Events
Things to do in the area
Wears Valley, Townsend, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are well known for their winterfests, springfests and various other events throughout the year. Festivals draw in people from all over, as well as local people from other areas of TN. Pigeon Forge is well known for their various car shows. Gatlinburg is well known for its shops, arts & crafts district, and the Skybridge in Skylift Park.
Our cabin is located in beautiful Wears Valley, located between Townsend (the quiet side of the Smokies) & Pigeon Forge. We are about 10 miles from Townsend, and 8 miles from the parkway at Pigeon Forge, where you will find shopping, restaurants, dinner shows, arcades, and tons of family fun. We are approximately 18 miles from Gatlinburg.
Here are some of the events for this year and into next year. We hope this is helpful to you when planning your next trip to the Smoky Mountains.
Wears Valley info:
Wears Valley Festivals &
Special Events 2023
Events include Wears Valley, Townsend, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville
JANUARY 2023
January
Wilderness Wildlife Week™
Celebrate the natural features, creatures and cultures of the Smokies with online speakers, panels and more fun online content. Join us as we celebrate the natural features, creatures and cultures of the Great Smoky Mountains—all online. We’ve invited some of the leading wildlife experts to lead informative discussions with you, our virtual outdoor enthusiasts. This is a great opportunity for students to learn and ask questions about nature. We’ll also share all-new content that takes you into the great outdoors from the comfort of your home, guided by our wilderness explorers.
www.mypigeonforge.com/event/wilderness-wildlife-week
FEBRUARY 2023
February (every Friday night)
Rocky Branch Community Center Jam Sessions (Friday nights year round)
Walland. Stage performances and jam sessions. 6 pm - whenever. If you pick, bring your acoustic stringed instrument; if you dance, bring your clogging shoes. There's no admission charge, but donations help maintain the facility and keeps the music of the mountains alive at Rocky Branch.
rockybranchmountainmusic.com
MARCH 2023
March (every Friday night)
Rocky Branch Community Center Jam Sessions (Friday nights year round)
Walland. Stage performances and jam sessions. 6 pm - whenever. If you pick, bring your acoustic stringed instrument; if you dance, bring your clogging shoes. There's no admission charge, but donations help maintain the facility and keeps the music of the mountains alive at Rocky Branch.
rockybranchmountainmusic.com
March 3-5
Chuck Wagon Cookoff Weekend & Competition
Chuck wagons will gather at Clabough’s Campground for this one-of-a-kind outdoor cooking event. Long before today’s food truck craze treated foodies to impromptu kitchens on wheels, early American chuck wagons fed hungry cowboys on the open prairies during cattle drives. Chuck wagon cooks, or cookies, as they are known, rely on simple ingredients to guide their menus and fire to power their ovens.
www.mypigeonforge.com/event/cookoff
March 17 to June 5
Gatlinburg Smoky Mountain Spring: It’s a Spring Thing!
As part of Smoky Mountain Springfest, June is jam packed with special events and activities for the whole family!
www.gatlinburg.com/events/spring/
March 24-25
Corvette Expo
LeConte Center, PIgeon Forge
The Spring Corvette Expo has been one of the most popular car shows in the area for more than 40 years. The Expo will feature dozens of show cars and vendors as well as a sales corral. In total there will be over 500 cars and more than 100 vendors attending the event.
www.corvetteexpo.com
March 21-25
Ponies In The Smokies
Sevierville Convention Center
Join us for Ponies in the Smokies car show featuring 108,000 square feet of indoor vendors and special displays. Come and enjoy the beautiful Smoky Mountains and kick off the 2022 car show season right!
poniesinthesmokies.com
April (every Friday night)
Rocky Branch Community Center Jam Sessions (Friday nights year round)
Walland. Stage performances and jam sessions. 6 pm - whenever. If you pick, bring your acoustic stringed instrument; if you dance, bring your clogging shoes. There's no admission charge, but donations help maintain the facility and keeps the music of the mountains alive at Rocky Branch.
rockybranchmountainmusic.com
March 17 to June 5
Gatlinburg Smoky Mountain Spring: It’s a Spring Thing!
As part of Smoky Mountain Springfest, June is jam packed with special events and activities for the whole family!
www.gatlinburg.com/events/spring/
April 13-15
Spring Rod Run
LeConte Center
Join the many automotive enthusiasts and come on out to the Pigeon Forge Rod Run, the area’s largest automotive event. The spring event features top 25 awards, ultimate 5 awards, a huge swap meet with hundreds of showcars and car corral.
www.rodrun-pigeonforge.com
April 5-8
Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Easter Crafts Fair
This crafts show is showcased in the Gatlinburg Convention Center in downtown Gatlinburg. You can meet and visit with more than 100 members of the Arts and Crafts Community as they produce one-of-a-kind works of art available for purchase. Some of the artists and crafters are second, third and even fourth generation artisans carrying on the tradition of their heritage while making a living the way pioneers did back in the 1760s and ‘70s. Admission is free!
greatsmokyartsandcrafts.com
April 19-22
Bronco Truck Show
Takes place at the Tally Ho Inn in Townsend, TN.
www.broncodriver.com
April 20-22
NQC Spring Break
Produced by the National Quartet Convention, NQC hope to provide a taste of Gospel Music’s largest annual event during the spring and give Gospel Music fans from all over the world to experience great Gospel Music along with the beauty of the Smoky Mountains in Spring.
natqc.com
April 28-30
Women of Joy – Spring 2023 Tour
LeConte Center
Women of Joy is thoughtfully designed to enhance and energize the spiritual lives of Christian women. With the very best Christian speakers in the country, the brightest stars in the contemporary Christian music universe, and sound, Biblical teaching, the Women of Joy conferences offer and exciting, spiritually fulfilling experience for today’s women.
womenofjoy.org
April 21 - June 11
Dollywood's Flower & Food Festival
The Smokies are blooming like never before. Explore larger-than-life plant sculptures adorned in half-a-million colorful flower blooms, dance under a picturesque Umbrella Sky and indulge in garden-fresh flavors from Dollywood chefs.
www.dollywood.com
April 21-22
Smoky Mountain Fiber Arts Festival
Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center
The festival will include fiber animal exhibitions, marketplace of vendors, classes, educational demonstrations of spinning, weaving, needlecrafts, dyeing, and many other fiber processes, hands-on projects with children and adults, local artists' work and fiber craft supplies, and information about local fiber activities, groups, businesses, and instructional resources.
gsmheritagecenter.org
April 26-29
Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage
The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is a 70 year old annual event in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park featuring professionally-guided walks to explore the region's rich natural and cultural resources.
www.wildflowerpilgrimage.org
April 28
Music in the Mountains Spring Parade
Pigeon Forge Parkway
he parade kicks off at 6 p.m. on the Parkway with local and visiting marching bands, cold-air character balloons, local attraction and entertainment representatives and more!
May thru October (Saturday Nights)
Pickin' On the Porch
Wood N' Strings Dulcimer Shop, Townsend. 7 pm.
May 1-31
Smoky Mountain Springfest
Join in a countywide celebration of the season featuring special events, local craft shows and much more.
May (every Friday night)
Rocky Branch Community Center Jam Sessions (Friday nights year round)
Walland. Stage performances and jam sessions. 6 pm - whenever. If you pick, bring your acoustic stringed instrument; if you dance, bring your clogging shoes. There's no admission charge, but donations help maintain the facility and keeps the music of the mountains alive at Rocky Branch.
rockybranchmountainmusic.com
May (date TBA)
Little River Lumber Railroad Days
Come by the Little River Railroad Museum to get richly acquainted with the history of Townsend and the Railroad. 865-448-2211. Admission: Free
7747 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN
www.littleriverrailroad.org
May (date TBA)
Tennessee Pottery Festival
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
In its second year, the Tennessee Pottery Festival will be held on the grounds of the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend. Featuring a selection of the nation’s finest potters, this festival offers the opportunity to view and purchase different styles of pottery and other goods made of clay. Clay Art connoisseurs and novices are invited to enjoy the pieces of art in the historic village at the Heritage Center. This is a perfect time to learn from and discuss different styles and forms of pottery with the expert potters. The Tennessee Pottery Festival is a unique opportunity to find the perfect piece of custom clay art for your home.
www.tennesseepotteryfestival.com
May (date TBA)
Springtime in the Smokies
Tally Ho Inn, Townsend TN
This year’s event will be one day only. No judging, but donations requested to support the club charities. 10:00 am to 1:30 pm
blountbritishcars.org/annual-car-gathering
May 18-20
Grand National F-100 Ford Show
LeConte Center
The Grand National F-100 Show is the largest classic Ford pick-up truck event in the world. Truckers will exhibit their trucks both inside and outside the beautiful LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge. The most popular vendors for classic Ford Trucks will have the latest and greatest parts for sale. And the Ford Truck Swap Meet will be outside the convention center with cabs, doors, grills and just about everything a trucker could possibly want.
gnf100show.com
May 19-20
Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass
Sevier County Courthouse lawn and Main Street
The largest event in Sevierville! Tennessee State Championship Barbeque Cook-Off, FREE bluegrass concerts from rising stars and bluegrass legends, kids games, great food and authentic mountain crafts. Admission is FREE.
www.bloominbbq.com
May 19-20
Mountain Soul Vocal Competition Finals
Vocal competition honoring the songwriting of Sevierville’s hometown girl, Dolly Parton. Finalists sing one of 3,000 songs written by Parton in the style of their own choosing (rock, rap, country, pop, etc.).
www.bloominbbq.com
May 20-21
Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival & Games
Maryville College Campus
865-777-1059
502 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN
smokymountaingames.org
May
Memorial Day Weekend Sale
Tanger Five Oaks Factory Outlet Center
tangeroutlet.com/Sevierville
May thru October (Saturday Nights)
Pickin' On the Porch
Wood N' Strings Dulcimer Shop, Townsend. 7 pm.
June (every Friday night)
Rocky Branch Community Center Jam Sessions (Friday nights year round)
Walland. Stage performances and jam sessions. 6 pm - whenever. If you pick, bring your acoustic stringed instrument; if you dance, bring your clogging shoes. There's no admission charge, but donations help maintain the facility and keeps the music of the mountains alive at Rocky Branch.
rockybranchmountainmusic.com
June 2-4
Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge Classic Car Show
LeConte Center
www.pontiacsinpigeonforge.com
June - August
Free Parkway Trolley
The City of Gatlinburg will offer free trolley service to patrons along the length of the Parkway for nine weeks this summer. The free specially painted open-air shuttles will operate from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily through August 16. Extra stops have been established between traffic lights 1 and 10 along Parkway.
June 5-8
A Mountain Quiltfest™
LeConte Center
Celebrate the art and heritage of quilting at the 27th Annual A Mountain Quiltfest™. Quilters from all around come together at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge for this five-day long quilting event. Quilters have the opportunity to attend classes that are based on skill level and technique. There will also be a quilt show that displays a variety of quilts for your viewing pleasure. Free admission.
June 19 - August 2
Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales
On Fridays and Saturday in May, visitors can meet characters, hear mountain music and learn about life long ago in the Smokies on the streets of Gatlinburg. Storytellers, musicians and cloggers perform along the Parkway during this eighth annual event.
May thru October (Saturday Nights)
Pickin' On the Porch
Wood N' Strings Dulcimer Shop, Townsend. 7 pm.
June (last weekend) - mid-August
Free Parkway Trolley
The City of Gatlinburg will offer free trolley service to patrons along the length of the Parkway for nine weeks this summer. The free specially painted open-air shuttles will operate from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily through August 16. Extra stops have been established between traffic lights 1 and 10 along Parkway.
July (every Friday night)
Rocky Branch Community Center Jam Sessions (Friday nights year round)
Walland. Stage performances and jam sessions. 6 pm - whenever. If you pick, bring your acoustic stringed instrument; if you dance, bring your clogging shoes. There's no admission charge, but donations help maintain the facility and keeps the music of the mountains alive at Rocky Branch.
rockybranchmountainmusic.com
July 1 - July 29
Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales
All summer long visitors can meet characters, hear mountain music and learn about life long ago in the Smokies on the streets of Gatlinburg. Storytellers, musicians and cloggers perform along the Parkway every evening during this eighth annual event.
July 4
Annual Patriot Festival
Patriot Park
Celebrate America’s independence with food, fun, entertainment and fireworks. Activities are at Patriot Park and offered free of charge.
www.mypigeonforge.com
July 4
River Raft Regatta
Visitors can enjoy a fun, unmanned, floatable object race for the whole family. Free registration begins at 10 a.m. at bridge beneath chair lift on River Road. Race begins at noon at Christ of the Smokies Bridge and ends at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Bridge where prizes will be awarded in several different categories.
July 4
4th of July Fireworks Show
Join the celebration in downtown Gatlinburg to mark our nation’s “Independence Day” with a magnificent fireworks show. The City of Gatlinburg lights up the mountain skyline downtown at 10 p.m. with this grand display. Designated a Top 20 event by Southeast Tourism Society.
July 4
4th of July Celebration
Highland Manor Inn, Townsend. 865-448-6886.
July 4-7
July 4th Weekend Sale
Tanger Five Oaks Factory Outlet Center
www.tangeroutlet.com/Sevierville
July 6-9
Rising Star Vocal Competition
LeConte Center
Dancers and vocalists can show off their unique skills at the Rising Star Talent Competition. In 2022 Pigeon Forge is hosting the national competition, which features all of the regional winners as they compete to take home the top honors.
www.risingstartalent.com
July 10-15
Smoky Mountains Family Camp
Spend your family vacation in the middle of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Surround your family with the magic of the mountains as you hike ridges, study wildlife, explore secret places, and take afternoon dips in the Middle Prong. This week-long adventure is designed for families that are ready to leave their cares behind in exchange for a week of unending family fun. Each day brings new activities in which to choose; hike in the high country, explore Cades Cove, search for salamanders, and enjoy fantastic evening entertainment. Registration required.
www.gsmit.org/familycamp.html
July 7-16
Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair
Art, crafts and music lovers will discover over 200 booths featuring some of the nation's finest work. Artisans and craftspeople are on hand to demonstrate their skills, answer questions and offer their unique art for sale. Live Country & Bluegrass entertainment. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
www.craftsmenfair.com
July 22
Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Conference
Gatlinburg Convention Center
The event features some of America's most experienced and engaging Bigfoot researchers and investigators. Advanced tickets required.
gatherupevents.com
AUGUST 2023
 One of the newest events in the Smoky Mountains is the Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival |
August (Date TBA)
Annual Smoky Mountain Cornhole Tournament
Presented by Old Mill Square & 6th Annual Smoky Mountain Cornhole Tournament
Old Mill Square
oldmillsquare.com
May thru October (Saturday Nights)
Pickin' On the Porch
Wood N' Strings Dulcimer Shop, Townsend. 7 pm.
June 18- August 7
Dollywood's Summer Celebration
Experience unique summer entertainment like the guest-favorite Gazillion Bubbles Show and extended park hours so you can have more time to experience your favorite attractions. Plus, Dollywood's Sweet Summer Nights drone and fireworks show returns bigger and brighter.
August 1 - August 15
Free Parkway Trolley
The City of Gatlinburg will offer free trolley service to patrons along the length of the Parkway for nine weeks this summer. The free specially painted open-air shuttles will operate from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily through August 16. Extra stops have been established between traffic lights 1 and 10 along Parkway.
August 1-15
Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales
Through early August, visitors can meet characters, hear mountain music and learn about life in the Smokies on the streets of Gatlinburg. Storytellers, musicians and cloggers perform at different locations along the Parkway every evening during this seventh annual event.
August (every Friday night)
Rocky Branch Community Center Jam Sessions (Friday nights year round)
Walland. Stage performances and jam sessions. 6 pm - whenever. If you pick, bring your acoustic stringed instrument; if you dance, bring your clogging shoes. There's no admission charge, but donations help maintain the facility and keeps the music of the mountains alive at Rocky Branch.
rockybranchmountainmusic.com
August 11-12
Catapalooza Catfishing Expo
LeConte Center
A family event showcasing all the new gear available today in the sport of recreational and professional catfish angling. Including but not limited to rods, reels, lines, hooks, sinkers, tool, electronics, boats and much more. There will also be giveaways, raffles, games for kids, seminars from pro anglers as well as demonstrations and informational booths. Early bird tickets for Catapalooza are $10. Kids 12 and under are FREE with a paying adult.
www.smokeymountainfishingexpo.com
August 18-19
Gatlinburg Songwriters Festival
Celebrating the area’s Appalachian musical roots, Gatlinburg hosts the Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival.
www.gatlinburgsongwriters.com
August 19
Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival
Townsend Visitor Center
4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Join us for a summertime spectacle, when several professional balloonists light up the evening sky with a beautiful balloon glow. The event features family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and crafters. There is also a food truck court, a beer tent, and wine tastings.
gsmballoonfest.com
August 24-26
Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion
More than 10,000 jeeps come together at LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge. All Jeep models are welcome, including custom builds. More than 30,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion. It’s one of the largest Jeep events in the nation.
www.greatsmokymountainjeepinvasion.com
Labor Day Weekend Sale
(Sunday extended hours 9am-9pm)
Tanger Five Oaks Factory Outlet Center
www.tangeroutlet.com/Sevierville
Fall Rod Run 2023
September 14-16, 2023
If you love classic cars, then you’ve probably been to or heard of the famous rod run shows taking place in Pigeon Forge during the month of September. The participants in these car shows are so eager to get the weekend started that the parking starts to fill with classic cars on Tuesday of that week.
May thru October (Saturday Nights)
Pickin' On the Porch
Wood N' Strings Dulcimer Shop, Townsend. 7 pm.
September
Shades of the Past Rod Run XXXIV
Shades of the Past had its final run in 2022.
shadesofthepast.com
September (every Friday night)
Rocky Branch Community Center Jam Sessions (Friday nights year round)
Walland. Stage performances and jam sessions. 6 pm - whenever. If you pick, bring your acoustic stringed instrument; if you dance, bring your clogging shoes. There's no admission charge, but donations help maintain the facility and keeps the music of the mountains alive at Rocky Branch.
rockybranchmountainmusic.com
September 15 - October 31
Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival
A countywide celebration of harvest season features festivals, special events and autumn-themed displays.
September 20 - October 30
Dollywood's Harvest Festival
Dollywood features the spectacular artistry of visiting crafters from across the country. You may also sample the special harvest-themed food items from Dollywood’s award-winning foods team.
www.dollywood.com/themepark/Festivals/Harvest-Festival
September 25- October 1
National Quartet Convention
LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge
natqc.com
September 23-24
Townsend Fall Heritage Festival and Old Timers Day
Townsend Visitors Center & Cades Cove
Celebrates mountain and Appalachian arts and crafts. Features demonstrations, bluegrass and mountain music, an antique tractor and engine show, storytelling, children’s activities, crafts by local artisans, basketry, spinning, weaving, sorghum molasses, apple butter making, lye soap, beekeeping, and blacksmithing. 9 am-10 pm daily. 800-525-6834.
www.smokymountains.org
September 26
Blue Ribbon Country Fair
Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. 865-448-0044.
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Now in its 14th year, this annual celebration of the old-fashioned county fair features competition, games, music, historic demonstrations, and more.
www.gsmheritagecenter.org
September (3rd Saturday)
Old Timers Day, Cades Cove
Cades Cove Visitor Center
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
A day-long event of music and discussion of Cades Cove history with former residents who lived here before and after it became part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The event will be held at the Cable Mill and Becky Cable House in Cades Cove (located on the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road). The CCPA will have historic exhibits and photographs of homesteads that populated the valley and the people who lived there.
www.mysmokymountainvacation.com/old-timers.html
September (visit website for dates)
Oktoberfest
This Ober Gatlinburg festival features Bavarian-style food, beverages, music and live entertainment through early November, with daily shows and multiple shows each Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
www.obergatlinburg.com
October (every Friday night)
Rocky Branch Community Center Jam Sessions (Friday nights year round)
Walland. Stage performances and jam sessions. 6 pm - whenever. If you pick, bring your acoustic stringed instrument; if you dance, bring your clogging shoes. There's no admission charge, but donations help maintain the facility and keeps the music of the mountains alive at Rocky Branch.
rockybranchmountainmusic.com
May thru October (Saturday Nights)
Pickin' On the Porch
Wood N' Strings Dulcimer Shop, Townsend. 7 pm.
October 1-31
Annual Pigeon Forge Rotary Club Craft Fair
Patriot Park
pigeonforgerotary.org
October 1-31
Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival
Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of a Smoky Mountain Harvest. Leaf looking, special events, shows, shopping and attractions make this a great time of year to visit Sevierville.
www.VisitSevierville.com
October 1-31
Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival
A countywide celebration of harvest season featuring special events, festivals, craft shows, autumn-themed displays and more.
October 1-31
Oktoberfest
This Ober Gatlinburg festival features Bavarian-style food, beverages, music and live entertainment through early November, with daily shows and multiple shows each Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Call (865) 436-5423 for more information.
October (see website for dates)
Robert Tino’s Smoky Mountain Homecoming
robertatinosmokymountainhomecoming.com
October (first weekend)
Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers Festival
Nawger Nob Village, Townsend. 865-448-2259.
October 5-22
Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair
Art, crafts and music lovers will find over 200 booths featuring some of the nation's finest work. Artisans and craftspeople are on hand to demonstrate their skill, answer questions and offer their unique art for sale. Enjoy live country & bluegrass entertainment at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.
www.craftsmenfair.com
October 31
Trick Or Treat Kickoff Carnival
Local businesses offer contests, costumed characters, inflatables and candy on Halloween at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza. Proceeds benefit the United Way of Sevier County.
November 1 - December 31
Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Stampede
Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede
dpstampede.com
November (every Friday night)
Rocky Branch Community Center Jam Sessions (Friday nights year round)
Walland. Stage performances and jam sessions. 6 pm - whenever. If you pick, bring your acoustic stringed instrument; if you dance, bring your clogging shoes. There's no admission charge, but donations help maintain the facility and keeps the music of the mountains alive at Rocky Branch.
rockybranchmountainmusic.com
November 13, 2022 - February 19, 2023
Winterfest Driving Tour
Download Map
November 4, 2023 - January 6, 2023
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas
www.dollywood.com
November (Visit website for date)
Winter Magic Kickoff & Chili Cookoff
Offering mouth-watering recipes of homemade chili ranging from mild and delightful to wild and adventurous, the City of Gatlinburg hosts its annual Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff on from 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown.
www.gatlinburg.com
November (see website for dates)
Sevierville’s Winterfest Kick Off Music, Lights & Magic
Free food, local entertainment, kids’ games and fireworks make this event fun for everyone! The evening wraps up with “flipping the switch” on the area’s first Winterfest lights.
www.VisitSevierville.com
November 5, 2023 through February 15, 2024
Smoky Mountain Winterfest
Lots of activities have been planned for your enjoyment.
www.mountainwinterfest.com
November 7, 2022 - January 27, 2023
Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights
Enjoy a guided trolley tour of Gatlinburg Winter Magic lighting displays. Departure is from the Ripley’s Aquarium Trolley Station. Trolley leaves at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30. Group reservations are available.
www.gatlinburg.com/events
November 6-29
Gatlinburg Winter Magic
The City of Gatlinburg magically lights up the winter nights with dozens of spectacular light displays, featuring all LED bulbs.
November 11
Veterans Day Celebration
Join the City of Gatlinburg in saluting the men and women of America who have served in our Armed Forces in this special ceremony at Anakeesta Plaza. This annual program begins at 11 a.m. and includes stirring musical tributes, ceremonial words and recognition of Veterans in attendance. This event is designated an official Regional Site for the Observance of Veterans Day by the Veterans Day National Committee, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (800) 568-4748.
November 11 - December 31
Annual Pigeon Forge Winterfest Kick-off and Annual Veteran’s Parade
Pigeon Forge Parkway at 4:30 P.M.
Parade begins at Jehu Street and continues to traffic light #7. Kick-off will begin immediately following the parade at Patriot Park.
MyPigeonForge.com/winterfest
November (see website for dates)
Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Thanksgiving Show
Unique handcrafted gifts made by members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community are offered as they host their annual show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.
www.gatlinburgcrafts.com
November 7, 2022 – Feb.15, 2023
Smoky Mountain Winterfest
Enjoy millions of twinkling lights throughout the Great Smoky Mountains area along with special events and activities, including Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas, skiing, light displays, and much more.
www.MountainWinterfest.com
November 22 - December 14
Winter Magic Tunes & Tales
Through the holiday season, visitors can meet characters and storytellers and enjoy caroling along the Parkway Friday and Saturday evenings during this fifth annual event.
November (Thanksgiving weekend)
Gatlinburg’s Festival of Trees
Dozens upon dozens of ornately decorated Christmas trees await visitors in this winter wonderland at Gatlinburg Convention Center’s W.L. Mills Conference Center. Event benefits Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries.
November 4, 2023 - January 6, 2023
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas
www.dollywood.com
December (every Friday night)
Rocky Branch Community Center Jam Sessions (Friday nights year round)
Walland. Stage performances and jam sessions. 6 pm - whenever. If you pick, bring your acoustic stringed instrument; if you dance, bring your clogging shoes. There's no admission charge, but donations help maintain the facility and keeps the music of the mountains alive at Rocky Branch.
rockybranchmountainmusic.com
November 1 - December 31
Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Stampede
Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede
dpstampede.com
December 1-24
Christmas at The Old Mill Square
Old Mill Pigeon River Pottery is stocked for the season with one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts, and at the Old Mill Farmhouse Kitchen, you'll sample its best offerings and find holiday meal and entertaining solutions. The homemade candies in the Old Mill Candy Kitchen will sweetly fill your stockings. Shopping for the women in your family has never been easier than at Sassafras, a boutique clothing and accessory store.
www.old-mill.com
November 15, 2022 - February 15, 2023
Gatlinburg Winter Magic
The City of Gatlinburg magically lights up the winter nights with dozens of spectacular light displays, featuring all LED bulbs.
December 1-30
Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights
Enjoy a guided trolley tour of Gatlinburg Winter Magic lighting displays. Departure is from the Ripley’s Aquarium Trolley Station. Trolley leaves at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30. Group reservations are available.
www.gatlinburg.com/events
November - December (see website for dates)
Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Christmas Holiday Show
Unique handcrafted gifts made by members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community are offered as they host their annual holiday show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.
www.gatlinburgcrafts.com
December (Date TBA)
Christmas on Ice
Enjoy the spirit of the season as local skaters display their talents on ice to the sounds of holiday music in a two day performance at Ober Gatlinburg’s ice arena.
www.obergatlinburg.com
December (Date TBA)
Sevierville’s Christmas Parade
A traditional hometown parade with baton twirlers, pageant winners, marching bands and floats leading up to the appearance of the Grand Marshal – Santa Claus! Parade begins at 11am and can best be viewed on Forks of the River Parkway and Court Avenue in historic downtown Sevierville, TN.
scoc.org
December 2
Townsend Christmas Parade
Begins at the IGA and ends at Nawger Nob Village. 865-448-6886.
December 31
New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show & Ball Drop
Historic Nature Trail at the Parkway
The Space Needle area at traffic light #8 comes alive at the stroke of midnight with a fabulous fireworks show. Features free party favors and live entertainment. “Best New Year’s Eve Show in the South.”
Spring Corvette Expo
March 15-16, 2024
In 1967 the Cooper brothers of Knoxville opened their corvette center in a 4 car garage with the main focus of repairing, painting, & customizing these incredible vehicles. A decade later, the Corvette Expo was born. The 35th anniversary of the event in 2012 made it the longest running corvette event in the nation continuously operated by the same owners.
Ponies In The Smokies
March 18-23, 2024
Ponies In The Smokies is an event run by T5 Productions that celebrates the Ford Mustang. Described as a "multi-day Mustang based event within the backdrop of The Great Smoky Mountains", Ponies In The Smokies is becoming one of the more popular rod run events of the season.
Chevelles In The Smokies
March 2024 (Exact Dates TBA)
The Corvette Expo for 2024, Chevelles In The Smokies will be held inside the LeConte Center. This model was one of Chevrolet's most successful nameplates, with three generations of vehicle produced between 1964 and 1978. Chevelles will compete for the title of Best Of Show and Most Outstanding Chevelle in the Smokies.
Spring Rod Run 2024
April 18-20, 2024
Formerly called the Grand Rod Runs, the biggest Pigeon Forge car shows usually happen every year around April & September. If you plan to come to Pigeon Forge on a weekend of a car show not knowing, you may be a little overwhelmed by the hundreds of classic cars lining the parkway.
Grand National F-100 Show
May 16-18, 2024
The largest classic Ford truck show in the country returns this year at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge. Open to Ford trucks from 1996 and older, the event showcases these unique vehicles in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Spectators can enjoy show vendors, a swap meet, and even an F-100 cruise.
Pontiacs In Pigeon Forge
May 30 - June 1, 2024
This car show has been happening for well over ten years. If you want to see some of the most gorgeous Pontiacs around, be sure to check the Rod Run event schedule for the latest announcements on upcoming shows. This summertime car show is usually held at the LeConte Event Center.