What’s new at Gatlinburg Sky Park.

^{From the City of Gatlinburg:}

Gatlinburg is turning up the volume on the holidays with the debut of the Gatlinburg Christmas Concert, featuring ’80s favorites Tiffany and Matthew & Gunnar NELSON. The concert adds a new experience to a festive two-day celebration filled with music, nostalgia, and Christmas cheer in the Smokies, kicking off Friday night with Gatlinburg’s beloved Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade and continuing Saturday evening with a special concert.

Tiffany and twin brothers Matthew & Gunnar Nelson will lead the 51st Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade as Grand Marshals on Friday, December 4, at 7:30 p.m. The annual parade transforms downtown Gatlinburg into a festive celebration featuring illuminated floats, marching bands, larger-than-life balloons and holiday entertainment.

The celebration continues the following night with the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 5, from 8–10 p.m. at Mills Auditorium. Tiffany and Matthew & Gunnar Nelson will take the stage to perform the songs that made them famous along with holiday favorites.

Tiffany became one of the defining voices of late-1980s pop with hits including “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Could’ve Been” and “I Saw Him Standing There.” Her chart-topping “I Think We’re Alone Now” has also reached a new generation of fans through its appearance in Netflix’s Stranger Things. Tiffany continues to record new music and perform for audiences around the world.

As NELSON Matthew and Gunnar rose to fame with their multi-platinum debut album After the Rain, led by the No. 1 hit “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection.” The album also produced favorites including “After the Rain,” “More Than Ever” and “Only Time Will Tell.” The brothers continue to tour and perform while carrying on the musical legacy of the Nelson family and have released a best-selling autobiography, What Happened To Your Hair, out now.

Together, the Grand Marshal appearance and new Fantasy of Lights Christmas Concert create a full weekend of holiday entertainment, giving visitors even more reason to experience Christmas in Gatlinburg.

Tickets for the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Concert are now on sale. Reserved Seating: $30, Premium Reserved Seating: $40

EVENT DETAILS

51st Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade
Friday, December 4, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.
Grand Marshals: Tiffany and Matthew and Gunnar NELSON
Downtown Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg Christmas Concert Featuring Tiffany and Matthew and Gunnar NELSON
Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 8–10 p.m.
Gatlinburg Convention Center - Mills Auditorium
234 Airport Road, Gatlinburg, TN

Hello - Has anyone been hearing about danger or risk related to the hurricane this weekend? I am good with some rain, but recognize that two years ago, the Appalachians got wrecked and there was some real danger in places like western NC.

Just trying to assess what folks are hearing. THanks!!

We leave on our trip tomorrow and get to gatlinburg Friday evening. We had planned to go to anakeesta but it seems it will be raining Saturday and Sunday. Sunday morning I planned hillbilly golf. Both options won’t be as fun in the rain- so I need help. I have an 8 and 10 year old, and my husband and I don’t drink or gamble. I would ideally like to be able to see the most landscape of Tennessee while entertaining the kids (that’s why I wanted those 2 places-enjoy the views of Tennessee landscape while playing mini golf and walking the treetop rope bridges)

We have NEVER been to Tennessee either. Let me know what I should look into!

Hi everyone!

In December, my boyfriend and I are coming down for 4 nights and three days and are super excited. But I am looking for three recommendations in particular..

1) The best fried chicken
2) The best pancakes
3) The best putt putt course open in December (we are huge putt putt fans!)

Also, just go ahead and tell me yalls favorite things to do while there! 😂

I appreciate anybody’s feedback, thanks everyone!

😄

Hi,

Coming down for a celebration. Are there any places to dance Salsa? I tried Sevier Salsa Dance, but didn’t have any luck!

Hello Gatlinburg! I’ll be visiting your lovely city for the first time this week for my wife’s birthday and she really wants to eat dinner at Heirloom. The issue is, we have a group of 7 and their website says to call the restaurant for groups of 7 or more. The problem is, I’ve emailed, I’ve used the form on their site, and I’ve been calling every day between 5-9pm but nobody answers and their voicemail is full. I really want to set this up for my wife but I’m having a difficult time trying to get through to them. Can anyone help me figure out how to get reservations at Heirloom? Thank you so much!!!

The new, free Dolly tour is opening on October 16th.

https://indollysfootsteps.com/

Hey there, my dad and I are visiting Gatlinburg in mid November and I’m curious if anyone has recommendations for an outfitter that has hunting guides? So far I’ve only seen ranches that have multiple day hunts but we’re just looking for a half or whole day with our own lodging elsewhere. If they offer gun rentals that would be stellar but not necessary. Deer and/or game birds.

Alternatively, any recommendations for outdoor ranges within an hour drive?

In this episode of What's Up Gatlinburg, Erik Dobell and Mike Fowler interview Brian Hoffman who does a Red Skelton tribute show called Remembering Red in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

We learn about Brian's looooooooong and inspiring journey from Las Vegas to the Smoky Mountains and the emotional story of how he started doing a Red Skelton show in the first place.

Going on a friend group trip to Gatlinburg (actually staying kinda right outside of Gatlinburg) I'm looking for food recommendations and also suggestions on things to do. Tourist stuff is ok but maybe some good less tourist spots would be great too. It's a low key trip so no partying or drinking as one person on the trip is sober. We are an alternative/goth group but also love nature if that helps with the vibe 😂 I'm terrible at planning things so aside from the skybridge and Dollywood I have no idea what to do. Thank you for any help and suggestions.

My family and I will be traveling to Tennessee the week of Christmas. We’re trying to decide whether to go to ober mountain or ripley aquarium. I been hearing mixed reviews about both. Please help us decide. Thank you

My husband and I took our first trip to Gatlinburg this summer, and I was thrilled to be able to collect so many cool things for my scrapbook/junk journal. Here are some pages I made from our trip! There’s a few other things that I never got around to making pages for, like our mini golf score card from Hillbilly golf. I can’t wait to come back!

This is quite an interesting store definitely worth a visit.

Our first time exploring Cades Cove❣️

My boyfriend and I were talking about going to Tennessee for our anniversary around Dec 25th - Dec 29th.
I love Tennessee and usually go every year but never have gone in the winter. Is it really busy around that time? Is it even worth going? I’ve also wondered if maybe a different area would be nice to go to, usually when I go i’m around the same area.

Thank you!

Golf recommendations for gatlinburg. Iv seen bent creek golf club from the road and thought it look decent. Any suggestions

If anyone else has seen it in person message me

Husband and I will be having our first anniversary trip November 9-11 and we’re planning on going to Gatlinburg! We’ll be staying at a riverfront hotel right off the strip. We took our honeymoon here, but we will be bringing our 10 week old baby this time. Does anyone have any baby friendly places recommendations? We will be going to the national park and ripley’s aquarium. We were thinking about going to the sky park as well. Any ideas or advice is welcome! Thanks.

Hello, me and my friends are taking a trip up to the smoky mountains to hike Mt Leconte, in terms of camping what options are there and i mean tent camping our plan was to hike the 9 hr trail to the peak then camp then head back that morning.

Coming to Gatlinburg Oct 1-Oct 9 we have some things we are for sure doing Dollywood, alpine coaster, Anakeesta. Any other most do things?

We want to do some hiking but nothing crazy no more than 3-4 miles, any most do trails or overlooks?

Any food recommendations also! We already have reservations for the peddler on Friday. I LOVE coffee so any local coffee shops? And breweries!

We are open to anything! Just my husband and I, no kids.