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.
November Christmas Events
1. Christmas at The Barter Theatre
Throughout November and December 2023
Barter Theatre, Abingdon
(276) 628-3991
This year the barter will be hosting 3 great Christmas plays all season long, including Miracle on 34th Street, I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas, and I’ll Be Home For Christmas.
2. Holiday Farmer’s Market
Saturdays in November and December 2023
Abingdon Farmers’ Market Pavillion
FREE admission
This holiday farmer’s market boasts artisan crafts, delicious baked goods, and farm-fresh meats.
3. Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland
November 6 – December 24, 2023
Bass Pro Shops, Bristol, TN
FREE
Bass Pro guests can get a free photo with Santa and enjoy some fun in-store kids’ activities.
4. Airport Ice Rink
November 16, 2023 – January 14, 2024
Bristol Motor Speedway
(423) 989-6900
This seasonal ice rink is one of the most popular attractions of the season.
Weekday tickets are $12 per person. Weekend tickets are $15 per person. Admission includes your skate rental.
5. The Pinnacle Speedway in Lights
November 17, 2023 – January 16, 2024
Bristol Motor Speedway
(423) 989-6900
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! Here you can enjoy family-friendly rides and take a picture with Santa himself.
Weekday tickets are $20 per car. The weekend entrance fee is $25 per car.
6. Frosty Presented by the Barter Theatre
November 17, 2023
Capitol Theatre, Greenville
(423) 638-1300
This musical performance brings this classic Christmas story to life live on stage. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for children.
7. It’s a Wonderful Life Radio Show
November 17-19, 2023
Jonesborough Repertory Theatre
$30
This holiday classic comes to life as a live radio show. Not only is it a wonderful show, but it’s also a great history lesson for the kids. Tickets are $16-$18.
8. Christmas Tea at the Martha
November 18 & December 16, 2023
The Martha Washington Inn, Abingdon
(276) 628 – 3161
Enjoy a festive high tea with ballet excerpts from The Nutcracker.
9. Candyland Christmas
November 25, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Founders Park, Johnson City
FREE
At this Candyland Christmas, 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 25th, there will be a big kick-off celebration featuring a tree lighting ceremony, music, and more!
10. Whoville Christmas
November 25, 2023 @ 11 a.m.
Downtown Jonesborough
FREE
At this Grinch-y Christmas event, be sure to come dressed as your favorite Grinch character and enjoy free treats and readings of this classic story. There will also be a variety of fun kids’ activities.
At the end of the
11. Erwin Christmas Parade
November 25, 2023 @ 10:30 a.m.
The theme of this year’s parade is Peace on Earth. The parade will being at the Erwin Village Shopping Center and travel down Main Ave.
12. Doak House Candlelight Christmas
November 30, 2023
Doak House Museum, Greeneville
(423) 636-7348
Start the evening with light refreshments. Then, move on to a seated dinner with a speaker discussing the history of the General Morgan Inn. Tickets are $50 per person and reservations are required.
December Christmas Events
13. Classic Christmas Movie Showcase
Throughout December 2023 @ 7 p.m.
Capitol Theatre, Greenville
(423) 638-1300
Throughout the month, the Capitol will be showing tons of classic Christmas movies including Home Alone, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, A muppet Christmas Carol, Polar Express, Miracle on 34th Street, and more. Tickets are $5.
14. Christmas at the Carter Mansion
December 1-2, 2023 @ 8:20 p.m.
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park, Elizabethton
$14/Adults, $10/Kids 12 and Under
At this exciting living history event, reenactors will recreate a traditional colonial Christmas. The mansion will also be beautifully decorated with its finest Christmas decor.
15. Candlelight Christmas Tours
December 1 & 8, 2023
Rocky Mount State Historic Site, Piney Flats
Discover Christmas traditions from the 1700s on a festive living history tour. The Candlelight Christmas Tour takes place in the evening.
16. Christmas Kick-Off
December 2, 2023 @ 4 p.m.
Downtown Mountain City
FREE
Kick off Christmas on a high note with food and craft vendors, cloggers, live music, an adorable Christmas village, and a tree-lighting ceremony.
17. Downtown Sip and Shop
December 2, 2023@ 5 p.m.
Downtown Elizabethton
FREE
At the Sip and Shop, you can enjoy the downtown Christmas decor while you sip on a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Shops will be staying open late to help you finish up your Christmas shopping.
18. Christmas Movie in the Park
December 2, 2023
Edward’s Island (Kids’ Island), Elizabethton
FREE
Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy a free screening of Home Alone.
19. Downtown Church Hill Christmas Parade
December 2, 2023
FREE
The parade starts the the Church Hill Senior Center.
20. Johnson City Christmas Parade
December 2, 2023 @ 10:30 a.m.
FREE
The theme of this year’s parade is Toy Land. The parade will travel down several streets, but you can see a full route map here.
21. Jingle and Mingle Holiday Shop & Christmas Parade
December 2, 2023 @ 10 p.m.
Downtown Kingsport
FREE
At 10 a.m. downtown businesses will open up with special holiday deals for the popular Jingle and Mingle event. Beginning at 6 p.m., there will be a parade and a tree-lighting ceremony.
You can also get a free Santa photo and write a letter to Santa in Glen Bruce Park.
22. Rogersville Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
December 2, 2023 @ 4 p.m.
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.
23. By The Fireside Christmas Concert
December 2, 2023
Toy F. Reid Eastman Employee Center, Kingsport
Symphony of the Mountains’ annual Christmas concert will feature a variety of different performers. Tickets are $35.
24. Visions of Christmas
December 2, 2023 @ 2 p.m.
Tipton Hayes State Historic Site, Johnson City
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. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children.
25. Abingdon Christmas Parade
December 2, 2023
Mainstreet, Abingdon, VA
FREE
The traditional Christmas parade is back.
26. Christmas in the Country
December 2, 2023 @ 10 a.m.
Exchange Place, Kingsport, TN
(423) 288-6071
Step into the magic of an old-fashioned country Christmas with homemade wreaths, 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.
Admission is $5 for ages 12 and up. Children under 12 are free.
27. Downtown Bulls Gap Christmas Parade
December 3, 2023
FREE
The parade will run down Main Street.
28. Christmas Through the Decades Parade
December 3, 2023
Downtown Greeneville
FREE
The theme of this year’s parade is Christmas movies
29. Christmas at Covered Bridge Park & Parade
December 6, 2023 @ 3 p.m.
Covered Bridge Park, Elizabethton
FREE Admission
Before the parade come on out to the park for fun meet-and-greets with popular Christmas characters. There will also be free cookies, hot chocolate, and a fun Christmas village to explore.
After the kick-off events, the parade will start at 6 p.m.
30. Bristol Christmas Parade
December 7, 2023 @ 7 p.m.
State Street, Bristol
FREE
Light up the night at this stunning holiday light parade.
31. An 1818 Christmas at the Netherland Inn
December 8-10, 2023
The Netherland Inn, Kingsport, TN
(423) 429-7730
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.
Tickets are $10 Per Person. Children 6 and under are free with a paying adult.
32. Elizabethton Christmas Parade
December 9, 2023 @ 6 p.m.
Downtown Elizabethton
This evening Christmas parade will have tons of Christmas lights, floats, bands, and all your favorite parade entertainment.
33. Grinchmas
December 16, 2023
Covered Bridge Park, Elizabethton
FREE
At Grinchmas, guests can join the Grinch in a gingerbread house smashing and visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. There will also be games, cookies, and tons of fun for the kiddos.
34. Erwin Candlelight Nativity Parade
December 20, 2023 @ 7 p.m.
Mainstreet Erwin
At this unique parade, Main Street Erwin will be filled with hundreds of shepherds and angels searching for the baby Jesus.
35. Candlelight Christmas Tours
December 1 & 8, 2023
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.
More East TN Family Fun
Erica has lived in East TN for over 9 years. She enjoys exploring this gorgeous region with her husband and 3 lively children. As a former teacher turned homeschool mom, she loves finding fun and affordable activities the entire family will love, especially if they cultivate a love for learning!