There’s something extra magical about spending Christmas in the Smoky Mountains. Twinkling lights, mountain views, holiday shows, cozy evenings and plenty of Christmas cheer make the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg area a wonderful place for a holiday getaway.
If you’re staying at Bear Waves Smoky Mountain Pool Cabin, here are a few of our favorite ways to make your Smoky Mountain Christmas memorable!
🎄 Experience Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas
A Christmas trip to the Smokies wouldn’t be complete without Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas. From November 6, 2026 through January 3, 2027, Dollywood transforms into a Christmas wonderland with more than six million twinkling lights, holiday shows, seasonal food, Christmas shopping and festive attractions.
👉 Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas
✨ Take a Christmas Lights Drive
Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are filled with beautiful Christmas light displays during the holiday season. Pigeon Forge Winterfest features millions of lights throughout town, and the Wonders of Light Walking Trail along the Riverwalk is a fun, free way to stretch your legs and enjoy the decorations.
Sevierville also celebrates the season with its Winterfest events, including the annual Christmas parade and Christmas at the Courthouse.
👉 Pigeon Forge Winterfest
👉 Sevierville Winterfest
🎅 Visit The Incredible Christmas Place
Want to keep Christmas shopping on the itinerary? The Incredible Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge is a Christmas-lover’s dream, with decorations, ornaments, gifts and plenty of holiday displays. It’s open year-round, but visiting during the Christmas season makes the experience even more festive.
The Incredible Christmas Place
👉 The Incredible Christmas Place
🐴 See Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Stampede
For a holiday evening the whole family can enjoy, check out Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Stampede. The 2026 Christmas celebration runs October 28, 2026 through January 2, 2027, featuring holiday entertainment, spectacular horses, a live nativity and a four-course dinner.
Dolly Parton’s Stampede
👉 Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Stampede
🐠 Have an Indoor Adventure
Not every Christmas day in the Smokies comes with sunshine, and that’s okay! Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg is a great rainy or chilly-day option. Explore the aquarium’s underwater exhibits, see penguins and sharks, and enjoy some family time indoors.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
👉 Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
🎁 Then Come Home to Bear Waves
After a day of Christmas lights, holiday shows and exploring the Smokies, head back to Bear Waves Smoky Mountain Pool Cabin for some Christmas downtime.
Take a dip in your private indoor pool, soak in the hot tub, gather around the fireplace, challenge the family to a game in the loft or simply relax and enjoy time together.
That’s one of our favorite things about a Smoky Mountain Christmas: you can fill your days with adventure and still have a cozy place to come home to at night.
🎄 Retreat. Rest. Reconnect. Recreate.
Make Bear Waves part of your Christmas tradition in the Smoky Mountains!
