September in the Smoky Mountains guarantees sunny days and cool nights with the first hint of color in the dogwoods and maples, making hiking and harvest festivals fun activities. By October, the trees begin to get red and yellow, and the wild flowers are a sight to behold. November sees the end of fall, but the chill in the air isn’t too much to take a hike or enjoy the outdoor festivities.
No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face. [The Autumnal]
– John Donne, The Complete Poetry and Selected Prose
It goes without saying that seeing the changing of the leaves is one of the most beautiful sights to behold. Autumn in Gatlinburg holds temperatures ranging in the mid 40s to high 60s. The Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park offer many scenic drive options, and the evenings are just right to sit around one of our open fire pits and relax with your loved ones.
With cold temperatures finally abating, and warm, sunny days on the horizon, spring is the perfect time to visit. In March, visitors can look forward to seeing the first signs of life reemerge from the cold winter months.
SEPTEMBER 5-10th, 2016
Every year, Sevierville puts on a classic hometown fair complete with barn animals, games, rides, exhibits, free concerts, and of course, a ton of food! Don’t miss out on the Ice Cream Eating Contest, the Fairest of the Fair Pageant, Turtle Races, and more.
SEPTEMBER 9 – 10, 2016
Love classic cars? Then you’re going to love the Hot Rod round-up, featuring rods, customs, and classics through 1972. Prizes are awarded for the best classic cars. This is a highly anticipated local event, so don’t miss it.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2016
This fun festival is designed to share the rich musical traditions of the Appalachian Mountains. Just head to the Visitor’s Center at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at 7:00 PM. Your toes will soon be tapping.
SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER , 2016
Celebrate the harvest while immersing yourself in local history. Demonstrators and experts will make soap, apple cider, sorghum molasses, and hominy. There will be plenty of music to enjoy as well. Join in all the fun at the Mountain Farm Museum (adjacent to Oconaluftee Visitor Center).
SEPTEMBER 17, 2016
The 183 year-old gristmill is a fantastic place to spend the day learning about history and heritage. Enjoy live music, food, crafters and artisans making and sharing crafts and demonstrations on how to make lye soap, sorghum and apple butter! 175 Old Mill Avenue at Traffic Light #7 Pigeon Forge.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2016
The 183 year-old gristmill is a fantastic place to spend the day learning about history and heritage. Enjoy live music, food, crafters and artisans making and sharing crafts and demonstrations on how to make lye soap, sorghum and apple butter! 175 Old Mill Avenue at Traffic Light #7 Pigeon Forge.
SEPTEMBER 29 – OCTOBER 30, 2016
Dollywood lights up with glorious gospel music during this month-long festival. Not only will you enjoy live, soulful entertainment but the park will be full of handmade arts and crafts as well. And, of course, there’s all the rides and games to be found at this Pigeon Forge attraction.
DATES TBA
In late September, Ober Gatlinburg begins their OktOBERfest celebration including the Bavarian Fun Makers Band, authentic costumes, folk dancing, traditional German music and live entertainment. Check out the Beer Tent for special Oktoberfest biers served alongside schnitzel, pretzels, sauerkraut, wurst, strudel, and more.
October in the Smokies is about more than Halloween. There are several festivals and fairs to enjoy all month long. But if you’re craving autumn tastes and a little ghoulish fun, you can find all that as well.
OCTOBER 6 – 23, 2016
The Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair, acclaimed as one of the top 20 events in the Southern US by the Southeast Tourism Society, features artists, crafts and demonstrations. Tentative hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Music shows are scheduled at 12, 2 and 4 p.m. daily, 12 and 2 p.m. on Sundays.
TBA
Held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center from 5 – 8pm, this annual event is a fundraiser for the United Way of Sevier County put on by the best restaurants that the area has to offer. “Traditionally, Taste of Autumn is an excellent opportunity to sample some outstanding food and beverage offerings, support the United Way of Sevier County, and have a great time doing it,” says Darrell Manis, Gatlinburg CVB Special Events Director. Ticket prices starting at $25 (Children under 7 are Free), find out more details on tickets here.
Winter is close but the fun hasn’t stopped. Zip up your coat and get ready to enjoy some of the seasons finest shows and festivals.
NOVEMBER 9, 2016
Just in time to say goodbye to fall and prepare for winter, the downtown Parkway in Gatlinburg hosts a chili cook-off where attendees vote for their favorite chili including Best Presentation, Best Chili Apron, Best Chili, and People’s Choice Award. At 8:00 pm the city dignitaries will launch the Gatlinburg Winter Magic festival by lighting over 3 million holiday lights all over the city. All the lights are environmentally-friendly LED lights, so enjoy your holiday fun in Gatlinburg absolutely guilt-free.
NOVEMBER 11 – FEBRUARY 12, 2021
Experience the joy, light, and wonder each winter season at Anakeesta’s “Enchanted Winter of Lights.” This three-month long celebration features a 1,000-foot canopy of twinkling lights, Walk-In Snow Globe, an “Arctic Alley” which features thousands of lights programmed to festive seasonal soundtracks, and a newly added new sensory walk on the Vista Gardens’ boardwalk. After soaking in the brilliant lights, enjoy a variety of other activities at Anakeesta such as their AnaVista Tower, gem mining, zipline, shopping or just relaxing by the firepit with a hot cocoa or other seasonal drink and food favorites.
NOVEMBER 11
This free event brings the town of Gatlinburg together to honor our veterans at the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza. Starting at 11am, the celebration includes patriotic music, recognition and remembrance of veterans, as well as speeches and memories of friends and fallen comrades.
NOVEMBER 13 – JANUARY 24, 2021
Experience the joy of the season on the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America at Gatlinburg’s SkyLift Park. “Lights Over Gatlinburg” adorns its adventure park with over 40,000 lights providing endless wonder to celebrate the season. Experience a glittering view of downtown Gatlinburg at night as you stroll down its SkyBridge and walk through a 300-foot tunnel of twinkling lights. After taking in a glittering view of the surrounding mountains at night and the SkyBridge itself, continue the celebration on the SkyDeck with a warm hot chocolate or cider by the fire pit. Guests can also enjoy SkyLift Park’s 30-foot Christmas Tree that features lights animated to music.
NOVEMBER 24, 2016
After enjoying the fall in the Smoky Mountains, and a delicious Thanksgiving with your family, head over to the WL Mills Conference Center to see the first lights and trees of the holiday season. Try your luck in the Gingerbread house Contest, listen to festive music and enjoy the smells of cinnamon and spices!
After enjoying the fall in the Smoky Mountains, and a delicious Thanksgiving with your family, head over to the WL Mills Conference Center to see the first lights and trees of the holiday season. Try your luck in the Gingerbread house Contest, listen to festive music and enjoy the smells of cinnamon and spices!
NOVEMBER 28 – DECEMBER 4, 2016
The Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community is the nation’s largest organization of independent artisans, and every Thanksgiving they bring you crafts and hand make products such as quilts, woven baskets, hand-dipped candles, leather goods, jewelry, art, and pottery. The Gatlinburg Convention Center hosts hundreds of artisans each year.
After enjoying the Festival of Trees, watch the Great Smoky Mountain Dance Theatre perform this holiday classic in the WL Mills Conference Center. Shows are at 7pm; call (865) 680-7369 for reservations.
