PIGEON FORGE, Tennessee—(Nov. 6, 2025)—Pigeon Forge (Tennessee) is among the contenders for Newsweek magazine’s Best Christmas Town award. The distinction is part of Newsweek’s Reader’s Choice Awards.
Bundle up or break out a sweater as every stop proves the spirit of the holidays is best shared, seen and savored together, with memories that last well past New Year’s Day, according to Newsweek.
Readers can vote once per category, per day at www.newsweek.com/readerschoice/best-christmas-town-2026 until Nov. 18 at noon (EST). According to Newsweek, Best Christmas Town nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors.
“Pigeon Forge’s nomination for Newsweek’s Best Christmas Town is proof positive that our small town in the Great Smoky Mountains delivers a big Christmastime experience for our visitors,” said Pigeon Forge Mayor Kevin McClure. “We’re grateful for the many folks who come to see us each year and help bring to life our annual Smoky Mountain Winterfest celebration.”
Pigeon Forge’s Smoky Mountain Winterfest is one of the Southeast’s largest wintertime celebrations. Beginning Nov. 6 and continuing through Feb. 15, 2026, the three-month festival features more than six million Winterfest lights throughout the city along with music-filled holiday stage shows. Added in 2023, the free Winterfest Wonders of Light Walking Trail features 20-plus large-scale outdoor displays illuminated by more than one million lights. It travels along the Little Pigeon River on a flat, paved walkway that is accessible daily to visitors.
Pigeon Forge’s Smoky Mountain Winterfest features attractions like The Island in Pigeon Forge and Dollywood theme park’s Smoky Mountain Christmas festival (through Jan. 4).
Best Christmas Town award winners will be announced by Newsweek on Nov. 25.
—MyPigeonForge2025—
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 or toll-free at 1-800-251-9100.
Media Contact: Trish McGee at [email protected] or 865-453-8574