Coming December 1st for 2023 is the 48th annual Fantasy Of Lights Christmas Parade in downtown Gatlinburg! Gatlinburg’s most popular Christmas centered event comes marching down Highway 321 to Stoplight #10 at 7:30PM for more than an hour of famous Christmas characters, carolling, floats, marching, clown cars and even drum and pipe bands. All your favorite characters, new and old, famous and maybe some obscure icons from way back in the day, will all be there that evening and you and your kids are going to love it and treasure the memories forever.
That’s how the Fantasy of Lights keeps coming back year after year!
Here’s what Gatlinburg’s official website says to expect for the parade this year:
“The 48th Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023. Featuring a star-studded line-up, the parade holds in store a magical display of decorative floats, festive marching bands, holiday balloons, and of course Santa Clau. The parade will illuminate downtown Gatlinburg with holiday cheer among the 1 million twinkling lights lighting up the downtown Parkway during Gatlinburg’s Winter Magic Celebration. The parade route runs through the middle of downtown Gatlinburg.
Bringing a list of renowned talent to the area, the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade will be joined by several celebrity guests. Rounding out the roster of well-known stars coming to Gatlinburg to ring in the beloved holiday tradition are Rachel Grant, Mark Wills, Canaan Smith and Myron Mixon.
The Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade will step off at 7:30 p.m. at the Baskins Creek Bypass and process throughout the downtown Parkway, ending at Traffic Light #10. The event is free and open to the public. However, due to the popularity of the event, eventgoers are encouraged to arrive early to secure seating and parking. Grandstand VIP seating is available for the parade, offering bleacher seating and a commemorative Santa Hat for $50.
Tree Lighting Ceremony:
City officials will host a grand illumination ceremony of the Gatlinburg Christmas Tree at 7:25 pm on the Parkway Plaza at Traffic Light #3.
Parade Route:
The Parade route begins at Baskins Creek By-Pass, travels to Traffic Light #3, turns south onto the Parkway, and ends at Traffic Light #10.
Grandstand Tickets:
The grandstand seats will be in the TV zone (traffic light #3), which is near the beginning of the parade route. Each seat will have a great view of the parade. Seating for the grandstand will begin at 5:30 PM on December 1. The parade steps off at 7:30 PM.
* You may have one child on your lap without purchasing a ticket for that child, as long as the child is under the age of 5.
* No strollers are allowed in grandstand seats, and parking for strollers will not be provided.
We will have two locations of Grandstand Seating available this year. The first location will be in the TV zone (traffic light #3), which is near the beginning of the parade route. The next location is at the Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, which will is near the middle of the parade route. Each seat will have a great view of the parade.”
See more on the parade at https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/fantasy-of-lights-christmas-parade/36/.
