Are you planning a summer vacation to Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg? There are plenty of exciting things to do, including seasonal festivals and annual events like car shows and craft fairs. Here are all of the fun events in the Smokies you should definitely check out while you’re in the area this summer:
Events in Pigeon Forge TN
Summer Celebration Festival at Dollywood: Experience seasonal food and drinks, high-energy rides, and special shows like the Gazillion Bubble Show. There’s a dance party beneath the Wildwood Grove tree and a dazzling Sweet Summer Nights drone and fireworks show every night. By the way, we have lots of amazing cabins near Dollywood!
Celebrity Concerts at Country Tonite: If you like country music and a patriotic atmosphere, a Country Tonite show should be on your itinerary. But they also have special celebrity concerts too! They’ve hosted country music stars, including Diamond Rio, Shenandoah, the Oak Ridge Boys, Neal McCoy, and many more.
4th of July Patriot Festival and Fireworks: Pigeon Forge is the place to be on Independence Day! Patriot Park is filled with special guests and live entertainment, food vendors, games for the kids, a veterans tribute, and of course, spectacular fireworks to end the night.
Great Smoky Mountain Bronco Stampede: Summer is a big time of year for car shows, some of the most popular events in the Smokies! All Ford Bronco owners and enthusiasts are welcome to gather for a weekend of fun. It’s held at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, usually during the month of August.
Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion: Another popular car show during the summer is the massive Jeep Invasion, which takes over not just the LeConte Center, but all over Pigeon Forge! Typically at the end of August, this event brings thousands of Jeep lovers to the area– be prepared for heavy traffic!
Events in Gatlinburg TN
United Tastes of America at Anakeesta: This is one of the most exciting summer events in the Smokies! A tasting pass grants you access to 12 culinary creations, one for each state as you travel across the country to each region. You’ll be immersed in the flavorful culture of America! You can also enjoy live music from The Tennessee Line, a local bluegrass and country music band.
Festival of Flags at Gatlinburg SkyPark: The SkyBridge is decked out from Memorial Day weekend to Flag Day weekend with the U.S. flag, our military flags, and all 50 state flags. It’s also their 70th anniversary celebration, so there are games, live music, giveaways, face painting, and more! One of the surprising facts about SkyPark– it’s dog-friendly!
4th of July Midnight Parade and Fireworks: Fireworks light up the night sky over the Gatlinburg Space Needle, followed by a Midnight Parade (yes, it really does begin at 12 AM on the dot!) It’s one of the top events in the Smokies ever!
Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair: The Gatlinburg Convention Center fills up with around 200 arts and crafts vendors nationwide, including some local artisans from the Smokies! Kids will enjoy the free DIY craft tables, and the adults can shop and enjoy food and live music.
Gatlinburg Square Dance Convention: Love to dance? Grab your partner and head to the convention center in Gatlinburg! There will be workshops, request rounds, fun squares, a hot has, a singles dance, and more, all with a live band and no carpet. You can line or square dance in every hall on wood flooring!
Where to Stay in the Smokies
Want to find affordable lodging with fantastic amenities? You’re in the right place! We have a wide range of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge cabins with beautiful views and plenty of space for everyone in your group. Enjoy cabins with pool access, game and theater rooms, and more. Need something a little smaller? We also offer a selection of Smoky Mountain condo rentals!
Browse all of our cabin rentals in the Smoky Mountains and make plans to visit soon. You won’t want to miss all of the exciting events in the Smokies going on this summer!
