Gatlinburg Events

If you’re looking for some handmade Smoky Mountain souvenirs, you can’t do much better than the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair! This annual tradition will bring hundreds of artisans from all over the nation to Gatlinburg for 10 days of demonstrations, music, and fun. Read on to learn everything you need to know about this can’t miss event.

As lush, green foliage sprouts proudly from the earth and tree branches, and the warm feeling of sun on your shoulders becomes an increasingly common occurrence, May seems to be announcing its presence in celebration. And why not? May brings with it a whole new list of activities and opportunities for fun to be had that you have to try, so keep reading to learn all about the best things to do in Gatlinburg in May.

We’re excited to report that Ober Gatlinburg is bringing more German-themed fun to the Smoky Mountains! This spring, the amusement park in Gatlinburg, TN will host its first annual Maifest. Much like Ober Gatlinburg’s popular Oktoberfest celebration in the fall, Maifest will include German-style beer and time-honored traditions from the Old World. To help you make the most of your next vacation, Visit My Smokies has put together a convenient guide to the Ober Gatlinburg Maifest.

If you’re looking for some laughs during your next vacation in the Smoky Mountains, you can’t beat the Gatlinburg Improv Fest! Returning to Gatlinburg, TN this February, this annual festival brings some of the best improv comedy troupes in the Southeast to the Smokies for two days of gut-busting fun. Popular with both locals and visitors alike, the Gatlinburg Improv Fest features a great collection of interactive shows and workshops. To help you plan your getaway, Visit My Smokies has put together a handy guide to this year’s festival.

2020 will be here before you know it, and there is no better place to ring in the new year than Gatlinburg, TN! Our Smoky Mountain city will host its annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks show at the Gatlinburg Space Needle. This hugely popular event is expected to draw more than 50,000 people from across the nation. Visit My Smokies has all of the details on the Gatlinburg New Year’s Eve festivities.

If your kids are hoping to see Santa Claus this Christmas season, you won’t have to travel to the North Pole to snag a meet and greet with St. Nick! This December, the big man himself will be in downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee to pose for photos with guests of all ages. Santa’s residency on The Strip is a brand new holiday tradition sponsored by the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce and Anakeesta, the city’s most-buzzed-about attraction. To help you plan your winter vacation, Visit My Smokies has put together a handy guide to seeing Santa in Gatlinburg TN.

This fall, Sugarlands Distilling Company will host a brand new music and outdoor festival in Gatlinburg, TN! Featuring concerts from Hard Working Americans, The Travelin’ McCourys, the Jeff Austin Band, and more than two dozen other groups, this four-day celebration is a can’t-miss event for anyone who loves roots music. In addition to all of the wonderful tunes, the festival will also include running, cycling, and fishing competitions, whiskey tastings, food trucks, craft demonstrations, and even more fun. Read on to learn everything you need to know about attending the Sugarlands Mountainfest.

With summer already well underway, we’re putting together our list of things to do in Gatlinburg in June, and we couldn't be more excited! You’ll find that your favorite attractions and hotspots are getting into the summer spirit. Many businesses and organizations in Gatlinburg offer fun perks during summertime while others dedicate the entire season to staying open a little later or offering some free fun.

One of country music’s biggest stars is coming to the Smokies this spring! Singer-songwriter Rodney Atkins will perform in Gatlinburg, TN on April 28, 2017. This special concert is completely free and both locals and visitors are invited to attend. Visit My Smokies has put together a guide to everything you need to know about this eagerly anticipated concert in Gatlinburg.

The city of Gatlinburg is well on the road to recovery, and it’s getting some major help from a few famous friends! It was recently announced that the Zac Brown Band will headline a benefit concert in Gatlinburg on December 17. This all-day music festival will raise money for the Sevier County Community Fund, a charity established to help the families who were affected by the wildfires in the Smoky Mountains. Visit My Smokies has all the details on the Mountain Tough Benefit Festival.

There is always something going on at the Gatlinburg Convention Center! Located right in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg, this massive venue hosts some of the most popular events in the Smoky Mountains. To help you plan your next vacation, Visit My Smokies has put together a guide to 11 of the best annual Gatlinburg Convention Center events:

Sprechen Sie Deutsch? Fortunately, you don’t need to speak German to take part in this year’s Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg!  This beloved event takes place every October and celebrates some of the time honored traditions of the original Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. There are plenty of activities and lots of fun to be had by visitors of all ages.

Long before “eating local” became a big city trend, people in the Great Smoky Mountains were doing it as a healthy way of life. Once again this year, local growers share their bounty at the Gatlinburg Farmers Market, part of a great American weekend.  Whether you are traveling to the area or live nearby, you are sure to enjoy the fresh local produce, baked and canned goods, flowers and crafts available at the Gatlinburg Farmers Market.

With springtime in Gatlinburg well underway, April is the perfect time to get outside, soak up some sun and enjoy the Smoky Mountain air. Lucky for you, there are plenty of things to do in Gatlinburg in April – check out our list below: 

Do you feel that? The sun on your face, warm breeze circulating through your hair and dew – not frost – tipped grass under your feet – it’s Gatlinburg coming to life with springtime. If you’re looking for a way to indulge in the recent warmth, look no further than the Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Smoky Mountains or check out these other great things to do in Gatlinburg in the spring.