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The first Tennessee Christmas parades are Friday, Dec 4, 2026, in Gatlinburg (7:30 p.m.) and Knoxville (7 p.m.), followed by Sevierville on Saturday, Dec 5 at 11 a.m. and Memphis on Beale Street on Saturday, Dec 12 at 11 a.m. Dates and times below were read on each organizer’s own page; we say plainly where something is not yet announced.
Christmas Parades and Tree Lightings, Dec 4-12
| When | Event | Where | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Dec 4, 2026 7:30-9 p.m. | Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade | Gatlinburg | Free. Grandstand VIP seating $50 per person, seating from 5:30 p.m.; no strollers in grandstand seats. Route: Baskins Creek Bypass to traffic light #10. Re-read on 2026-11-03 was blocked; details are from the organizer’s page as read on Oct 19. Checked 2026-10-19. |
| Fri, Dec 4, 2026 7 p.m. | WIVK Christmas Parade | Knoxville | Route starts along Gay St. toward Jackson Ave., finishing past Covenant Health Stadium. Price not published; details come from WIVK. Re-read on 2026-11-03 was blocked; details are from the city’s page as read on Oct 19. Checked 2026-10-19. |
| Sat, Dec 5, 2026 11 a.m. | 64th Sevierville Christmas Parade | Sevierville | No admission price published. Steps off at First Baptist Church Sevierville, goes north on Forks of the River Pkwy, right on Main St., right on Court Ave. Best view: near the Sevier County Courthouse, 125 Court Ave. About 30 minutes to pass a viewing point; arrive 30-60 minutes early. Checked 2026-11-03. |
| Sun, Dec 6, 2026 Time not yet announced | Townsend Christmas Parade | Townsend | Price and route not yet announced. Not yet announced – we check weekly. Checked 2026-11-03. |
| Sun, Dec 6, 2026 6-7:30 p.m. | Dogwood Park Christmas Tree Lighting and Light Show (not a parade) | Cookeville | Tree lighting and Christmas concert, then a 15-minute light show set to music; the show repeats at the top of every hour from 5 to 9 p.m. through the season. Price not published. Checked 2026-11-03. |
| Sat, Dec 12, 2026 11 a.m. | Memphis Holiday Parade | Memphis (Beale Street) | Marching bands, steppers, twirlers and floats; a Holiday Market runs in Handy Park (times not published). Price not published. Checked 2026-11-03. |
| Sat, Dec 12, 2026 Time not yet announced | Jaycee’s Christmas Parade | Maryville and Alcoa | Held in Maryville and Alcoa. Price and route not yet announced. Not yet announced – we check weekly. Checked 2026-11-03. |
| Sat, Dec 12, 2026 6-8 p.m. | Jonesborough Christmas Parade | Jonesborough | Downtown Jonesborough. Price and route not published. Checked 2026-11-03. |
Tips for Watching With Kids
- Bring layersEarly December evenings in Tennessee are cold, and the Gatlinburg and Knoxville parades are after dark.
- Arrive early. Sevierville says guests usually start arriving 30 to 60 minutes before the 11 a.m. step-off.
- Gatlinburg grandstand seats do not allow strollers; one child under 5 may sit on a lap free.
- Beale Street is a bar district at night; the Memphis Holiday Parade is an 11 a.m. daytime event.
Still Unconfirmed
- NashvilleWe have not yet found an official 2026 Christmas parade date; it is not on our list, and we check weekly.
- Times, routes and prices for the Townsend and Jaycee’s (Maryville and Alcoa) parades.
- Road closures and parking for the Knoxville, Gatlinburg and Memphis parades.
Not yet announced here. We check the organizers’ pages weekly and update this guide when anything changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Christmas parades in Tennessee in 2026?
The first ones are Friday, Dec 4 in Gatlinburg (7:30 p.m.) and Knoxville (7 p.m.), then Sevierville on Saturday, Dec 5 at 11 a.m., Townsend on Sunday, Dec 6, and Memphis, Maryville and Alcoa, and Jonesborough on Saturday, Dec 12.
Are the parades free?
Gatlinburg’s parade is free to watch, with $50 grandstand VIP seats. For Sevierville, Memphis, Knoxville and Jonesborough no admission price is published on the organizer’s page.
Where is the best place to watch the Sevierville parade?
The Sevierville Chamber suggests standing on Court Avenue near the Sevier County Courthouse, 125 Court Ave., and says the parade takes about 30 minutes to pass.
Is there a Nashville Christmas parade on this list?
Not yet. We have not found an official 2026 date for it, so it is not listed; we check weekly.
What else is on in Sevierville that weekend?
The Chamber lists Christmas at the Courthouse, a community tree lighting, on Thursday, Dec 3 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Sources
- Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade, checked 2026-10-19
- WIVK Christmas Parade, checked 2026-10-19
- 64th Sevierville Christmas Parade, checked 2026-11-03
- Townsend Christmas Parade, checked 2026-11-03
- Dogwood Park Christmas Tree Lighting and Light Show (not a parade), checked 2026-11-03
- Memphis Holiday Parade, checked 2026-11-03
- Jaycee’s Christmas Parade, checked 2026-11-03
- Jonesborough Christmas Parade, checked 2026-11-03
Cite this page: It's Tennessee, “Tennessee Christmas Parades 2026: Dec 4-12 Dates and Routes”, itstennessee.com/tennessee-christmas-parades/ (updated ). By the It's Tennessee editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.