30 + Christmas Events in Johnson City TN and Tri-Cities That Will Rock Your Holiday in 2021

Bring your family together for some magical holiday fun at one of these festive Christmas events in Johnson City TN and throughout Tri-Cities. From meet and greets with Santa and Christmas parades to ice skating and holiday craft classes, you’ll find everything you need to create a memorable holiday season.

Christmas Events in Johnson City TN

Christmas Events in Johnson City TN and Throughout Tri-Cities

1. Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland

November 6 – December 24, 2021
Bass Pro Shops, Bristol, TN
FREE

This year’s Christmas event will look a little different. Like last year, Santa visits will be contactless. Christmas craft kits will be given out for families to complete at home. 

2. Airport Ice Rink

November 12, 2021 – January 9, 2021
Bristol Motor Speedway
$15

This seasonal ice rink is one of the most popular attractions of the season. This year, advanced registration is required.

3. The Pinnacle Speedway in Lights

November 12, 2021 – January 1, 2022
Bristol Motor Speedway
$25 per car

The Pinnacle Speedway in Lights is the largest drive-thru Christmas lights display in all of East TN. In the infield, there will be an adorable Christmas village featuring festive refreshments, arts and crafts vendors, music, and more!

The Christmas village will officially be open this year. Here you can enjoy family-friendly rides and take a picture with Santa himself.

4. Doak House Christmas Market

November 13, 2021
Doak House Museum, Greeneville

Finish your shopping at this popular arts and crafts fair. Sweet treats will also be available for purchase.

5. Christmas Open House

November 14, 2021
Downtown Elizabethton

The Christmas Open House is a great time to visit local businesses for special sales, gift wrapping, door prizes, and more!

6. Gingerbread Covered Bridge Contest

November 14, 2021
Downtown Elizabethton Chamber of Commerce
$10 entry fee

If your gingerbread house-making skills are on point, craft a replica of Elizabethton’s famous covered bridge for this friendly competition with cash prizes.

All entries will be on display for the public from November 14th – December 17th.

7. Holiday Market at the Martha

November 19, 2021
The Martha Washington Inn, Abingdon, VA

The inn will be decorated in its holiday finest for this festive Christmas craft market. There will be plenty of artisan vendors with crafts, gifts, and tasty treats to help you complete your shopping. This event is hosted by the Virginia Highland Festival.

8. Deck the Poles

November 20 – December 2, 2021
Downtown Mountain City
FREE

Soak in the holiday spirit with Mountain City’s popular light pole decorating competition. Local community members will be decorating the poles to compete for prizes. Visitors can enjoy the decor all season long.

9. Candyland Christmas

November 27, 2021 – January 2, 2022
Founders Park, Johnson City, TN
FREE

At this Johnson City TN Christmas event, local businesses will be decorating Christmas trees around Founders Park and throughout the downtown area. Community members can enjoy the trees all month long.

On the 27th, there will be a big kick-off celebration featuring a tree lighting, music, and more!

10. It’s a Wonderful Life

November 27, 2021
Capitol Theatre, Greenville
$5

Ring in the holiday season with this affordable screening of a classic Christmas movie.

11. Holiday Farmer’s Market

November 27 – December 20, 2021 (Fri, Sat, & Sun)
Abingdon Farmers’ Market Pavillion
FREE admission

This holiday farmer’s market boasts artisan crafts, delicious baked goods, and farm-fresh meats.

12. Soup and Songs drive-Thru Fundraiser

November 29, 2021
McKinney Center, Jonesborough, TN
$30

Join the McKinney Center for another fun “Holidays Around the World event.” This year, guests will walk through a variety of living Christmas scenes that depict traditions from around the globe.

At the end of the event, you’ll receive a scrumptious chili dinner. Yum! Proceeds will benefit the McKinney Center and the StoryTown Radio Show.

Christmas Events in Tri-Cities TN

More Christmas Events Near Johnson City TN

13. Bristol Christmas Parade

December 2, 2021
State Street, Bristol
FREE

Light up the night at this stunning holiday light parade.

14. Jingle All the Way at the Moonlite

December 3, 2021 – December 23, 2021 (select dates)
17555 Lee Hwy, Abingdon, VA 
adults/$20 and up, kids/$10 and up

In this kid-friendly Christmas play, two rival elves must work together to save Christmas. This is a live stage production by the Barter Theatre. The performance will be shown on the big screen to make sure everyone has a great view.

Guests are allowed to bring camp chairs and sit in front of their cars if they wish.

15. Christmas on Main Street

December 3, 2021
Main Street Mountain City
FREE

Shop from a variety of food and craft vendors before enjoying a gorgeous tree lighting ceremony.

16. Downtown Church Hill Christmas Parade

December 3, 2021
FREE

17. Christmas at the Carter Mansion

December 3-5, 2021
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park, Elizabethton
$8/adults, $4/kids

Due to current events, this year will feature daytime tours with 1 tour guide only. The park plans to resume with larger events when circumstances allow.

At this exciting living history event, reenactors will recreate a traditional colonial Christmas. The mansion will also be beautifully decorated in its finest Christmas decor.

18. Johnson City Christmas Parade

December 4, 2021
East TN State University, Johnson City
FREE

This will be a traditional daytime Christmas parade.

19. Jingle and Mingle Parade and Christmas Festival

December 4, 2021
Downtown Kingsport
FREE

This huge Christmas event boasts an artisan craft fair, pictures with Santa, music, an evening parade, a tree lighting ceremony, and more! Events are scheduled at various times throughout the day.

20. Rogersville Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting

December 4, 2021
Rogersville Middle School
FREE

Enjoy a festive and traditional Christmas parade with gorgeous floats, entertainers, and marching bands. After the parade, the annual Christmas tree lighting will take place in the town square.

Immediately following the parade, the annual tree lighting will be held in front of the Hawkins County Court House.

21. Breakfast with Santa

December 4, 2021
Hale Springs Inn, Rogersville
(423) 272 – 5171

Enjoy a yummy breakfast and meet-and-greet with Santa. Kids will also be able to decorate a cookie and make an ornament craft. Call the inn to make reservations.

22. Downtown Church Hill Christmas Parade

December 4, 2021
FREE

23. By The Fireside Christmas Concert 

December 4, 2021
Toy F. Reid Eastman Employee Center, Kingsport
$30

Symphony of the Mountains’ annual Christmas concert will feature a variety of different performers.

24. Visions of Christmas

December 4, 2021
Tipton Hayes State Historic Site, Johnson City, TN
$5/adults, $3/kids

Enjoy a historic reenactment of an 1859 Haynes family Christmas. The Haynes family will prepare for Christmas including decorating and cooking holiday treats over the open hearth.

45. Abingdon Christmas Parade

December 4, 2021
Mainstreet, Abingdon, VA
FREE

The traditional Christmas parade is back. The parade route starts at Main and Court

26. Christmas in the Country

December 4, 2021
Exchange Place, 4812 Orebank Road, Kingsport, TN
$5/ages 12 and up

Step into the magic of an old-fashioned country Christmas with homemade wreaths and garlands and gorgeously decorated trees. There will also be delicious treats like cinnamon waffles, wassail, and ginger cakes.

To complete the experience there will be a variety of family-friendly activities from an 1800s Christmas including, stringing popcorn, dipping candles, tree decorating, and more. There will also be living history actors and a fun yule log ceremony.

27. Downtown Bulls gap Christmas Parade

December 5, 2021
FREE

28. Christmas Through the Decades Parade

December 5, 2021
Downtown Greeneville
FREE

The floats at this parade will showcase Christmas decor and clothing from throughout history.

29. Paws and Clause Pet Night With Santa

December 6, 2021
The Mall at Johnson City
photo packages vary

In addition to your pet-friendly photo with Santa, pets will receive a Christmas bandana and a caricature.

30. An 1818 Christmas at the Netherland Inn

December 10-12, 2021
The Netherland Inn, Kingsport, TN
$10 with a $30 max per family

Experience all the traditional joys of a Christmas in 1818, complete with decorations, food, and music. There will also be a variety of living history demonstrations throughout the weekend.

31. Elizabethton Christmas Parade

December 11, 2021
Downtown Elizabethton

This evening Christmas parade will have tons of Christmas lights, floats, bands, and all your favorite parade entertainment.

32. Downtown Mount Carmel Christmas Parade

December 11, 2021
FREE

TBA and Canceled Christmas Events in Tri-Cities TN

Candlelight Christmas

TBA 2021
Rocky Mount State Historic Site, Piney Flats

Discover Christmas traditions from with 1700’s on a festive living history tour. The Candlelight Christmas tour takes place in the evening, while the Colonial Christmas tour takes place during the day.

Gingerbread Village

December TBA 2021
Mainstreet Jonesborough, TN
FREE

This walkable gingerbread wonderland will feature tons of gingerbread house displays in the storefront windows downtown.

Guests will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite house and prizes will be awarded. Anyone is welcome to submit a house to the show.

That’s a Wrap

TBA 2021
Downtown Elizabethton Chamber of Commerce
Donation to East TN Spay and Neuter

For just a donation to East TN Spay and Neuter, you can come on down and get your Christmas gifts wrapped for free. Guests can also help make t-shirt toys for the Carter County Animal Shelter.

lectric 94.9’s Acoustic Christmas

TBA 2021

Electric 94.9’s This unplugged Christmas concert features a variety of popular top 40 artists and is an all-ages event.

Erwin Candlelight Nativity Parade

TBA 2021

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Written By
Erica Cardinal
Erica is a long-time resident of East TN and the founder of East TN Family Fun. She's also a sucker for a good adventure. Together with her hubs and kiddos, she spends her time exploring, homeschooling, and making memories.

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