The Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade ushers in the holiday season the first Friday in December, ringing in 50years 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. 

The Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade will step off at 7:30 p.m. and the Parade route begins at the intersection of Baskins Creek Bypass and East Parkway, travels to Traffic Light No. 3, turns south onto the Parkway and ends at Traffic Light No. 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.

Can't make it to the parade? Watch live on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

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

Tree Lighting Ceremony:
City officials will host a grand illumination ceremony of the Gatlinburg Christmas Tree at 7:25 PM on the Parkway Plaza at Traffic Light #3.

Parade Route:
The Parade route begins at Baskins Creek By-Pass, travels to Traffic Light #3, turns south onto the Parkway, and ends at Traffic Light #10.

Know before you go - use this handy GUIDE for parade planning tips!

Lane Closure Information:
The outbound lanes of East Parkway will be switched to one lane to make room for float staging at 4:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon. The inbound lane will be closed at approximately 6:50 p.m. All traffic on 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 PM. The parade steps off at 7:30 PM.

• 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 and Visitors Bureau, which will is near the middle of the parade route. Each seat will have a great view of the parade. 

BUY GRANDSTAND TICKETS

Volunteer

We need volunteers for multiple different aspects of this event. Balloon handlers, banner carriers, judges, integration, and so much more. People of all ages can volunteer for this event! 

Sign up to volunteer