Discover the magic of Northeast Tennessee this holiday season. Our charming mountain towns and urban landscapes are adorned with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and fun filled events, creating the perfect backdrop to share your heart for the holidays.
With more than 100 events celebrating the season, we’ve handpicked a few holiday favorites for locals and visitors to experience the magic of Christmas touched with southern hospitality.
Bristol Motor Speedway in Lights
Bristol Motor Speedway transforms into an enchanting holiday celebration that’s a light show you simply cannot miss. Guests take in thousands of sparkling lights creating masterful scenes with moving characters and a Christmas Village. Drive through a land filled with dinosaurs, go under water with the fishies, embark through a swirling light tunnel, and be among the first to see the new santa safari. The roar of motors, and rumbling of the race are traded as you take your own vehicle on the track in search of the iconic Christmas Village where Santa will be waiting. Speedway in Lights takes place Nov. 14 – Jan. 4. Advance tickets are encouraged.
Holidays in Elizabethton
Exploring downtown Elizabethton and the surrounding area has never seemed more enticing than during this holiday season. Holiday music fills the covered sidewalks with several events dedicated to supporting the local businesses that give this sweet town its flavor. With names like the clever (and tasty) Holiday Sip and Shop, and extended hours during the Holiday Wrap-Up, it’s easy to find a perfect gift and maybe something for yourself.
Handmade in Erwin
The small outdoor town of Erwin shows up for the holidays in a big way. From handmade holiday markets, a traditional Christmas parade and tree lighting, to shopping for your next hiking adventure, and farm to table feasts, Erwin makes for a great day trip close to home. The downtown Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting will take place Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. And, the treasured candlelight Nativity Parade will take place Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.
Historic Greeneville
The Olde Towne of Greeneville is an inspiring destination to spend the holidays with the echoes of Christmases past lingering in the streets. The historic buildings take on a new character with holiday themes. A visit to the General Morgan Inn should be at the top of your list, followed by a fireside sip of cocoa or treat from Brumley’s Restaurant. The award-winning Southern Sanctuaries tour typically takes place on a Saturday in December. Eight downtown places of worship open their doors during this event, some dating back to the 1700s, and will be sure to put you in the Christmas spirit with traditional hymns and décor.
Johnson City’s Candyland Christmas
This urban downtown greenscape transforms into a wonderland of twinkling lights with more than 180 festive trees. King Commons, Founders Park, and Commerce Street shine as businesses decorate themed trees in what has become a sweet and cherished tradition. This illuminating event is free and provides the perfect backdrop for that new holiday selfie. Be sure to stop by the downtown Johnson City Visitors Center before lunch or dinner to immerse yourself in all this outdoor town has to offer. Candyland Christmas takes place Nov. 30 – Jan. 5.
Christmas in Olde Jonesborough
If the nostalgia of Christmas traditions inspire you, than there is no better place to visit than Jonesborough this holiday season. The oldest town in Tennessee is undeniably charming, and they embrace each season by adorning their brick sidewalks in historic fashion for the occasion. The entire downtown transforms into a magical Christmas village that looks like it was pulled right from a Hallmark Christmas movie. Just walking the colorful decorated streets is enough to fill you with holiday cheer, but the town doesn’t stop there. The calendar is filled with weekly events every Saturday from Thanksgiving to Christmas, as well as historic home tours, storytelling concerts, and more.
Kingsport Santa Train & Santa’s Depot
Trains have always been a big part of the Christmas season from The Polar Express to battery-powered toy locomotives chugging around the tree. The CSX Santa Train is a long-standing tradition that pairs the excitement of the iron horse with the gift-giving joy of the jolly big man himself. The train will ride from Kentucky through Virginia and reach its final destination in Kingsport at Santa’s Depot. Join in on the fun with games, gifts, and even snow as the train hisses to a stop, and Santa makes his final appearance. This heartwarming event is a longstanding Appalachian Mountain holiday tradition and takes place on Nov. 23 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Mountain City’s Christmas on Main
The award-winning Christmas on Main in downtown Mountain City is worth the drive through the scenic mountains on Dec. 7. With more than six events in one day, a day of rest and relaxation in a nearby cabin rental may need to be part of the plan. Christmas on Main includes a festival dedicated to trees, cookies with Santa, Christmas Village shopping and treats, an official parade and tree lighting, and even live theatre performances.
Family Fun in Rogersville
Sticking with the Christmas movie theme, Rogersville serves as the perfect small town for a getaway to put you in the Christmas spirit. Stay in the historic Hale Springs Inn, savor coffee with a local barista, and walk the streets lined with decorations and lamp posts lit for the season. With family fun events like cookies with Santa, a Christmas carnival, pizza making and holiday crafts, Rogersville should make your list of best kept holiday secrets for the season.
Heart for the Holidays
With so many Christmas events in Northeast Tennessee, you’ll have a hard time picking where to sparkle with all the holiday fun. Heart for the Holidays is more than just a festive slogan; it’s a call to action to support local businesses. By shopping local, you’re not only getting unique gifts and experiences, but also investing in communities. Every dollar spent at a local business has a ripple effect, benefiting jobs, families, and the overall economy. So, this holiday season, let’s show our love for our local businesses and make a difference.
Written by Chris Dodge for Northeast Tennessee Tourism.
