A fireworks show is one of the favorite events at the annual Smoky Mountain Winterfest kickoff in Sevierville. Image courtesy of the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce.

For the 26th year, Sevierville will kick off Smoky Mountain Winterfest with a special event at the Sevierville Municipal Complex. More than 7,000 people are expected for a fun day of entertainment, free food, kids’ games, and fireworks.

The kickoff starts at 3:00 p.m. with opening ceremonies and ending with a fireworks show before 8:00 p.m.

Plenty of free parking and shuttle service will be available at these locations.

This year’s Music, Lights & Magic event will feature fun crafts, delicious hot chocolate and those famous fried bologna sandwiches. Other event highlights include larger-than-life characters, Santa’s arrival on an antique fire truck, Christine the Balloon Artist, face painting by Aubrie Glitters, and fun games.

Be sure to bring a camera to snap photos with Santa from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Bloomie the Pig and other area mascots will also make appearances and participate in a special “Mascot Dance Off” contest during the event.

This year’s show schedule includes performances from M+M Drama Team, school dance teams, Move Dance Factory, Christmas at the Smoky Mountain Opry, SCHS Cheerleaders, 3D Studio of Dance, Thomas Kinkade’s Christmas of Light at Smoky Mountain Palace, Miss PattyCake, Elizabeth Williams School of Dance, and Chad McWilliams.

To help event goers easily find parking, an expanded parking area and shuttle service will be introduced this year. Suggested parking areas close to the event will be designated with Event Parking signs and include:

Sevierville Police Department/Community Center (9:00 a.m.-10 p.m.) - Handicapped Parking Only Sevierville Middle and Intermediate Schools (3:30 p.m.-10 p.m.). Sevier County Electric System-Main Street Lot (5 p.m.-10 p.m.). Sevier County King Family Library (3:30 p.m.-10 p.m.). Front and rear of Parkway Academy, Bruce Street and Cedar Street (3:30 p.m.-10 p.m.). Shuttle Bus Serviced Parking Areas (City shuttle buses will run from the parking areas below to the side of the Police Department on Bruce Street)

SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE TIMES:
Sevierville City Park (Park Road) (3:30 p.m.-10 p.m.).
Trula Lawson Center (Eastgate Road) (3:30 p.m.-10 p.m.).
First United Methodist Parking Lot on Cedar Street (5 p.m.-10 p.m.).
First United Methodist Church Parking Lot on Bruce Street (5 p.m.-10 p.m.).
Parking is also allowed on streets in the area, except Bruce Street between Parkway and Gary Wade Blvd., Prince Street,

Sponsors of Sevierville’s Winterfest Kick Off Music, Lights & Magic include the City of Sevierville, Sevierville Chamber of Commerce, LeConte Orthopedics, Sevier County Utility District, Sevier County Electric System, Sevier County Propane, Wilderness at the Smokies, Pepsi, Swaggerty’s Farm Sausage, The Thomas Group, Barnes Insurance Agency, Dr. G. Stephen Ollard DDS, Bush Beans, Lowe’s and Ownby Insurance Service.

Show Schedule:
3:15 p.m. – M+M Drama Team
3:35 p.m. – School Dance Teams
3:55 p.m. – Move Dance Factory
4:30 p.m. – Christmas at the Smoky Mountain Opry
5:00 p.m. – SCHS Cheerleaders
5:15 p.m. – 3D Studio of Dance
5:50 p.m. – Thomas Kinkade Christmas of Light
6:05 p.m. – Miss PattyCake
6:25 p.m. – Elizabeth Williams School of Dance
6:55 p.m. – Mascot Dance Off
7:15 p.m. – Chad McWilliams
7:45 p.m. – Lighting Ceremony