Gatlinburg New Years Eve 2024

Things to do on new years eve in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Ball drop, fireworks, hotels & restaurants for NYE 2023-2024

Gatlinburg on new years eve is all about the midnight ball drop from the iconic Gatlinburg Space Needle, preceded by a party throughout the evening and accompanied by some spectacular fireworks.

Gatlinburg is only a small town, probably best known as the gateway to the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but it's population increases several times over when an estimated 50,000 visitors hit the town for the new years eve party, drawn also by the Ober Gatlinburg amusement park and ski resort, a very popular attraction in the area.

Space Needle Ball Drop

The big party is of course the Gatlinburg Space Needle ball drop and new year fireworks display. This will be the events 35th year and takes place at the base of the iconic monument, located at the intersection of Parkway and Historic Nature Trail.

There is plenty of entertainment throughout the evening leading up to midnight, with free live musical performances from 10pm in the area around the Gatlinburg Convention Center.

Fireworks

The fireworks display starts on the stroke of midnight, and is choregraphed with a special musical score, while LED lights mounted on the Space Needle add to the visual effect, a genuinely dramatic sight to welcome the new year.

To get one of the best views, you can book for the Gatlinburg Skypark! They hold a VIP NYE Lights of Wonder. This year also sees the introduction of a SIlent Disco on the SkyDeck - Details here.

Gatlinburg Trolley Ride of Lights

Not just for new years eve, but running throughout the festive season, from late November right through until late January, the Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights carries visitors around the downtown and East Parkway so everyone can get a close up look at the Gatlinburg Winter Magic lights displays.

New Years Eve Hotels

Gatlinburg's hotels book up quickly thoughout the festive season, with the nearby ski resorts making this a very popular winter sports destination right across the Christmas and new year period.

Top rated places to stay include the Quality Inn Creekside Hotel, The Doubletree Hilton Park Vista (try to request a city view room!) or, if you're on a bit of a budget, the Riverside Motor Lodge.

You can search for deals at all of these venues, plus all of the top Gatlinburg new year hotels here.

Restaurants

For dining options to fuel yourself up before the midnight party there are plenty of choices in Gatlinburg.

Popular restaurants that host special new year dinners include Gaucho Urban Brazilian Steakhouse, The Melting Pot, Crystelle Creek, The Lodge at Buckberry Creek, Kennedy Concepts of Restaurants and Three Jimmys.

You can find the full range of Gatlinburg restaurants, including online menus and reservation details, here.

NYE Live Stream

There are actually quite a few live webcam views for such a small town - the presence of a nearby ski resorts always helps as people are keen to check out the snow conditions.

There is even a webcam located right on top of the Space Needle, which should offer a perfect view of the city when the fireworks light up the sky at midnight:

Check out all the live Gatlinburg webcam views here:

Gatlinburg webcams

Latest NYE News

The content on this page is written and maintained by Martin Kerrigan. If you have any comments or events to add to this page please Contact us.

This site uses cookies, continued use constitutes acceptance. See our Privacy Policy