There is so much going on for New Year’s in East Tennessee, it can be hard to decide what to do! To help you make the most of your time in the area, we have put together a guide with three great ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the Smoky Mountains.
(See Also: Top 4 Ways to See the Pigeon Forge Lights During Winterfest)
1. The New Year’s Eve Party at The Island
The Island, a large entertainment, shopping and dining complex in Pigeon Forge, is celebrating New Year’s Eve with an evening full of free activities. Starting at 6:00 p.m., there will be live music and entertainment from Joe the Show, the Live Rock n Roll Theater, and Fairview Union. The official party kicks off at 8:00 p.m., and the music continues through the night. In addition, there will be plenty of fun activities for kids such as a bounce house, face painting, and much more!
Of course, the highlight of the evening is the countdown to midnight followed by a spectacularfireworks show to welcome 2015. Bring along a blanket or chair, or relax in one of the rocking chairs surrounding the Island Show Fountain to enjoy the festivities in style!
The Island is located at 131 Island Drive, near traffic light #3 off the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. The Island features several popular restaurants, dozens of unique shops, and the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, a 200 foot tall Ferris wheel with stunning views of the area.
2. The Gatlinburg Ball Drop
The Gatlinburg Ball Drop is another exciting way to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the Smoky Mountains. This fun and free event, now in its 27th year, welcomes the arrival of 2015 with a midnight ball drop, a dazzling fireworks display, and a beautiful light show. The event takes place around the base of Gatlinburg’s 400 foot tall Space Needle, which has been fitted with rhythmic LED lights to add to the display. When the fireworks blast off at midnight, they will be choreographed with special music designed especially for the show.
For more information about the Ball Drop, visit the official Gatlinburg Space Needle website: http://www.gatlinburgspaceneedle.com/new-year-ball-drop/
The Gatlinburg Space Needle is located on Historic Nature Trail, just off traffic light #8 on the Gatlinburg Parkway. Plan to arrive early to find a good parking spot for this popular event! There is free parking available on River Road, which runs parallel to the Parkway. Other parking options include several independently owned parking lots along River Road with flat rate parking, or garage parking at the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Parking Garage and McMahan Parking Garage.
3. Spending the Night in a Pigeon Forge Condo
A great option for New Year’s Eve is to host your own celebration with an overnight stay at the Cherokee Lodge. Our luxurious condos have everything you need for a New Year’s Eve celebration, including large open kitchens so you can prepare plenty of snacks for the big night! Each unit features two or three oversized bedrooms so that you can spend the evening with family and friends, or enjoy a romantic overnight stay for two.
All of the units at the Cherokee Lodge have a fireplace and Jacuzzi tub which creates the perfect 
atmosphere for a New Year’s Eve celebration. Imagine a champagne toast at midnight as you relax in front of the warm fireplace! While staying at the Cherokee Lodge, you are close to all of the action in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Therefore, you can easily enjoy an evening of entertainment and dinner at one of the many local venues before returning to celebrate New Year’s Eve in your comfortable condo. Visit our Pigeon Forge Condos page to start planning your stay at the Cherokee Lodge today!
