Ready for a magical holiday season in Johnson City? Let our guide show you the best festive activities! Whether you're a Johnson City local or a global adventurer, this guide helps you embrace the city's festive charm.
Kick off your holiday spirit with the Johnson City Christmas Parade, an annual event filled with floats, bands, and cheer. Experience the wonder of the holiday season as you join the community for the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Founders Park, where the lights add a special glow to the night. And the Kingsport Symphony's Holiday Celebration is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering an evening of beautiful music that captures the essence of the season. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Johnson City
See these and even more events listed below!Johnson City Holiday Light Displays
Tree Lighting Ceremony at Founders Park
What to Expect:
Interactive light display synchronized to music
Description:
Founders Park transforms into a twinkling oasis during the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. The centerpiece is an enormous evergreen adorned with thousands of LED lights, synchronized to a medley of holiday tunes. Visitors can stroll through the park's winding paths, discovering hidden light installations along the way. The ceremony pays homage to Johnson City's founding fathers, with historical vignettes projected onto nearby buildings. Children delight in the "Light Up the Night" activity, where they can design their own light patterns using a special interactive display. The air fills with the aroma of freshly roasted chestnuts, adding to the sensory experience.
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Tree Lighting Ceremony at Founders Park
Johnson City Other Holiday Activities
Johnson City Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Largest holiday parade in the Tri-Cities area
Description:
The Johnson City Christmas Parade illuminates downtown with a dazzling procession of floats and performers. As the largest holiday parade in the Tri-Cities area, it showcases the community's creativity and spirit. Spectators can marvel at the intricate designs of local businesses and organizations. The parade route follows the historic tree-lined Main Street, a nod to the city's 150-year heritage. You'll hear the cheerful melodies of high school marching bands echoing through the streets. This beloved tradition brings together residents and visitors alike to celebrate the season in grand style.
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Tri-Cities Christmas Events
What to Expect:
Collaborative effort showcasing unique traditions of three cities
Description:
The Tri-Cities Christmas Events unite Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol in a collaborative celebration of their distinct holiday traditions. This regional extravaganza features a rotating schedule of events, highlighting each city's unique contributions to the area's cultural tapestry. Visitors can experience Johnson City's famous downtown light display, Kingsport's Carousel Christmas, and Bristol's Country Christmas all in one season. The events showcase the region's musical heritage, with performances ranging from Appalachian folk to contemporary country. You'll have the opportunity to taste signature holiday dishes from each city, offering a culinary tour of the Tri-Cities. This celebration embodies the spirit of regional cooperation that defines Northeast Tennessee.
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Nearby Events
Kingsport Symphony's Holiday Celebration (Kingsport)
What to Expect:
Fusion of classical and contemporary holiday music
Description:
The Kingsport Symphony's Holiday Celebration elevates the season with a unique fusion of classical masterpieces and contemporary favorites. This musical extravaganza features world-class musicians performing on historic instruments, some dating back to the 19th century. The symphony's innovative arrangements breathe new life into familiar tunes, captivating audiences of all ages. Guests can participate in a pre-concert "Instrument Petting Zoo," getting hands-on experience with various orchestral instruments. The performance takes place in the acoustically perfect Toy F. Reid Eastman Employee Center, a venue steeped in Kingsport's rich cultural history.
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Kingsport Symphony's Holiday Celebration
Bristol Christmas Parade (Bristol)
What to Expect:
Crosses state line between Tennessee and Virginia
Description:
The Bristol Christmas Parade stands out as a unique bi-state celebration, crossing the Tennessee-Virginia state line. Floats and performers traverse State Street, which serves as the border between the two states, symbolizing unity and shared traditions. The parade showcases Bristol's musical heritage with performances by local country and bluegrass artists. Spectators can enjoy the sight of vintage cars decorated with holiday finery, a nod to Bristol's automotive history. You'll find yourself captivated by the community spirit that transcends state boundaries, making this parade a true testament to regional cooperation and holiday cheer.
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Tweetsie Railroad Christmas (Blowing Rock)
What to Expect:
Ride on a historic steam locomotive through illuminated forests
Description:
Tweetsie Railroad Christmas transports visitors on a journey through time and twinkling forests. Passengers board a historic steam locomotive, chugging along a three-mile route adorned with over a million lights. The train winds through the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering breathtaking views of illuminated winter landscapes. Children can participate in a special "North Pole Post Office" activity, writing letters to Santa. This event celebrates the rich railroad history of the region, with the locomotive itself being a restored narrow-gauge engine from the early 1900s. The crisp mountain air carries the scent of pine, enhancing the authentic mountain Christmas experience.
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Jonesborough Christmas Parade (Jonesborough)
What to Expect:
Takes place in Tennessee's oldest town
Description:
Jonesborough's Christmas Parade unfolds in Tennessee's oldest town, blending colonial charm with holiday spirit. The procession winds through streets lined with historic buildings, some dating back to the 18th century. Parade participants don period costumes, offering a glimpse into Christmases past. Visitors can explore the town's antique shops, decorated with vintage holiday items, before the parade begins. The event highlights Jonesborough's storytelling tradition, featuring a float dedicated to the International Storytelling Center. You'll be transported back in time as the sounds of fife and drum corps echo off the brick facades of Main Street.
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Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas (Pigeon Forge)
What to Expect:
Largest Christmas event in the Smoky Mountains
Description:
Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas reigns as the largest holiday celebration in the region, transforming the theme park into a winter spectacle. The event boasts over five million lights, creating elaborate displays that pay homage to Appalachian culture and wildlife. Visitors can experience "Glacier Ridge," an immersive area where the Northern Lights come to life through cutting-edge technology. The park's signature show, "Christmas in the Smokies," showcases traditional mountain music and storytelling. You'll find yourself surrounded by the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon bread, a Dollywood holiday staple. This event embodies Dolly Parton's vision of sharing her mountain heritage with the world.
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Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas
Erwin Christmas Parade (Erwin)
What to Expect:
Celebrates the town's railroad and apple-growing heritage
Description:
Erwin's Christmas Parade marches through the heart of this charming mountain town, celebrating its unique railroad and apple-growing heritage. Floats adorned with apple motifs and miniature train replicas roll down Main Street, paying tribute to the local industries that shaped Erwin's history. The parade features a special appearance by the "Apple Dumpling Gang," a group of local children dressed as the town's signature treat. Visitors can participate in the "Golden Apple Hunt," searching for hidden golden apples along the parade route. The event culminates with a steam whistle chorus, echoing the town's railroad past and signaling the official start of the holiday season.
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Biltmore Candlelight Christmas Evenings (Asheville)
What to Expect:
America's largest private residence decorated with period-specific ornaments
Description:
Biltmore Candlelight Christmas Evenings transform America's largest private residence into a testament to Gilded Age holiday splendor. The 250-room château glows with the warm light of hundreds of candles and antique light fixtures. Visitors can marvel at dozens of intricately decorated trees, each adorned with period-specific ornaments that reflect the Vanderbilt family's tastes. The self-guided tour reveals hidden architectural details illuminated by the soft candlelight. You'll be transported to Christmas Eve 1895 as you explore the lavishly decorated rooms. The event features live performances of traditional carols, played on the Biltmore's original 1916 Skinner pipe organ, filling the grand halls with melodious holiday cheer.
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Biltmore Candlelight Christmas Evenings