Experience A Mountaintop Christmas Extravaganza This Year At Anakeesta In Tennessee
By Meghan Kraft|Updated on November 03, 2023(Originally published December 04, 2020)
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Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
The holiday season is full of magic, and the state of Tennessee loves to enthrall its residents and visitors alike with a whole lot of Christmas cheer. This year, if you’re looking for a quirky bit of fun with a bit of natural beauty, then you’ll want to head to Anakeesta for a whole day of fun and excitement. Christmas at Anakeesta is an experience that truly is unlike any other in the state, and this holiday experience is fun for the entire family.
Anakeesta is a Gatlinburg, Tennessee theme park that offers a unique and fun experience in the heart of Tennessee's gorgeous natural beauty. The famed Chondola (A combination of a chair lift and a gondola making for a combined experience of your choosing) will take you to the top of the ridge, where there are all sorts of opportunities to shop, dine, and explore to your heart's content.
During the Christmas season, Anakeesta transforms into a true winter wonderland. Firefly Village is a magical place to explore when all decorated for Christmas, and the AnaVista Tower offers 360-degree views of the surrounding natural space. Anakeesta is known for elaborate and beautiful decorations so it should come as no surprise when we say they really know how to put on an impressive light display.
If you're looking for an enchanting experience this season, then you don't want to miss watching a sunset from Anakeesta Mountain. The Enchanted Winter celebration kicks into high gear come the holidays, with gorgeous lights, dining specials, and general holiday cheer found across the park. The park is designed in such a way that you are never far from a gorgeous overlook. Admire the surrounding mountains during the daylight and when the sun goes down the lights turn on for a magical experience.
This photo from the Anakeesta celebration in 2019 just goes to show how popular and fun the experience is for the entire family. Gather around the fire with family, friends, and a steaming cup of hot cocoa. If you prefer to make a trip to the mountaintop a romantic escape, however, there are plenty of places where you can spend some quality time with that special someone. In our experience, the place was never so busy that we weren't able to find peace among the crowd.
There are plenty of shopping opportunities at Anakeesta as well, with shops like the Mercantile at Black Bear Village and the Adventure Outpost stuffed to the gills with seasonal decor and ornaments to remind you of your trip. With the whole place decorated, it looks more akin to a cute North Pole village which is the perfect setting for a little holiday shopping.
There's even a Breakfast with Santa event! You'll want to purchase your tickets early and snag a spot for this family-friendly event targeted at kids under the age of 12. Attendees will receive a day's visit to Anakeesta, a delicious breakfast, fun and free crafts, a sing-along carol time, a free souvenir to remember your time, and even a photo with Santa! It's a true dream for little ones.
Warm yourself by the fire, explore the treehouse, and be caught up in awe over some of the best decorations in Gatlinburg all during a magical trip to Anakeesta.
While you visit Anakeesta make sure to purchase tickets earlier because there is one extra orginary light show you just don't want to miss. Astra Lumina is a stunning walk through the stars on an immersive and whole experience unlike anything else. It might not be your typical Christmas display but once you set foot through the misting Astra Archway you are swept away on a celestial journey through space. Trust us when we say from our very own experience this is one of the best light shows you might ever experience. To get a taste of this incredible experience check out this Adventuring in the Moment video:
If you’re looking for more information on Christmas at Anakeesta please visit the Anakeesta website or the Anakeesta Facebook page. Need a place to stay in Gatlinburg for an adventurous weekend getaway? Check out the Castle on the Green where you can rent in stay in your own castle!
