New Year’s Eve is a celebration like no other in Gatlinburg. We’ve listed our favorite things to do on New Year’s Eve in Gatlinburg, so you can witness as the whole town comes alive!
If you’re looking for something fun to do on New Year’s Eve, there are plenty of festive events and activities happening throughout the town to help you celebrate the coming year!


Join the festivities at one of Gatlinburg’s many bars and clubs, or visit Enchanted Garden in Anakeesta before heading downtown for the countdown.
Be sure to keep reading as we give you more fun things to do on New Year’s Eve in Gatlinburg that are perfect for the whole family!
Does Gatlinburg do anything for New Year’s Eve?
There are several things to do in this town on New Year’s Eve, including attending a party at one of the local resorts, watching the ball drop at Ober, or going to one of the many concerts or shows that are happening.
There is also always plenty of partying and celebrating going on in the streets of Gatlinburg, so you’re sure to find something to enjoy no matter what your preferences are.
However, if you’d like to stay in, you may book a cabin at GSM Family Vacations which also has a lot of things in store for the whole family for your end-of-year celebration, such as a 6-person tub, theater, and pool table, among others.
Be sure to prepare yourself to have a blast as we celebrate the first of 2025!
Things To Do On New Year's Eve In Gatlinburg
Whether you opt to stay in on New Year's Eve or have a place that's minutes away from all the happenings, this 5-bedroom cabin is perfect for you. From a 9-person theater and a 6-person hot tub to board games and a pool table, there's something here for all ages!
Be sure to arrive early to take advantage of the different specials offered by various Gatlinburg restaurants. Live music will kick off at 10 pm presented by the Gatlinburg Space Needle.
A new highlight of the festivities, attendees can look forward to a stunning drone show that will light up the night, starting around 11:50 p.m.
Join this FREE, family-friendly celebration as you wait for the countdown and be entertained with fireworks!
New Year's Eve Lights of Wonder 2025 at Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
When: December 31, 2024 @ 10:00PM-12:30AM
Get an unobstructed view of the fireworks in town this New Year's Eve and a view of the fireworks from 500 feet above Gatlinburg when you purchase the VIP "NYE Lights of Wonder" tickets!
Get ready to dance and party because this year the SkyDeck will be turned into a huge dance floor!
Head over to see the thousands of Gatlinburg Christmas Lights to set your mood before New Year's!
End your year with a delicious dinner at the best restaurants in town. Some even offer special New Year's Eve packages complete with a full-course meal that you can enjoy while enjoying live music.
Have you decided on a New Year's resolution yet? How about more adventures like this one? Snow tubing is an activity that the whole family will love! Here's where you can go snow tubing in Gatlinburg.

Smoky Mountains 7-Day Itinerary
I understand how difficult it can be to plan a trip, especially if it’s your first time going. That’s why I created this 7-day itinerary for the Smoky Mountains. It outlines all of the best places to go in the area and comes with insider tips that will save you a lot of stress–trust me, they saved me when I was planning my own trip!
- Our 7-day itinerary takes you to the best places in the Smoky Mountains.
- You’ll get to see all the best sights and attractions with driving directions
- The itinerary is designed to show you the most scenic routes.
- Packing Checklist for every season.
- You’ll have everything you need to make the most of your trip.
- Insider Tips!
Here’s a quick overview of our Smoky Mountains 7-Day Itinerary.
- Day 1: Cades Cove Loop
- Day 2: Rich Mountain Road
- Day 3: Cataloochee Valley
- Day 4: Newfound Gap Road
- Day 5: Roaring Fork Motor Trail
- Day 6: Little River Road
- Day6: Foothills Parkway
Download This Winter Packing List for FREE!
Recommended Gatlinburg Vacation Resources
- Smoky Mountains Vacation Guide
- Pigeon Forge Vacation Guide
- Fun Things to Do in Gatlinburg in March
- Great Smoky Mountains Family Vacations Facebook Group
MORE RELATED RESOURCES
Sure, New Year’s Eve is a significant event in Gatlinburg but have you ever been to the Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies Fair? If you haven’t, then this is a sign for you to try it out. Don’t miss this 3-day event that will feature some of the best Bluegrass musicians in the country.
If you’re looking for a kid-friendly Christmas vacation on the other side of the US, we are sure that the kids would love to know what it’s like to visit Disneyland at Christmas (I know I do!). Check it out!


