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Gatlinburg Festivals & Special Events
March
Early March - mid-June - Spring Fest: This special event celebrates spring
with functions in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.
Easter season: Arts & Crafts Community Easter
Arts & Crafts Show. This event at the Gatlinburg Convention Center
showcases the work of the members of the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts
Community.
Easter season: Ober Gatlinburgs Annual Easter Sunrise
Service. This annual event includes free tram rides to the mountaintop.
April
all of April Spring Fest continues
in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge andn Sevierville
April weekends: Gatlinburg Flower Fest.
Flower and bluegrass music greet spring.
late
April: Annual Rib Fest/ Flower & Garden Show. The local
restaurants showcase their ribs, accompanied by live music. (right)
late April: East
Tennessee Senior Games. This event showcases the athletic abilities
of participants 50 years and older.
late April: Smoky Mountain Music Festival. For over two
decades, this festival has grown to include music from over 2500 groups
throughout the US and Canada. The event concludes with a parade through
downtown Gatlinburg.
late April/early May: Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage. Now over half
a century old, this festival focuses on the beauty of the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park. Events include hiking tours, motorcades, demonstrations
and classroom lectures centered on the flowers, plants and wildlife in
the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
May
all of May: Spring Fest continues
May weekends: Gatlinburg Flower Fest continues next to
the Gatlinburg Convention Center at Light # 8.
early, mid May: Smoky Mountain Music Festival continues.
mid-May:
Gatlinburg Scottish Festival
& Games. Starting with the Grand Parade, this event include the
Ceilidh Under the Stars, Highland athletics, bagpipe competitions,
Highland dancing, border collie demonstrations, haggis hurling, entertainment
and whiskey tasting, along with food & merchandise vendors. Held in
Mills Park. (right)
mid-May: Gatlinburg's
Fine Arts Festival. This event features juried artists from around
the country, as well as food and music.
late May: Family Fest in the Smokies.
June
early June: Spring Fest continues in Gatlinburg, Pigeon
Forge & Sevierville f
June weekends: Gatlinburg Flower Fest continues.
July
July 3: Annual 4th of July Midnight Parade.(right)
July 4: River Raft Regatta. This race takes place between
Christus Gardens and the Aquarium.
July 4: 4th of July Fireworks Show
late July: Gatlinburgs
Craftsmens Fair. Nearly 200 craftspeople take part in this event
at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.
August
mid-August-early September: Gatlinburg Heritage Days. Two
weeks of art demonstrations take place in the Arts & Crafts Community.
September
early September - end of December: Old Fashioned
Hayrides. Family hayrides depart from traffic light #6 at the Mountain
Mall. Rides run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and leave
approximately every 45 minutes.
early September: Gatlinburg Heritage Days continue in the
Arts & Crafts Community.
mid-September - end of October: Smoky Mountain Harvest
Festival. This celebration spans Gatlinburg, Sevierville and Pigeon Forge.
late-September: Annual Taste of Autumn. Over
30 local restaurants show off their finest dishes; also includes live
entertainment, live and silent auction with a cash bar.
October
all of October: Old Fashioned Hayrides
continue.
early October - late October: Gatlinburgs
Craftsmens Fair. Shop for the works of over 180 craftspeople
at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Includes live Country and Bluegrass
entertainment.
November
all of November: Old Fashioned Hayrides continue.
early November: Winterfest Kickoff & Chili Cook-off.
Over two million lights mark the Christmas season; the kickoff includes
live entertainment and a fireworks display. Sample chili recipes from
area restaurants and businesses.
all of November: Gatlinburg Winterfest. Lighting displays
fill the town. Trolly rides tour Gatlinburgs spectacular Winterfest
lighting displays. Departure is at traffic light #3, Visitor Center. Group
reservations are available. Trolley leaves at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30.
late November: Gatlinburg Garden Clubs "Festival
of Trees." Dozens of decorated trees fill the Gatlinburg Convention
Center.
late November: Arts & Crafts Community Thanksgiving
Arts & Crafts Show. Shoppers find unique handcrafted Christmas gifts
made by members of the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community; held at
the Gatlinburg Convention Center.
December
early December: Fantasy of Lights
Christmas Parade. Now over three decades old, this annual parade is one
of the Top Twenty Events in the South by the Southeast Tourism Society.
Includes lighted floats, marching bands and giant helium balloons. Parade
begins at 7:30pm at traffic light 1A and continues through downtown to
traffic light #10.
all of December: Gatlinburg Winterfest
and Trolley Rides continue.
all of December: Old Fashioned Hayrides
continue.
early December: Arts & Crafts Community
Christmas Arts & Crafts Show. Held at Gatlinburg Convention Center.
December
31: Gatlinburgs New Years Eve Ball Drop & Fireworks Show.
The Space Needle at traffic light #8 comes alive at the stroke of midnight
with a fabulous fireworks show. The event includes a Live DJ. This has
been called "Best New Years Eve Show in the South."
Photos courtesy Gatlinburg Dept. of Tourism
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