What to Do in the Smoky Mountains
“Live with No Excuses and Travel with No Regrets”
Now that the new year has arrived, you’re likely wondering how you can spend more time with family, get outdoors more often, and enjoy some “me” time. We like the way you think! Don’t let 2018 get away without doing all of those things in the Great Smoky Mountains. Here’s a full year of reasons why you should pack a bag and head to the Smokies!
2018 Vacation Cabin Specials
1 Night Free | 2 Nights Free | Return Guest Discounts
Military & Emergency Personnel Discounts | Last Minute Deals
January 1-February 28
Smoky Mountain Winterfest: Winterfest is in full swing through February 28 with winter light displays throughout the county. Enjoy a Gatlinburg Trolley Ride of Lights on select dates through January 27.
Happy Valentine’s Day
January 1 (Monday)
New Year’s Day
January 15 (Monday)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 14 (Wednesday)
Valentine’s Day
February 19 (Monday)
President’s Day
March 2-3
Spring Corvette Expo: Enjoy a horsepower & hotrod show, swap meet, sales corral and Corvette Cruise all starting and taking place at the Pigeon Forge Convention Center.
March 3-4
11th Annual Chuck Wagon Cookoff
March 11 (Sunday)
Spring Forward
March 17 (Friday)
St. Patricks Day
Dollywood Opening Day
March 17-April 9
Dollywood Festival of Nations: Culture in the form of costume, music, dance and food comes to Pigeon Forge from across the globe.
Happy Easter
March 20-24
A Mountain Quiltfest: Annual Pigeon Forge quilt show featuring quilting classes for registered participants and a quilt show for the public. Registration is Open!
March 21-24
Ponies in the Smokies – Unique Car Show featuring 55 years of Mustangs! Sevierville Convention Center.
March 29-31
Great Smoky Easter Arts & Crafts Show: Artists from the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community gather under one roof at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.
April 1 (Sunday)
Easter
April 7-8
Spring Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament: Bi-annual trout tournament for all ages. Prizes!
April 11-29
NEW! Dollywood Spring Mix Music Series “Season of Showstoppers”
April 11-September 3
Smokies Baseball: Season opener home game is Wednesday against Jackson.
April 13-14
Mountain Man Memorial March: Annual march, walk and marathon honoring servicemen.
April 13-15
Hands on Gatlinburg: Spend time with a crafts community artist and learn a new skill.
April 14
Smoky Mountain Winefest: Wineries from across Tennessee gather at Ripley’s Plaza for wine tasting and food pairing.
April 18-21
Bronco Super Celebration: Townsend TN
April 19-21
Spring Rod Run: Hot rods galore! Make your reservations early!
April 24-28
Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage: Professionally guided programs that explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park wildflowers, wildlife, ecology, culture, and natural history through walks, motorcades, photographic tours, art classes, and indoor seminars.
May TBD
Beans & Cornbread Festival: Downtown Gatlinburg is the place to be for the beans and cornbread tasting and competition.
May 4
33rd Annual Dolly’s Homecoming Parade
May 5 (Saturday)
Cinco de Mayo
May 8-12
Wilderness Wildlife Week: Celebrate everything Great Smoky Mountains National Park with indoor and outdoor activities. Headquartered at the Pigeon Forge LeConte Convention Center.
May 13 (Sunday)
Mother’s Day
May 17-19
Grand National F-100 Ford Reunion Car Show: Show and Cruise at Music Road Convention Center.
May 18-19
Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass Festival: Sevierville’s annual festival bringing locals and out of town visitors to downtown Sevierville for two days filled with fun, live entertainment, great music and barbecue!
May 19-September 3
Splash Country Water Park
May 21-June 2
Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge Car Show & Swap Meet: Classic Pontiacs—Firebirds, Fieros, GTOs and Lemans to name a few.
May 25-June 10
Dollywood Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival: More days! Top bluegrass performers and extra special BBQ recipes throughout Dollywood.
Happy 4th of July
May 28 (Monday)
Memorial Day
June 1-2
42nd Annual Silver Dollar Rod Run – Street rods and classic cars at Oak Tree Lodge
June 16-August 5
Dollywood Summer Celebration: Bring the family to celebrate summer with extended hours and nightly fireworks at Dollywood theme park.
June 17 (Sunday)
Father’s Day
July 3 (Tuesday)
4th of July Parade: Parade begins at 12:01 a.m. July 4.
July 4 (Wednesday)
Independence Day: Celebrate the 4th of July holiday at the Pigeon Forge Patriot Festival or the Gatlinburg Space Needle fireworks show.
July 13-22
Summer Craftsmen’s Fair: Hundreds of crafters and live entertainment at the Gatlinburg Convention.
August 1-31
Celebrate Freedom: Participating businesses in Pigeon Forge offer special military discounts and savings.
August 13-22
7th Annual Smoky Mountain Songwriters Festival: Top songwriters perform free concerts to entertain throughout the city of Gatlinburg, telling the story behind their songs.
August 24-25
Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion: Jeep lovers from all over the country unite at LeConte Convention Center in Pigeon Forge for the annual invasion hosted by the Smoky Mountain Jeep Club. Jeep owners and enthusiasts welcome!
Happy Fall!
September 3 (Monday)
Labor Day
September 13-15
Fall Rod Run
September 7-8
Shades of the Past Hot Rod Roundup: Oldies and Goodies fill the parking lot of Dollywood’s Splash Country for a show and swap meet.
September 23-29
National Quartet Convention: Gospel music groups annual Pigeon Forge convention.
September 28-November 3
Dollywood Harvest Festival Southern Gospel Jubilee & Great Pumpkin LumiNights. More days!
October TBD
Fall Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament: Bi-annual trout tournament for all ages. Prizes!
October 4-21
Fall Craftsmen’s Fair: Hundreds of crafters and live entertainment at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.
October 8 (Monday)
Columbus Day
October 31 (Wednesday)
Halloween: Downtown Gatlinburg Halloween carnival and trick-or-treat.
November 4 (Sunday)
Fall Back
November 10-January 5
Dollywood Smoky Mountain Christmas
November 11 (Sunday)
Veterans Day
Veterans Day Celebration – Honor of American military veterans takes place at Ripley’s Plaza.
Merry Christmas!
November 22 (Thursday)
Thanksgiving
December 7 (Friday)
Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade: Book your cabin well ahead of time and arrive to the parade early!
December 8 (Saturday)
Sevierville Christmas Parade: Downtown Sevierville
December 24 (Monday)
Christmas Eve
December 25 (Tuesday)
Christmas Day
December 31 (Monday)
New Year’s Eve
2018 Vacation Cabin Specials
1 Night Free | 2 Nights Free | Return Guest Discounts
Military & Emergency Personnel Discounts | Last Minute Deals
**Always verify special events and event dates as they may change without notice.**
