East Tennessee is one of the most beautiful sections of America during the fall season. Leaves have already begun to change colors to brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow. Many fall festivals celebrate the beauty of the season.
The Smoky Mountains regions have lofty peaks and gorgeous river valleys that are ideal for seeing the leaves change color during fall foliage season.
25 Things to Do in the Fall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Tennessee fall festivals are surrounded by breathtaking fall scenery.
One of East Tennessee's most beautiful spots in the fall is at Metcalf Bottoms in Great Smoky Mountains National Park; image by Jeaneane Payne |
The 7 Best East Tennessee Fall Festivals are:
1. Smoky Mountain Fall Harvest Festival
The Smoky Mountain Fall Harvest Festival is celebrated from the last week in September through November 29th. The outlying towns of Great Smoky Mountains National Park each have their own festivals which draw millions of visitors to the area. The towns of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Townsend are highly adorned with fall decor.
The rural farmlands and surrounding hills make each town a terrific get-away-from-it-all destination in the Smoky Mountains. Make a stop in Wears Valley, between Pigeon Forge and Townsend, where you will discover easy access to hiking trails, magnificent mountain scenery and a popular fall festival.
For information on lodging, please visit www.mysmokymountainvacation.com
2. Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair
A potter demonstrates his artistic skills at the Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair.
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The Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair is one of the largest fall festivals. Filling the 150,000 square feet of downtown’s Gatlinburg Convention Center, the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair hosts Artisans and Craftsmen from all over the nation. More than 200 craftspeople assemble to exhibit their historic trades. This event consistently attracts the country's finest artists and craft people.
One of the things that makes the Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair so unique is the fact that the artists not only make their art available for viewing and sale, but they also demonstrate their special talents and skills.
Every day Country, Gospel & Bluegrass Music Shows perform from 12 pm to 3 pm.
The fair runs from October 10-27, 2019. Learn more at craftsmenfair.com.
For information on lodging, please visit www.mysmokymountainvacation.com
3. Dollywood's Fall Festival
Chapel at Dollywood during the Harvest Festival; image courtesy of Dollywood |
Unique artisans from around the country visit Dollywood to share their beautiful handmade crafts with guests during Dollywood's Harvest Festival. In addition to Dollywood's own skilled craftsmen, many talented artists set up shop to demonstrate a number of traditional crafts.
Hear more than 500 free concerts (with admission); Dollywood's Southern Gospel Jubilee fills the valleys and peaks of the Smoky Mountains with inspirational and uplifting hymns from the world's biggest groups.
Dollywood's Harvest Festival presents Great Pumpkin LumiNights, a glow-tacular experience, with thousands of carved and illuminated jack-o-lanterns. The largest addition ever made to Dollywood’s fall festival, Great Pumpkin LumiNights features artistic sculptures, whimsical scenes and delightful, family-friendly fun.
The festival runs from September 27 through November 2nd. For tickets and more information, you may visit www.dollywood.com.
For information on lodging, please visit www.mysmokymountainvacation.com
4. Fall Harvest at The Island in Pigeon Forge
Fall festivities at The Island in Pigeon Forge; image by Jeaneane Payne. |
Everything is festive at The Island in Pigeon Forge during the fall season. Just for fun, see if you can count the pumpkins and scarecrows. Discover a multitude of photo ops, enjoy live bluegrass music and season desserts.
Kick off your morning at The Island with breakfast at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville®. Tasty menu items include steak and eggs, buttermilk pancakes, western omelets , and more. Find your way among the fall decor to 45 unique shops, rides, museums, and a beautiful fountain show.
The Island will help fill your desire for Smoky Mountain Fall Colors and the beauty of the Smoky Mountain area.
For information on lodging, please visit www.mysmokymountainvacation.com
5. Robert A. Tino Gallery 26th Annual Fall Festival
Tino’s newest limited edition ‘Rolling Thunder’ print is available now at artist’s gallery, online, and at the Robert A. Tino Smoky Mountain Homecoming Festival October 4th-6th. Only 195 of these prints featuring the autumn colors of Cades Cove along with a mother bear and her cubs will be released. |
It’s a fall tradition for all ages. . . and you don’t want to miss it!
This year’s festival will boast local crafters and artisans displaying a variety of handmade items that represent the area’s Smoky Mountain heritage. With a range of contemporary and traditional vendors, there is something for everyone. During the three-day event, guests can view lye soap-making, blacksmithing, basket weaving, woodworking, handblown glass, pottery-making and various other craft vendors. There will also be live bluegrass music, delicious Southern food, wagon rides, and a slew of activities for children such as old-fashioned kids’ games, and a pick-and-paint pumpkin patch.
The artist, widely known for his Smoky Mountain landscapes and autumn scenes described the festival which is in its 26th year, “My wife, Mary John, and I enjoy hosting this annual family event at our gallery, and showcasing the rich heritage and culture of East Tennessee.”
The festival kicks off on Friday, October 4th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and runs through Sunday, October 6th. Saturday and Sunday festival hours are from 10 a.m.– 5 p.m. Admission to the festival is $5.00 for adults, and children 12 and under are admitted for free. Event parking is free. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Robert A. Tino Art Scholarship at Sevier County High School. The event is located at the Robert A. Tino Gallery on Sunset View Farm. The address is 812 Old Douglas Dam Rd, Sevierville, Tennessee 37876.
The festival is proudly sponsored by A&A Party Rental, BOA Insurance, Carl Ownby & Co., Charles Blalock & Sons Inc., Citadel Construction, Bush Beans, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Hidden Mountain Resort, Home Depot, IHOP, Kroger, The Local Goat, The Music Outlet, Oak Haven Resorts, Ray of Light Media, Riverside RV Park and Resort, Riverside Tower, Sevierville Chamber of Commerce, Swaggerty’s Farm Sausage, Tennessee Smokies, and Tennessee State Bank.
For additional information, please visit www.robertatinosmokymountainhomecoming.com.
6. Old Timers Day in Cades Cove
You will hear the sounds of bluegrass music at Old Timers Day; image by Jeaneane Payne |
This fall celebration is held the first Saturday in October. Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides former Cades Cove residents, their descendents, and others from surrounding areas an opportunity to take part in Old Timers Day. Storytelling and reminiscing are also featured during this informal affair. Visitors are welcome to join in and contribute stories of their own. One of the most unique areas in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cades Cove, an historic valley rich in pioneer culture as well as bountiful in wildlife, hosts Old Timers' Day and molasses making in September of each year. Former Cades Cove residents, their descendents, and others from surrounding areas take part in this event. Storytelling and reminiscing are also featured during this informal affair. Visitors are welcome to join in and contribute stories of their own. The event is held in Cades Cove
The Cades Cove Loop Road opens at sunrise to motor vehicles and Park Rangers are on site to coordinate parking. Over 4,000 people attend this annual get-together. The free event will take place in the Cable Mill Visitor Center area. Visitors are encouraged to stay all day and bring lawn chairs and a picnic lunch.
Old Timer's Day provides visitors an occasion to listen to the sounds of traditional mountain music.
For information on lodging, please visit www.mysmokymountainvacation.com
7. Wears Valley Fall Fest
One of the most scenic areas of Wears Valley is the Wears Valley Ranch; image by Jeaneane Payne |
What do you get when you take the Smoky Mountains encased in brilliant fall colors, crafters, entertainers, interactive activities, and Keep Sevier Beautiful? A one-of-a-kind Fall Fest that you won’t want to miss!
Featured is entertainment which includes Southern gospel, country, folk, and more with a full lineup on stage throughout the weekend. The Fall Fest features a diverse group of artisans, showcasing traditional and contemporary crafts.
Enjoy various Festival foods, from the popular steak on a stick and grilled corn on the cob, to BBQ, Greek and Italian. For dessert, try Fall goodies such as gourmet caramel and candy apples.
Kids can enjoy endless free activities from making crafts, playing games, running through an obstacle course, jumping in inflatables, and more.
The Wears Valley Fall Fest is located next to the Tennessee State Bank on Wears Valley Road, 3179 Wears Valley Rd, Sevierville, TN 37862. It is 7 miles from Pigeon Forge and 7 miles from Townsend.
The festival runs from October 18-20. For information on lodging, please visit www.aboutwearsvalley.com
For more information, visit www.wearsvalleyfallfest.com.
