Sevier County capitalizes on the holidays by inviting everyone to Winterfest.
There's 15 million lights stretching down 25 miles, with plenty of fun to welcome thousands each year.
"Right now it's balmy and warm and we'll take it," Sevierville Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Brenda McCroskey said.
It doesn't have to be cold to be Winterfest in Sevierville.
"It's extremely comfortable," McCroskey said. "This is a community event, but we also get tourists. We hear from people all over the United States. It's a celebration for Sevierville, it's a celebration for Sevier County, and it kicks off the holiday and Christmas season. It's a true family fun event. There are kids activities, there's music."
She enjoyed the kickoff event as much as the thousands who joined her at the Municipal Complex Monday.
"Well we got to make balloons," 3rd grader Zackary Widener said.
He enjoyed the bouncy houses the most.
"We got to play on the bouncy houses and stuff," Widener said.
Winterfest also helps businesses every year since it started 28 years ago.
"We saw an immediate spike in retail sales," McCroskey said.
McCroskey sees a noticeable difference each year.
"Beginning with about a 5 percent increase, and every year it has grown," McCroskey said.
Making Winterfest another way Sevier County continues to recover from last year's wildfires.
"The community's help in putting this place back together just has been excellent," longtime Sevier County resident LaTasha Lake said.
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge will have their Winterfest kickoffs this week.