The Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival, taking place throughout the month of October, is one of the most celebrated events of the year. This special time of year, amidst the beautiful autumn weather, brings seasonal decorations, events, and entertainment to the charming town of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. If you have never visited Gatlinburg during the month of fall, you will immediately be delighted by all that the famous Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival has to offer!
The Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival is less of an event and more of a time of year…the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival isn’t an event in and of itself, but more of a period where many fall-themed events take place. Hosted through October 31 every year, the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival takes place all throughout downtown Gatlinburg. Featuring fun activities and events for families and friends of all ages, this charming mountain town certainly knows how to do the fall season right.
The main event of the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival is the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair. Taking place October 9 through the 26 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, this fair draws in craftsmen and artists from all across the country. One of the best fall festivals in the United States, this award-winning event is hosting its 39th annual event this year and is definitely something that you do not want to miss.
The Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair has been voted one of the Southeast’s most popular events, and with one visit you can quickly see why. This fall festival offers more than 200 artist and craftsmen booths with handmade products and pieces that will simply take your breath away. These skilled craftsmen are on hand to demonstrate their artistic process, answer questions, and assist you in picking out the perfect piece, making the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair not only fun, but also educational, as well!
At the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair, you can find pottery, paintings, woven baskets, fall decorations, and much, much more. You can even enjoy bluegrass music shows on Sunday afternoons! The fair is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and until 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. Admission for adults is only $6, making this an event that is easy on your wallet as well as your eyes!
You can find fine craftsmen like these any time of year when you visit the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. Established in 1937, this group is the largest collection of independent craftsmen in North America. This one-mile loop upholds the finest in craftsmen quality, boasting wood shops, broom making, quilting, candle making, and much more.
The Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival also encourages store owners all along the downtown Parkway to put forth their best fall decorations. With one stroll down the Parkway, you can find pumpkins, hay bales, scarecrows, corn stalks, and much more! These festive decorations not only make for great photo opportunities, but also make the town of Gatlinburg feel like a small town back at home.