Christmas at Dixie Delivers White Christmas to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede.

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. -- A friendly competition between the North and South Poles sets the stage for Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Christmas at Dixie dinner shows where dreams of a white Christmas always come true. Christmas at Dixie shows are offered Nov. 3-Jan. 1.

"As a child, Christmas always meant gathering around as Mama read the Christmas story from the Bible to us kids," Dolly Parton said. "My wish is that Christmas at Dixie sparks that same kind of memory for our guests or creates a family tradition that can be shared for years to come."

The 35,000-square-foot Dixie Stampede arena is transformed into a Christmas showplace trimmed with miles of twinkling lights, lush evergreens and colorful poinsettias.

Old-fashioned holiday costumes set the stage as elves from the North and South Poles compete in a friendly rivalry that provides the backdrop for a cast that features 32 horses and 30 riders performing equestrian feats, all highlighted by the familiar sounds of Christmas carols and holiday favorites. Audience participation segments include wreath tossing and "stick" reindeer riding competitions.

The highlight of the 90-minute show is a dramatic living Nativity featuring Mary, Joseph and the Christ child who are lowered from the ceiling on a specially designed platform to the arena's center where they are surrounded by live cows, donkeys and sheep guided by their shepherds. Completing the moving scene is the arrival of the three kings who make their entrance atop camels.

A unique skating presentation provides one of the show's most breathtaking moments as professional ice skaters descend from the ceiling on a skating platform, setting a dramatic stage for the pair's spectacular performance. In addition, a living carousel, featuring eight of the show's horses, showcases the majestic animals' pageantry as their riders grasp colorful ribbons that stretch from the ceiling to the arena floor in another show-stopping performance.

The show culminates with Santa's arrival upon his "reindeer" drawn sleigh as the 1,000-seat arena magically becomes a winter wonderland complete with fresh fallen snow, delivering a much-anticipated white Christmas to every guest.

Complementing the evening's lavish entertainment is a four-course feast that includes a whole rotisserie chicken, barbecue pork loin, herb-basted potatoes, corn on the cob, creamy vegetable soup, homemade Dixie bread and an apple turnover for dessert.

Showtimes are 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.; all seats are reserved. Advance reservations are recommended and available by calling 1-800-356-1676 or [phone]. For additional information, visit www.dixiestampede.com.