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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 Gatlinburg’s 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: Gatlinburg’s Craftsmen’s 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: Gatlinburg’s Craftsmen’s 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 Gatlinburg’s 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 Club’s "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: Gatlinburg’s New Year’s 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 Year’s Eve Show in the South."

Photos courtesy Gatlinburg Dept. of Tourism