Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts in Gatlinburg is hosting a juried exhibition of fiber arts that highlights stewardship of America’s National Parks. Visitors can view Piecing Together a Changing Planet through January 14, 2017 at the Sandra J. Blain Gallery at the school. The exhibition features over 25 Stunning Art Quilts featuring the natural beauty of America’s National Parks.
As part of the National Park Service’s Centennial Celebration this year,Piecing Together a Changing Planet quilt exhibition has traveled to nine other national park venues to share the message of climate change awareness. The project is a collaboration between Biscayne National Park and Studio Art Quilt Associates Florida chapter.
All of the quilts were made by members of the association to create awareness of the fragility and beauty of our natural environments due to climate change. These beautifully designed, intricate works are art are sure to inspire! Be sure to see the art quilt with lovely Pink Lady Slipper orchids found in the forests of Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
There will also be quilts on display from Arrowmont’s permanent collection of almost a thousand works of art. These quilts have been created by past students and instructors and share the history of arts and crafts in America.
Gallery hours are from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free. For more information on upcoming classes and programs, visit Arrowmont.org or call 436-5860. Be sure to check out Studio Art Quilt Associates on Facebook!
Yama-Con 2016 in Pigeon Forge is almost here! Mark your calendar for December 2-4, 2016 and head to the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee! Get your cosplay on and show the Smokies what you love about Manga and Anime!
With a slew of celebrity voice actors, musicians and authors, Yama-Con 2016 just gets bigger and better each year! A few of the celebrity guests are Johnny Yong Bosh and his band Eyeshine, Charlet Chung, Kyle Hebert, and David Vincent who are well-known for their voice work. You’ll also meet artists such as Dan Parsons, Scott and Callie West and the Chalk Twins: Lexi and Devon.
The Yama-Con 2016 Cosplay Contest has only 90 slots for entries, so guests are asked to arrive early for pre-judging to guarantee your spot in the contest. Awards will be given for Best in Show, Best Group, Best Prop, Most Accurate, Most in Character, Craftsmenship, Best Youth (12 and under) and Judge’s Pick. No costume will receive two awards.
Be sure to visit the Silent Auction benefiting one of our favorite local charities Pets Without Parents. The auction raised $2,800 for the local “no-kill” animal shelter last year and they hope to beat that amount in 2016 with lots of great items from dealers and artists!
Oh, the guilty pleasures of Disney Karaoke…and then there’s gaming, lots of gaming. No matter if you love role playing games or classic arcade video games. The adrenaline junkie in you will have your passion fulfilled. There’s also an Anime Music Video (AMV) Contest to be judged by convention attendees.
For the over 18 crowd, Yama-Con 2016 presents Senpai Central at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center at the Ramada Inn South in Pigeon Forge. Cosplay After Dark let’s you strut your stuff on stage. Senpai Speed Dating and Friends gives you the opportunity to meet your cosplay dream guy or girl. And the Freaks & Cheeks Burlesque and Variety Review features nerdy, geeky, and pop culture acts you’ll have to see to believe. It is the perfect way to wrap a great event. Senpai Central requires advance reservations which can be made at yamacon.adultprogramming@gmail.com.
Check out HeySmokies video of last year’s Yama-Con at LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge!
For more information on tickets and for a complete schedule of events, visit Yamacon.org.
CANCELLED DUE TO EXTREME DROUGHT CONDITIONS – It’s the Titanic Museum Attraction’s 4th Annual Thanksgiving Fireworks Spectacular and this year guests will be treated to a fun and fanciful Steampunk Parade led by Titanic’s own Fantasy Princess! It all begins at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 24, 2016. Go early though and enjoy all the holiday sights and sounds of this magical museum full of amazing stories!
You are familiar with fireworks, right? And you’re probably familiar with Steampunk too even if you don’t know exactly what it is. Think “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events,” or Scorsese’s film “Hugo” from 2011. That’s Steampunk. It’s a sub-genre of science fiction and fantasy that often combines 19th Century British Victorian history, when steam-powered mechanics was exciting and new, with science fiction/fantasy. (There’s also the whole Steampunk thing with the American Wild West, but that’s for another day.)
Titanic was considered the “ultimate steam machine” in 1912 and today she is regarded as an iconic symbol of Steampunk culture. So get ready to enjoy a fabulous parade of fanciful Steampunk revelers on Thanksgiving evening at Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge!
Make plans to arrive early and tour the museum as it’s beatifully decorated for the holiday season. Titanic Museum will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. For ticket prices and more information, visit Titanic Museum Attraction or call 800-381-7670.
The top Christmas Holiday Shows in the Smokies: 2016 Edition are filled with lively entertainment sure to please and offer a great way to celebrate the season with family and friends. With Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN offering the most venues for live entertainment in the Smoky Mountains, you have your choice of 11 Top Christmas Holiday Shows in the Smokies!
While you’re taking in all the twinkling lights of Smoky Mountain Winterfest or shopping until you drop, be sure to take in a show or two…or four! The Smokies come to life with holiday music and fun this season!
A Comedy Barn Christmas, Pigeon Forge
It’a a holiday filled with laughter as only the Comedy Barn can deliver this season. They’ve traded in the overalls, well some of them, for some really funny Christmas costumes and they’ll be singing and clogging and laughing all the way through to the new year! And don’t forget those darling Comedy Barn Canines that are sure to warm your heart this Christmas! For ticket prices and reservations, visit A Comedy Barn Christmas or call 865-428-5222 or 800-29-LAUGH.
Christmas Show at Dixie Stampede,Pigeon Forge
Guests will enjoy a 4-course meal and 32 majestic horses at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede; however during the holidays, the arena is transformed into a snowy magical forest complete with a Live Nativitity scene and Sugar Plum Fairy Parade. Of course, there’s the friendly competition between the elves of the North and South Poles where you can join the fun! For ticket prices and reservations, visit Christmas at Dixie or call 865-453-4400.
Christmas at The Smoky Mountain Opry, Pigeon Forge
Christmas at The Smoky Mountain Opry features award-winning aerialists, ice skaters, and live animals including donkey, camels and a rare white lion. You’ll be amazed as angels take flight with laser light effects and a special winter’s snowfall, this is one show that’s sure to become a Christmas favorite. For ticket prices and reservations, visit Christmas at The Smoky Mountain Opry or call 865-428-7469. Also, don’t miss the Smith Family Christmas Morning Show with Charlie Bob Smith and friends at 10:30 a.m.
Christmas in the Smokies Bluegrass Festival,Pigeon Forge
This year’s annual Christmas in the Smokies Bluegrass Festival will be held December 7-10, 2016 at the Ramada Inn & Smoky Mountain Convention Center. With dozens of bluegrass musical acts and workshops, you’ll see why this festival has folks coming back year after year for some of the region’s finest bluegrass music presented by Jordan Entertainment. For tickets and information, visit Christmas in the Smokies Bluegrass Festival or call 919-779-5672.
Country Tonite’s Smoky Mountain Christmas,Pigeon Forge
Relax, sit back and be transported into a colorful winter wonderland at the “2016 Best Show Winner” by readers of local newspaper, The Mountain Press. Country Tonite’s Smoky Mountain Christmas show features all the holiday classics performed by their talented cast of singers and dancers. For ticket prices and reservations, visit County Tonite Smoky Mountain Christmas or call 865-453-2003.
Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Lumberjack Adventure Dinner Show,Pigeon Forge
With a brand-new holiday adventure, Dolly’s team weaves a heart-warming tale of two lumberjack families who live in the forests of Timber Ridge where the world’s best Christmas trees are grown. Problem is Timber Ridge is also home to an old, worn-out sawmill. A special visitor comes to lend a hand, or axe, and helps show the families the true spirit of the holiday. For ticket prices and reservations, visit Lumberjack Adventure or call 844-322-4400.
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas,Pigeon Forge
New this season, is the production of “It’s A Wonderful Life” along with Dolly’s special Parade of Many Colors each evening. Some other great live shows at Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas include “An Appalachian Christmas,” “Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs,” and “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” For tickets and more info, visit Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas or call 800-365-5996.
Hatfield & McCoy’s Christmas Disaster Dinner Show,Pigeon Forge
Pa Hatfield and Ma McCoy declare they put the FUN in dysFUNctional, so join these two feuding families for great dinner and a lively show as they try to just get along during the holidays! Hilarious mayhem ensues along with a lot of good singin’ and dancin’! For ticket prices and reservations visit Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show or call 800-985-5494.
iMPOSSiBiLiTiES Winter Magic, Gatlinburg
Spend a wonderful winter evening at the Iris Theater in the Gatlinburg Space Needle with the magical comedy of funny men Chris Collins and Erik Dobell. iMPOSSiBiLiTies Magic Mindreading & Mayhem serves up holiday fun for the entire family. Kids of all ages love these guys! For ticket prices and reservations, visit Impossibilities Magic Mindreading & Mayhem or call 888-482-3330.
Sweet Fanny Adam’s “Mistletoe & Malarky,”Gatlinburg
They’re celebrating their 40th holiday season at Sweet Fanny Adams with the production of “Mistletoe and Malarkey.” Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre serves up another hilarious Vaudeville style holiday show featuring their very own unique take on the 12 Days of Christmas. Enjoy song, dance, and comedy all with Sweet Fannie’s special flair for the holidays! For ticket prices and reservations, visit Sweet Fanny Adams or call 877-388-5784.
“The Christmas Story” at Biblical Times Theater,Pigeon Forge
Biblical Times Dinner Theater recreates “The Christmas Story” through the prophetic eyes of Simeon and with amazing 3-D holographs for a one-of-a-kind show. This year, the first half of the show features traditional, Victorian English songs and costumes along with a delicious prime-rib dinner. For ticket prices and reservations, visit Biblical Times Christmas Story or call 865-908-3327.
Winterfest 2016 in the Great Smoky Mountains! Come celebrate the season at Smoky Mountain Winterfest beginning November 7, 2016 all the way through to February 28, 2017! Smoky Mountain Winterfest features over 14 million twinkling lights in enchanting displays throughout Sevier County, Tennessee! Check out all the great Special Events that make Winterfest 2016 in the Smoky Mountains a true celebration of lights!
November 4, 2016 – January 8, 2017 Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland at Smokies Stadium Dusk to 10:00 pm or later on weekends
The ever popular Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland is an exciting and fun drive-thru musical light show featuring hundreds of LED lights. New this year is the Santa Safari display! Don’t forget to get out of your car and enjoy the activities (like pony rides!) and refreshments at Santa’s Village where the big guy in red will be making special guest appearances! For more information and ticket prices visit shadrackchristmas.com.
November 5, 2016 – January 3, 2017 Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas
No one gets quite as excited about Christmas as Dolly Parton and to celebrate this year she’s added a Parade of Many Colors to the holiday traditions at her theme park! Beginning on November 16 at 8:00 p.m. guests will enjoy a parade to celebrate her new NBC holiday movie, “Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.” Also new this season, is the production of “It’s a Wonderful Life” showing at the Showstreet Theater. For more information and ticket prices, visit dollywood.com.
November 8, 2016 – February 28, 2017 Winterfest Lights Self-Guided Driving Tour 6:00 pm nightly
Pick up a tour guide there and see the city’s millions of twinkling lights from the comfort of your own car. Tour guides available at the Pigeon Forge Welcome Center at traffic light #0. For more info, call the City of Pigeon Forge Dept. of Tourism at 800-588-1817.
November 9 – January 31, 2016 Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights and Winterfest Lights Self-Guided Driving Tour 6:30 pm, 7:30 pm, and 8:30 pm
Specially designated trolleys tour guests through downtown Gatlinburg’s one-of-a-kind LED light displays. It’s a magical journey through a winter forest of evergreens with foxes, rabbits, squirrels, and even dancing snowmen! Tickets are $5 (children 3 and under are free). Self-guided tour maps are also available at Gatlinburg Welcome Centers. For more information, call Gatlinburg Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-588-1817.
November 27 – December 17, 2016 Winter Magic Tunes & Tales in Downtown Gatlinburg Begins at 5:00 pm nightly on weekends
In downtown Gatlinburg on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas enjoy the sights and sounds of costumed a capella carolers and other musical performers as they stroll along The Parkway entertaining visitors and getting everyone into the holiday spirit. For more information on Gatlinburg’s Tunes & Tales street performance festival, visit them on Facebook!
Friday, December 2, 2016 41st Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade in Downtown Gatlinburg 7:30 pm
This award-winning parade featuring floats full of twinkling lights, marching bands, and balloons attracts hundreds that line the streets of The Parkway each year to enjoy all the holiday fun. Grand marshal of the parade is, of course, ol’ St. Nick himself! Bring your lawn chair or this year the City of Gatlinburg is offering special bleacher seating for $20. For more info and to purchase tickets online, visit Gatlinburg Christmas Parade Bleacher Seating or call the Gatlinburg Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-588-1817.
Saturday, December 3, 2016 54th Annual Christmas Parade in Sevierville 11:00 am
On this Saturday morning the City of Sevierville celebrates with a more traditional, hometown parade featuring local pageant winners, baton twirlers, dance teams, marching bands, and floats. Santa didn’t stay up too late in Gatlinburg the night before, so he’ll be ready to greet everyone along Forks of the River Parkway and Court Avenue in downtown Sevierville. For more info, please call 865-453-6411.
Saturday, December 31, 2016 New Year’s Eve Celebration at The Island in Pigeon Forge 6:00 pm
The Island in Pigeon Forge welcomes Jackie Lee to the stage as part of the celebration for the whole family! Have all kinds of fun until the big countdown at midnight complete with fireworks! For more info on the free event, visit islandinpigeonforge.com.
Saturday, December 31, 2016 New Year’s Eve Concert Ball Drop in Gatlinburg 10:00 pm
All the fun begins this year at 10:00 p.m. with a free concert by popular country music star Beau Braswell and rising country star Cassidy Diana. The concert takes place in the area adjacent to the Gatlinburg Convention Center near traffic light #8. Then seconds before the stroke of midnight, the lighted ball will drop from roof of the 400-ft. tall Space Needle to specially choreographed music. The Space Needle is located near the intersection of The Parkway and Historic Nature Trail at traffic light #8. For more information, call the Gatlinburg CVB at 800-588-1817.
