GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Gatlinburg’s beloved Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff will celebrate its 36th year and returns to the Parkway on Thursday, November 6, bringing together residents and visitors to kick off the winter season in true Smoky Mountain style.
The event will take place along the Parkway between Traffic Light No. 6 and the intersections of Reagan Drive and Maples Lane.
To accommodate setup and ensure a safe experience for all attendees, road closures will begin Thursday morning:
9:00 a.m. – Southbound lanes of the Parkway will close, with traffic diverted to River Road or Cherokee Orchard Road.
10:00 a.m. – Northbound lanes will close, with traffic rerouted to Airport Road or River Road.
Festivities officially begin at 5 p.m. with the Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff, featuring local businesses and vendors serving up their best chili recipes. At 6 p.m., the Winter Magic Countdown will mark the official start of the Winter Fest season and turn on the millions of lights that illuminate Gatlinburg.
The celebration will continue until 9:00 p.m., and the Parkway will reopen to all traffic at midnight.
For more details about the Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff, visit Gatlinburg.com/events.