The air has turned, football has begun, and the sweatshirts have come out; autumn in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains has arrived. What does this mean? The 2022 Fall Festivals are back!
There are lots of things to do in the Smokies in the fall – from Octoberfest and Halloween fun to chili cookoffs and a craftsman fair. Check out our blog on changing leaves
Dollywood Harvest Festival
Sept 23-Oct 29
Dollywood Harvest Festival by Humana is one of the most anticipated annual events of the season with music, rides, illuminated pumpkins, sunflowers and more!
Day & Night
Rides and music by day and more music and everything aglow at night make for spectacular fun. Some of the great events include Great Pumpkin LumiNights and handmade wares from world class artisans showcased to visitors. The Colossal Pumpkins – weighing up to 1,000 pounds each – are a must see. Make sure to find the Pumpkin Tree, the sunflowers and Dolly’s guitar in Wildwood Grove. And check out the Frogs at Drop Line Pond for even more whimsy.
There’s a new ride too – though it won’t be open until 2023. It will be yet another addition to Wildwood Grove and the longest coaster at Dollywood, “taking guests of all ages on an unforgettable family-friendly expedition in search of the Big Bear.” Circling Wildwood Grove for nearly two minutes on 3,990 ft. of track, this gigantic coaster is a first of its kind at Dollywood with onboard audio, including music and announcements from Ned Oakley himself – he is Benjamin Bear’s caretaker.
Register for the 2023 Season Pass Pre-Sale, now through Sept. 30, to be among the first to experience Big Bear Mountain.
Don’t forget the festival food! Find seasonal treats such as Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese or Sweet Potato Poutine, along with all the regular Dollywood goodies.
Bluegrass musicians will join the lineup of musicians. More than 800 concerts will be taking place throughout Dollywood during the festival. Don’t forget the fall treats and seasonal foods, including barbecue as an offering this year. See the performers. Dollywood is located in Pigeon Forge. Phone: 1-800-DOLLYWOOD.
Southern Roots
A tradition deeply rooted in the Great Smoky Mountains, live music is the heart and soul of fall at Dollywood. Be serenaded by the sounds of a Smoky Mountain fall with Southern gospel, bluegrass and country tunes to tap your toes to.
Indoor/outdoor festival
Ober’s 13th Annual OktOBERfest kicks off Sept. 23 with German-themed food, drinks and music daily at the indoor/outdoor festival.
The Bavarian festival features the Smoky Mountain Oompah Band, which dresses in authentic lederhosen while performing traditional Bavarian folk dances, oompah music, sing-a-longs, yodels, and more. An outdoor Bier Garten open daily for those 21 years and older.
German food offerings include, but are not limited to, schnitzel, bratwurst, strudel, turkey legs, salted pretzels, and sauerkraut.
If you have been to Octoberfest before, you’ll notice a few changes to protect visitors from contracting Covid-19: no inflatable bounce houses, no face painting and no kids craft table. “The band will have a clear partition in place, to help keep both themselves and festival-goers safe. Hand sanitizer dispensers can be found throughout the property. There is currently a mask mandate in place for indoor areas.”
Ober Mountain is located at 1001 Parkway in Gatlinburg. Phone: (865) 436-5423, Toll Free: (800) 251-9202
Chalkfest at The Island:
Oct. 9 (rain date Oct. 10)
The Island’s concrete will be a canvas of color during the sixth annual Chalkfest. All artists are invited to make their own colorful masterpieces at the park. Registration, chalk and space are all free – see more information and register here.
Spectators also are welcome. Four featured artists will be on hand and visitors are encouraged vote for their favorite community piece.
The Island is in Pigeon Forge. 865-286-0119
2020 Hands-On Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Weekend is tomorrow! Aug. 13
Learn from the masters at Hands-On Gatlinburg when makers in the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community play host to classes that give visitors the chance to learn how to make their favorite crafts with the help of a professional. The do-it-yourself classes include an abundance of art like painting, weaving, glassblowing, stained glass making and much more. Reserve a spot at gatlinburg.com/event/hands-on-gatlinburg.
SPOOKY HOLLOWEEN
Spooky Halloween events start in early October with Ripley’s Fright Nights.
Ripley’s Fright Nights OCT. 2-31
Ripley’s Haunted Adventure will be hosting its 20th Annual Fright Nights Show in October. Visitors can enjoy a howling good time at these shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. The year-round haunted house will have a new theme, and new ghouls stalking its dark corridors: Nostalgic Nightmare.
During Ripley’s Fright Nights, the house is geared towards ages 12 and up, however children ages 6 and up will be allowed to enter. The theme for 2022 is Backwoods Terror 3.
Find Ripley’s Haunted Adventure at 800 Parkway, Gatlinburg. (865) 436-5096
SPOOKTACULAR
Spooktacular October 27
The Pigeon Forge Community Center plays host to a safe, non-scary event for families to go trick or treating. Always on the Thursday before Halloween, vendors from local Pigeon Forge businesses offer candy for the kids.
Some vendors have fun displays and interactive elements. There is always entertainment and a haunted house. The event is free, and a must-attend tradition of the Pigeon Forge Community.
Find the Community Center at 70 Community Center Drive, Pigeon Forge. 865-429-7373
Trick Or Treat At The Island
OCTOBER 31
Halloween at the Island is a celebration for all ages! Join the businesses at The Island for trick or treating, a costume contest and parade, and half price unlimited rides for those in costume. Enjoy this family-friendly, spooky celebration starting at 5 p.m. on Halloween.
The Island is in Pigeon Forge. 865-286-0119
Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair
The Gatlinburg Craftman’s Fair – Oct. 13-30 hosts Artisans and Craftsmen from all over the nation.
More than 200 craftspeople from around the country assemble to exhibit their trades at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.
This event consistently attracts the country’s finest artists and crafts people. The artists not only make their art available for viewing and sale, but they also demonstrate their special talents and skills.
“You can witness works of art come to life.”
Each participant is subject to a rigorous jury process to ensure the uniqueness and quality of their respective products.
The Convention Center is at 811 East Parkway, Gatlinburg. (865) 436-4178
Mysterious Mansion –
Halloween events weekend evenings in October
Scary on a regular day, Mysterious Mansion steps it up for Halloween. Presentations are much more intense with many extra actors featuring a new and exciting theme every year. Halloween Events take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings throughout the month of October with regular year-round shows still available Mondays through Thursdays.
Held in a classic “turn of the century” haunted mansion, the hosts want your fears to awaken and for you to discover “the startling secrets of this dreadfully daunting domain.”
Visitors take an unguided tour through “secret passageways, eerie dark corridors, winding staircases and spine chilling chambers that will curdle the blood of even the bravest of souls!”
Mysterious Mansion can be found at 424 River Road, Gatlinburg. (865) 436-7007
Ghost and Haunt Tours of Gatlinburg
How about a haunted tours through Gatlinburg for Halloween?
Explore the supernatural. Learn the stories of settlers, famous pioneers, loggers, solders and just regular people who came to Gatlinburg “only to find heartbreak, misery and for some, death.”
The walking tour of Gatlinburg “mixes tales of historical fact, legend and visits to the actual places where a number of the more “colorful” people and events have happened in Gatlinburg’s history, many with a twist of the macabre.”
Learn about Richard Reagan, the first PostMaster in Gatlinburg and the man most responsible for changing the name of the town from White Oak Flats to Gatlinburg. And The Witch of Gatlinburg, who has been seen walking along the back wall of the cemetery for almost 200 years.
Make reservations for your visit to Ghost and Haunt Tours of Gatlinburg, The Ghost Hunting Experience or the Private Tour online. Tours take place daily 9:00 p.m. with check in at 8:30 p.m. (865) 661-1980
More Fall Fun!
What is fall without chili?
Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff November 10
Taste homemade chili recipes from local restaurants and listen to live music at Gatlinburg’s annual Chili Cookoff presented by Bush’s Chili Beans. The event is set for Thursday, Nov. 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. in Downtown Gatlinburg. Call (865) 430-4148 for updates and event details.
Grains & Grits Festival
November 5
Also in Townsend, craft spirits and gourmet food will warm you up at the annual Grains & Grits Festival . Read more about Townsend in our blog post.
Don’t miss the “Ring of Fire,” hosted by Michael Sullivan- aka- The Reverend of Fat. Five chefs will gather around a large fire pit to roast and serve a variety of meats inspired by distilleries’ concoctions.
There will be live entertainment, savory bites and sweets from local restaurants and food purveyors and a large selection of sample craft spirits from regional legends including:
- Jeff Arnett with Jack Daniels Distillery
- Nicole Austin of Cascade Hollow Distilling; home of George Dickel Distillery
- Keener Shanton with Old Forge Distillery
- Greg Eidam with Sugarlands Distillery
- Alex Castle with Old Dominick Distillery
- Jason Franklin with Thunder Road Distillery
- Heath Clark with H Clark Distillery
- Billy Kaufman with Short Mountain Distillery
- Lee Kennedy with Leiper’s Fork Distillery
- Bruce Boeko with Nashville Craft
- Matt Cunningham with Old Glory Distilling Co.
- Randy Trentham with Southern Pride Distillery
- Justin Cutler with Tenn South Distillery
- Darrell Miller with Bootleggers Distillery
- Tim Piersant with Chattanooga Whiskey
- Eric Vance with Ole Smoky Distillery
- Justin Holeman with Tennessee Legend Distillery
- Jordan Ward with Doc Collier Moonshine Distillery
- Stanton Webster with Post Modern Distillery
- Tyler Crowell with Corsair Distillery
- Phil Prichard with Prichard’s Distillery
- Cara King with King Family Distillery
- Brushy Mountain Moonshine.
General admission is $40 to $65 and is sold out online. Tickets can be purchased at the event. (865) 983-2241
Book Your Cabin to Take in Fall
No matter how you decide to enjoy autumn in the Smokies, you’ll want a cozy place to relax, hang out, lay your head and take in the spectacular views.
Whether you want a treehouse experience or one of our many beautiful cabins, American Patriot Getaways can help you decide.
Book a Gatlinburg Cabin with a hot tub so you’ll have the perfect place to unwind under the stars. Be sure you check out all our amazing featured deals so you can get the best price for your Halloween vacation or your own chili cookoff with friends and family.
Give American Patriot Getaways a call at (800) 204-5169. Let our experts help you find the right cabin and all the right fun, food and entertainment for your perfect Smoky Mountains vacation.
Check out our luxury treehouse on Pinterest. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest area information!
