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Distributed by mail monthly to the Loudon & Monroe lake and golf front communities including Tellico Village, Kahite, Rarity Bay, Tennessee National, Avalon Golf Community, Harbour Place, Tellico Harbor, Foothills Pointe, and WindRiver. Volume 23, No. 12, Section A
Merry and Bright:
FREE
Discover Tennessee’s Family-Friendly Winter Festivals & Attractions
T
Courtesy of TNVacation.com
ennessee sparkles this holiday season as it welcomes families to experience an enchanting blend of festivities and attractions. From dazzling light displays to winter family-friendly attractions, the state offers an unforgettable festive journey. Tennessee’s vibrant communities and breathtaking landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for a joyous celebration of the holiday season. In Nashville: Gaylord Opryland hosts its signature holiday attraction ICE!, from Nov. 10 to Jan. 1. This year the attraction will feature favorite ice sculptures from scenes in the beloved movie “The Polar Express.” The movie comes to life with magnificent sculptures hand-carved by masterfully skilled artists from Harbin, China from more than two million pounds of ice. The carvers travel more than 6,402 miles from their home in China, known as “Ice City” for hosting the world’s largest annual ice and snow sculpting festival in the world. Colored ice, clear ice and LED lights are all used to create the breathtaking display. The holiday celebration continues with a brand-new Christmas dinner show and a variety of festive activities including ice skating, ice tubing, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and so much more. Dive into history with Holidays at The Hermitage in Nashville: On Saturday Dec. 2, add some personalized decor to your holiday collection this season with The Hermitage’s two-day DIY Christmas wreath workshop. Participants will have the opportunity to craft a holiday-inspired wreath using a grapevine form with berries and foliage from the grounds at The Hermitage. Tickets include access to the Hermitage grounds, a 1,120-acre National Historic Landmark with wildlife, hiking trails, field quarters, historical markers and more. On Saturday, Jan. 6, The Hermitage hosts Winter Frolic, influenced by Andrew
Jackson’s 1835 White House Christmas Frolic. This event welcomes guests to play the same games the family did - including an artificial snowball fight! The event will feature festive mocktails and cocktails, along with multiple food vendors and live music. It will conclude with a Yule Log Ceremony, symbolizing the closure of 2023 and the embrace of the exciting things to come in 2024.
Photo courtesy of Stephen Schlegel
Christmas on the Cumberland
Enjoy the holidays in Clarksville with Christmas on the Cumberland: Experience the enchantment of over one million lights illuminating McGregor Park and the Cumberland Riverwalk, creating a captivating display from Nov. 18 to Jan. 2, with free admission for all. The city will also introduce its new, German-inspired Christkindl Market, an open-air craft market offering delectable food, beverages, Santa meet-and-greets and a variety of artisan vendors selling delightful handmade holiday items. Following the County’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting event at the Downtown Commons, the Lighted Christmas Parade will take place, with this year’s theme being Classic Holiday Tunes. Expect to see local businesses and organizations adorning floats, vehicles, horses, and more with festive lights and themed decorations, parading through the downtown area in a jubilant celebration of the season. At
December 2023
Photo courtesy of TNVacation.com
Gaylord Opryland ICE
the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center, visitors can revel in the Holiday Train Exhibit, one of the most extensive model train displays in the region, decked out in festive decorations and featuring interactive buttons for both children and adults to enjoy. Celebrate Candy Land Christmas in Johnson City: Named Top Christmas Tree Display in America by Fox News, Candy Land Christmas returns to downtown Johnson City in Northeast Tennessee. This free, family-friendly event magically transforms the historic district into a winter wonderland with 160 brightly lit, 12-foot Christmas trees plus new displays throughout downtown. This year’s event will run from Nov. 25 through Jan. 7. Johnson City’s Grand Christmas Tree Lighting will take place in downtown Johnson City at King Commons Park on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 6:30 pm. Venture through the Enchanted Garden of Lights at Rock City in Chattanooga: Christmas spirit shines bright at Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights. From Nov. 17 to Jan. 6, journey through magical realms of winter wonder as over one million LED lights illuminate Lookout Mountain’s most iconic attraction. Grab a picture with Santa at the North Pole Village thru Dec. 23 and decorate Christmas cookies with Mrs. Claus. Hot chocolate and other delicious treats including fudge and fried cookie dough make the nights even sweeter. Pets are welcome. A portion of ticket proceeds benefits the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga. Hunt for the Elf on the Shelf® in Knoxville: The Elf on the Shelf® is a cherished holiday tradition celebrated in households around the world. For a seventh straight year, Santa will send some of these magical Scout Elves from the North Pole to Knoxville to be adopted by over two dozen downtown businesses. Families are invited to explore downtown and find where these little Scout Elves have landed each night for a fun-filled holiday scavenger hunt. Scout Elves land in Knoxville to begin the scavenger hunt on Nov. 24. To help guide them through the adventure, children of all ages are invited to pick up a North Pole Pass at the Knoxville Visitors Center or Mast General Store.
Photo courtesy of TNVacation.com
Dollywood Smoky Mtn Christmas
Unwrap the holidays at Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas in Pigeon Forge: The spirit of Christmas shines merry and bright during at Dollywood from Nov. 5Jan. 6, and the new Joyful drone show adds even more holiday fun for guests to enjoy. The 15-time winner for Best Theme Park Christmas Event boasts more than six million shining, shimmering lights throughout the park, but the newest ones will fly above the park each evening as part of a stunning holiday drone show. This larger-than-life display embraces the season with hundreds of drones soaring in the air and displaying festive reds, greens and whites in a captivating show sure to delight every guest. Smoky Mountain Christmas captivates visitors with the rich essence of the holiday season thanks to its gleaming holiday lights, award-winning stage productions, Christmas culinary masterpieces and warm family customs that have enriched the festival for more than three decades. Marvel at Bristol’s Speedway in Lights: Bristol’s Speedway in Lights is a breathtaking holiday spectacle that illuminates the Bristol Motor Speedway, transforming it into a mesmerizing winter wonderland. As visitors drive through the speedway’s grounds, they are greeted by a dazzling array of more than two million twinkling lights, forming intricate displays and enchanting scenes that capture the spirit of the season. The meticulously crafted light displays range from vibrant holiday-themed exhibits to whimsical depictions of popular characters, creating a captivating journey that evokes wonder and joy. In addition to the enchanting light displays, Bristol’s Speedway in Lights often features special themed nights, live entertainment and opportunities for visitors to engage in festive activities, making it a must-visit destination during the winter holiday season.
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