10 About Town: December 6 to December 9, 2018
From Christmas parades to historical open houses, there are plenty of holiday events happening in East Tennessee.
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Visitors in Gatlinburg can soak in the Christmas spirit by taking the trolley through town to see the beautiful light displays. The Gatlinburg Trolley Ride of Lights runs November 7 through January 26. Admission is $5.
Starting November 9, the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center is featuring a model train exhibit that will be on display every weekend until January 6. The display will feature a miniature Townsend landscape and a winter wonderland. Tickets start at $4.
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland is set up at Smokies Stadium through the holidays. Drive your car through a Christmas lights display that’s synced to the radio in your car. The light display opens every night at 6 p.m.
Actors at The Flying Anvil theatre are performing ‘The Great American Trailer Park Christmas’ November 18 through December 22. Tickets to this off-beat holiday comedy about a trailer park in Florida start at $16.
Hitch a ride on the ‘Christmas Lantern Express.’ Three Rivers Rambler is decked out for the holidays with holiday treats, story time, and decorations. The two-hour rides begin November 23 and continue every weekend through December 23. Tickets start at $7.50.
Holidays on Ice is open for the winter season. The outdoor skating rink is set up in the middle of Market Square through January 6, except in cases of inclement weather. You can purchase season passes or individual tickets that start at $8.
The River & Rail Theatre Company is performing ‘The Unusual Tale of Mary and Joseph’s Baby’ November 21 through December 23. Tickets to this musical comedy start at $19.
The Clarence Brown Theatre is performing ‘The Santaland Diaries’ November 14 through December 9. This performance “for mature elves only,” is about an elf named Crumpet who experiences some less-than-merry Christmas adventures like being Santa’s helper during the Macy’s Christmas shopping rush.
Actors at Theatre Knoxville have decided to take a turn from their traditional Christmas productions and perform every Christmas Story ever told. The compilation production will fly through Christmas carols, tales, and traditions. Tickets start at $15. The play runs November 23 through December 9.
The Oak Ridge Playhouse is performing ‘Peter Pan’ November 23 through December 9. Tickets start at $20.
Keep your eyes peeled for Santa’s elves. The City of Knoxville is once again hosting its Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt. Kids can pick up a North Pole pass and collect stamps and prizes at participating businesses around town. The elves will be hiding out in Knoxville until January 6.
The Clarence Brown Theatre is performing the classic, ‘A Christmas Carol,’ November 28 through December 22. Tickets start at $18.
Zoo Knoxville is offering $5 off admission tickets during Kroger Discount Days from December 1 through February 28, 2019.
The Lenoir City Christmas parade is Thursday at 6:30 p.m. The parade rolls through historic downtown.
Morristown and the Crossroads Downtown Partnership will host a Christmas parade on Thursday at 7 p.m. The parade will roll down Main Street.
Friday, December 7, 2018
It’s the first Friday of the month, so head downtown for pop-up art galleries, live music, and other ‘First Friday’ fun.
The Knoxville Christmas parade will be Friday at 7 p.m. The 46th annual parade will step off on Church Street and roll down Gay street into the Old City.
The Knoxville Children’s Theatre is performing ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ from November 30 to December 16. Tickets start at $10.
The Rocky Top Christmas parade is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. The parade steps off at 7 p.m. on Main street.
The Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade is Friday evening. The parade steps off at 7:30 p.m. at traffic light 1A on East Parkway.
Take an evening walk through Ijams Nature Center at dusk for the park’s monthly Sunset Stroll event. This month’s topic about how winter impacts the park. The event starts at 5 p.m. and costs $8.
Santas are taking over the Old City. Grab your red suit and beard and ride your sleigh to SantaCon after the Knoxville Christmas parade. Several of the bars in Old City will be participating in the SantaCon pub crawl. The event lasts from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Historian Ray Smith will discuss all the way Oak Ridgers have celebrated the holidays during a special lecture on Friday at 6 p.m. at the ASME auditorium.
The historic Blount Mansion is decorated for Christmas. Bring the entire family to tour through the home for free while listening to carols by the Knoxville Choral Society on Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘The King and I’ is playing at the Tennessee Theater this weekend. Tickets to the Broadway show start at $44.
James White’s Fort is hosting a free Christmas open house on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests will be able to experience an old-fashioned Christmas of the 1800s while enjoying holiday treats.
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is coming to Thompson-Boling Arena on Friday. The rock orchestra will be putting a spin on traditional Christmas music. The show starts at 8 p.m., and tickets range from $40 to $80.
Celebrate Christmas inside a Cave at Cherokee Caverns. The cave is decked out in twinkling lights and you just might spot the big man himself. Tickets are $10. Christmas in the Cave is open from December 7 to December 16.
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Ijams Nature Center hosts a free Creature Feature on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. Visitors will learn about one of the center’s animal ambassadors. Each week it’s a surprise.
Stroll through candlelit cabins on Saturday evening for the Holiday Homecoming Celebration at Norris Dam State Park. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the rustic cabins will be transformed into a winter village full of historical stories, holiday treats, and classic caroling.
The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade will ride through town on Sunday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. the parade will step off at the Corporate Center on Lafayette Drive.
The Christmas story comes alive during the 50th annual Nativity Pageant of Knoxville. The one-hour performance is free and open to the public. Performance times are Saturday and Sunday at 3:30 p.m., and Monday at 7 p.m.
The East Tennessee History Center is hosting a free holiday open house on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eat cookies and sip apple cider as you learn about Knoxville’s past.
The RK Gun Show is at the Knoxville Expo Center this weekend. Doors open at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Need something for the person who has everything? Pretentious Glass Company is hosting its annual holiday sale on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. to help you pick out a one-of-a-kind gift.
Check out the Christmas decorations at the Mabry-Hazen House during its free holiday tours on Saturday and Sunday. There will be historically-inspired refreshments and carolers. Tours are Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Donations are appreciated.
Make your own Christmas wreath at Historic Ramsey house on Saturday from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. The wreath-making workshop costs $35 and includes all of the supplies.
The Knoxville Police Department is hosting its first “A Safety City Christmas” event on Saturday. Families will be able to experience the Safety City park as it’s decorated for Christmas. There will be games, crafts, holiday music, and a visit from Santa. The park will also be open on December 11,13,18, and 20 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, December 9, 2018
The Harlem Globetrotters will be showing off their tricks to Thompson-Boling Arena on Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets start at $23.50
Santas of all shapes and sizes will be running around Sevierville on Sunday for the Santa Hustle 5K and half marathon. The festive race course is lined with cookie and candy stations, and holiday music. Santa costumes are strongly encouraged.
The Leftover Run is Sunday at 2 p.m. to raise money for The Empty Stocking Fund. Registration is $5, and runners are encouraged to bring a bag and fill it with all of the leftover t-shirts and awards from 2018 to be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Tennessee Valley. This is a casual 5K that’s strictly a social event according to organizers.
Do your holiday shopping at Ijams Nature Center on Sunday for the sixth annual Ijams Holiday Marketplace from 11 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be several local artists, crafters, and food vendors.
Historic Westwood is hosting a holiday open house on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The free event includes holiday sweets and refreshments.
The Oak Ridge Community Band will be performing classic Christmas songs on Sunday during their annual holiday concert. Admission is free. The concert is from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Oak Ridge.