As an East Tennessee native, I can tell you that there is no time like Christmas time around here. There is endless Christmas cheer everywhere you look.  With finals just around the corner, take a break from all the studying and go explore how East Tennessee does Christmas.  Gather your friends and take an adventure to a few of the jolliest events happening this time of year.

 

 

• Milligan College Jazz Combos Concert

 

Milligan’s Jazz Combos will turn Sub 7 into a smooth, chill atmosphere with their fall concert on Dec. 3. This concert will include small group arrangements and individual improvisations. Not only will it include styles such as swing, Latin and rock but also a jazz version of a popular Christmas song. This event begins at 8:00 p.m.

 

 

• Milligan College Christmas Concert

 

The Christmas Concert is one of the most anticipated events of the year for the Milligan music department. This year’s concert will be at 7:30 p.m. in Seeger Chapel on Dec. 5 and Dec. 6. The concert will feature choirs, orchestra, brass choir and the organ.

 

There will also be sing-along Christmas carols with a moving candlelight. This concert is free with the opportunity to donate five dollars to Milligan’s music department. This is an event you do not want to miss so make sure you arrive at least 45 minutes early to get a seat.

 

 

• Elizabethton Choral Club Christmas Concert

 

Nothing screams Christmas more than classic Christmas movies like Home Alone and White Christmas.  The Elizabethton Choral Club will be having their annual Christmas Concert on Dec. 7 at Grace Baptist Church. This year, the choir will be singing classic Christmas carols and some songs from your favorite Christmas movies.

 

This concert is free with the option of donating to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research for the Cure.  The concert will start at 7:00 p.m. but you will want to arrive early for the best seats.

 

 

• Speedway and Lights: Bristol Motor Speedway

 

The Speedway and Lights at Bristol Motor Speedway is the South’s largest holiday light show.  The Bristol Motor Speedway is lit up with millions of beautiful Christmas lights for you to drive through and enjoy. Guest even have the opportunity to drive on Nascar’s fastest half-mile.

 

The Speedway and Lights also includes The Johnson Controls Ice Rink and HVAC Chill Hill.  The ice rink has free skate rentals for college students every Tuesday nights.  The Speedway and Lights is the largest fundraiser for the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charity, raising more than $6.5 million dollars last year.

The track is open 6-10 p.m. each night. For more information, check out bristolmotorspeedway.com.

 

 

• Christmas Parades

 

Here in the Tri-Cities, we take Christmas parades very seriously. If you want the full experience of a Southern Christmas, then you must attend a local Christmas parade. This is an opportunity for these smaller communities to support one another and celebrate the neighborly bonds.

 

 In these parades, you can expect to see local Boy and Girl Scouts, several fire trucks and police cars, several antique cars carrying local pageant kings and queens and, of course, Santa Claus.

 

Here are some local parades you won’t want to miss:

 

Bristol on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.

Johnson City on Dec. 5 at 3:00 p.m.

Elizabethton on Dec. 5 at 6:00 p.m.

Jonesborough on Dec. 12 at 6 p.m.

 

 

• Jonesborough

 

No other small town in the area screams Christmas like Jonesborough. This small town goes all out with decorations and events during the holidays.  If you want to get the small town experience, take time to go to Jonesborough and enjoy some of the events. If you can’t make it to the events, it is worth the fifteen-minute drive to see the historic downtown dazzled in lights and decorations.

 

Every Saturday is Christmas in Olde Jonesborough. This event gives the community an opportunity to come together downtown and get in the Christmas spirit. Santa will have a meet-and-greet with children in the sleigh where children can drop off their letters. Also, there is a basket where people can drop off wrapped Christmas presents for underprivileged children. There will also be a Christmas market on the plaza of the International Storytelling Center with handmade crafts and ornaments.

 

 

• Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg

 

There’s a reason that Dolly Parton always makes it to her Tennessee mountain home for Christmas. The Great Smokey Mountains is beautiful throughout the entire year but there is just something extra special about Christmas time in the Smokey’s. Every year, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg come to life with Christmas lights and décor. Whether it’s in the local hotels or on the side of the road, the jolliness of Christmas can be seen throughout the towns.

 

One of the best places to visit during the Christmas holiday is Dolly Parton’s Dollywood.  Every year, Dollywood is transformed into its seven-time award winning America’s Best Christmas Event, Dollywood’s Smokey Mountain Christmas Festival. Every building, bush and tree is covered in colorful lights.

 

Dollywood will feature shows such as, Dollywood’s A Christmas Carol and Christmas in the Smokies. Children will be able to meet Rudolph and his friends.  The Parade of Lights will make its way throughout the park every night. The one thing that is a must when visiting the park is going to Santa’s Workshop. There are all sorts of fun activities such as making holiday cookies, drinking hot chocolate, seeing oversized toys and meeting the most beautiful Santa in the South.

 

So don’t be a cotton headed ninny mugging. Take some time from the hustle and bustle of finals and explore some local Christmas events.

 

As we say here in East Tennessee, Merry Christmas, y’all!

By Taylor Ward

12.8.15

Christmas lights at Dollywood.

 

Photo by Taylor Ward