🧭 Hundred-Mile Happenings: Walk Farragut's 100,000 Lights, Ride a Christmas Wagon in Cleveland, Sip Cocoa With Father Christmas, Shop Ijams' Holiday Market, Build a Gingerbread House, Pound Lucky Mochi and Cheer a Winter Rodeo

Or: Seven Fresh Outings From a Thanksgiving-Week Light Switch to a January Rodeo, Plus One Thing to Remember: Knoxville, Farragut and Cleveland Run an Hour Ahead of Us

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Friday, November 13, 2026

Good afternoon, neighbor. Here are seven outings we haven’t told you about before. On Monday, Nov. 23, Santa flips the switch on more than 100,000 lights in Farragut, and they stay on every night through Dec. 31. On Friday, Dec. 4, downtown Cleveland throws Silver Bells, a free Christmas night with wagon rides and a petting zoo. On Sunday, Dec. 6, you can have cookies and cocoa with Father Christmas at Burritt on the Mountain in Huntsville, or shop handmade gifts at the Ijams Holiday Marketplace in Knoxville. On Thursday, Dec. 10, teams build gingerbread houses in Farragut. Then two for the new year: a Japanese New Year mochi pounding in Knoxville on Jan. 10, and the Lone Star Cookeville Rodeo on Jan. 29–30. What it means for you: two are free, most are under $25, and the rodeo in Cookeville is close and on our own clock.

⏱️ Your 30-second trip list

• Mon., Nov. 23 (countdown), then nightly Nov. 24–Dec. 31, dusk–10 p.m. Eastern: Light the Park, Campbell Station Road, Farragut. Free.
• Fri., Dec. 4, 6–9 p.m. Eastern (5–8 our time): Silver Bells, Johnston Park, downtown Cleveland. Free, parking too.
• Sun., Dec. 6, 1–3 p.m. Central: Cookies and Cocoa with Father Christmas, Burritt on the Mountain, Huntsville. $25 adults, $15 ages 3–18.
• Sun., Dec. 6, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Eastern (9–2 our time): Ijams Holiday Marketplace, Knoxville. Admission: check before you go.
• Thu., Dec. 10, 6–8 p.m. Eastern (5–7 our time): Gingerbread House Competition, Farragut Community Center. $10 per team of up to four; space is limited.
• Sun., Jan. 10, 2027, 2–3:30 p.m. Eastern (1–2:30 our time): Japanese New Year Celebration, East Tennessee History Center, Knoxville. $5; under 3 free.
• Fri.–Sat., Jan. 29–30, 2027, 7:30 p.m. Central: Lone Star Cookeville Rodeo, Hyder-Burks Pavilion. $10–$32; early-bird prices end Dec. 31.

📝 The one thing to remember: Farragut, Knoxville and Cleveland are on Eastern time, an hour ahead of us. If a sign says 6 p.m. there, it’s 5 p.m. on your kitchen clock. Huntsville and Cookeville are on Central, same as Dunlap. And if you want the rodeo, buy before Dec. 31 to get the early-bird price.

💡 Watch Santa Flip the Switch on Farragut’s 100,000 Lights

Farragut, just west of Knoxville, strings more than 100,000 holiday lights along Campbell Station Road. It all starts with the free Countdown to Light the Park, with live entertainment, kids’ crafts, family photo spots and Santa himself flipping the switch. After that, the lights stay on every night, and you can stroll the park, drop a letter in Santa’s mailbox and look for daily giveaways from local businesses. A small holiday skating rink, Campbell Station Skate, sits along the route too.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Countdown on Monday, Nov. 23 (one local guide lists 5:30–7 p.m. Eastern, or 4:30–6 p.m. our time; check before you go). Lights on nightly, Nov. 24–Dec. 31, dusk to 10 p.m. Eastern.
• Where: Starts at Founders Park at Campbell Station, 405 N. Campbell Station Road, Farragut, Tenn., and runs from the I-40 commuter lot down to the Campbell Station Inn Plaza at Kingston Pike.
• How far: About 105–110 miles, roughly 2 hours. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free. Skating is extra, and the town hasn’t posted 2026 rink prices yet, so check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Families, light lovers and little ones with a letter for Santa.
• Good to know: Santa’s letters are due by Dec. 15; add a return address for a reply. Park restrooms are open until 9 p.m. nightly, except Christmas Day.

👉 Read more (Visit Farragut — Countdown to Light the Park and Light the Park)

🔔 Ride a Christmas Light Wagon at Silver Bells in Cleveland

Silver Bells is the City of Cleveland’s free Christmas night in the historic downtown. It starts in Johnston Park, with a Christmas light wagon ride through downtown, a visit with Santa, a petting zoo, kids’ crafts, mini Christmas tree decorating, face painting, inflatables, games and cotton candy. New this year is a Community Christmas Tree Trail of wooden trees decorated by local students.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Friday, Dec. 4, 6–9 p.m. Eastern (5–8 p.m. our time).
• Where: Johnston Park, historic downtown Cleveland, Tenn.
• How far: About 65–70 miles, roughly 1 hour 15–25 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free, including the activities and parking. Food trucks sell food and drinks.
• Who’ll love it: Young families, grandparents with grandkids and anyone who loves a small-town Christmas.
• Good to know: It’s outdoors after dark in December. Bundle up, and bring a little cash for the food trucks.

👉 Read more (Visit Cleveland TN — Silver Bells 2026)

☕ Sip Cocoa With Father Christmas on a Huntsville Mountaintop

Burritt on the Mountain sits high on Round Top Mountain above Huntsville, with a historic mansion and old farm buildings. On one Sunday afternoon, it hosts Cookies and Cocoa with Father Christmas, the old-fashioned Santa in his long robe. Your ticket covers the cocoa bar, a holiday picture with Father Christmas by Clicks Photo and admission to the rest of Burritt’s Merriment on the Mountain holiday activities.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sunday, Dec. 6, 1–3 p.m. Central, our time.
• Where: Burritt on the Mountain, 3101 Burritt Drive SE, Huntsville, Ala.
• How far: About 102 miles, roughly 1 hour 55 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $25 adults, $15 children ages 3–18.
• Who’ll love it: Families who want this year’s Christmas card picture, and grandparents who remember an old-time Santa.
• Good to know: Buy tickets online ahead of time. Questions? Call Burritt at 256-536-2882.

👉 Read more (Burritt on the Mountain — Cookies and Cocoa with Father Christmas)

🎁 Shop Handmade Gifts at the Ijams Holiday Marketplace

Ijams Nature Center is a woodsy 300-plus-acre park along the river in South Knoxville. For its 13th Annual Holiday Marketplace, local and regional makers fill the Visitor Center and the outdoor plaza with jewelry, pottery, candles, natural body products, art, home goods and sweet treats. The Ijams Gift Shop is open too, with goods from more than 100 local artists. Come hungry: El Sapito Food Truck, Chef Mo’s Cafe, Sleepy Dog Coffee and local bakers will be there.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sunday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Eastern (9 a.m.–2 p.m. our time).
• Where: Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave., Knoxville, Tenn.
• How far: About 110 miles, roughly 2 hours. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Admission isn’t listed, so check before you go. Bring money for shopping and food.
• Who’ll love it: Gift shoppers, nature lovers and anyone who’d rather buy from a local maker.
• Good to know: Part of the market is outdoors, so bundle up. Call Ijams at 865-577-4717 with questions.

👉 Read more (Ijams Nature Center — 13th Annual Holiday Marketplace)

🏠 Build a Gingerbread House With Your Team in Farragut

Gather up to three helpers and see who can build the best gingerbread house. The Town of Farragut provides the supplies; your team brings the imagination. When you’re done, the houses go up for a People’s Choice vote on social media, so tell your friends back home to vote.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Thursday, Dec. 10, 6–8 p.m. Eastern (5–7 p.m. our time).
• Where: Farragut Community Center, 239 Jamestowne Blvd., Farragut, Tenn.
• How far: About 105–110 miles, roughly 2 hours. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $10 per team, up to four people per team.
• Who’ll love it: Crafty families, friends and co-workers who like a sweet, friendly contest.
• Good to know: Space is limited, so sign up early through Farragut Parks & Recreation (townoffarragut.org/register or 865-218-3376). It’s a weeknight with a long drive home, so make it a night with the lights on Campbell Station Road.

👉 Read more (Tennessee Events — Farragut Gingerbread House Competition)

🍡 Pound Lucky Mochi at a Japanese New Year Celebration

In Japan, pounding sweet rice into mochi with a big wooden mallet is a New Year tradition that’s said to bring good luck. Knoxville’s Asian Culture Center lets the whole family take a turn at mochi tsuki (mochi pounding), then taste three kinds of fresh mochi. There’s music on the shamisen, a three-stringed instrument that sounds a bit like a banjo, a big calligraphy demonstration where you write your own wish for 2027, and old-time Japanese toys and games.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sunday, Jan. 10, 2027, 2–3:30 p.m. Eastern (1–2:30 p.m. our time).
• Where: Inside the East Tennessee History Center, 600 Gay St., Knoxville, Tenn.
• How far: About 110 miles, roughly 2 hours. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $5 per person, which includes the mochi pounding and tasting. Children under 3 are free.
• Who’ll love it: Curious kids, homeschool families and anyone who likes trying something brand new.
• Good to know: This comes from an event-calendar listing, so check before you go. Questions go to info@knoxasianfestival.com. January weather can turn, so watch the forecast.

👉 Read more (Yodel Knoxville — Japanese New Year Celebration 2027)

🤠 Cheer Bull Riders and Barrel Racers at the Lone Star Cookeville Rodeo

The family-run Lone Star Rodeo Company brings two nights of real rodeo indoors to Cookeville: bareback and saddle bronc riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, breakaway and team roping, barrel racing and bull riding. Rodeo clown Mark Weber keeps the crowd laughing. Come early to meet the cowboys and cowgirls, and kids 10 and under can enter a Best Dressed Cowboy & Cowgirl contest or ride a stick horse in the grand entry.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Friday, Jan. 29, 2027, 7:30 p.m. Central, our time, with a second night Saturday, Jan. 30 (start time for Saturday: check before you go).
• Where: Hyder-Burks Agricultural Pavilion, 2390 Gainesboro Grade, Cookeville, Tenn.
• How far: About 65 miles, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $10–$32. Early-bird prices last through Dec. 31; full price starts Jan. 1.
• Who’ll love it: Farm families, 4-H kids and anyone who grew up on Westerns.
• Good to know: Most seats are general admission, first come, first served, so arrive early for the front row. Reserved seats sit near the bucking chutes.

👉 Read more (Showpass — Lone Star Cookeville Rodeo 2027)

✅ Your Trip-Planning Checklist

• ✅ Clock check: Farragut, Knoxville and Cleveland are on Eastern time (6 p.m. there = 5 p.m. here). Huntsville and Cookeville are Central.
• ✅ Mon., Nov. 23 or any night through Dec. 31: Light the Park in Farragut. Free. Mail Santa’s letter by Dec. 15.
• ✅ Fri., Dec. 4: Silver Bells in Cleveland. Free; bring a coat and food-truck cash.
• ✅ Sun., Dec. 6: Pick one: Father Christmas at Burritt (buy tickets ahead) or the Ijams Holiday Marketplace (confirm admission).
• ✅ Thu., Dec. 10: Gingerbread House Competition. Sign up your team early; space is limited.
• ✅ By Dec. 31: Buy Lone Star Cookeville Rodeo tickets for the early-bird price.
• ✅ Sun., Jan. 10: Japanese New Year in Knoxville. Bring $5 a person.
• ✅ Fill up before you go. Need gas, a tire check or a good breakfast spot on the way? Look on Dunlap.Directory.

— Dunlap.Today

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these is closest to Dunlap?

The Lone Star Cookeville Rodeo (about 1 hour 20 minutes) and Silver Bells in Cleveland (about 1 hour 15–25 minutes).

Which ones are free?

Light the Park in Farragut and Silver Bells in Cleveland are free. The Japanese New Year celebration is just $5 a person.

Can I see the Farragut lights on a night other than Nov. 23?

Yes. The lights are on every night from Nov. 24 through Dec. 31, from dusk to 10 p.m. Eastern.

Who is Father Christmas?

He’s the old-fashioned, English-style Santa, often in a long robe. At Burritt, kids get cocoa, cookies and a picture with him.

Is mochi safe for little kids to eat?

Mochi is soft and very chewy. Cut it into small pieces for young children and older folks, and take small bites.

Why do some times look an hour off?

Farragut, Knoxville and Cleveland are on Eastern time. Subtract one hour to get Dunlap’s Central time.

🔗 Other Resources

• Visit Farragut — Light the Park, Campbell Station Skate and holiday events
• Farragut holiday season guide — Campbell Station Road
• Tennessee Events — Farragut Gingerbread House Competition
• Visit Cleveland TN — Silver Bells 2026
• Burritt on the Mountain — Cookies and Cocoa with Father Christmas
• Ijams Nature Center — Holiday Marketplace
• Yodel Knoxville — Japanese New Year Celebration 2027
• Showpass — Lone Star Cookeville Rodeo 2027 tickets
• Dunlap.Directory — local businesses and services

🌅 Take It Easy, and Pick the One That Fits

You don’t need to do all seven. If you want something free and festive, Silver Bells in Cleveland or Farragut’s lights will do it. If you want this year’s Christmas picture, Father Christmas at Burritt is a sweet Sunday afternoon. If you want something close and on our own clock, save a January night for the Cookeville rodeo. Jot down three things: Farragut, Knoxville and Cleveland are an hour ahead; rodeo early-bird prices end Dec. 31; and call before you go for anything we flagged. For more calm, useful news from right here at home, keep reading Dunlap.Today and find local help on Dunlap.Directory.