Smoky Mountains: Holiday Lights Tour & Shadracks Show Bus

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/6

Duration2h 30m

GroupUp to 20

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Holiday light tour through smoky mountain towns with shadracks finale

You’ll ride a cozy heated bus through Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, watching millions of Christmas lights flicker past while your local guide shares stories and tips. The night ends at Shadracks with its wild dancing light show synced to music. Kids get a special gift too — and you might find yourself humming carols long after it’s over.

2h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Holiday light tour in Smoky Mountains

View Christmas lights in Pigeon Forge
View Christmas lights in Gatlinburg
Visit Shadracks Christmas Light Show

The Experience

Ever wonder what 12 million Christmas lights actually look like? I didn’t either, until we found ourselves bundled up on a heated minibus rolling through Pigeon Forge. Our guide, Mark, had this way of pointing out the little things — like how some families have been stringing up the same porch bulbs for decades. The windows fogged up from our breath and the heater, so every few minutes someone would wipe a circle clear to catch another glowing reindeer or those old-school twinkling icicles. It’s funny how you start to notice the smell of cinnamon from someone’s thermos or hear kids giggling at the back when they spot something wild (giant Santa on a tractor, who knew?).

We drifted into Gatlinburg next — honestly, I lost track of time because it all blurred together in the best way. There was this one house with blue lights that looked almost icy against the night sky; Mark said the owner changes the pattern every year just to keep people guessing. At one point, an older couple waved at our bus from their porch and everyone waved back without thinking. I guess that’s what these holiday light tours do — make you feel like you’re part of something bigger for a minute.

The real surprise was Shadracks at Soaky Mountain in Sevierville. I’d seen videos but being there is different — hundreds of thousands of lights actually “dancing” to Christmas music over the speakers. It’s loud and kind of chaotic but in a good way; even Mark grinned when he caught me humming along (badly). Kids under 12 got these little gifts handed out by our driver — my niece hasn’t let hers out of her sight since. We piled back onto the bus after, everyone a bit quieter than before, maybe just taking it all in.

What’s included

Your evening includes pickup by heated mini bus with a friendly local guide sharing stories along the way, admission to Shadracks winter lights show at Soaky Mountain in Sevierville, plus a special holiday gift for every child under 12 before heading back after all those twinkling displays.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tennessee Mountain Tours