Gatlinburg Events
Something is always going on here: the Craftsmen's Fairs in summer and fall, the fireflies in June, and Winter Magic lights from November into February. Here's what's coming up, and which events are worth planning a trip around.
Gatlinburg Pancake Week
Gatlinburg Pancake Week returns each late February: specialty stacks at local pancake houses, an app challenge with prizes, and a pancake eating contest.
Gatlinburg St. Patrick's Week
Gatlinburg St. Patrick's Week fills the Parkway with Celtic music, Irish dancers, green lights and food and drink specials each March, before spring crowds arrive.
July 4th in Gatlinburg
July 4th in Gatlinburg starts with a parade at 12:01 AM, then a river raft regatta, a drone show and fireworks from the Space Needle. All free to watch.
GatlinBURGER Week
GatlinBURGER Week brings about two dozen one-of-a-kind burgers to Gatlinburg each September, with public voting, an app challenge, and a grand prize.
Veterans Day Celebration
Gatlinburg's Veterans Day Celebration is a free ceremony at 11 AM every November 11, an official Regional Site for the Observance of Veterans Day since 2000.
Gatlinburg’s Winter Magic Chili Cookoff
The Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff closes the Parkway the first Thursday of November for chili tasting, live music and the 6 PM lighting of the Winter Magic lights.
Gatlinburg Christmas Parade
The Gatlinburg Christmas Parade, the Fantasy of Lights, lights up the Parkway the first Friday of December at 7:30 PM with floats, balloons, bands and Santa. Free.
New Year's Eve Fireworks Show and Ball Drop
Gatlinburg New Year's Eve: a free concert, a drone show, and a giant LED ball dropping down the Space Needle as fireworks launch at midnight. Held since 1987.
Gatlinburg Winter Magic
Gatlinburg Winter Magic lights up downtown with millions of Christmas lights from November into February, with a free lights tour and the Trolley Ride of Lights.
Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair
The Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair fills the Gatlinburg Convention Center every July and October with about 180 makers selling handmade crafts. Live music, too.
Gatlinburg events through the year
Gatlinburg events fill the calendar from winter food weeks to summer craft fairs and a holiday season that runs for months. Many are free, most happen right in downtown Gatlinburg, and a few are worth planning your whole trip around. Here's what to expect each season. Exact dates change from year to year, so check each event's page or gatlinburg.com before you book.
Winter: January through March
Winter Magic
The holiday lights stay up into February, so you can still take in Gatlinburg Winter Magic after the holidays, with downtown lit up and fewer crowds.
Sweet Week and Pancake Week
February brings two food celebrations, both with app challenges and prizes. Sweet Week, early in the month, centers on desserts, and Gatlinburg Pancake Week, late in the month, celebrates the town's pancake houses with specialty stacks and an eating contest.
St. Patrick's Week
In March, Gatlinburg St. Patrick's Week fills downtown with Celtic music, Irish dancers, green lights, and festive specials.
Spring: April through June
Wildflowers and spring in the park
Spring in Great Smoky Mountains National Park brings wildflowers along the trails and waterfalls running full, a great time for hiking.
The synchronous fireflies
For a short window each year, usually in late May or June, the synchronous fireflies near Elkmont in the national park flash in unison after dark. Viewing at Elkmont requires a parking pass awarded through a lottery on recreation.gov, so apply early in the spring.
Summer: July through September
July 4th in Gatlinburg
July 4th in Gatlinburg starts at midnight with a parade down the Parkway, followed by the River Raft Regatta, a drone show, and fireworks.
The Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair
The Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair fills the Gatlinburg Convention Center twice a year, in summer (July) and fall (October). About 180 makers sell handmade pottery, woodwork, jewelry, leather, quilts, and art, with live demonstrations, live music, and a kids craft area. Children get in free with a paid adult, and tickets are sold at the door.
GatlinBURGER Week
In September, GatlinBURGER Week brings specialty burgers from restaurants all over town, with public voting and an app challenge.
Fall: October through December
Fall color and festivals
October is peak season, with fall color on the mountains, the fall Craftsmen's Fair, and Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg. See our guide to fall events and festivals in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
Veterans Day and the Chili Cookoff
November opens with the Winter Magic Chili Cookoff, when downtown's holiday lights are switched on, followed by the Veterans Day Celebration on November 11.
Holiday craft shows
The Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community hosts a Thanksgiving craft show and a Christmas craft show, a good chance to shop handmade gifts.
The Christmas parade and New Year's Eve
Early December brings the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade, with lighted floats, balloons, and Santa. The year ends with the New Year's Eve fireworks show and ball drop at the Space Needle.
Tips for event weekends
Book early — July 4th, October, and the holiday weekends fill fast.
Skip the parking hunt — ride the Gatlinburg Trolley on busy event days, or see our tips for parking in downtown Gatlinburg.
Arrive early — parades and fireworks draw big crowds, so claim your spot ahead of time.
Check the dates — event dates shift each year, so confirm before you plan.
Frequently asked questions
What events are in Gatlinburg this weekend?
It depends on the season. Check the event pages above or gatlinburg.com for current events.
When is the Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair?
Twice a year, in July and October, at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. See our Craftsmen's Fair page for details.
Are Gatlinburg events free?
Many are, including the July 4th parade, the Christmas parade, Winter Magic, and the New Year's Eve celebration. The Craftsmen's Fair charges adult admission.
When are the synchronous fireflies?
Usually in late May or June. Viewing at Elkmont requires a parking pass from the recreation.gov lottery.
When are the Winter Magic lights up?
From November into February.
Plan your trip around an event with our fall cabins, Thanksgiving cabins, Christmas cabins, New Year's cabins, and Valentine's Day cabins, or browse all of our Gatlinburg cabins. Book direct and the Stay & Play Pass includes free attraction tickets for every paid night.