/wintermagic/.