Experience Small Town Tennessee Charm During This Holiday Season

Walk along town squares; slip into family-owned boutiques; and, enjoy a Made in Tennessee Christmas in our charming small towns.

December has officially marched in with its pomp and cheer. Tennessee has loads of holiday celebrations to fill your calendar in every big city and small town. You can experience some Christmas charm from some of the cutest Tennessee small towns by checking out these celebrations.

EAST

Discover old time traditions of the local region during the Holiday Homecoming Celebration Dec. 9, at Norris Dam State Park. Bring a flashlight and dress warmly for this walk that will take you through the east side of the park to the rustic cabins. Decked out in Christmas cheer, the area is transformed into a winter village filled with festivities, live animal demonstrations, and historical depictions of Appalachian life, horse-drawn wagon rides, and so much more.

Gear up for another Christmas season in Historic Jonesborough as it's decked out for the holidays during Christmas in Historic Jonesborough which includes events like the Lighting of the Tree Nov. 25; Christmas in Olde Jonesborough every Saturday from Thanksgiving to Christmas; Celebration of Trees during December; the annual Holiday Tour & Tea held mid-December each year; At Home with Santa which takes place the second Saturday in December; and the Jonesborough Christmas Parade held the second Saturday in December.

Stay in touch with your inner child by taking an imaginary journey to the North Pole on the Tennessee Valley Railroad's North Pole Limited. Storytelling and refreshments enhance the journey through Tennessee's picturesque valley. Once to the destination, a special guest boards the train. On the return ride, Santa visits with children and gives each child a keepsake item to remember their magical Christmas trip.

MIDDLE

Leiper's Fork Christmas Parade
From decked out tractors to horses in holiday finery and a celebrity Grand Marshall every year, you can guarantee Leiper's Fork will have one of the memorable Christmas parades you've ever seen. Get a taste of small town charm and inspiring creativity as vintage cars, bicycles and even 18-wheelers herald in the arrival of St. Nick. The parade is 2-4 p.m. Dec. 9 in downtown Leiper's Fork.

Courtesy of Milky Way Farm

Travel to Pulaski, Tenn. in Giles County to tour the world-famous Milky Way Farm which boasts over 1,000 acres of pastures filled with deer, wild turkey, barns, trails, and vistas. The farm has one of the largest magnolia plantations of the South and tours of the Manor House are available. Sundaes with Santa will be hosted by Milky Way Farm noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 3,17 with hay rides, huge helpings of ice cream sundaes and Christmas tours of the manor. Say hi to Santa and be sure to tell him what's at the top of your wish list this year.

WEST

At Discovery Park of America, take in the annual Let It Glow Light Show beginning Nov. 24. More than 380,000 lights (that's more than 24 miles!) adorn the property as guests drive through and experience this unique drive-through show in Union City. A live nativity provided by churches in the surrounding area is also featured. A Polar Express component and performances by the David Johnson Chorus also take place.

Finally, enjoy holiday displays and luminaries via trolley or horse-drawn carriage ride Dec. 8-9, at Pickwick Landing State Park as it hosts Christmas in the Park . Get into the holiday spirit with the drive-thru display of lights. Carriage and train rides are free to experience. A visit from Santa and his elves and bedtime stories are also on the schedule for this family-friendly event.

*culled from www.tnvacation.com