Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026, and the Smokies are already lit for Christmas. Here’s where to eat, what’s open on the holiday, how to plan around Dollywood and Black Friday, and what to expect on the Parkway.
The 36th Annual Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff & Winter Magic Kickoff takes place Thursday, November 6, 2026 — a free four-hour street festival on the Parkway from 5 to 9 p.m. featuring 19 chili vendors, live music, a new ice skating rink, Santa photos, carnival games, and the ceremonial lighting at 8 p.m. when over a million LED lights switch on simultaneously across downtown Gatlinburg. It's the single most dramatic moment of the entire holiday season in the Smokies. Here's everything you need to know.
The Pigeon Forge Winterfest Kickoff on November 5, 2026 is the single most dramatic evening of the entire holiday lights season — a free street festival with the 36th Annual Chili Cookoff, live entertainment, and the ceremonial illumination that switches on over a million Winterfest lights simultaneously at the close of the evening. Between 15,000 and 25,000 people show up for it every year. Here's how to plan your evening and make the most of it.
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