Top 6 Reasons to Visit Gatlinburg this New Year's Eve

From breathtaking fireworks to fabulous food to lively music, this mountain town knows how to throw a party! Here are six reasons to come on down to bustling Gatlinburg this New Year’s Eve. 

1. Enjoy Spectacular Fireworks

Gatlinburg shoots off midnight fireworks from the 400-foot-tall Gatlinburg Space Needle. This extravaganza features LED light displays on the towering Needle, plus concerts and family-friendly fun. Watch the ball drop to count down the seconds until the new year arrives. 

2. Dance the Year Away at Gatlinburg SkyPark

Get an unmatched view of the fireworks, from 100 feet above the Space Needle! Gatlinburg SkyPark’s gives you views from a mountaintop and from the spectacular SkyBridge–the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America. This year, SkyPark adds a dance party. Groove your way to midnight. 

3. Make Holiday Memories at Anakeesta

Anakeesta invites you to a last, sweet taste of Christmas. Stroll an enchanted path strewn with lights. Sing along with Kringle’s Karols and laugh with Jolly the Juggling Elf. Listen to live entertainment and dine on fresh, local cuisine. At the day’s end, watch the Space Needle fireworks from your mountain perch. 

4. Celebrate Family at Dolly’s DreamMore Resort

Let Dolly Parton pamper your family. Entertainment includes a family-friendly DJ, jazz and folk-rock. Kid-friendly movies, crafts and games keep everyone happy. Dolly pays a virtual visit, counting down to DreamMore’s dazzling fireworks display! (Dollywood, just down the road, is open New Year’s Eve from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. You can stay all day and still get to the resort for midnight!) 

5. Wake Up With Sharks 

Want a truly unforgettable start to New Year’s Eve? Spend the night of Dec. 30 inside Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Get some shuteye (if you dare) under the gaze of ever-circling sharks, at the “Sleep With the Sharks'' sleepover! Tour the aquarium after hours and play games.. Begin the last day of 2023 breakfasting with beasts of the deep. 

6. Relax in a Luxurious, Private Cabin

Prefer a quiet night? Celebrate in your rental cabin. Soak in a bubbling hot tub and sip local fruit wine. You can also shoot pool, play air hockey, or challenge the kids to a board game! Pick a cabin with all the delightful amenities you crave. Reserve now and ring in the New Year in the Smokies.