Maryville, TN (November 22) – Beautifully decorated for the holidays, Tennessee’s historic RT Lodge will celebrate the season with 12 festive events this December. Guests can participate in a wreath making class, listen to a reading of the “Night Before Christmas” or spend an enchanted evening surrounded by the glow of 400 luminaries lighting up the Lodge.

“We’ve filled our calendar with favorite holiday traditions and some fun new activities for our guests,” said RT Lodge General Manager Gary Doyle.  “We look forward to welcoming back old friends and making new friends, as we bring on the holiday season.”

Live fire-side music and events, festive meals, a Gingerbread cookie decorating kit and overnight accommodations complete with a bedside treat from Santa will add some magic to the festive season.

December 3 – Luminary Night at the Lodge

For one night only the Lodge sparkles with hundreds of luminaries lighting the gardens and grounds. Be part of this magical evening with dinner and an overnight stay.  Room rates at $189 (plus tax) per night including breakfast.  Dinner priced A La Carte.

December 4 – Santa Visits the Lodge from 9:00 a.m. to Noon

Bring the kids to meet Santa.  Photos will be taken by Sarah Rau and chocolate chip cookies will be served.   Cost is $65.00 plus tax.  Reservations required. Call 865-981-9800.

December 7 – Live on Instagram “Cocktails with Randi” from 1:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Bar Manager Randi Smith will put a new twist on some favorite classics.  Learn online how to make new holiday favorites – Moscow Yule, New Old-Fashioned Way and North 75.  Free event.

December 10 – Christmas Carolers from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Sarah Holloway’s Dickens Carolers will fill the halls with music from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

December 10 – “Make Your Own Gingerbread Cookie Kit” Available

Bring home a festive Gingerbread cookie kit.   America’s Best Baker finalist and RT Lodge Pastry Chef Caitlyn Cox will prepare cookie kits featuring 12 Vanilla-glazed gingerbread men, a bag of Royal Icing, sprinkles, and candy for decorating.  Cost is $60 plus tax.  All kits ordered on December 10 between 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. will be available for pick up December 18. Call 865-981-9800 to reserve your kit.

December 11 – Live Pianist from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

For the pleasure of diners and Lodge guests, Beverly Kerr will perform her favorite holiday tunes surrounded by the warm glow of the fire in the Lodge’s Living Room.

December 14 – Wreathmaking Class with Colby West from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Discover the secrets of creating the most beautiful holiday wreaths with Colby West of Knoxville’s Colby West designs.  Cost is $175. Reservations required. Call 865-981-9800.

December 15 – “Twas the Night Before Christmas” Reading by Maryville College President Dr. Bryan Coker from 6:30 p.m.  to 7:30 p.m.

Around the glow of the fire, enjoy an inspired reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Maryville College President Dr. Bryan Coker. Free event.

December 18 – Live Music “String Quartet” from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Celebration Strings, led by Julie Simpson, will perform for Lodge and restaurant guests.

December 21,22,23,24 – Hot Beverages by the Fire Pit after Lodge Dinner

A hot beverage station will be set up at the firepit with s’mores for dining guests to enjoy an after-dinner indulgence.

December 24 – Christmas Eve Dining at the Lodge from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The fire-lit dining room is a beautiful setting for Christmas Eve dining.  Menu items include Chef Trevor Stockton’s Famous Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Ribeye for Two.  A hot beverage station is available at the firepit with s’mores for an after-dinner indulgence.

December 31 – Spend New Year’s Eve at the Lodge from 5:00 p.m. to midnight p.m.

Chef Stockton and Pastry Chef Cox will present an inspired holiday menu to the sounds of a live band from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The evening will be topped off by a champagne toast at midnight.  Spend the night and enjoy breakfast the next morning. Package for two including meals and room is $495 plus tax and gratuity.  Reservations required.

Contact RT Lodge at 865-981-9800 to book accommodations or make restaurant or event reservations.  Book online at www.rtlodge.com for room accommodations. Dinner reservations available at opentable.com.

Photo link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/iyyuzye5g3r5byk/AACMDArZjV2Fe2I7box1-J9Ba?dl=0

About RT Lodge

RT Lodge, consisting of a landmarked historic home and two guest houses accommodating 59 rooms, is set on the woodsy college campus of Maryville College in Eastern Tennessee. Donated to the college by Mrs. Susan Wiley Cooper Walker in 1952, guests can enjoy seven acres of meandering wooded walking paths, extensive gardens with a Koi Pond, evening s’mores at the fire pit, a destination restaurant open for dinner, private fly-fishing excursions, and distinctive meeting spaces for weddings and corporate retreats.  RT Lodge is 20 minutes from Knoxville, 30 minutes from Great Smoky Mountains National Park and 10 minutes from McGee Tyson Airport.  For further information, please visit www.rtlodge.com or call 865-981-9800.

Media Contact:  Rebecca Werner, rebecca@nullwernerpr.com, 917-370-5005

Meagan Titlow, meagan@nullrtlodge.com, 865-981-9800