sunrise over Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Top 3 Reasons Why You Need to Experience the Lights Over Gatlinburg Event

lights over gatlinburg
November 27, 2024

One of the most festive holiday events in the Smoky Mountains is Lights Over Gatlinburg, where the Gatlinburg SkyPark brightens up the night with thousands of twinkling and sparkling Christmas lights! This is one of the best opportunities to get into the holiday spirit and enjoy a magical night with your family and friends during Winterfest! Here are the top 3 reasons why you need to experience the Lights Over Gatlinburg event:

1. Spectacular Light Displays

The top reason why you need to experience Lights Over Gatlinburg is to enjoy all of the spectacular light displays that shimmer at the top of the Gatlinburg SkyPark! These include a tunnel of lights across the entire length of the SkyBridge and a gorgeous 30-foot Christmas tree that is animated to music! This family-friendly event will delight guests of all ages, from grandparents to toddlers! As a bonus, you can see the shining lights of Winterfest in downtown Gatlinburg from a bird’s eye view as you ride the SkyLift back down from the top of the mountain!

2. Included With SkyLift Park Admission

gatlinburg skybridge during winterfest

One of the great things about the Lights Over Gatlinburg event is that it is included as part of your paid admission into Gatlinburg SkyPark! Your ticket provides unlimited, all-day access to all the unique activities and experiences, such as the SkyLift, SkyBridge, and SkyDeck until closing! This means you can visit the attraction during the morning or afternoon to enjoy the panoramic views of the Smoky Mountains, then go back during the evening hours to view all the lights! There are separate admission prices for adults ages 12 to 64, juniors ages 6 to 11, and seniors 65 and over. Children ages 5 and under are admitted for free!

3. Festive Food & Entertainment

Your family will love experiencing the magic of the holiday season in the Smoky Mountains at the SkyPark. Amongst the dazzling light displays, photo opportunities away for the perfect family Christmas photo, and since the attraction is pet-friendly, your four-legged members of the family can be included too. Enjoy hot cocoa or cider by the firepits on the SkyDeck, visit with Santa on select days, and take home a piece of custom artwork made by a local caricature artist!

Where to Stay

Sidney James hotel at night

Enjoy a lovely winter vacation with a stay at the Sidney James Mountain Lodge! Our affordable Gatlinburg hotel is conveniently located in a quiet location on Historic Nature Trail and is within easy walking distance of downtown Gatlinburg so you can walk to the Gatlinburg SkyLift for your journey up to the Lights Over Gatlinburg event! We’re located next to a trolley stop, so you can also enjoy free transportation around town and find plenty of fun attractions, shops, and restaurants just minutes away from our hotel! While staying with us this winter, go for a swim in our heated indoor swimming pool or warm your bones in our hot tub or sauna!

Check out all of the rooms at our hotel in downtown Gatlinburg today to stay close to the Gatlinburg SkyPark for access to Lights Over Gatlinburg! We look forward to seeing you soon at the Sidney James Mountain Lodge!