Best Places to Eat at Dollywood
Planning a trip to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee? Come hungry! Dollywood is known for more than thrilling rides, incredible shows and beautiful Smoky Mountain scenery—it also has some seriously good Southern food.
From family-style country cooking at Aunt Granny’s Restaurant and smoky barbecue at Hickory House BBQ to hearty skillet meals at Market Square and sweet treats from Spotlight Bakery, there’s something for everyone.
And no trip to Dollywood is complete without trying the famous Cinnamon Bread from The Grist Mill. Warm, gooey and covered in cinnamon and sugar, it has become one of Dollywood’s most iconic treats.
Our Dollywood Food Favorites
Some places to add to your Dollywood food list include Aunt Granny’s Restaurant, Granny Ogle’s Ham ’n’ Beans, Hickory House BBQ, Front Porch Café, Market Square BIG SKILLET, Till & Harvest Food Hall, Red’s Drive-In, Miss Lillian’s, Spotlight Bakery and The Grist Mill.
Make It a Smoky Mountain Getaway
After a full day exploring Dollywood, escape the crowds and relax in the Smoky Mountains with AirBear Vacation Rentals.
Our vacation rentals put you close to Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains National Park while giving you a comfortable place to relax after a busy day of rides, shows and great food.
Stay at Casa in the Sky and enjoy an unforgettable Mount LeConte view, a private hot tub, game room, spacious outdoor areas and a dog-friendly vacation experience.
Relax, Hike, Breathe Deep… Then Sleep Like a Bear.
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10 Best Things to Do in Pigeon Forge in December
December is one of the most magical times to visit Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains. Millions of Christmas lights illuminate the Parkway, Dollywood transforms for the holidays, Christmas shows fill the theaters, and the Smoky Mountains provide a beautiful winter backdrop.
If you're planning a December vacation to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, here are 10 things you won't want to miss.
1. Experience Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas
Dollywood is a must during the Christmas season. The park comes alive with more than six million twinkling lights, beautiful Christmas decorations, holiday entertainment, seasonal foods and rides. Stay until after dark when the park is at its most spectacular.
2. See the Pigeon Forge Winterfest Lights
Take an evening drive along the Pigeon Forge Parkway and enjoy the incredible Winterfest displays. Millions of lights and larger-than-life holiday scenes transform Pigeon Forge into a Christmas wonderland.
3. Walk the Wonders of Light
Bundle up and enjoy the Winterfest Wonders of Light Walking Trail along the Pigeon Forge Riverwalk. This free attraction features illuminated displays inspired by the Smoky Mountains and is a great activity for families.
4. Celebrate Christmas at The Island
Visit The Island in Pigeon Forge after dark to see its giant Christmas tree, sparkling decorations and fountain shows. Grab dinner, do some Christmas shopping and watch for special holiday activities and Santa appearances on select dates.
5. Ride the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel
See Pigeon Forge's Christmas lights from above! The 200-foot Great Smoky Mountain Wheel offers beautiful views of Pigeon Forge and the surrounding mountains. An evening ride during Winterfest is especially memorable.
6. See Dolly Parton’s Stampede Christmas Show
Christmas at Dolly Parton's Stampede combines beautiful horses, holiday music, festive costumes, special effects and a four-course dinner. It's one of Pigeon Forge's classic Christmas traditions.
7. Visit the Titanic Museum Attraction
Step aboard the Titanic Museum Attraction and explore hundreds of artifacts and interactive exhibits while learning the stories of Titanic's passengers and crew. It's also an excellent indoor activity for a cold or rainy December day.
8. See the Country Tonite Christmas Show
Enjoy Christmas music, dancing, colorful costumes and elaborate holiday sets at the Country Tonite Christmas Show. It's a fun evening activity for families visiting Pigeon Forge during December.
9. Experience Christmas at Array
Add another festive evening to your trip with Christmas at Array, featuring holiday music, dancing and elaborate Christmas-themed sets.
10. Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Don't spend your entire Christmas vacation indoors! December brings a quieter side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with beautiful winter views and fewer crowds than many warmer months. Weather and road conditions can change quickly, so check current conditions before heading into the mountains.
Make AirBear Your Home for Christmas in the Smokies 🎄
After a day exploring Pigeon Forge, Dollywood and the Great Smoky Mountains, come home to Casa in the Sky by AirBear Vacation Rentals.
Located approximately 2 miles behind Dollywood and 4 miles from Pigeon Forge, Casa in the Sky combines convenience with an incredible 180-degree view of Mt. LeConte.
During the holiday season, the cabin is fully decorated for Christmas, making it an especially cozy place for a December Smoky Mountain getaway. Relax in the hot tub, warm up by the seasonal fireplace, enjoy the mountain views or spend the evening together playing pool and games.
🐾 Dog-friendly
🔥 Hot tub & seasonal fireplace
🏔️ Spectacular Mt. LeConte views
🎄 Fully decorated for Christmas
🎱 Pool table & game entertainment
📍 Minutes from Dollywood and Pigeon Forge
Whether you're visiting for Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas, Pigeon Forge Winterfest or a family Christmas vacation in the Smokies, Casa in the Sky gives you a comfortable home base close to the area's most popular attractions.
Relax, Hike, Breathe Deep, then Sleep Like a Bear.
AirBear Vacation Rentals | Pigeon Forge & the Smoky Mountains
Best Christmas Shows at Dollywood for Christmas 2026 🎄
There’s nothing quite like Christmas in the Smoky Mountains, and Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas is one of the biggest reasons to visit Pigeon Forge during the holiday season. From November 6, 2026 through January 3, 2027, Dollywood transforms into a Christmas wonderland filled with millions of sparkling lights, holiday music, festive food and special Christmas entertainment.
If you’re planning a Christmas getaway to Pigeon Forge, here are some of the holiday experiences to put on your Dollywood list:
🎄 Christmas in the Smokies
One of Dollywood’s signature holiday traditions, Christmas in the Smokies combines a live band, talented singers and dancers with traditional Christmas music and the story of the first Christmas. The show takes place in Celebrity Theater and has been a holiday tradition at Dollywood for more than 35 years.
🎁 ’Twas the Night Before Christmas
Head to Pines Theater for this family-friendly Christmas production featuring the Baxter family and their larger-than-life mouse friends as they experience a special Christmas miracle. It’s a fun choice for families visiting Dollywood with children.
⭐ O Holy Night
Presented at Valley Theater, O Holy Night is a moving living-Nativity musical that tells the story of a little girl searching for an angel while three shepherds follow a star. It’s one of the more traditional and meaningful Christmas experiences at Dollywood.
🪕 Appalachian Christmas
Experience Christmas with a Smoky Mountain twist at Back Porch Theater. Appalachian Christmas features acoustic bluegrass music and traditional Appalachian sounds that perfectly complement a holiday trip to the Tennessee mountains.
❄️ Snow in the Grove
Visit Wildwood Grove after dark for Snow in the Grove, a special immersive Christmas experience featuring the Wildwood Tree, synchronized lights, holiday music and real snow. It’s a wonderful way to finish an evening at Dollywood.
On select nights, guests can also experience Merry & Bright, Holiday Light!, when fireworks illuminate the sky above Dollywood accompanied by Christmas music.
Stay Near Dollywood at Casa in the Sky 🐻
Make your Dollywood Christmas trip even more memorable with a stay at Casa in the Sky by AirBear Vacation Rentals. Located approximately 2 miles behind Dollywood, our mountain cabin keeps you close to the holiday fun while giving you a peaceful place to relax at the end of the day.
Casa in the Sky features 2 bedrooms plus a loft, 2 bathrooms, a private hot tub, pool table, PS5, 75-inch TV and breathtaking panoramic views toward Mt. LeConte. Best of all, the cabin is fully decorated for Christmas, making your Smoky Mountain getaway feel festive from the moment you arrive.
And because Casa in the Sky is dog-friendly, your four-legged family members can come along for the Christmas adventure too!
Relax, Hike, Breathe Deep then Sleep like a Bear.
Book your Christmas getaway directly with AirBear Vacation Rentals and enjoy a cozy mountain retreat just minutes from Dollywood, Pigeon Forge and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
