5 Places to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

Kick off the new year right by being in the Smoky Mountains! There are plenty of ways to ring in the new year in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Whether you want to spend it indoors or outside, have a calm evening or have one filled with excitement — there’s something for everyone. To help you decide how to spend your holiday, we’ve made a list of the top 5 places to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge:

1. The Island in Pigeon Forge

The Island in Pigeon Forge is by far one of the best places to spend your New Year’s Eve. Each year, the celebration gets bigger and better. Enjoy all the shops, restaurants and rides that The Island has to offer, including the new SkyFly: Soar America ride! This flying theater attraction allows guests to feel like they’re flying over some of the most iconic locations in the country. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of other parts of the United States without leaving Pigeon Forge! You can also enjoy The Island Show Fountain, which puts on a presentation of water and light that’s choreographed to different songs. Make sure you’re still there when the clock strikes midnight — there will be a beautiful fireworks display to celebrate the start of the new year!

2. Gatlinburg Space Needle

The Gatlinburg Space Needle is the base for the biggest celebration for New Year’s Eve in Gatlinburg. Restaurants and bars along the Gatlinburg Strip are open for business, and you can still take in the gorgeous Winterfest lights throughout the downtown area. Starting at 10 p.m., visitors can enjoy live music at the Space Needle! Of course, the best part of the night is the ball drop and fireworks show. The Gatlinburg Space Needle will have special LED lights and a collection of state-of-the-art fireworks. When midnight hits, enjoy one of the best firework shows you’ve ever seen!

3. Country Tonite

Want a nice, warm place to kick off the new year? Spend your New Year’s Eve at Country Tonite! New Year’s Eve is always a special night at Country Tonite Theatre. Visitors will get to see the amazing Country Tonite Christmas Show, which features renditions of all your Christmas favorites, combined with impressive choreography, decorated holiday sets and colorful costumes. The show starts at 9:45 p.m. To celebrate the new year at midnight, enjoy sparkling cider and a balloon drop!

4. Gatlinburg SkyLift Park

The Gatlinburg SkyLift Park is one of the best places to see the Gatlinburg ball drop and fireworks show! The attraction is offering special “NYE Lights of Wonder” tickets that provide visitors with an exclusive view of the show from the park and SkyBridge. You can view the fireworks from 500 feet above Gatlinburg and about 100 feet above the Space Needle! You’ll also get to experience the Lights Over Gatlinburg event at the SkyLift Park after-hours and come back the next day as many times as you want. This is a deal you don’t want to miss!

5. Our Pigeon Forge Hotel

We may be biased, but we think our Pigeon Forge hotel is one of the best, if not the best, places to spend New Year’s Eve. You’ll get to kick off a new year in a place you love but can escape the crowds and the hustle and bustle in town. Our rooms were recently renovated and provide a warm place to spend your evening. Our hotel also has so many amenities that our guests love, from 24-hour coffee, tea and hot chocolate, to an indoor pool, to views of the river, to games and a fun Kid Zone! You’ll have no trouble keeping the family entertained as you count down to midnight. Ring in the new year sitting by our outdoor fire pit, or by the comfort of your own fire in your hotel room! In the morning, start the first day of the new year off right with our delicious, hot, complimentary breakfast. You can’t go wrong spending New Year’s Eve at The Inn on the River!

Whether you want to stay in or go out for the holiday, our hotel is the best place to stay when you have plans to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Take a look at all our different Pigeon Forge hotel rooms, then get ready to ring in the new year right!