No one celebrates the holiday season like the city of Gatlinburg! Starting in November, this mountain resort city is transformed into a winter wonderland featuring dazzling Christmas lights and live entertainment. All of the fun will take place in downtown Gatlinburg, and Stony Brook has a great collection of vacation rentals close to the Winter Magic events. To help you make the most of your vacation, we've put together a guide to the festivities and a list of downtown Gatlinburg cabins minutes away from the action.
Winter Magic in Gatlinburg officially begins on November 12 when the city's millions of holiday lights are switched on. To celebrate the start of the season, downtown Gatlinburg will host its annual Chili Cookoff. The area's best local chefs will serve thousands of cups of chili as they compete for the prestigious People's Choice Award. A highlight of the event is the hot-chili eating contest, in which brave souls sample increasingly spicy bowls of this signature Smoky Mountain dish. Music for the Chili Cookoff will be provided by local favorite EmiSunshine and the Nashville based country singer Sonia Leigh. Tickets for guests who plan on eating chili are $10 and can be purchased on the official Winter Magic Kickoff & Chili Cookoff website. The fun will last from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
One of the very best ways to see the holiday lights is a ride on the Gatlinburg Trolley! From November 12, 2014 - January 25, 2015, Gatlinburg will offer special 'œTrolley Rides of Lights. Guests will enjoy an incredible guided tour of the millions of LED lights set up along the downtown Parkway, River Road, and Highway 321. You can expect to see plenty of Christmas themed lights along with designs depicting Smoky Mountain animals.
Visitors in Gatlinburg between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve will be greeted with free entertainment every Friday and Saturday night! Musicians, artisans, storytellers, and dancers will line the Parkway, spreading holiday cheer and sharing Smoky Mountain culture. Just head downtown between 5:00 and 9:30 p.m. to experience this beloved Gatlinburg tradition.
When you stay with Stony Brook, you'll be right around the corner from these awesome Winter Magic events! Here are five of our most popular Gatlinburg cabins that are only three miles away from downtown Gatlinburg:
- Point of View has four bedrooms and sleeps 10. This excellent log cabin features a private sauna, a gas fireplace, and high speed wireless internet.
- Honey Bear Hideaway is a 4 bedroom log cabin with room for 12. Guests will love this vacation rental's mountain themed furniture, fully equipped kitchen, and bubbly Jacuzzi tub.
- Clear View certainly lives up to its name! This three bedroom cabin with room for eight features breathtaking mountain views in addition to the very best amenities. Clear View is also pet friendly, so your four legged friend can come on vacation too!
- Heavenly Haven has four bedrooms and sleeps 10. With a hot tub overlooking the mountains, a toasty private sauna, and a fully furnished kitchen, this fantastic cabin has everything you need for a stellar vacation in Gatlinburg.