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Biltmore Estate
Courtesy of The Biltmore Company
Antler Hill Village
Courtesy of The Biltmore Company
Charlotte
Dollywood
Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Show
Christmas Cheer
Experience the magic of a holiday season spent in the Smokies with great Dixieland attractions and entertainment. Begin with a breathtaking drive into Great Smoky Mountains National Park to observe the majesty of these iconic mountains and the roaming wildlife. Travel north to Pigeon Forge where we explore Dollywood, one of America’s most famous theme parks, and enjoy live performances of your favorite classics before watching the enchantment of Christmas come to life at the area’s most award-winning show, Country Tonite. Crossing into North Carolina, we stop in Asheville to embark on a candlelight tour of the country’s largest private residence, the Biltmore Estate, filled with spectacular decorations, choirs, and lit fireplaces. Conclude your holiday getaway in Charlotte with time to explore as you wish before watching millions of lights transform the city’s iconic racetrack into a winter wonderland.
Trip overview may vary by departure.
Highlights
Country Tonite Theatre’s Christmas Show
Attend Country Tonite Theatre’s show to see Christmas come to life as talented performers deliver a festive extravaganza packed with energetic choreography, impressive harmonies, and timeless holiday favorites that will leave you singing along all night long. A few of your favorite holiday characters will also make an appearance, including Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus, and the Sugar Plum Fairy!
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Hatfield & McCoy’s Christmas Disaster
Christmas Performances
Experience the magic of the holiday season like never before with a variety of iconic performances! Witness the lively spirit of the region at Dolly Parton’s Stampede dinner show, a high-energy production featuring dazzling horse-riding stunts, musical performances, and friendly competition. In Dollywood, immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of their award-winning shows, featuring dazzling lights and beloved Christmas classics like “Christmas in the Smokies” and “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
The Biltmore Estate & Antler Hill Village
Discover a bygone era of grandeur and the Vanderbilt legacy at America’s Largest Home® in Asheville. Explore the charm of Antler Hill Village with free time to visit artisanal shops and delightful eateries, then soak up unbeatable views of the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. After a delicious dinner, step inside the mansion adorned with twinkling lights and elegant decorations throughout its 250 rooms, including 35 bedrooms, 65 fireplaces, and three kitchens. Our audio tour is accompanied by the warm flicker of candlelight, casting a warm glow over the intricate décor as we marvel at magnificent 16th-century tapestries and artwork, the library’s 10,000 volumes, the Banquet Hall’s 70-foot ceiling, the indoor pool, and the gardens.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Biltmore Company
Speedway Christmas at The Charlotte Motor Speedway
Experience the magic of the holiday season like never before with a variety of iconic performances! Witness the lively spirit of the region at Dolly Parton’s Stampede dinner show, a high-energy production featuring dazzling horse-riding stunts, musical performances, and friendly competition. In Dollywood, immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of their award-winning shows, featuring dazzling lights and beloved Christmas classics like “Christmas in the Smokies” and “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
- Day 1: Fly to North CarolinaUpon arriving in Charlotte, we check in to our comfortable accommodations.
- Day 2: Great Smoky Mountains National ParkEach morning of our holiday getaway includes a delightful breakfast at our hotel. Today's adventure begins with a drive into the most visited national park in the country, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Learn about the park’s history, geography, and wildlife from an expert guide while enjoying breathtaking views of the highest mountains east of the Rockies – rising over 5,000 feet. This evening, we attend Dolly Parton’s Stampede and indulge in a four-course feast with a variety show featuring music, thrilling horse-riding stunts, comedy, and pyrotechnics. Our accommodations for the next two nights are in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3: Dollywood & Country Christmas ShowOur morning kicks off with a festive stop at The Christmas Place! See the holiday spirit come alive at its charming Santa Haus and browse the shop’s expansive collection of seasonal decor, gifts, candy, and more. For lunch, we travel to Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant and indulge in their award-winning cuisine. Our afternoon is spent in Dollywood, Dolly Parton's fascinating amusement park known for its impressive live performances. Explore this famous attraction as you wish – visit the restaurants, shops, and rides, or experience the magic of this season as actors, dancers, and musicians perform Christmas classics. This evening, we enjoy a real country Christmas with spectacular entertainment and holiday cheer at Country Tonite, voted “Best Show in the Smokies!”
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 4: The Biltmore at ChristmastimeWe depart for North Carolina this morning, making a stop at Bush's Baked Beans Visitor Center to dive into the 110-year-old history of this classic American staple. Arriving in Asheville, enjoy time at leisure to stroll through the downtown area, visit quaint shops, and grab lunch. The rest of our day is spent at the iconic Biltmore Estate, the country’s largest private residence. There is free time in Antler Hill Village to see the Farmyard and Antler Hill Barn or shop at the boutique and craft stores. Later, we have dinner at the on-site Stable Café before entering the mansion for a festive candlelight audio guide tour. Reminiscent of the first Vanderbilt Christmas in 1895, the ambiance is set by live choirs and lit fireplaces. Our accommodations this evening are in Asheville.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 5: Charlotte at Leisure & Light ShowToday, we return to Charlotte and enjoy lunch on our own at Optimist Hall, a refurbished gingham mill with fantastic food options and specialty shops. The afternoon is yours to explore Charlotte’s vibrant decorations and attractions! Great options include visiting the NASCAR Hall of Fame, The Billy Graham Library, the charming downtown area, and much more. Tonight, we celebrate our adventures during a Farewell Dinner, then visit Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Marvel at the beauty of three million lights transforming the famous racetrack into a breathtaking winter wonderland light show.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 6: Fly HomeWe return home today with wonderful memories from our holiday getaway in the Smokies.
What's Included
All Accommodations
- 1 night at Drury Inn & Suites Charlotte Northlake
- 2 nights at Residence Inn Pigeon Forge
- 1 night at Hampton Inn Asheville - Tunnel Rd
- 1 night at Drury Inn & Suites Charlotte Northlake before we return home
Attractions & Highlights
- Dolly Parton's Stampede dinner show
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park guided tour
- Country Tonite Theatre's Christmas show
- Leisure time in Dollywood
- The Christmas Place
- Biltmore Estate feat. Antler Hill Village & Candlelight Christmas mansion tour
- Bush’s Baked Beans Visitor Center
- Leisure time in Charlotte feat. Optimist Hall
- Speedway Christmas at the Charlotte Motor Speedway
8 Excellent Meals
- Lunch at Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant
- Dinner at the Biltmore Estate’s Stable Café
- Farewell Dinner in Charlotte
Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.
Birmingham - Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport