December - February
Winter in Sullivan County
Winter is Sullivan County's quietest season but far from empty.
Winter is Sullivan County's quietest season but far from empty. Candlelight Christmas at Rocky Mount (first December weekend) is one of the most magical events of the year, hundreds of candles illuminating the 18th-century buildings in the mountain cold. Bristol's Christmas parade and Kingsport's holiday celebrations fill early December. The Bristol Dirt Nationals in late January bring racing fans to a clay-covered BMS. Indoor attractions, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, the Paramount Center, Bays Mountain's nature center and planetarium, shine when the weather drives visitors indoors. Winter is for travelers who prefer fewer crowds and deeper experiences.
Cold. Highs in the 30s-50s, lows in the 20s-30s. Snow is possible but not guaranteed, Sullivan County averages 8-12 inches per winter. Mountain roads can ice over. Indoor activities recommended for the coldest days.
Top experiences this season
- Candlelight Christmas at Rocky Mount, the most magical evening of the year
- Frontier Christmas programming at Rocky Mount (through mid-December)
- Bristol Christmas Parade on State Street
- Kingsport Holidays on Main
- Bristol Dirt Nationals at BMS (late January)
- Birthplace of Country Music Museum (indoor, no weather worries)
- Bays Mountain Planetarium shows (warm and dry)
- Paramount Center winter performance season
Routes for winter
Events this winter
Plan it
Plan a winter itinerary