Most Wonderful Time Of Year Arrives In Tennessee

Tuesday, November 20, 2012 - by Amanda Stravinsky

 

The 2012 holiday season in Tennessee promises holiday-themed fun for all ages. Mark your calendars for the following statewide events and find additional happenings in your region. Please visit www.tnvacation.com and click on “Events” for a complete listing of events happening statewide.

Speedway in Lights at Bristol Motor Speedway offers millions of holiday lights and hundreds of displays lining the route, and visitors get to drive on the legendary "World's Fastest Half-Mile."

Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are shining bright with holiday décor and lights, now through Feb. 28. 23rd Smoky Mountain Winterfest is a holiday tradition for many visitors who return year after year. Also not to be missed is Dollyood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, with more than four million lights.

Ruby Falls in Chattanooga celebrates the season with Ruby Red Christmas, each Friday and Saturday night during December.

The 29th year of Gaylord Opryland’s “A Country Christmas® brings the 2012 edition of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular® starring The Rockettes®to Nashville. NEW this year is Lorrie Morgan's Enchanted Christmas Dinner & Show and Explore ICE!™ featuring DreamWorks' Shrek the Halls.

In Memphis, experience Christmas at Graceland. See traditional lights and decorations including hundreds of blue lights along the driveway, a life-size Nativity scene, Santa and his sleigh and much more originally displayed by Elvis.

These events are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to holiday happenings in Tennessee. From holiday parades and festivals to shopping extravaganzas and holiday shows, there is something for everyone in Tennessee!

Below are additional holiday happenings in East Tennessee:

Ongoing until Dec. 31

Christmas in the City – Knoxville – The city is aglow with Christmas from decorations, parades and a celebration of lights. For more information on the month-long activities, visit www.cityofknoxville.org/christmas/.

Nov. 21 – 25

Fantasy of Trees – Knoxville – Stroll among evergreens decorated with whimsical Christmas decorations from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Knoxville Convention Center. Tickets are $12. For more information, visit www.fantasyoftrees.org.

Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Christmas Show – Gatlinburg – Pottery, candle making, quilting and weaving are some of the fine art forms you’ll find at 10 a.m. in the Gatlinburg Convention Center. For more information, visit www.gatlinburgcrafts.com.

Nov. 22 – Dec. 29

Real Snow Off the Bow – Pigeon Forge – Snow will fall at the Titanic Museum Attraction at 7 p.m. each night as a part of the “Christmas in a Winter Wonderland” festivities. The Titanic will also be trimmed in Christmas lights and decorations. For more information, visit www.titanicpigeonforge.com.

Nov. 24

Small Town Christmas – Sweetwater – Enjoy horse and buggy rides, pictures with Santa, Christmas treats and much more 5 – 9 p.m. in downtown Sweetwater. For more information, visit www.visitsweetwater.com.

Nov. 30

Carols in the City – Cleveland – The community Christmas tree will be illuminated at 6 p.m. on Main Street Cleveland. Participate in a historic walking tour of some of the churches downtown. For more information, visit www.mainstreetcleveland.com.

Dec. 1 - 24

Christmas in Old Appalachia – Clinton – Sing Christmas carols with musicians in the Homestead House and see the log buildings decorated for Christmas at the Museum of Appalachia. For more information, visit www.museumofappalachia.org.

Dec. 8

“Christmas Night of Lights” Annual Christmas Parade – Jonesborough – See Christmas floats and even Santa at the end of the parade beginning at 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.jonesboroughtn.com.

Holiday Starlight Parade and Lighted Boat Parade – Chattanooga – Christmas floats will parade down 5th and Market Street and end at 5th and Broad at 6 p.m. The Lighted Boat Parade will begin at 7 p.m. and a finale fireworks display will begin at 8 p.m. For more information, visitwww.chattanoogapresents.com.

Dec. 15 – 16

The Chattanooga Symphony and Opera “Home for the Holidays”— Chattanooga – This concert of Christmas classics starts at 8 p.m. Dec. 15 and 2 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Tivoli Theatre. For more information and tickets, visit www.chattanoogasymphony.org.

Dec. 17 – 22

Caroling Tour – Clinton – Sing Christmas carols in a horse-drawn wagon from dusk to 9 p.m. at River Ridge Farm. Tickets are $4 with a campfire and hot chocolate provided after the ride. For more information, visit www.riverridgefarmtn.com/tours.htm.

For more information, visit  tnvacation.comfacebook.com/tnvacationtnvacation.com/triptales/twitter.com/tnvacation/ or pinterest.com/tnvacation/  



Giant Jaws - Great White Shark 3D Coming To IMAX May 24

The thought of encountering a giant shark face-to-face is spine-tingling and enough to keep some people out of the water. But Great White Shark 3D , a new underwater film coming to the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater on May 24, promises to thrill audiences by taking movie-goers on a virtual cage diving expedition with the world’s iconic predators. Along the way, filmmakers hope ... (click for more)

Tennessee Tourism Round Up

Tennessee’s upcoming tourism news is consolidated below.  For a complete list of Tennessee events, visit tnvacation.com/calendar . Ongoing Chattanooga – “Right Here, Right Now” – Celebrate culinary culture with heirloom recipes, featuring strawberries in May as part of the new “Right Here, Right Now” campaign bringing focus to Chattanooga’s 2013 growing season ... (click for more)

Woman Killed In Early-Morning Wreck On Thrasher Pike

A woman was killed in a single-vehicle crash in the 1200 block of Thrasher Pike early Saturday morning. Soddy Daisy Police Chief Phillip Hamrick said a female passenger was ejected from the vehicle. She was transported to Erlanger Hospital by LifeForce helicopter about 3:15 a.m. The driver was transported by Hamilton County EMS. It is believed he had non-life threatening injuries. ... (click for more)

City May Move Forward On $47 Million Wilcox Tunnel Project

City officials may move forward on a $47 million project to upgrade the narrow Wilcox Tunnel through Missionary Ridge. The City Council on Tuesday is to consider a resolution to apply for a $25 million federal TIGER grant. The city would still have to come up with $21,825,000 through "local funds or grants." The city has already spent $175,000 on the project. Improving ... (click for more)

Rep. Eric Watson Reflects On Memorial Day

Memorial Day is the time for Americans to reconnect with their history and the core values that make this country great by honoring those who gave their lives for the ideals we cherish. Soldiers are people who come from all walks of life, from every corner of this great land of ours. They are our fathers, our sons, our mothers and our daughters, our friends, and our neighbors.  ... (click for more)

Roy Exum: Sharing The Laughter

This time last week I was certain that laughter is the best medicine but I have since found I was wrong. Early in the week, as I revealed I was struggling with some health issues, I asked unashamedly for help. Since then the prayers of the people have already resulted in miracles and blessings but what has staggered me are not just hundreds of jokes that have flooded my email but ... (click for more)