christmas at anakeesta gatlinburg
October 29, 2025

Anakeesta lights up the holiday season with their special Christmas event that kicks off in mid-November and runs all the way until early January! This is the perfect time to celebrate the magic of the holidays with the whole family as you enjoy millions of twinkling lights, enchanting live entertainment, fire pits, hot cocoa, and much more! Here are the top 5 reasons why you’ll love the Enchanted Christmas event at Anakeesta:

1. Spectacular Holiday Light Displays

gatlinburg christmas lights

Enchanted Christmas at Anakeesta features over a million sparkling lights to make the beauty of the season come alive! There is nothing like exploring the mountaintop theme park as it is illuminated by the spectacular holiday light displays, filling your heart with the joys of the Christmas season! This is an exciting opportunity to get into the holiday spirit and take some incredible photos with your family and friends during your Gatlinburg winter vacation!

2. Tasty Seasonal Food and Drinks

Another one of the top reasons why you’ll love the Enchanted Christmas event at Anakeesta is because of all the tasty seasonal food and drinks! From flaky smoked turkey pastries and loaded holiday potatoes to gooey s’mores crêpes, molten chocolate cake, and red velvet cheesecake, each bite is crafted to warm you up and make the season bright!

You also won’t want to miss the Hot Cocoa Crawl, where you can sample a variety of delicious cocoa flavors as you explore the park! If you complete the crawl by tasting them all, you’ll receive a complimentary souvenir mug ornament to remember your sweet adventure!

3. Festive Live Entertainment

While sipping on your hot cocoa and relaxing by the warmth of a fire pit, enjoy the festive live entertainment in the park! From toe-tappin’ country tunes and heartwarming carols to a high-energy elf adventure bursting with song, dance, and holiday cheer, every show fills the mountain with festive fun and the spirit of the season!

4. Unique Holiday Shopping Opportunities

gatlinburg christmas shopping

Anakeesta is home to a variety of unique specialty shops where you’re sure to find something for everyone on your holiday shopping list! Willow’s Workshop toy store is perfect for the little ones in your family, while Catching Fireflies is a whimsical shop filled with women’s apparel, sparkling jewelry, and charming home accents!

If you want to pick up some merchandise with the Anakeesta logo, browse through the Adventure Outpost for t-shirts, hoodies, hats, key chains, and more! Other stores at Anakeesta include the Mercantile, Fur Trader, and Great Outdoors Trading Company.

5. Breakfast with Santa

On select dates throughout December, kids can have breakfast with Santa at Anakeesta! This wonderful morning with Santa features early park access, a delicious breakfast, live entertainment, arts and crafts, a photo with Santa, and a special seasonal souvenir! You’ll want to make a reservation as early as possible to secure a spot for this popular event!

Where to Stay Near Anakeesta

Our vacation rentals in Gatlinburg TN are conveniently located close to all of the action; some are even within walking distance to Anakeesta. Take a look at all of our Gatlinburg condo locations and amenities to start planning your Christmas getaway to the Smokies!

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