Name: Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade
Start: 2024-12-06T19:30:00-05:00
End: 2024-12-06T21:00:00-05:00
Location: Downtown Gatlinburg

The Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade ushers in the holiday season on December 6, ringing in 49 years of family-friendly festive tradition. The award-winning parade will bring a cheerful procession to downtown Gatlinburg with festive floats, joyful marching bands, larger-than-life holiday balloons, and more, among over 1 million LED twinkling lights featured in Gatlinburg’s Winter Magic Celebration. Adding two stars to the top of the line-up, are Grand Marshals Emily Ann Roberts and Colton Dixon, co-leading the event. The holiday cavalcade was recently nationally nominated by USA Today’s 10Best as the “Best Holiday Parade” in the nation for 2024.
Rising country music singer and songwriter Emily Ann Roberts will join one of Gatlinburg’s time-honored traditions as co-grand marshal. Roberts has received national spotlight, making her debut on NBC’s The Voice. Since then, Roberts’ songwriting and storytelling vision have garnered over 45 million streams, resonating with audiences through melodies wrapped in traditional country and bluegrass roots. Recently touring with former coach Blake Shelton, as well as, country music icon, Jamey Johnson, Roberts has also performed regularly at the celebrated Grand Ole Opry. The East Tennessee native was recently named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country for 2024.
Chart-topping contemporary artist Colton Dixon will co-lead the festive parade. Touring in over 120 cities, Dixon has performed for mass audiences including taking the stage at the Grand Ole Opry and at the White House for the 2019 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Dixon has made headlining appearances on renowned national platforms such as Fox and Friends, Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight, and on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Recently topping the Billboard Charts with #1 hit, “Build a Boat,” Dixon has resonated with audiences across the globe, sharing the stage with the likes of the legendary companies, including Harry Connick Jr., Gabby Barrett, and Billy Joel.
The Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade will step off at 7:30 p.m. on December 6 at the Baskins Creek Bypass and process throughout downtown Gatlinburg, ending at traffic light #10. The event is free and open to the public. However, the event's popularity encourages paradegoers to arrive early to secure seating and parking.
Grandstand VIP seating is available for the parade, offering bleacher seating, a commemorative Santa Hat for $50 per ticket, and prime viewing at either traffic light #3 or at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Tickets for Grandstand seating can be purchased online. https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/fantasy-of-lights-christmas-parade/36/
Tree Lighting Ceremony:
City officials will host a grand illumination ceremony of the Gatlinburg Christmas Tree at 7:25 p.m. on the Parkway Plaza at traffic light #3.
Parade Route:
The parade route begins at Baskins Creek Bypass, travels to traffic light #3, turns south onto the Parkway, and ends at traffic light #10.
Lane Closure Information:
Outbound lane closures will begin approximately at 4:30 p.m. when all U.S. Route 321 traffic will be switched to one lane on the outbound side to make room for float staging. The inbound lane will shut down approximately at 6:50 p.m. All traffic along the parade route will shut down approximately at 7 p.m.
As always we would ask that people be aware of their surroundings and vigilant about personal safety. Officers and EMS will be posted throughout the parade route and available for assistance if needed.
Grandstand Tickets:
The grandstand seats will be in the TV zone (traffic light #3), which is near the beginning of the parade route. Each seat will have a great view of the parade. Seating for the grandstand will begin at 5:30 p.m. on December 6. The parade steps off at 7:30 p.m.
You may have one child on your lap without purchasing a ticket for that child, as long as the child is under the age of 5.
No strollers are allowed in grandstand seats, and parking for strollers will not be provided.
We will have two locations of Grandstand Seating available this year. The first location will be in the TV zone (traffic light #3), which is near the beginning of the parade route. The next location is at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, which is near the middle of the parade route. Each seat will have a great view of the parade.