By Barbara Gibbs Ostmann

The Smoky Mountains literally sparkle in the wintertime. Both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee, poised near the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, celebrate Winterfest from November through February. The activities vary somewhat in each town, but both are decked out in millions of twinkling lights that are guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit.

The Pigeon Forge Winterfest kicks off in early November for four months of holiday spirit, fun, activities, and most noticeably, five million lights. The best way to view the lights is onboard the Trolley Tour of Lights, featuring heated enclosed trolleys with step-on guides. Theaters in Pigeon Forge produce special holiday shows in November and December, and nearby Dollywood becomes a winter wonderland recreation of a traditional Appalachian Christmas celebration. The outlet malls team up to offer The World's Largest Outlet Sale in December—a true shopping frenzy.

Also included in Winterfest are the 18th Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week (January 12-19), 17th Annual Smoky Mountains Storytelling Festival (February 7-9), and the 8th Annual Saddle Up! Festival (February 21-24). During Wilderness Wildlife Week, visitors explore the Smoky Mountains via workshops, lectures, and guided hikes that range from easy walks to strenuous treks. The storytelling festival brings some of the country's finest storytellers to the Smoky Mountains to spin tales of fact and fiction, ranging from folk-lore to ghost stories. West meets southeast during Saddle Up!, which features cowboy poetry, Western music, songwriting workshops, and a Cowboy Clothing Mart.

In Gatlinburg, Winterfest kicks off with a Chili Cook-Off on November 7. During that day's festivities, a flip of a switch will trigger Gatlinburg Winter Magic, the second phase of a three-year roll-out of more than one million dollars of custom-designed LED outdoor lighting displays. The first phase, introduced in 2006, featured winter forest scenes along sections of the Downtown Parkway. This year's addition will illuminate the entire parkway, from one end of town to the other, plus adjacent River Road and the triangular junction of the two. Some of the new lighting displays will feature animals typical of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Next year's lighting additions will include an international zone, Santa area, snowman land, and whimsical children's characters.

Visitors can enjoy the light displays from the comfort of the Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights.

Winter Magic Tunes & Tales also debuts this season. Throughout November and December, visitors can meet storytellers and costumed characters and enjoy caroling and entertainment along the Downtown Parkway every evening.

Other Winterfest activities include the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Holiday Show, the nighttime Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade, old-fashioned hayrides, and a gala New Year's Eve celebration with a street party, ball drop, and fireworks show.

Labels: Christmas, Gatlinburg, Holiday, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee