It’s time to cuddle up, sip hot cocoa around the fire, enjoy the winter weather, and experience the magic of the Christmas season in Gatlinburg! If you have little ones, you already know how much they love a visit with Santa. Fortunately, the Gatlinburg area offers plenty of festive and magical opportunities to meet everyone’s favorite man from the North Pole. We’ve compiled a list of places where you and your kids can see Santa this year to make your trip as full of Christmas spirit as possible!
Santa’s Claus-et
Maybe it’s not quite Christmas time, but your kids already have the Christmas itch. Gatlinburg delivers with Santa’s Claus-et, which features visits from Santa all year round! The shop is a festive wonderland of Christmas decor and memorabilia that you can browse after your kids enjoy a photo op with Saint Nick. Free food samples and endless merchandise make this stop a must-see! Check the website before visiting to make sure Santa will be there.
Photos with Santa at Ripley’s
Starting November 14th, Santa is making a special stop at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies! After you’ve spent a day seeing the ocean’s beautiful creatures, stop by this special section of the aquarium for photos with Santa. Remember to check out the other fantastic sights of the aquarium while visiting! Santa will make regular daily appearances from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. until December 23rd.
Old Mill Pottery House Cafe and Grill
Hungry for a good breakfast before seeing the seasonal sights of Gatlinburg? Stop by Old Mill Pottery House on December 3rd to get brunch with Santa himself! Choose from an 8:15 a.m. breakfast or 10:00 a.m. brunch and prepare to immerse yourself in Christmas sights and flavors. You and your kids will experience a delicious meal, pictures with Santa, and crafts for the whole family. Reservations are required, so make yours early!
Crave Golf Club
Give your kids the combined fun of a mini-golf game and photos with Santa or the Christmas Grouch! Beginning November 10th, Crave Golf transforms into a Christmas wonderland with garlands, wreaths, trees, and thousands of lights and ornaments. If that weren’t enough, you could find Santa and the Grouch visiting Crave on select dates, ready to take pictures with kids. This year, Santa will be at Crave on December 10th and 20th from 3:00–6:00 p.m., and the Grouch will make an appearance on December 3rd and 17th at the same times. Don’t miss the opportunity to let your kids work off some energy, enjoy a game of mini-golf, and celebrate the holidays in grand style!
Santa at Lumberjack Feud
Join Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud to celebrate the holiday with Christmas-themed twists on traditional contests like log rolling and sawing. Enjoy hot cocoa while you cheer the lumberjacks on and witness a display of mountain talent! You can also get a FREE photo with Santa on select dates. Visit Lumberjack Square on December 4, 11, or 23 to get your free picture with everyone’s favorite man from the North Pole. Make it a quick stop, or stay to catch an entire lumberjack show. Either way, you’ll find yourself leaving with renewed Christmas cheer!
Anakeesta Breakfast with Santa
If you missed breakfast with Santa at the Old Mill—or if you want another opportunity to see the jolly old man—look no further than Anakeesta! Each Saturday morning from November 26th to December 23rd, you can make reservations for a special breakfast with Santa. Tickets include early access to the park, a professional photo with Santa, and breakfast at the Cliff Top restaurant. Even better, kids three and under are free with an adult ticket, so you can bring your littlest ones along without worrying about the added cost!
Polar Express Journey to the North Pole
Visit Beyond the Lens for their newest holiday tradition: a memorable Polar-Express-themed ride that uses special effects like wind, mist, and realistic turns and dips to immerse you in a trip to the North Pole. While the event runs through January 7th, you can experience even more festive cheer on December 8th, when Santa comes to visit! The one-of-a-kind experience includes photos with Santa, a hot cocoa and dessert station, unique Christmas crafts, and the Polar Express Journey itself. Take advantage of this one-day event!
Townsend Christmas Parade
If you’re up for a small drive, make sure you catch the local Christmas Parade in nearby Townsend! Experience the magic of Christmas with the lights, bells, and charm of a parade. This year the event will be held on December 4th, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Don’t miss this slice of holiday cheer as Santa comes by to welcome the beginning of the Christmas season!
Bonus Event: Titanic Christmas and Winter Celebration
In between visits from Santa, you can enjoy a more historical celebration of the holiday. The Titanic museum delivers a one-of-a-kind Christmas celebration for kids and adults—no Santa needed! The Titanic is always a feast for one’s eyes, but the cast and crew take the grandeur up a level for the holiday season. Experience $100,000 of Christmas decorations, from twinkling lights to festive greenery throughout the ship. Experience an Edwardian Christmas and see how a liner like the Titanic would have been decorated at Christmas of 1912! The celebration is open through January 8th, but make sure you get reservations before seeing the Titanic at this time of year, as dates often sell out ahead of time.
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As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to gather your kids and make fun Christmas memories. Gatlinburg offers magical opportunities for the whole family to experience the wonder of the season! Whether you stop by Santa’s Claus-et for some holiday merchandise or visit the Townsend Christmas Parade for a magical display of festive cheer, your kids won’t want to leave Gatlinburg without visiting with Santa and enjoying the magic of a local Christmas.
