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Christmas in Johnson City, TN: The Best Holiday Activities for Families

ByErin Burke Published on
Colorful lit Christmas tree at night in a park. In the background is a large light up sign in black and white that says Johnson City Tennessee

Johnson City, Tennessee is nestled in the mountains of Northeast Tennessee. It’s a small, friendly town that’s growing fast. And at Christmas time they GO ALL OUT (also their slogan, by the way) with holiday events and festivities.

I was so lucky to get to visit in December, when the warmth of this region really shines through. Here are the best holiday activities for families (or anyone!) to experience plus a few other fun things to do in Johnson City, TN!

Traveling to Tennessee? Check out these books you can read before you go!

This post is sponsored by Visit Johnson City, but all opinions are my own!

Candy Land Christmas

Outdoor Christmas tree at Johnson City's Candyland Christmas decorated with iridescent ribbon, white and blue ornaments, and plush penguin toys wearing winter accessories, set in a festive display among other decorated trees on a grassy field.

Candy Land Christmas is the Johnson City Christmas tree trail that snakes through downtown with twinkling lights and custom decorations. And it is an absolute must-do, with 180 trees lightning up the city!

The trees are sponsored by local businesses (I was told the spots go about as quick as Taylor Swift tickets) and each business decorates the tree however they want to.

This means that whether you go during the day or at night, you will have a great experience! During the day it’s easier to see the creativity that has gone into the ornaments and decorations, while at night you get the enchantment of hundreds of Christmas trees glowing across the parks.

Tall Christmas tree covered in colorful lights and topped with a glowing star, standing in a festive outdoor display surrounded by smaller decorated trees and city buildings lit up at night.

I also love how they have leaned into the “Candy Land” theme. Next to King Commons Park is the Public Library (a beautiful building by the way!) and their playground which transforms into a LIFE-SIZE Candy Land game! It’s absolutely adorable. I mean y’all: There’s a gumdrop bridge!

During the holidays, it seems like Candy Land Christmas is THE place to be! It was an absolutely delightful experience to wander the trail of trees with everyone in Johnson City, hear kids squealing on the playground, and watch families find their favorite trees.

Pro Tip: Get there early for parking on the weekends!

Christmas in Olde Jonesborough

Two historic brick downtown buildings. One small square one has the door opening inviting you in. The second has shutters and a long railed porch decorated with Christmas garland.

Jonesborough is Johnson City’s next door neighbor and it’s known as the “Oldest Town in Tennessee.” And, especially notable to me because this is, after all, a blog about travel AND books, it’s the “Storytelling Capital of the World.”

It’s a true small town with a population of just over 6,000 people, and it probably the most Hallmark-movie-like place I have ever been in my life. All that to say, I absolutely fell in love with this town. It is one of the friendliest places I’ve ever visited, and talking to people who live there really gave me the sense that community is everything to them.

During December, Jonesborough fully embraces the holiday spirit “Christmas in Olde Jonesborough” where they have different Christmas activities every weekend and an outdoor winter market every Saturday. Here’s the general schedule:

  • First Saturday: Whoville Christmas
  • Second Saturday: A Doggone Christmas
  • Third Saturday: Santa’s Christmas Village + Lighted Christmas Parade
  • Fourth Saturday: Christmas Church Stroll

I visited on the third weekend of the Christmas festivities, which means I got to shop the Winter Market, see Santa’s Christmas Village where kids can buy $1 gifts for their parents and have volunteers help wrap them, and in general just enjoy the holiday spirit.

While I missed the Christmas parade, *everyone* kept asking me if I was going to it, so it is apparently a BIG DEAL.

Looking up a tall Christmas tree lit in red and green and blue lights. Next to it in the sky is the awning and clocktower of a courthouse
Jonesborough town square Christmas tree

I also got the chance to visit the International Storytelling Center while I was in Jonesborough and watch a performance of The Christmas Carol by Storyteller Tim Lowry. The performance was amazing, as Tim Lowry recited the story while also acting it out and adding humorous commentary here and there.

Definitely check to see if there are any special performances going on there while you are visiting!

Speedway in Lights at Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol, TN is also near Johnson City (this area of Johnson City, Bristol, and Kingsport is known as the Tri-Cities). And this is THE place to see Christmas lights if you’re visiting Johnson City. I’ve truly never experienced anything like it.

Speedway in Lights is a drive through Christmas lights display that circles around the famous Bristol Motor Speedway.

Light display of Santa in a truck with safari animals. Behind it you can see the exterior or Bristol Motor Speedway

And while the lights themselves are magical, what really sets this experience apart from other drive through Christmas light displays is once you enter the actually track!

Y’all. I could not get over that I got to DRIVE MY CAR around Bristol Motor Speedway. They do a good job of slowing down your entrance so that they give all the cars some distance. And while I’m sure you’re not supposed to exactly race around the track, there is some room to speed up faster than the crawl you go through the other lights at.

THEN in the infield of the track, you’ll find the Christmas Village. Here, there are fair rides, food stands, shopping opportunities, a giant slide, an opportunity to meet Santa and more. It was so festive and fun and I saw kids begging their parents not to leave. So if that’s not a ringing endorsement I don’t know what is.

Top of a lit up carousel at night. Behind it are the empty bleachers of Bristol Motor Speedway

Pro Tip: If you can I would DEFINITELY recommend purchasing a Fast Lane ticket for your visit! Even with the Fast Lane, I still waited about an hour before I got to the main section of the lights, and I know the many many cars that did not have Fast Lane waited MUCH longer!

More Things To Do in Johnson City

Have more time in Johnson City, Tennessee? Here are some more activity ideas!

  • Johnson City Railroad Experience — This museum opened in Fall 2024 and it’s SO cool! It’s full of model trains and railroads you can watch (which will obviously be a hit with the kids!). I love how so many of their displays are regional: There’s a Knoxville-like skyline and a railway that replicates all the stops on a local route.
  • Shopping in Downtown Johnson City — There are all kinds of cute shops where you can buy everything from gifts to houseplants to retro video games! Check out The Generalist (for all kinds of gifts), Terrarium Plant Store (for house plants), Get Bricked (for all things LEGO), and Retro Mansion (for retro video games and movies).
  • Tannery Knobs Overlook — I love how this outdoor space and overlook is just 7 minutes from downtown Johnson City. So you don’t have to go way out of your way for the peacefulness of a hilltop view! There’s a bike park up here, but you can also just spend some time taking in the surrounding mountains.
  • Tweetsie Trail — This biking/running/walking trail is a 9.6-mile rails-to-trails project that runs from Johnson City to Elizabethton. Perfect for some time outdoors!
  • Visit the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough — Nearby Jonesborough is home to the International Storytelling Center, which I think is such a cool claim to fame for such a little town! See if there’s an event going on during your visit! (PS — During December they offer special holiday performances!)

Where to Eat in Johnson City and Jonesborough

There are SO many great restaurants in Johnson City and the surrounding area, so here’s a handful of options I really loved:

Wood slab table with a small teapot, cup for drinking, and glass cup for pouring. Behind are the blurred outlines of houseplants.
Tea at The Philosopher’s House
  • The Philosopher’s House — A spot for tea and a pastry. They have almost 50 teas from which you can make hundreds of different tea drinks! And their expert staff can help you choose the right tea for your tastes. You can also get different kinds of tea services. I had Chinese gong fu style tea and it was such a cool experience!
  • Dos Gatos Coffee Bar — The perfect little coffee shop with an indie feel and art all over the place! I loved just sitting in here and reading when I had a bit of down time.
  • Wellington’s Restaurant at the Carnegie Hotel — This fine-dining restaurant is still relatively budget-friendly. I had a great breakfast here, and especially enjoyed the rich interiors (and Christmas decorations!) at the Carnegie Hotel.
  • The Opossum’s Tale — A British-style Public House in Jonesborough. The atmosphere is so friendly here, and I had THE BEST fish and chips!
  • Main Street Cafe — Another popular spot in Jonesborough. This is THE place to be for lunch! Line up to order at the counter and select from burgers, sandwiches, and more.
  • Freiberg’s German Restaurant — Great German food in the heart of Johnson City! Get there early to get on the list because this is a popular spot!
  • The Black Olive — Italian food like pizzas and pastas. But they also have a great brunch menu!
  • Pal’s Sudden Service — A regional fast-food chain with burgers, hot dogs, and “frenchie fries.” There are multiple locations in the area.
Inside Christmas tree decorated in gold and red. In front of it is an ornate bronze stature of an Egyptian royal
Christmas decor at Wellington’s

Where to Stay for a Johnson City Christmas

THE place to stay in Johnson City is the Carnegie Hotel. It’s a boutique hotel located just about a mile from the Johnson City historic district and just across the street from the East Tennessee State University (ETSU) campus . It feels so luxurious and is honestly the perfect spot for a Johnson City Christmas stay.

However, because of ETSU December graduation, all the rooms were books when I was there!

I stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Johnson City and thought it was fantastic! It’s convenient to both Johnson City and Jonesborough, and it’s recently been remodeled.

I had a great stay here, and it would be a great option for families. And for my coffee lovers, there is a Starbucks in the lobby!

Hotel room. It's an unusual layout: the doorway leads down a hall toward the picture taker, and then opens up into a room. The bed also faces the picture taker in the same orientation as the door and hallway. The bed is a king bed with a white duvet.
King room at Courtyard by Marriott Johnson City

What’s Next?

Looking for more info on traveling in Tennessee? Check out these posts:

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Picture of Christmas tree at night with text reading "Best Christmas Activities in Johnson City, TN"

Erin Burke is a travel writer and the founder of Flying Off the Bookshelf. She has been blogging for over 14 years, has visited countries and cities all over the world, and loves to share detailed-itineraries and travel tips to help readers have the best travel experiences possible. She lives in Huntsville, Alabama, is a Visit North Alabama Ambassador, and her features include NPR, MSN, Modern Mrs. Darcy, and more.