Celebrate the Season of Holiday Magic in Bryson City

Experience a true holiday wonderland in Bryson City, North Carolina.THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit to the North Pole. Thousands of twinkling lights come to life on the downtown streets of this enchanting mountain town. Holiday hayrides, a Christmas Parade, Letters to Santa, Christmas Caroling, and a whole lot more await you in Bryson City!

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride

Nothing truly marks the start of the holiday season in Bryson City quite like that first night that the Polar Express pulls into the train station. A beloved Christmas tradition, this special Great Smoky Mountains Railroad ride is the only way to reach the one and only North Pole from our side of the western North Carolina mountains, with magical excursions leaving our depot regularly from November through December. Ready to get your golden ticket? We’ve rounded up everything you need to know to plan your perfect Smoky Mountain holiday adventure!

Prepare for True Christmas Magic

The evening excitement begins as soon as your train pulls into its station, with that signature train whistle letting you know that your Polar Express journey will be one you won’t soon forget. As you board, you’ll be greeted by cheerful ticket takers, holiday music from the much-loved film, a train car decorated with sparkling streams of tinsel, presents to take to Santa’s Workshop, and more. The train will soon gently leave the station, chugging along through our quiet wilderness as you travel to the North Pole. Along the way, Santa’s elves dance, sing and, of course, serve out delicious hot chocolate. You’ll also hear a whimsical retelling of the storybook that started it all.

As your train nears the North Pole, you’ll begin to see a Christmas Village emerge before your eyes. Spot the Post Office where Santa receives his letters. Wave hello to elves tinkering away at the workshop. Try to find Santa’s reindeer, who are all getting ready for their big trip on Christmas Day. Your train will soon slow to a stop to allow for the best surprise of all - Santa will board your train to greet all of the good children aboard! As you make your way back to Bryson City, Santa will pass through each train car to say hello and give everyone a special Christmas bell to commemorate their time at the North Pole. Once you return to the Depot, he will stop and snap photos before he whisks back to finish presents before the big day. It’s truly a magical journey from start to finish that will delight both the young and the young at heart. We recommend arriving at the Bryson City Depot an hour before your train embarks to check in, snap photos, and prepare for your ride.

While you wait, you can browse for merchandise at the Depot’s gift shop and tour the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Model Train Museum, one of the best and largest collections in the South.

Grab Your Golden Ticket

The Polar Express begins its seasonal excursions on Thursday, November 9, 2023, running three rides per evening most days of the week. There are no rides on November 13,14, 23, and 27. Starting in December, train rides are available Polar Express excursions are daily from early November through the end of December, with a few exceptions. See the full schedule here:

Seats can be purchased in Coach, Crown, Premium Crown, or First Class. Prices vary based on class, the age of the rider, and the time of the season. Children are cheaper than adults, while ticket prices for babies are even lower. Regardless of seat class, all riders get to meet Santa, enjoy hot cocoa, sing along to classic Christmas carols, and soak in the magic and storytelling of this holiday spectacular. Tickets can be purchased, here: https://brys.onl/polar-tickets

Drive Through Light Show

Get ready for an unforgettable experience at the Smoky Mountain Christmas Light Spectacular in Bryson City where the night comes alive with dazzling lights!. The Great Smoky Mountains Event Park will amaze you with its all new giant LED displays, including drive-thru arches and holiday-themed exhibits. The all-LED custom-built displays will showcase Christmas and holiday scenes, and some of the exciting drive-through light show displays include the Snowflake Arch, RGB Christmas trees, the Snowflake Express Train, 200 Orb Field, Santa’s Home at the North Pole, Manger Scene, Outdoor Enthusiast Scene, Sweet Tooth Lane, and Tree of Lights Tunnel.

Christmas Wonderland at Darnell Farms

Enjoy a holiday experience on the farm on Wed-Sat Evenings in November and December. It's a Christmas Wonderland at Darnell Farms in Bryson City! Come enjoy the annual tradition of a hayride through the lights and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa for a family friendly experience. Buy your fresh-cut Christmas Tree while at the farm.

Ice Skating

Nothing says wintertime quite like grabbing a pair of skates and hitting the ice. The Yard Ice Skating Rink opens for the holiday season and provides plenty of family fun until winter ends. Located near the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Train Depot, you can watch and wave at passing trains as you skate along this outdoor rink. On-site food trucks provide tasty bites, drinks, and snacks. Tickets are $20 per person and include one hour of skate time, skate rentals, and a hot chocolate.

Soak in the Season in Bryson City

In addition to those memorable trips to the North Pole, Christmas magic can also be found around every corner in downtown Bryson City. Every year, our mountain town turns into a picturesque holiday Hallmark postcard, complete with a 20-foot decorated Christmas tree, streets lined with twinkling lights, storefronts adorned with decorations and wreaths, and sparkling snowflakes hanging from street poles. Wander our idyllic streets and shop for everyone on your nice list at boutiques such as Humanite (shown above) or Uncle Bunky's Christmas Cottage. Enjoy only the sweetest flavors of the Smokies by picking up artisan candies and chocolates from the Chocolate Shoppe or fresh pastries and smoothies from Bryson Bakery. Those who stop by the visitor’s center can also get an extra treat as Santa’s best helpers hand out hot cocoa and cookies while you write and mail off your letter to the big man himself.

Other Can't-Miss Holiday Events in Bryson City:

Tree Lighting Ceremony

Join us at the Visitor Center and Heritage Museum for our downtown Tree Lighting Event on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.. Christmas caroling and live nativity start at 5:00 PM. Complimentary hot cocoa and cookies. Kids can write their letters to Santa and put their letters in the mailbox. At 6:00, the mayor of Bryson City will light the 24-foot Christmas trees on the front lawn. In the true Spirit of Christmas bring a canned good to donate to the local food pantry or a new unwrapped gift for the local toy drive!

See below for more holiday events!