Driving around town to find the best light display has always been one of my favorite Christmas traditions. My parents drove us around every year of my childhood, and my husband and I have been doing the same with our kids for the last 15 years. Always – always – with The Carpenters playing in the background (my Christmas playlist is long, but Karen Carpenter will always take the top spot). Holiday decorations have changed (a lot!) since the ’80s and the Knoxville area has some amazing light displays that you just shouldn’t miss!
Below is a list of some of our favorites and a link to a map so you can plan out your holiday tour for all the Knoxville Christmas lights. If you know of other locations, please leave a comment – we’ll be adding to this list throughout December!
My family also added a new tradition a few years ago: a Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt. We’re slightly competitive and had a blast trying to check off all of the items on our list. I’m sharing this Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt printable with you and hope that you enjoy adding this fun tradition to your holiday season!
Knoxville Christmas Lights and Surrounding Areas
Download your free printable – and enjoy!
Boyd Family Christmas Light Show
1936 Winter Winds Lane, Knoxville
Christmas on Conner
3008 Conner Drive, Knoxville
West Knoxville Light Show
11617 Foxford Drive, Knoxville
West Hills Christmas Light Show
7008 Hampshire Drive, Knoxville
Hardin Valley Light Show
1712 Golden Nugget Lane, Knoxville
Johnson Christmas Lights
4901 Fragrant Cloud Lane, Knoxville
Loveday Christmas Light Show
5801 Zachary Road, Corryton
Listen to the Lights!
929 Oak Haven Road, Knoxville
Villa Gardens Light Show
5610 Villa Road, Knoxville
Gray Eagle Lane (off of Bob Gray Road) Knoxville: Many houses are decorated in this neighborhood. Be prepared to wait in a line to get through the neighborhood.
Loudon County
10875 US-11, Lenoir City
If you’ve ever driven down Kingston Pike past Watt Road, into Lenoir City, you’ve seen this one! Gorgeous display.
Muddy Creek Christmas Lights
742 Lakeview Road, Lenoir City (first weekend of December)
Loudon Municipal Park Drive/Walk Through Light Display
1470 Roberson Springs Road, Loudon
Blount County
Listen to the Lights Maryville
2959 W Hills Dr. Maryville
Candy Cane Lane
Remington Park Drive Maryville
Blount County Courthouse
Festival of Trees
December 1, 2022 • Tree Lighting at 6:30 PM • Blount County Courthouse
The Blount County Courthouse lawn will be illuminated by live Christmas trees of all sizes, colors, and themes. This unique month-long event allows the community to enjoy the festival by driving by or walking through for a closer look. The Festival opening will take place on the Courthouse lawn and will include entertainment, refreshments, and visits with Santa Claus.
Ferrell Family Christmas
2231 Richwood Dr. Maryville, TN 37803
City of Alcoa Tree Lighting
223 Associates Boulevard, Alcoa, TN 37701
November 28, 2022 (Rain Date: Nov. 29) • 6:15 PM • Pedestrian Bridge at the Springbrook Corporate Center
H.O.M.E for the Holidays
Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, Alcoa, TN
Join us on December 3rd for family fun and light refreshments. If you choose to put a tree in the lower field, please do so prior to the event with the last day being December 1st.
Sevier County 
Sevier County Courthouse
The second annual Christmas at the Courthouse event features multiple performances from local high school choirs, the Salvation Army Brass Band, children’s play area, face painting, and crafts, wagon rides, and the County Mayor reading “The Night before Christmas” before lighting the 18-foot Christmas tree. Vendors will sell handmade Christmas gifts and food.
Winterfest Lights in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg
Draped in more than 5 million lights, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg create a winter wonderland for locals and guests alike to enjoy during the annual Winterfest celebration. The lights of Winterfest shine from early November through the end of February.
Whether this is your first time visiting the Smoky Mountains or you’re making a return trip, Winterfest is the perfect occasion to share special memories with family and friends.
New for 2022, Pigeon Forge Winterfest will be brighter than ever with the Wonders of Light Walking Trail. The Riverwalk Greenway will be transformed into a light show with 20 new displays, some standing more than 25 feet tall, all programmed to music. Visitors can experience walk-thru arches, a colorful 52-foot-long caterpillar, larger-than-life flowers, and Old Man Winter. Full Winterfest map can be found here.
Reader Recommendations:
11617 Foxford Drive (same neighborhood as West Knoxville Light Show)
8506 Farmington Drive, Knoxville 37923
508 Running Brook Drive, Strawberry Plains 37871 (thousands of lights and blow mold displays)
808 Commonwealth Drive, Strawberry Plains 37871 (lights and trees set to synchronized music)
A Quails Bend Lane Christmas Light Show
8825 Quails Bend Ln, Knoxville 37932
East Emory Road (7512 Majors Rd Corryton, TN)
Public Christmas Light Locations
Anakeesta Enchanted Winter
576 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
November 13 – February 2
Immerse yourself in tens of thousands of twinkling lights at Anakeesta’s new Enchanted Winter experience! Stroll through Arctic Alley to see lights set to seasonal music, discover the sensory walk on the Vista Gardens’ boardwalk and sip your way through the hot chocolate trail! See website for more details.
Zoo Knoxville Zoo Lights
3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive
Knoxville, TN 37914
November 15-January 8 5:00PM-8:30PM, Open Select Dates
General Admission: $24 Adults, $18 Kids (Ages 3-12), $20 Adult Zoo Members, $14 Kids Zoo Members, Children under 2 are free
See Knoxville’s newest light spectacular! Light up your nights this winter when you experience the all-new outdoor lantern light-up at Zoo Knoxville. In addition to dozens of glowing lanterns, see an enchanted forest of multi-color trees, enjoy holiday refreshments like hot chocolate and delightful holiday treats. See website for more details.
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland
Tennessee Smokies Baseball Stadium (last year at this location!)
3540 Line Drive
Kodak, TN 37764
Soaky Mountain Waterpark (new this year!)
175 Gists Breek Road
Sevierville, TN 37876
November 4 – January 1; 6:00PM-10:00PM, Open Rain or Shine & On Holidays
Cars or family vans (8 passengers or fewer) Sunday-Thursday $30, Friday & Saturday $40, larger vehicles $50, tour/school buses $150. Fees include admission to Santa’s Village. Credit cards accepted. See a synchronized music and light show that will amaze you from the comfort of your vehicle. Then get out of your car to visit Santa’s Village to see Santa and do much more. See website for more details.
Light Up Lakeshore
5930 Lyons View Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919
Beginning November 4
FREE
Lakeshore Park will be illuminated with a special kickoff celebration on Nov. 4th. Visitors can enjoy the decorated trees throughout the holiday season.
Farragut Light the Park
405 N. Campbell Station Road
Farragut, TN 37934
November 21 – January 2, 7:00PM-10:00PM
FREE
Enjoy this Farragut tradition that sparkles through the entire holiday season! See thousands of holiday lights and drop those letters to Santa in a special mailbox! See website for more details.
Countdown to Farragut Light the Park
405 N. Campbell Station Road
Farragut, TN 37934
November 21, 5:00PM-7:00PM
The Town of Farragut and the Farragut Business Alliance unveil holiday cheer with more than 68,000 twinkling lights. This FREE event also features live entertainment and refreshments.
Holiday Festival of Lights at the Cove
The Cove at Concord Park
11808 S. Northshore Drive
Farragut, TN 37922
December 1 – January 1, 6:00PM-9:00PM, Excluding Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Free
See the park light up each night on a walk around a 3/4 mile loop! Hot drinks will be available for purchase most nights. The Cove has several fire pits available for guests to warm up or roast s’mores. Pets on a leash are welcome.
Peppermint Trail in Downtown Knoxville
Various downtown locations
November 25 – January 8
Enjoy special holiday flavored treats such as hot cocoa and ice cream at participating businesses. Look for the peppermint sticker on the businesses that will have a special peppermint or holiday flavored treat! Downtown Knoxville will have special décor on Market Square that will be sure to help with the holiday spirit! Walk through and capture some family photos by our 42ft Christmas tree on Gay Street and enjoy thousands of twinkling lights throughout the park! A list of participating businesses can be found on the Peppermint Trail website.
Bryson City Christmas Light Spectacular
Bryson City, NC
Great Smoky Mountain Event Park (formerly Inspiration Park)
1130 Hyatt Creek Road, Bryson City, NC 28713
November 10 – December 31 6:00pm-10:00pm
Tickets: $20 Cars & Family Vans, $40 Activity Vans, $40 Limos, $80 Tour & School Buses
Guaranteed to ignite the holiday spirit, the new Smoky Mountain Christmas Light Spectacular is a holiday drive-thru light show set to holiday music and includes custom-built light displays, drive-through tunnels, and holiday scenes to delight everyone from young to old!
Smoky Mountain Lights
Townsend, TN
Townsend Visitors Center
7906 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend, TN 37882
11/25/22-1/2/23 5:00pm-10:00pm
General Admission: $25.00 per vehicle
Visit the peaceful side of the Smokies for an enchanting drive thru holiday light display.
Here’s a link to a google map of the above list – we’ll add to it and to this list as we find out about more light displays.
Other Christmas round ups you don’t want to miss:
Knoxville Family Christmas and Holiday Events
Santa Sightings in Knoxville
Knoxville Christmas Tree Farms
Family Events Calendar
More Holiday Posts
The Ultimate Non-Toy Gift Guide
About Raven
Hi, I’m Raven! In 2020 my husband and I celebrated 20 years of marriage, my son graduated from high school and moved into his college dorm, and my daughter started driving… So that perfectly sums up Mom Life for me right now. I’m a right brain living in a left brain world – I work full-time in Finance but do design work on the side. I love dogs, Dolly, sweet tea, and all things pretty. And if you need to find me during the holidays, chances are good I’m curled up with a Hallmark movie.
Hi! We also have a new light show with music in Powell. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087105994174 Our December light show will start around December 1st. Thanks! 2809 Staffordshire Blvd, Powell, TN 37849
We have a new theme this year and have combined “A Christmas Story with Christmas Vacation. It’s is called “A Christmas Vacation Story”. We have Clark hanging from roof, Cousin Eddie out front doing his thing, Flic with his tongue stuck to the flag pole, Ralphie in the upstairs window with the famous Leg Lamp. All synced to music.
520 Vivian Lee Ln. Cocord area of Knoxville