Changes are coming to the annual Winterfest celebration in Sevierville and Gatlinburg.
Winterfest is the annual holiday celebration that attracts thousands of visitors to Sevier County, with millions of Christmas lights hanging from every tree and building. In the past, the three cities in Sevier County would hold an individual kick off celebration on different nights of the same week in early November.
This year, Sevierville announced it will not host its regular kickoff celebration at the Sevierville Municipal Complex, because it is "in the process of making changes to the Winterfest program," according to a press release.
The lights will still shine in Sevierville between November 9 and January 7.
"We encourage everyone to take-in the millions of twinkling lights with family and friends and to enjoy this fast approaching holiday season," said Kelly DeBord, the Sales, Marketing, and Public Relations Coordinator City for Sevierville, in the release.
The City of Gatlinburg is also making changes to the annual Winterfest celebration this year, and said Friday the annual kickoff event would be combined with a traditional Chili Cookoff that's part of an extended Harvest Festival this year.
According to a release from the city, the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival will extend this year until November 25. The holiday lights will turn on November 7, and theTrolley Ride of Lights will begin as scheduled on November 8 and run nightly through December 31, then continue only on weekends through the end of February.
City leaders said they want to give visitors more time to plan a trip to the Smokies during the peak of fall season.
“We could not live in a more picturesque area for viewing Fall color,” says Mark Adams, Gatlinburg CVB CEO/President. “We want to capitalize on the seasonal beauty by extending our Harvest Festival to the end of November thus giving visitors more opportunities to experience Autumn in the Smokies.”
Other traditional holiday events will continue as scheduled, including Festival of Trees on Thanksgiving weekend, Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Holiday Craft Shows, Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade, Winter Magic Tunes and Tales, Trolley Ride of Lights and New Year’s Eve Celebration.
Gatlinburg will also debut some new fall and winter holiday decorations this year.
This will be the 29th year of the Winterfest Celebration.
Pigeon Forge is still planning to hold its Winterfest Kickoff event on the evening of November 6th. Festivities will begin at 5 p.m. with free entertainment and a free children’s play area. The lights in Patriot Park will turn on that evening, along with fireworks and free trolley tours.
We are still waiting to hear back from city leaders in Gatlnburg about their plans.