Driving Through a Winter Wonderland: Self-Guided Christmas Light Tours in Gatlinburg

Your car is a North Pole sleigh this winter! Grab some hot chocolate and gather the whole family for a driving tour of Gatlinburg Winter Magic light displays. All ages love this free, self-guided adventure.

Winter Magic lights are on display until Feb. 15, 2024, giving you plenty of time to see them more than once. Gatlinburg is full of festive characters, local landmarks and funny scenes outlined in millions of lights. Picture snowmen in top hats, singing Christmas carols, and merry animals skiing downhill. See them all from the comfort of your car.

Your Guide to the Lights

Check out these holiday lights hotspots:

• Along Parkway (U.S. Highway 441) and River Road
• Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies on Parkway
• Intersection of River Road and Parkway, near the aquarium
• Highway 441 South (The Spur) past Herbert Holt Park and the Gatlinburg Welcome Center

The variety is endless. You’ll see figures of children wearing international costumes. Don’t miss the native Smoky Mountains animals, or the hot air balloons, trains and toys, and giant flowers. Stroll beneath glowing, white arches of light along Parkway.

Want to see the most displays, concentrated in the smallest area? Head for the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community. Drive the loop created by Glades Road, Buckhorn Road and Highway 321 (Parkway East). This area is famous for artisans who create Appalachian handcrafts, and the lights pick up the crafty theme. Adorable bears paint pictures, dip candles, build birdhouses and more. 

Lights, Camera, Wonder!

Charge up that phone before you hit the road. You’ll want to capture selfies with the “Gatlinbears” as they go fishing or make moonshine.

The advantage of a self-guided tour? Do as much or as little as you like. Stop for pictures. Drive the route all at once, or break it into shorter drives over more nights. Revisit favorite displays. Stop for a late treat: Try Kilwin’s for fudge, ice cream or caramel corn, or Fannie Farkle’s for a corn dog.

Drive back to your mountain cabin and relax in front of a warming fire. Send some Winter Magic photos to your friends and family back home, to share the wonder. Make sure you don’t miss the magic. Reserve a Gatlinburg cabin rental now.