Local dinner theaters are getting into the Smokies holiday spirit
I have found the key to success when enjoying Pigeon Forge’s dinner theater scene, is not to overthink it.
Pirates? Sure. A Kentucky blood feud from the early 1900s? Yep. Lumberjacks sawing logs on behalf of a Team Naughty or a Team Nice? What in the Ho-ho-ho is a-going on here? As I said, just roll with it.
The holiday season is nigh and in addition to silver bells and gum drops or sugar plums and whatever else we have dancing through our Christmas fever dreams, the dinner theater shows – or many of them, are getting into the season with specially themed shows.
Which of the dinner theater’s holiday themed shows is best?
I usually have no qualms about ranking experiences and giving recommendations in the mountains. However, this one is a bit of a sticky wicket. The answer depends greatly upon what you’re looking for out of the experience.
For instance, one of the dinner theaters is Biblical Times, which specializes in the genre, you might say. So, I have a hard time calibrating them against, say the silliness of the Hatfield and McCoy’s Christmas Chaos show where it will “take a Christmas miracle to bring together these famous feuding families for a night of fun, food, and fightin’.”
So, for this specific piece, I’m not ranking anything both for fear of the internet’s wrath and to a lesser degree, the afterlife’s. We’re just gonna list ‘em and y’all can choose your own adventure.
Biblical Times
As you might guess from the name, Biblical Times produces Christian theater productions year round. But for Christmas, Biblical Times has a pair of similar dinner shows featuring both a live Christmas variety concert followed by the musical “Peace on Earth Shepherds Rejoice!” The difference in the shows is the musical group. One version features King & Co. music and the other, The Tabb Family TFM Worship.
Both shows will feature “a live Christmas concert showcasing a variety of Christian musical genres. The list includes “southern gospel, hymns, contemporary and worship performing all of your beloved Christmas classics.” And that will be followed by the hour-long play, which is “the story of the humble shepherds who witnessed the birth of Christ, and their trials and tribulations involving angry mobs, a cohort of angels and even wild beasts, like never before through cutting-edge holographic technology, acting, and song.”
Food service starts at 5:30 p.m. with an all you care to eat baked potato bar with a hickory smoked baked potato (cooked in olive oil) with choices of cheese, bacon bits, butter and sour cream. Also on the menu is mac and cheese, sweet potato casserole, stuffing, and broccoli. Meats include honey roasted ham, turkey & gravy and beef pot roast. Additionally, there’s dinner rolls and potato bread. For dessert, the options are apple or cherry turnover.
The concert lasts 45 minutes and the play is an hour long. The cost is $57.39 for adults and $28.70 for kids 3-11. Biblical Times is located 2391 Parkway in Pigeon Forge, TN and the website is found here.
Dolly Parton’s Stampede
The standard bearer in the Pigeon Forge Dinner Theater genre, Stampede jumps into the holiday season with both feet – or maybe four hooves. “Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Stampede” debuts Oct. 29 and runs through Jan. 3, 2026.
“At my Stampede dinner show, Christmas is more than just a celebration,” Dolly said. “Folks coming to my Stampede get to share an amazing holiday feast and be swept away by a heartwarming holiday show full of magic, music and meaning. ‘Christmas at Stampede’ has become a family-favorite that has warmed the hearts of millions for more than 35 holiday seasons – that’s a lot of special Christmas memories made! Our talented performers celebrate the holiday’s true meaning, including a full-scale living Nativity that will transport everyone back to that first Christmas. I just love hearing from so many families that tell us this show has become a treasured part of their annual holiday traditions.”
There will be an aerial show set to the classic themes of “The Nutcracker” as well as nativity which re-enacts Jesus’ birth – tastefully – with Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men and a nativity of camels, donkeys and sheep. The Stampede’s 32 horses also join the act performing stunts and races as guests cheer for their respective sides of the North Pole or the South Pole. Santa even makes an appearance during a snowfall.
The meal includes Stampede’s signature creamy vegetable soup, hot buttery biscuit, a whole rotisserie chicken, pulled pork, corn on the cob, home-style mashed potatoes, a choice of a hot apple turnover or coconut chocolate cake for dessert, and unlimited Coca-Cola products, tea or coffee. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are also available upon request. Tickets are $69.99 for adults and $34.99 for kids. The Stampede is located at 3849 Parkway in Pigeon Forge and the website is found here.
Articles Related to Shows in Pigeon Forge
- Read the – 5 Things Not to Do at Dinner Shows in Pigeon Forge According to a Local
- These Are the 3 Top Christian Shows in Pigeon Forge Says Local – more shows to see
- Is the Stampede worth it? – A Review of Dolly Parton’s Stampede in the Smoky Mountains
- Happy Holiday Dining in the Smokies – Other places to eat
- Also see – 11 Best Sights To See During Winterfest in the Smoky Mountains
Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud
We’re sawing and chopping and climbing in the spirit of the season here, folks. Team Naughty and Team Nice square off in the arena from Nov. 7 through Jan. 4, 2026. And while the competition is outdoors, the stands are covered and heated as necessary. However, I would still keep a pretty close eye on the weather forecast before buying tickets.
What makes it a Christmas show instead of just a regular old lumberjack feud? Well, we’ve got the naughty and nice theming, plus guests of appropriate age can order a winter-themed, exclusive Lumberjack Feud beer. There are also limited-time Lumberjack Christmas Mugs and Christmas ornaments. Additionally, there will be cookie-decorating section on select nights.
There will be undisclosed Christmas-themed elements added to the all-you-eat supper buffet and a huge, illuminated Christmas tree that will not be – I assume – chopped down. But I suppose with Team Naughty running around, we shouldn’t rule it out. Adult tickets are $49.99 and kids are $29.99, neither include tax. Lumberjack Feud is located at 2530 Parkway in Pigeon Forge and the website is located here.
Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud
This one has a little of the spirit of Barbara Robinson’s classic “The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever” with a lot of silliness, music and fun. Are you going to have to endure a mountain-themed Christmas pun like “Holler-Day.” It certainly seems likely. There is some corporate synergy between this show, Stampede and Pirates so expect a similar meal.
Christmas dinner at the Feud will include fried chicken, pulled pork and Southern-Style creamy soup. Is it much different from the Stampede’s Signature creamy vegetable soup? You’ll have to decide for yourself. Will the show feature a pig with a penchant for Christmas mischief? Count on it. Christmas prices start at $59.99. You can find Hatfield & McCoy’s at 119 Music Rd in Pigeon Forge and the website is located here.
Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show
Do Pirates say humbug? In Pigeon Forge, the Pirates show doesn’t really change for the holiday, so perhaps, yes. The show at the Myrtle Beach location does change as Captain Scrooge journey’s through time to discover the meaning of Christmas. There is also an angel with a special message for pirates and landlubbers alike.
Is it a shame they don’t have a special themed Christmas show in Pigeon Forge? I’m not sure. I generally consider the Pirates show the best in the region – the show, not the dinner – but I don’t know. The Myrtle Beach Christmas show sounds like it might be a bridge or a plank too far, you know?
Pirates Voyage is located at 2713 Parkway in Pigeon Forge and the website is found here.
Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show
The Murder Mystery Dinner Show does not – I think, wisely – have a Christmas themed murder show. I think it shows a fair understanding of appropriate limitations and knowing which lines probably shouldn’t be crossed.
Murder Mystery Dinner Show is located at 2682 Teaster Ln in Pigeon Forge and the website is found here.
Are you going to a holiday themed dinner show? Let us know in the comments and on the socials!