Top 5 Highlights Along the Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights

The Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights is the perfect time to explore the famous Pigeon Forge Parkway on your motorcycle! From early November to mid-February, the Parkway and Teaster Lane come alive with more than 5 million shining holiday lights and dozens of themed displays! You’ll find everything from traditional holiday scenes to wildlife scenes with black bears and other critters native to the Smokies! While you’ll want to see everything on the route, be sure not to miss these top 5 highlights along the Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights:

1. Fairytale Fantasy

When cruising along Teaster Lane, you’ll love the Fairytale Fantasy displays where all of your favorite childhood characters come to life! You’ll encounter giant animated light displays like Hey Diddle Diddle’s Cat & the Fiddle, Hickory Dickory Dock, Humpty Dumpty, all the King’s Horses, and all the King’s Men! Between these fairytale displays, you’ll also see the Old Mill Scene, where more than 6,000 lights animate a spinning water wheel and a flowing river!

2. Patriot Park

Another one of the highlights along the Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights is Patriot Park, which pays tribute to our veterans with displays such as liberty bells, the flag being raised at Iwo Jima, “from sea to shining sea”, and many more! When heading out of Patriot Park, look for a fun tribute to the Pigeon Forge Fun Time Trolley on the corner of Veterans Boulevard and Teaster Lane! 

3. Wonders of Light Trail

Take an opportunity to stretch your legs for a bit with the Wonders of Light Trail! This newest addition to Winterfest made its debut in 2022 and features a stunning $1.5 million collection of lights along the Riverwalk Greenway! As you stroll along the trail, you’ll find plenty of beautiful displays and illuminated trees to light your way! You can access the Wonders of Light Trail from the parking lot next to the LeConte Center.

4. 12 Days of Christmas

When heading south on the Pigeon Forge Parkway from Wears Valley Road, keep your eyes peeled for the 12 Days of Christmas displays! You’ll find the Partridge in a Pear Tree just before the intersection with Island Drive, then the 12 Drummers Drumming just a bit south before the traffic light at Old Mill Avenue! 

5. Winter Wildlife

The most iconic symbol of the Great Smoky Mountains is the black bear, so at the southern end of the Parkway, you’ll encounter this majestic animal in a spectacular light display! You’ll also find other displays of nature at this end of the Parkway, as well as a waterfall scene and a tribute to the town’s founding fathers in the form of a 21-foot-tall animated display! If you just can’t get enough lights, you’ll find even more displays in the nearby towns of Gatlinburg and Sevierville!

After exploring the Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights, come on over to enjoy the tempting brews and chews menu at our biker bar in Pigeon Forge TN! We look forward to seeing you soon!