Category: Events

Snow and ice on your vacation to the Smokies don’t have to mean being cooped up indoors! In fact, Ober Gatlinburg offers a unique and exciting way to experience winter weather with the Tennessee Special Olympics. First held in Chicago, Illinois, in 1968, the Special Olympics Games have been a fun-filled family activity for decades. Since 1968, more than 14,500 registered athletes have competed in various events throughout the year. For the past 30 years, Ober Gatlinburg has been hosting the Tennessee Winter Games for the Special Olympics. This event has proved to be an exciting tradition for the entire […]

The areas in and around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are known for an abundance of wildlife and diversity of trees and wildflowers. Each year, the International Festivals & Events Association celebrates this diversity by offering locals and visitors a way to learn more about the area’s natural history. Through exhibits, performances, classes, walks, talks, and workshops, the 25th Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week celebrates the flora, fauna, and cultures of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With activities for kids and adults of all ages, it’s an exciting Pigeon Forge event for the whole family! Best of all, it’s […]

The holidays can be a stressful time, particularly when it comes to shopping for gifts. With so many people to buy for, crowded malls, and tons of traffic, the fun and excitement of the Christmas season can sometimes be lost. On top of it all, the malls and stores have the same options each year, making it difficult to really find something unique and new. Thankfully, the Great Smoky Christmas Arts & Crafts Show in Gatlinburg solves all those holiday-shopping woes! Held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center from December 1 to December 7, the Great Smoky Christmas Arts & Crafts […]

I love everything about Christmas, from the pumpkin recipes, cinnamon candles, and hot apple cider to the holiday music, green and gold paper and bows, and newly-fallen snow. But probably my favorite part of the holidays (other than spending time with family, of course) is the Christmas trees! I completely melt for the glittering lights, shiny glass ornaments, and the intoxicating smell of pine and fir needles. The tradition in my home is to watch our favorite Christmas movie (Elf) and drink hot chocolate with tons of mini marshmallows as we decorate our tree! And while it’s always fun to […]

Offering a selection of some of Gatlinburg’s best foods, the 17th Annual Taste of Autumn, held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, offers seasonal foods and drinks from local restaurants and eateries in and around Gatlinburg. Sip on cider, lose yourself in homemade desserts, and try something savory from local favorites. The scents of the season will fill the air and mix with the sounds of live music! Each year, different area restaurants bring their best dishes for guests to sample, so even if you’ve been to the Taste of Autumn many times before, you’ll always find something new to try! […]

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 […]

The season of fall is one of the most anticipated in the city of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, for a number of reasons – cool temperatures, changing leaves, crackling fires, and arts and crafts shows, just to name a few! The Smoky Mountains love the season of autumn, incorporating harvest themes everywhere from restaurants’ seasonal dishes to decorations around the downtown Parkway. In fact, the town’s only skiing destination celebrates the season the authentic German way, putting on an OktOBERfest to remember! You have heard of the celebration in Germany – the 16-day festival that dates back to the early 1800s. This […]

Held at The Old Mill Square in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the 11th Annual Old Mill Heritage Day is all about tradition and history. Great food, fun games and activities, exciting demonstrations, local arts and crafts, live music, and storytelling are all on the menu. There is even a kids’ area (closes at 4 p.m.) with games and activities! Head to Pigeon Forge on Saturday, September 27 (from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.) for food, fun, music, and history! All you need to bring are chairs, blankets, and a sense of wonder and exploration. At the Old Mill Heritage Day, visitors […]

One of the most anticipated events of the summer is right around the corner in the town of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee! Music lovers and competitive cornhole players gather at The Old Mill Square for a day celebrating Smoky Mountain traditions. Enjoy some foot-stomping live bluegrass music, vendors, and more at this fun and free event! Stringtime in the Smokies celebrates the history of music in the Great Smoky Mountains and will be hosted this year on August 2. Attending this event will take you back to the good old days when things moved at a slower pace. Front porch sitting, […]

Located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, this annual crafting event is fun for all! Held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, it’s hosted by talented local artisans and craftsmen. As you drive through town on the way to or from your Smoky Mountain cabin rental, you won’t miss the convention center, located at stop light #8 on the Parkway. This exciting local event will be held July 18-27. Admission to attend the Craftsmen’s Fair is only $6, and children 12 and under are FREE. It’s a great budget-friendly activity for the whole family. Kids will love walking around and watching the area craftsmen […]