The annual holiday celebration will feature new elements like free tastings from Pigeon Forge restaurants, ice skating, visits with Santa and his reindeer and more.
PIGEON FORGE, Tennessee (Nov. 2, 2026) – Pigeon Forge (Tennessee) invites residents and visitors to experience a reimagined Pigeon Forge Winterfest Celebration, a free event on Nov. 13 in Patriot Park from 4 to 8 p.m. The annual event celebrates the start of the holiday season in Pigeon Forge and will feature live performances by The Sound and bluegrass band Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier. New activities include Taste of the Town, featuring free tastings from local restaurants, along with ice skating, a visit from Santa and his reindeer.
Red Street Records’ The Sound will headline the event with a performance at 6:30 p.m. The family trio includes brothers Levi and Jacob Mills, along with their father, Rob Mills. Their signature three-part harmony became a viral phenomenon with nothing more than an iPhone, raw vocals, and natural stairwell acoustics. They garnered national attention on Season 21 of NBC’s America’s Got Talent and recently released their original Keith Whitley-inspired heartbreak ballad “Everything But Love.” Bluegrass band and local favorite Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier will take the stage at 5:15 p.m.
“No one does the holidays like Pigeon Forge, and this year we’ve brought our residents, visitors and business community together to usher in the most magical time of the year,” said Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism Executive Director Amy Warner. “Pigeon Forge Winterfest Celebration is a holiday tradition for so many, so this event offers new ways for families to make even brighter memories together.”
Pigeon Forge restaurants are serving up free samples of their favorite dishes to attendees at the new Taste of the Town portion of the event. The delicious offerings will be available starting at 4 p.m. and will be available as long as supplies last. Also new this year, Santa’s sleigh and reindeer will accompany him to meet families at the Patriot Park event. Visits with Santa are available 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Especially for the Celebration event, guests can take part in an outdoor ice-skating rink, bounces houses, and additional family-friendly activities. The Wonders of Light Christmas Market also returns to Patriot Park as an all-new open-air market from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 13.
Pigeon Forge Winterfest, one of the Southeast’s largest festivals, illuminates more than ten million lights throughout the city beginning Nov. 6. and continues through Jan. 31, 2027, including The Wonders of Light Christmas Market on select dates (Nov. 14-15 and Nov. 20-28). The unique shopping experience features handmade crafts, Christmas decor, permanent jewelry, one-of-kind gifts and tasty treats for purchase from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Free parking is available in the city’s LeConte Center and Mountain parking lots located off Teaster Lane. Pigeon Forge Mass Transit trolley service provides free transportation to and from the Mountain lot and Patriot Park 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
More information about Pigeon Forge and special events is available at MyPigeonForge.com.
—MyPigeonForge2026—
About Pigeon Forge: Pigeon Forge is in East Tennessee, approximately 35 miles from Knoxville and McGhee-Tyson Airport. Two-thirds of the nation’s population east of the Mississippi River live within a day’s drive, making it an easily accessible family vacation destination. The city’s neighbor is Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most-visited national park in the U.S. It also is home to Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park, Tennessee’s most-visited ticketed attraction. More information about all aspects of Pigeon Forge is available at MyPigeonForge.com.