Fantasy Of Lights Christmas Parade - Gatlinburg, TN | 50 Years of Holiday Lights & Magic

Gatlinburg recently lit up the holiday season with the 50th Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade, held on Friday, December 5, 2025, at 7:30 PM EST in downtown Gatlinburg. The parade marked a major milestone, bringing together families, music lovers, and holiday enthusiasts for an evening of unforgettable celebration. The event was free and open to the public, and spectators lined the streets early to secure the best spots along the parade route.

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Hunter Hayes Shines as Grand Marshal

This year’s parade was honored to feature GRAMMY-nominated, multi-platinum artist Hunter Hayes as Grand Marshal, presented by Ole Smoky Distillery. Hunter, known for his genre-blending sound, five GRAMMY nominations, multiple platinum certifications, and over 3 billion streams worldwide, brought his signature energy and star power to the Smoky Mountains’ most beloved holiday tradition.

Special Pop-Up Performances

Ahead of the parade, Hunter treated fans to two surprise performances:

4:30 PM – Ole Smoky Distillery
5:00 PM – Ole Red Gatlinburg

His appearances thrilled fans and set the stage for an unforgettable parade experience.

Star-Studded Lineup and Special Guests

The 50th anniversary parade also featured a lineup of notable guests who added to the excitement:

Mark Ramsey and Digger Manes – Stars of Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners and partners with Sugarlands Distilling Co., celebrated for their deep Appalachian roots.
Myron Mixon – Four-time world champion pitmaster, bestselling author, and restaurateur, widely known as “the winningest man in barbecue.”
Pam Sutton – Widow of legendary moonshiner Popcorn Sutton, working with Ole Smoky Distillery founder Joe Baker to honor Popcorn’s legacy.

Hosts and Broadcast

The parade was hosted by:

Mark Wills – Grand Ole Opry member and multi-platinum country artist known for hits like 19 Somethin’ and I Do (Cherish You).
Nan Kelley – Award-winning television host and producer celebrated for her warmth and storytelling on Great American Country’s Top 20 Country Countdown and Opry Live.

For those who couldn’t attend in person, the parade was broadcast on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day across 38 markets, reaching over 100 million viewers nationwide and sharing Gatlinburg’s holiday magic far and wide.

Grandstand VIP Experience

Many visitors opted for the Grandstand VIP seating for a premium view of the parade. VIP tickets included:

Prime bleacher seating at traffic light #3 or Gatlinburg Convention Center
A commemorative Santa Hat
Access to the parade starting at 7:30 PM (seating opened at 5:30 PM)

Notes for VIP attendees:

One child under 5 could sit on a parent’s lap without a ticket.
Strollers were not allowed in grandstand seating, and no stroller parking was provided.

Parade Route and Traffic Updates

The parade followed the Parkway, beginning at Baskins Creek Bypass and ending at traffic light #10, near the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For easy reference, check out the official parade route below:

Traffic Adjustments

Outbound lanes of East Parkway reduced to one lane at 4:30 PM for float staging.
Inbound lanes closed at 6:50 PM.
Full road closure along the parade route occurred around 7:00 PM.

Police officers and EMS personnel were stationed along the route to ensure safety and smooth flow for all attendees.

Volunteer Efforts

The parade’s success was made possible by volunteers of all ages, who helped as balloon handlers, banner carriers, judges, and more. Their dedication helped bring this festive event to life and created a magical experience for everyone in attendance.