SEVIERVILLE, TN – The magic of winter is returning to Wilderness at the Smokies. The resort will transform a 3,200-square-foot portion of its outdoor wave pool into a real ice skating rink. It will open for the season starting November 7–9, and daily from November 14, 2025 through January 4, 2026. A bonus weekend will return January 9–11, 2026.

This popular holiday attraction is now included with all stays at Stone Hill Lodge and in villas or cabins, offering families and guests the perfect seasonal experience right outside their door.

Whether you're staying overnight or visiting for the day, guests can enjoy gliding under the twinkling lights, sipping hot cocoa, indulging in gooey s’mores, and grabbing tasty bites from the fan-favorite Tacolicious taco truck.

Ice Skating Hours
Regular rink hours are:

• Monday–Thursday: 4–9 PM
• Friday: 4–10:30 PM
• Saturday: 10 AM–10:30 PM
• Sunday: 10 AM–9 PM
• Thanksgiving Week (November 22–29) & Christmas Break (December 20–January 3): 10 AM–10:30 PM

Guests are encouraged to verify daily hours at: Ice Rink Hours Calendar

Exciting Seasonal Events at the Rink

• DJ Dance & Glow Nights
Every Friday and Saturday, 7–10 PM, starting November 7, enjoy a live DJ and themed glow lighting! On New Year’s Eve, don’t miss the special Glow Night celebration skating into 2026 until 12:30 AM.
• Santa on Ice
Snap a magical photo with Santa during select appearances from 4–7 PM on November 29; December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 22 and 3–7 PM on November 28 and December 23.
• Dazzling Ice Performances
Enjoy professional figure skating shows by The Ice Chalet on December 20th and 27th and January 1st and 10th at 7:30 pm with jaw-dropping routines that will have you clapping, cheering, and maybe even inspired to try a twirl of your own!
• Monty’s Youth Skate
For little ones just learning to skate, join us Saturdays (except December 6) from 9–10 AM. Just $10.99 per child (+tax) includes skate rental, all-day access, skating aids, a surprise gift, and a photo with Monty or Molly!
• Skate for a Cause – November 15
100% of public admission proceeds benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee.
• Local Days – December 1–4 & December 8–11
Show your Sevier County valid ID or Sevier Co. employees with a recent paycheck stub and valid ID and pay just $5.00 per person plus tax for skates and admission.
• Youth Hockey Games – December 6
From 7 AM–1 PM, watch exciting youth hockey matches hosted by Cool Sports and the Knoxville Amateur Hockey Association.

Skating Packages & Public Admission Included with Stays:

• All guests staying at Stone Hill Lodge, villas, or cabins receive ice skating admission and rentals free of charge.

For River Lodge Guests:
• Unlimited Ice Skating Package: $24.99 (+tax) pre-arrival / $29.99 on-site Includes skating and rentals for everyone in your room, all stay long.
• Skate + Shadrack’s Light Show Package: $45 (+tax) pre-arrival / $60 on-site Includes skating for your group + 1 vehicle admission to Shadrack’s Holiday Light Show.

Public Admission: $
• 18.99 (+tax) per person (includes skate rental)
• Soaky Mountain Season Pass Holders: $10.99 (+tax)

Important: All participants must complete the required Ice Skating Waiver  before skating.

Reserve Now & Plan Ahead
To book your skating package or winter getaway, visit www.wildernessatthesmokies.com  or call 1-877-325-9453. Don’t miss this year’s coolest holiday tradition—where every day is a snow day!

Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland; image by Jeaneane Payne

Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland at Soaky Mountain
Across the street from Wilderness at the Smokies, Soaky Mountain Waterpark will also be celebrating Christmas with Shadrack’s original Christmas Wonderland Light Display, November 14-January 4, from 6-10 pm in its parking lot. Afterwards your family can visit Snowy Mountain Village (Open November 15 – 16 and then November 21 – December 30) Located inside Soaky Mountain Waterpark. It will feature holiday inflatables, seasonal lights, Christmas trees and fire pits. Plus, there will be loads of fun for all ages including holiday crafts for kids, an Elfie photo op experience, great food, delicious desserts, and visits with Santa on some nights! For details visit: https://soakymountainwaterpark.com/make-shadracks-christmas-wonderland-at-soaky-mountain-part-of-your-familys-cherished-holiday-traditions/  

Santa’s Workshop
This fun tradition is returning to Wilderness at the Smokies! In Santa’s workshop kids can enjoy our treat station or writing and mailing a letter to Santa. Santa’s workshop, which will be located in the Wild Kids Club Conference Room as well as outside in the Winter Wilderland where fun and games will be available by the ice skating rink will be open

• November 28, 3-7 pm
• December 5, 12, and 19 3 -8 pm
• November 29, December 6, 13, 20, 22 and 23, from 11 am-8 pm
• November 30, December 7, 14, and 21 from 10-2 pm

Santa Appearances
The jolly ol’ man will be visiting Wilderness at the Smokies again this season. You’ll be able to find Santa in the resort’s outdoor Winter Wonderland (the first hour of each scheduled appearance) as well as in Santa’s Workshop in River Lodge lobby (the last two hours of each scheduled appearance).
• November 28, 3-7 pm
• November 29, 4-7 pm
• December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, and 22, 4-7 pm
• December 23. 3-7 pm

Story Time with Mrs. Claus 
Join Mrs. Claus on Saturdays and Sunday (November 29th, 30th, December 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, and 21st) from 8:30-10:30 am as she hosts 30-minute Christmas themed story times in Camp Social. Advance reservations can be made on the resort’s website by booking their Character Breakfast Package.  You may also add the package to an existing reservation by calling our reservations team at (877) 325-9453 .

Christmas Day Buffet
The resort’s amazing Christmas Buffet is returning to Camp Social on
Thursday, December 25th, 2025, from 1-7 pm

Salad Table to include: a display of Fresh Seasonal and Tropical Fruits including Pineapple, Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Strawberries, and Kiwi; Seasonal Greens with your choice of Dressing; Peel and Eat Shrimp display accompanied with Cocktail Sauce and Lemons; Loaded Potato Soup and Chicken and Dumplings
Carving Station with: Slow Roasted Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin and Herb Crusted Prime Rib with Fresh Rosemary Jus, Cranberry Sauce and Creamed Horseradish
Entrée Table to include: Smoked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze; Bering Sea Crab Cakes with Remoulade; Smoked Turkey Breast with Giblet Gravy; Fried Okra; Honey Glazed Baby Carrots; Cornbread Dressing; Sweet Potato Soufflé; Sweet Yellow Buttered Corn; Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes; Macaroni and Cheese; and Dinner Rolls
Children’s Buffet with Chicken Nuggets; Mini Corn Dogs; and Potato Smiles
Dessert Table to include: a fine selection of Desserts to Include, Pumpkin Pie; Pecan Pie; Cream Pies; Mini Cakes; and Mini Cheesecakes Cost is ages 12 and up $35.99; ages 7 to 11 years old $14.99 and Kids 4 to 6 years old -$9.99. Enhance your experience with a glass of champagne for an additional $4.95 per guest. Reservations are required. Please call 865-868-4483 extension 10106 to make one.

The Wilderness at the Smokies features 234 Stone Hill guest rooms; 472 River Lodge suites; 20 Villas; 6 treehouse cabins; 8 five-bedroom cabins;14 four-bedroom cabins; an 84-degree, year-round indoor waterpark; two seasonal outdoor waterparks; an indoor family entertainment center; a variety of dining and shopping options; a 36-hole championship golf course adjacent to the resort; and more than 200,000 square feet of meeting and convention space adjacent to Stone Hill Lodge.

It is owned by Wilderness Resort and Waterparks, a Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin-based hotel and hospitality development and management company which also operates Soaky Mountain Waterpark across the street from the resort as well Wilderness Resort, Glacier Canyon Lodge, Wilderness on the Lake and Sundara Spa all in Wisconsin Dells. 

Wilderness at the Smokies has created hundreds of jobs in the greater Sevierville community, attracting year-round tourism, and having a major impact on sales tax and room tax generated for the City of Sevierville since opening its doors in 2008. For more information visit WildernessattheSmokies.com or call 877-325-9453.