Make the most of the festive season in Kingsport with our planner guide. Discover all the best holiday events. For Kingsport regulars and one-time guests, our guide is your compass through the winter wonderland.
One captivating experience this season is Christmas at Gaylord Opryland, where the enchanting indoor gardens transform into a holiday spectacle featuring thousands of dazzling lights and breathtaking displays. In addition, NoogaLights at Choo Choo brings a delightful blend of traditional Christmas cheer with its whimsical light installations and festive activities. And the Lights Over Gatlinburg is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing a stunning light display set against the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Kingsport
- Christmas at Gaylord Opryland (Nashville)
- Lights Over Gatlinburg (Gatlinburg)
- Zoolumination: Chinese Festival of Lights (Nashville)
- NoogaLights at Choo Choo (Chattanooga)
- Asian Lantern Festival at the Chattanooga Zoo (Chattanooga)
- Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland (Johnson City)
- Shadrack’s Christmas Adventure (Sevierville)
- Holiday Lights at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens (Nashville)
- The Dancing Lights of Christmas (Lebanon)
- Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park (Memphis)
See these and even more events listed below!
Kingsport Holiday Light Displays
Lights Over Gatlinburg
What to Expect:
Extensive Christmas light displays and tunnel of lights on the SkyBridge.
Description:
Lights Over Gatlinburg is a premier holiday event at Gatlinburg SkyPark, featuring thousands of new Christmas lights, a 38-foot Christmas tree, and a record-breaking SkyBridge tunnel of lights. The event offers photo opportunities, stunning views of downtown Gatlinburg, and special appearances by Santa Claus.
Where: Gatlinburg | More Info: Lights Over Gatlinburg
Shadrack’s Christmas Adventure
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with family-friendly activities.
Description:
Shadrack’s Christmas Adventure features a drive-through light show with synchronized lights and music, including a new theme for 2024. The event also includes Snowy Mountain Village with activities like inflatable bounce houses, photo spots, and visits with Santa.
Where: Sevierville | More Info: Shadrack’s Christmas Adventure
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with three drive-through RGB tunnels.
Description:
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland at the Appalachian Fairgrounds features acres of lights synchronized to music, including a NEW display theme, Santa's Mountain. The dynamic show includes three drive-through RGB tunnels, towering walls of lights, and 50-foot-tall Christmas trees. It offers a fun-filled journey through dazzling light displays and festive melodies, bringing the magic of the holidays to the great outdoors.
Where: Johnson City | More Info: Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland
NoogaLights at Choo Choo
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show in a historic garden setting.
Description:
NoogaLights at the Chattanooga Choo Choo features a Halloween-themed walk-thru light show from October 1st to November 3rd and a Christmas-themed walk-thru light show from November 15th to December 31st. Both presentations showcase synchronized music and themed lighting displays.
Where: Chattanooga | More Info: NoogaLights at Choo Choo
Asian Lantern Festival at the Chattanooga Zoo
What to Expect:
Immersive lantern displays with interactive elements.
Description:
The Asian Lantern Festival at the Chattanooga Zoo features over 40 unique lantern displays showcasing dinosaurs, rainforest animals, and other immersive decorations. Dynamic and interactive lanterns move, expel fog, change color, flash, and shimmer. Interactive displays and games encourage touching, swinging, and playing. Exclusive gift shop items include glow-in-the-dark shirts, stuffed animals, and glowing toys.
Where: Chattanooga | More Info: Asian Lantern Festival at the Chattanooga Zoo
Zoolumination: Chinese Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting with elaborate lantern displays.
Description:
At Zoolumination: Chinese Festival of Lights, explore over 1,000 custom-made silk lanterns in vibrant scenes featuring mythical creatures and wildlife. Visit the North Pole Village, enjoy live Chinese acrobats, and meet Santa each night. Select animal exhibits are open late, and festive food and beverages are available.
Where: Nashville | More Info: Zoolumination: Chinese Festival of Lights
Holiday Lights at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
What to Expect:
Over a million lights and special decorations by Laura Dowling.
Description:
Holiday Lights at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens features a one-mile walking path through gardens illuminated by over a million lights, including special decorations by former White House florist Laura Dowling. The event includes s'mores stations, seasonal libations, and a holiday marketplace with various gifts and decorations.
Where: Nashville | More Info: Holiday Lights at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
The Dancing Lights of Christmas
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and music show with a 2.5-mile route.
Description:
The Dancing Lights of Christmas is a spectacular drive-thru light and music show featuring over 2.5 million lights synchronized to holiday tunes. The event includes admission to Santa's Village, where visitors can meet Santa and enjoy a petting zoo.
Where: Lebanon | More Info: The Dancing Lights of Christmas
Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park
What to Expect:
Unique drive-through holiday light display with festive fun for all ages.
Description:
Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park features over 2 miles of holiday lights and displays, offering a spectacular drive-through experience with festive fun for all ages.
Where: Memphis | More Info: Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park
Christmas on the Cumberland
What to Expect:
Spectacular light displays and local vendor market.
Description:
Over one million lights illuminate McGregor Park and the Cumberland Riverwalk, showcasing holiday traditions and global cuisines in a diverse community celebration.
Where: Clarksville | More Info: Christmas on the Cumberland
Kingsport Holiday Markets and Shopping
Fantasy of Trees
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday event with over 350 decorated trees.
Description:
The East Tennessee Children's Hospital Fantasy of Trees is a holiday event featuring over 350 beautifully designed trees, holiday accessories, store front windows, door designs, and table centerpieces. Local school children decorate the Adopt-a-Tree forest, making it a unique and community-driven celebration.
Where: Knoxville | More Info: Fantasy of Trees
Kingsport Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas at Gaylord Opryland
What to Expect:
Immersive ice sculptures and festive activities.
Description:
Christmas at Gaylord Opryland features elaborate holiday decorations, including over 3 million twinkling lights, and attractions like ICE featuring Frosty the Snowman, ice tubing, gingerbread decorating, and live performances.
Where: Nashville | More Info: Christmas at Gaylord Opryland
Kingsport Other Holiday Activities
Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Decorated trees and animated characters in a snowy setting.
Description:
The Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees features beautifully decorated trees, animated characters, and a magical snowy setting. Visitors can enjoy model trains, holiday carols, and a gingerbread village. Santa will be available for holiday photos, with all proceeds benefiting Le Bonheur Children's Hospital.
Where: Memphis | More Info: Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Johnson City (20 miles)
- Bristol (21 miles)