Gatlinburg Tennessee: Events in 2008

November 7, 2007 - January 26, 2008 - Trolley Ride of Lights - Enjoy a guided trolley ride of the spectacular Gatlinburg Winter Magic lighting displays.

November 7, 2007 - February 29, 2008 - Smoky Mountain Winterfest - The City of Gatlinburg magically lights up the winter nights with millions of spectacular lights and lighted displays from November through February.

November 7, 2007 - February 29, 2008 - Gatlinburg Winter Magic - Enjoy more than three million twinkling lights, illuminated forests and animated displays up to 40 feet tall. New for 2007, displays featuring animals indigenous to Great Smoky Mountains National Park including deer, foxes, squirrels and rabbits are introduced, with many areas accentuated by branches and scrolls which have been converted to LED.

January 28-29 - Tennessee Winter Special Olympics - Watch and cheer as Special Olympics athletes compete for the gold in their annual Winter Olympics day.

February 8 - Southern Exposure Competitions - Watch or compete as skiiers and snowboarders take to the slopes for an afternoon of competition followed by the funniest sled race ever!

February 14 - Wedding Vow Renewal Ceremony - There’s a reason why the title “Wedding Capital of the South” has been bestowed on this charming mountain town – over 600,000 visitors come to Gatlinburg each year to get married or attend a wedding, making it the second-most popular wedding destination in the United States behind only Las Vegas!

March 12 - June 8 - Gatlinburg SpringFest - Ahhh...Springtime in the Smokies! There's no better time to enjoy nature and festivals of all types.

March 19 - 22 - Arts & Crafts Community Easter Arts & Crafts Show - Unique handcrafted gifts made by members of the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community as they host their annual show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.

March 29 - Music of the Mountains - Great Smoky Mountains National Park presents its fourth annual event highlighted by “An Evening With Jimbo Whaley and Friends” at 7 p.m. at W.L. Mills Conference Center. This year’s one-day event begins at Sugarlands Visitor Center with free, limited-seating performances by a series of six acts from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 29.

April 17 - Ribfest & Wings - One of Gatlinburg's rites of spring is this street party with live entertainment and finger-lickin' ribs & wings!

April 23 - 27 - 58th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage - Enjoy the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with over 170 different programs, including hiking tours, motorcades, demonstrations & classroom lectures 865/436-7318 x222

May 16 - 18 - Gatlinburg Scottish Festival & Games - 27th Annual Scottish clans meeting featuring Highland athletics, bagpipe competitions, Highland dancing, border collie demonstrations, haggis hurling, entertainment, whiskey tasting, food & merchandise vendors.($)

May 17 - 18 - 4th Annual Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival - A family oriented fine arts festival featuring juried artists from around the country, delicious cuisine and music.

May 23 - 24 - Gatlinburg MountainFest - Life in the Mountains was hard work in olden days, which made festivities all the more special. Join in two days of mountain-style entertainment, food and crafts!

June 13 - 15 - Living History Civil War Reenactment - The recreation of the “Battle of Burg Hill” highlights this living history exhibition which includes public demonstration and a camp setting with plenty of history and heritage.

June 13 - August 31 - Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales - All summer long hear tales, mountain music, and learn the lore of the Smoky Mountains on the sidewalks of downtown Gatlinburg. Fourteen acts nightly. 6 - 11 p.m.

July 3 - 4 - Midnight Independence Day Parade presented by Red Baron Pizza - The first 4th of July Parade in the good ol' U.S.A. happens in Gatlinburg. Join us for a fun-packed Holiday when the celebration of our nation's birthday begins at 12:01 a.m. in Downtown.

July 4 - Gatlinburg's River Raft Regatta - Gatlinburg’s popular River Raft Regatta takes place at noon on Friday, July 4th, on the Little Pigeon River in Downtown Gatlinburg.

July 4 - "Stand Here" Fireworks Finale - Finish off the 4th in style with a magnificent fireworks show visible from the downtown streets of Gatlinburg!

July 18 - 27 - Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair - Art, crafts and music lovers can find almost 200 booths featuring some of the nation's finest work. Artisans and craftspeople are on hand to demonstrate their skills, answer questions and offer their unique art for sale. Live Country & Bluegrass entertainment. Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

September 1 - December 30 - Old Fashioned Hayrides - Enjoy a unique, fun-filled hayride in downtown Gatlinburg,surrounded by the Great Smokies in the fall and Gatlinburg Winter Magic lighting displays beginning in November.

September 19 - October 31 - Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival - Fall decorations, old fashioned hayrides, events, entertainment, and local craft exhibits.

September 21 - Gatlinburg Run for the Hills 10k Road Race - Popular 10K road race.

October 9 - 26 - Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair - More than 200 booths featuring some of the nation's finest work. Artists demonstrating on site, selling art. Live music.

November 5 - Winter Magic Kickoff & Chili Cookoff - Gatlinburg lights up the city with millions of winter lights, an award winning chili contest, fireworks and entertainment. Come join us!

November 11 - Veteran's Day Celebration - Join Gatlinburg in saluting America's veterans. Stirring musical tribute on Ripley's Aquarium Plaza.

November 28 - 29 - Nutcracker "Sweet" & Festival of Trees - Presented by the Smoky Mountain Dance Theater Company, enjoy this holiday classic presented in Gatlinburg. 7 p.m. in the W.L. Mills Conference Center.