10/21/2026
It's nearly time for the Gatlinburg Winter Festival and Chili Cookoff!
Join us downtown between Mountain Mall and Gatlinburg SkyPark on Thursday, November 12 from 5 to 9 p.m. for free, family-friendly fun. It's a night full of holiday lights, festive activities, live entertainment from Neon Saddle, and chili prepared by local chefs, restaurants, and community groups, all presented by Bush's Beans and Bryant Beef.
This year, we're encouraging visitors and residents to give back through our community food drive, Gatlinburg Cares in partnership with Sevier County Food Ministries and Food City. Donation items can be dropped off on the night of the Winter Festival and Chili Cookoff or at participating locations through November 15. A full list of needed items and drop-off locations is available here: bit.ly/4i5V8rD
The event is free to the public, but we are also offering a new VIP package available for purchase for those 21 and older. It features dedicated parking, an escorted visit to Sugarlands Distilling Co., a complimentary distillery tasting, two complimentary cocktails at the distillery's back porch cocktail bar, a VIP swag bag, 10% off purchases at Sugarlands Distilling Co., a dedicated chili cook-off line, seating and a bar setup featuring samples from Sugarlands Distilling Co. Ticket information is available at the link above.
Get ready to bundle up, sip something warm, and feel the magic in the mountain air because the Annual Gatlinburg Winter Festival & Chili Cook-off is back and on the Parkway for a celebration that’s as heartwarming as it is dazzling! As twilight falls, downtown Gatlinburg transforms into a spar...