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Christmas Light Shows in the Tri-Cities, TN (2026)

From a 4-mile drive at Bristol Motor Speedway to more than 180 decorated trees in downtown Johnson City, the Tri-Cities lights up from mid-November into the new year. We rounded up drive-through shows, downtown light walks and lighted park nights around Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol, plus Jonesborough, Abingdon, Damascus, Pulaski County and Big Stone Gap. We checked each host's own page first. Weather can change plans, so check with the host before you head out.

Looking for Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland at the Appalachian Fairgrounds in Gray? Shadrack Productions says the drive-through show will not return to the fairgrounds this season. See Shadrack's announcement.

Bristol

Food City Speedway in Lights

  • Where: Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway, Bristol, TN
  • 2026 dates and hours: Friday, November 20, 2026 through Saturday, January 2, 2027. Open nightly 6 to 10 pm.
  • Price: Sold per vehicle, not per person. Last season cars were $25 to $35 depending on the night, vans $60 and buses $150. A Fast Lane pass for a set 30-minute entry slot is sold on the busiest nights.
  • Drive or walk: Drive
  • What to expect: A 4-mile route through 3 million lights that includes a lap around the Bristol Motor Speedway oval, plus the Christmas Village in the infield. Proceeds support Speedway Children's Charities.
  • Source: www.bristolmotorspeedway.com (checked November 2, 2026)

Bristol Merry and Bright

  • Where: Anderson Park and Cumberland Square Park, Historic Downtown Bristol
  • 2026 dates and hours: Lit nightly starting Monday, November 30, 2026.
  • Price: No admission listed.
  • Drive or walk: Walk
  • What to expect: Flagpole light trees anchor both parks, with more displays around downtown. It starts with the Downtown Bristol Winter Carnival and Christmas Tree Lighting on November 30, 5 to 9 pm.
  • Source: events.explorebristol.com (checked November 2, 2026)

Johnson City and Jonesborough

Candy Land Christmas

  • Where: Main Street, King Commons and Founders Park, Downtown Johnson City, TN
  • 2026 dates and hours: Saturday, November 28, 2026 through Monday, January 4, 2027. The Grand Christmas Tree Lighting is November 28, 6:30 to 8 pm at King Commons, 125 W. King St.
  • Price: No admission listed. Free hot chocolate at the tree lighting.
  • Drive or walk: Walk
  • What to expect: More than 180 trees decorated by local businesses, nonprofits, schools and churches, with Gumdrop Forest in Founders Park and Cupcake Commons in King Commons.
  • Source: www.downtownjctn.com (checked November 2, 2026)

Christmas in Olde Jonesborough: Lighting of the Tree

  • Where: Beside the Washington County Courthouse, Downtown Jonesborough, TN
  • 2026 dates and hours: Friday, November 27, 2026 at 6 pm. Christmas in Olde Jonesborough events run through December 19.
  • Price: No admission listed for the tree lighting.
  • Drive or walk: Walk
  • What to expect: The Fraser fir beside the courthouse is lit after an evening of Christmas programming, and the trees along Main Street are lit for the season.
  • Source: jonesborough.com (checked November 2, 2026)

Kingsport

Christmas Trees in the Parks

  • Where: Glen Bruce Park and Centennial Park, Downtown Kingsport, TN
  • 2026 dates and hours: On display for the season. Voting for a favorite tree opens in December.
  • Price: No admission listed.
  • Drive or walk: Walk
  • What to expect: More than 100 decorated trees across two downtown parks. The City of Kingsport also posts a Christmas Display Map of downtown displays and selfie spots.
  • Source: thisiskingsport.com (checked November 2, 2026)

Park After Dark: Christmas Edition

  • Where: Bays Mountain Park, 853 Bays Mountain Park Rd, Kingsport, TN
  • 2026 dates and hours: Thursday, December 17, 2026, 6 to 8 pm. This is the only date the City lists for 2026.
  • Price: Not posted.
  • Drive or walk: Walk
  • What to expect: A lighted trail, a Christmas craft and hot chocolate, followed by a holiday laser light show.
  • Source: thisiskingsport.com (checked November 4, 2026)

Abingdon, Damascus and Pulaski County, VA

Abingdon Festival of Trees

  • Where: Fields-Penn lawn and Abingdon Visitor Center, 208 W. Main St., Abingdon, VA
  • 2026 dates and hours: Saturday, November 21 through December 31, 2026. It opens with the Town of Abingdon Christmas Tree Lighting on November 21 at 6 pm. Outdoor trees can be seen any time; indoor trees during Visitor Center hours.
  • Price: No admission listed. Vote for a favorite tree with a donation of pet supplies, school or hygiene supplies, non-perishable food or money for local charities.
  • Drive or walk: Walk
  • What to expect: Trees decorated by local businesses and groups, with People's Choice and Judge's Choice awards.
  • Source: visitabingdonvirginia.com (checked November 4, 2026)

Damascus Holiday Lights Tour

  • Where: Homes and businesses throughout the Town of Damascus, VA
  • 2026 dates and hours: December 1 to 31, 2026. Decorating contest winners are announced before the Trail Town Christmas Parade on Friday, December 4.
  • Price: No admission listed.
  • Drive or walk: Drive, walk or bike
  • What to expect: A town-wide light tour with Best in Show, Best in Show: Business and Most Lights awards. The Festival of Trees at the Damascus Trail Center is open 10 am to 5 pm daily.
  • Source: visitdamascus.org (checked November 2, 2026)

A Christmas to Remember

  • Where: Pulaski County Motorsports Park, 6749 Lee Hwy, Fairlawn, VA
  • 2026 dates and hours: Thanksgiving night, Thursday, November 26, through a farewell finale on Sunday, December 27, 2026. Most listed nights run 6 to 10 pm.
  • Price: Not confirmed here; check the organizer before you go.
  • Drive or walk: Drive
  • What to expect: The drive-through light show that used to run in Wythe County moves to Pulaski County for 2026. It is about an hour and a half from Bristol up I-81.
  • Source: www.visitpulaskiva.org (checked November 4, 2026)

Scott and Wise County, VA

Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel

  • Where: Natural Tunnel State Park, 1420 Natural Tunnel Pkwy., Duffield, VA
  • 2026 dates and hours: Saturdays, November 28 and December 5, 12 and 19, 2026, 6 to 10 pm.
  • Price: Parking $7 per vehicle. Chairlift $5 per person round trip or $4 one way.
  • Drive or walk: Walk
  • What to expect: Ride the chairlift down past thousands of lights and animated displays, warm up by the fire at the tunnel with hot chocolate, cider and carols, and hear Christmas stories at Carter Cabin.
  • Source: www.dcr.virginia.gov (checked November 2, 2026)

Festival of Trees and An Evening Aglow

  • Where: Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park, 10 West First St. N., Big Stone Gap, VA
  • 2026 dates and hours: November 14 to December 31, 2026. Opening night November 14, 6 to 9 pm. Night viewings 6 to 9 pm on November 27 and December 4, 5, 11, 12 and 18. An Evening Aglow is November 28 and December 19, 6 to 9 pm. Closed December 25, with no night viewing December 26.
  • Price: Adults $5, ages 6 to 12 $3, under 6 free. Opening night is free with a dog or cat food donation for PAWS of SWVA.
  • Drive or walk: Walk (indoors)
  • What to expect: The 31st year of this tradition fills all four floors of the Victorian-era museum with more than 80 decorated trees and displays.
  • Source: www.dcr.virginia.gov (checked November 2, 2026)

Not listed yet

Greeneville's Christmas in the Park at Hardin Park and the holiday lights at Covered Bridge Park in Elizabethton have not posted 2026 dates. They are not listed until the towns post them.

Light events on the calendar

FAQ

Is the Shadrack light show at the Appalachian Fairgrounds happening in 2026?

No. Shadrack Productions says its Christmas Wonderland drive-through will not return to the Appalachian Fairgrounds in Gray this season. For a drive-through show close to home, Food City Speedway in Lights in Bristol opens November 20.

What is the biggest Christmas light show in the Tri-Cities?

Food City Speedway in Lights at Bristol Motor Speedway: a 4-mile drive through 3 million lights with a lap around the track. It runs nightly, 6 to 10 pm, from November 20, 2026 through January 2, 2027.

Which light shows can I see without paying admission?

Candy Land Christmas in Johnson City, Christmas Trees in the Parks in Kingsport, Bristol Merry and Bright, the Abingdon Festival of Trees and the Damascus Holiday Lights Tour list no admission. Natural Tunnel charges $7 per vehicle for parking.

When do the Christmas lights start around the Tri-Cities?

The Festival of Trees in Big Stone Gap opens November 14, Speedway in Lights November 20 and the Abingdon Festival of Trees November 21. A Christmas to Remember opens on Thanksgiving night, November 26, Jonesborough lights its tree November 27, and Candy Land Christmas and the Lighting of the Tunnel start November 28.

Which Christmas lights can I walk through?

Candy Land Christmas in downtown Johnson City, Christmas Trees in the Parks in Kingsport, Bristol Merry and Bright, the Abingdon Festival of Trees and the Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel at Natural Tunnel State Park are all on foot.

More holiday guides

Looking for something else to do? Browse more Tri-Cities events on the calendar.

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