Experience the magic of winter in the Smokies with the Enchanted Winter of Lights! This special event features a whole mountaintop of stunning light displays, as well as tasty treats, holiday music, and unique shopping opportunities! The best part is that the event is included in your general admission ticket to the park! Here are the top 3 things to know about the Enchanted Winter of Lights at Anakeesta:
1. What to Expect
The Enchanted Winter of Lights is one of Gatlinburg’s biggest celebrations of the winter season, complete with tens of thousands of twinkling lights throughout the park! As if that doesn’t sound exciting enough, the lights are programmed to festive music to add to the fun! This is the perfect time to take a stroll along the boardwalk in the Vista Gardens or experience the iconic TreeTop SkyWalk at night! You can even climb to the top of the AnaVista Tower to gaze down over the sparkling light display and the city of Gatlinburg that sits over 600 feet below! Treat yourself to some holiday goodies too, such as a peppermint hot chocolate or spiced apple cider from Pearl’s Pie in the Sky! If you need to do some holiday shopping, you will love all the gift ideas at the Mercantile, Catching Fireflies, and the Great Outdoors Trading Company!
2. Times, Dates and Location
The Enchanted Winter of Lights runs from early November to mid-February, giving you plenty of times to see the lights, even after the holiday season has ended! The park generally opens at 9 AM each morning, but operating hours may vary. Keep in mind that the park is also closed on some weekdays in January and February. When planning your trip, be sure to consult the official operating schedule to confirm the latest hours. Anakeesta is located in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg at 576 Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738. To reach the top of the mountain, simply choose between the scenic Chondola ride or the Ridge Rambler!
3. Ticket Information
Since the Enchanted Winter of Lights is included with your general admission ticket to Anakeesta, there is no need to purchase a separate ticket for the event. Your ticket also includes unlimited all day access to the Chondola and Ridge Rambler, Treetop Skywalk, Vista Gardens, AnaVista Tower, Tree House Village Adventure, TreeVenture Challenge, and the BearVenture Challenge. There are several thrilling attractions at the park that are available for an extra fee too, including the Dueling Zipline Adventure, Gem Mining and the Rail Runner Mountain Coaster.
Want another way to enjoy the holiday lights in the area? Learn more about riding the Gatlinburg trolley during this time of year!
Where to Stay
Stay less than a mile from Anakeesta with a vacation at our hotel in downtown Gatlinburg! Our affordable hotel is conveniently located directly on the Parkway so that you can be quickly on your way to all of the popular destinations throughout the Smokies, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! While staying with us, choose from a variety of comfortable room types that include a microwave, refrigerator, free wireless Internet access and more! You can also take advantage of our fabulous amenities, including the indoor swimming pool and delicious complimentary breakfast!
Check out all of the rooms at our hotel in Gatlinburg TN today to stay just minutes away from Anakeesta! We look forward to welcoming you to the Smoky Mountains!