The Incredible Christmas Place was founded by Hurshel and Marian Biggs as a family business in 1986. Continual growth over the years has seen that first small gift shop grow into a seven-store complex now located on the Parkway — still operated by the third family generation.
That family legacy shows in the experience. This isn't a corporate chain trying to replicate holiday magic — it's a generational passion project that has been expanding, evolving, and surprising visitors for nearly four decades. The Biggs family built something genuinely special here, and the fact that it remains family-run three generations later says everything.
What's Inside: A Seven-Store Christmas Village
The Incredible Christmas Place isn't a single store — it's a seven-store complex spanning an expansive area that has earned its reputation as one of the country's top Christmas and collectibles destinations. Here's what you'll find inside.
🎄 Ornaments, Trees & Holiday Décor
The core of the experience. The shop organizes its merchandise into curated themes like "Grinch," "Gingerbread Lane," and "Candy Cane Christmas," making it easy to find matching décor for any holiday style.
Every year The Incredible Christmas Place decorates 50 trees in varying styles — from traditional to contemporary to quirky — making choosing decorations for your home as simple as picking a theme, color scheme, or favorite look, then picking up coordinating ornaments, garlands, and more.
🎁 Collectibles & Premium Brands
Serious collectors come specifically for the lineup. Current brands include: Department 56, Lemax, Snowbabies, Peanuts, Disney, Harry Potter, Enesco, Christopher Radko, Old World Christmas, Elf on the Shelf, and Hallmark — plus exclusive lines like Mark Roberts Fairies and Precious Moments. If you collect Department 56 village houses or Christopher Radko glass ornaments, this is one of the best stocked retailers in the Southeast.
✍️ Custom Hand-Painted Ornament Station
One of the most beloved features of the entire store — and the one most visitors mention in reviews. Talented artists hand-paint names and dates onto ornaments while you watch. It's a live demonstration and a personalized keepsake in one, and it's the kind of detail that turns a shopping trip into a memory. Budget extra time here — it's easy to get absorbed watching the artists work.
🎅 Santa Visits
You can reserve your visit with Santa or find out when he's making his next appearance at The Incredible Christmas Place. During the Christmas season, Santa is available five days a week for pictures with kids, as well as performing in concerts and greeting children.
🍬 Mrs. Claus' Candy Kitchen
Mrs. Claus' Candy Kitchen is filled with homemade fudge, candy treats, light meals, and refreshing hot and cold beverages. It's the perfect mid-shopping refuel stop — grab a cup of hot cocoa, sample the fudge, and let the kids pick out a sweet before diving back into the ornament aisles.
👗 Beyond Christmas
The complex also offers women's fashions, shoes, and accessories; gifts for every occasion; and garden décor and flags — making it a genuinely diverse shopping destination even for visitors who aren't hardcore Christmas enthusiasts.
Events Year-Round
The Incredible Christmas Place hosts events throughout the year that go well beyond browsing shelves:
- Craft classes for both kids and adults — wreath-making is a perennial favorite
- Artist signings — collectible brand artists occasionally appear for meet-and-greet signings
- Open houses — festive events with special displays, refreshments, and seasonal entertainment
- Santa appearances and concerts — scheduled throughout the holiday season
- Sidewalk sales — outdoor events with special pricing on select merchandise
Check the store's website or call ahead to find out what's scheduled during your visit. Timing your trip around an event can make the experience even more memorable.
Practical Information
📍 Address: 2470 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
📞 Phone: (800) 445-3396
🕐 Hours: Open daily 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM, with extended hours during the Christmas season.
🚗 Parking: Free and plentiful — if the small front lot is full, there is a large lot around the back with plenty of room. Parking is never a problem here, which is a genuine luxury on the busy Pigeon Forge Parkway.
🛒 Online Shopping: Can't make it to Pigeon Forge as often as you'd like? The Incredible Christmas Place offers online shopping at christmasplace.com — full ornament selection, collectibles, and holiday décor shipped directly to your door.
Best time to visit: Weekdays or early mornings for lighter crowds. Weekend afternoons during peak summer and fall foliage season can get busy, though the size of the complex means it rarely feels overwhelming.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit
Give yourself more time than you think you need. Most first-time visitors underestimate the scale of this place. What looks like a single building on the Parkway is actually a seven-store complex — plan for at least 1.5 to 2 hours if you're a serious browser, more if you're a collector.
Visit the custom ornament station early. If personalized ornaments are on your list, head there first. The artists are detailed and thorough, which means wait times can build up later in the day.
Check the event calendar before you go. An artist signing or wreath-making class can make the trip feel completely different — and more memorable — than a standard shopping visit.
Shop in July if you want the best selection. Counter-intuitive, but true: the full inventory is stocked year-round, and the summer months often have better availability on popular items than the December rush.
Combine it with nearby Pigeon Forge stops. The Incredible Christmas Place sits right on the Parkway, making it easy to combine with The Island, Dollywood, dinner at Old Mill Square, or a stroll through any number of nearby attractions. It's a natural anchor for a full Pigeon Forge day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Incredible Christmas Place really open all year? Yes — it's open daily, with extended hours during the Christmas season. Whether you visit in February or August, you'll find the full Christmas experience waiting.
Is there an admission fee? No admission fee. The Incredible Christmas Place is free to enter and browse — you only pay for what you purchase. Mrs. Claus' Candy Kitchen and the custom ornament station have their own pricing.
How big is The Incredible Christmas Place? It's a seven-store complex — the South's largest Christmas shopping village. Plan for significantly more time than a typical gift shop visit.
Can I ship purchases home? Yes. The store offers shipping for purchases, and their online shop at christmasplace.com lets you continue shopping after you leave Pigeon Forge.
Is it good for kids? Absolutely. Between the Santa visits, the candy kitchen, the live ornament-painting demonstrations, and the sheer spectacle of 50 decorated Christmas trees and themed rooms, kids tend to be completely enchanted from the moment they walk in.
Stay Close to the Magic
The Incredible Christmas Place is located right in the heart of Pigeon Forge — just minutes from Colonial Properties' Pigeon Forge cabin rentals. Come home from a full day of Christmas shopping to a cozy mountain cabin with a fireplace crackling and a hot tub waiting on the deck. It doesn't get much more festive than that.
If you're planning a holiday visit, our Smoky Mountain Christmas cabin rentals book up fast — especially for Thanksgiving week and the December holidays. Check availability early.
