Gatlinburg Events
Something is always going on here — craft fairs in spring, the fireflies in June, Winter Magic lights from November through February. Here's what's coming up, and which ones are worth planning a trip around.
Gatlinburg Pancake Week
A week-long celebration of Gatlinburg's pancake heritage each February, with participating restaurants, an eating contest, and app-based prizes.
Gatlinburg St. Patrick's Week
Gatlinburg's Annual St. Patrick's Week celebration features Celtic music, Irish dancers, green-lit attractions, and festive food and drink specials throughout the Smoky Mountains each March.
July 4th in Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg hosts the nation's first Independence Day celebration — a midnight parade at 12:01 AM, the River Raft Regatta, a drone show, and fireworks from the Space Needle.
GatlinBURGER Week
Gatlinburg's annual seven-day burger competition — 20+ restaurants with exclusive specialty burgers, public voting, and prizes. Held each September. Download the Visit Gatlinburg app to compete.
Veterans Day Celebration
Gatlinburg's Annual Veterans Day Celebration is one of only 41 nationally designated Regional Sites for Veterans Day observance. Free ceremony on November 11 at 11 AM. Open to the public since 2000.
Gatlinburg’s Winter Magic Chili Cookoff
Free annual street festival on the first Thursday of November — competitive chili, live entertainment, and the lighting of over 1 million holiday LEDs in downtown Gatlinburg.
Gatlinburg Christmas Parade
Gatlinburg's award-winning Christmas parade draws 60,000+ spectators each December with lighted floats, giant balloons, marching bands, and Santa Claus. Free and open to the public.
New Year's Eve Fireworks Show and Ball Drop
Gatlinburg's Space Needle hosts one of the nation's largest free New Year's Eve celebrations since 1987 — live music, a drone show, and a Mega LED Ball drop with fireworks at midnight.
Gatlinburg Winter Magic
Gatlinburg Winter Magic transforms downtown with 3+ million LED lights from November through mid-February — a self-guided lights tour, heated trolley rides, and seasonal events since 1989.