Spring, the sweet spring, is the year’s pleasant king,
Then blooms each thing, then maids dance in a ring,
Cold doth not sting, the pretty birds do sing:
Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo! –Thomas Nashe
Smoky Mountain spring has sprung, and we celebrate with spring festivals. Check our list of fun in the Smokies and book your cabin with American Patriot Getaways.
SpringFest
SpringFest began March 12 and runs through June 2nd. It is a celebration of spring with a variety of events.
Great Smoky Mountain Easter Arts & Crafts Show
This annual Arts & Craft show from March 28-30 features hand-crafted works from regional artists in the 67,000 square-foot Gatlinburg Convention Center.
Located downtown at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, the show’s admission is free, and visitors can meet and greet members of the area Arts & Crafts Community.
The Arts & Crafts Community itself is 3 miles outside of Gatlinburg on Glades Road with more than 100 shops in an 8-mile loop. You can drive there or get there by Trolley (take the yellow route).
Along the 8-mile loop are galleries, eateries, working craftsman shops. There’s glassblowing; candlemakers; The Chair Shop – a fourth-generation family continuing to make furniture; Ogle’s Broom Shop – third-generation artisans; Smoky’s Edge – a leather belt, wallet and bags, along with lathe-turned wood items. See the Member List.
For more about the Glades Arts & Crafts Community, see our blog post. Check out cabins to rent in and near the community.
Find the Gatlinburg Convention Center at 234 Airport Road, Gatlinburg.
Music in the Mountains Spring Parade
April 13, 11 a.m.
The Spring Parade in Pigeon Forge is a celebration of the rich musical heritage of the Smoky Mountains.
Previously known as the Dolly Parade or Dolly’s Homecoming Parade, this event highlights the Pigeon Forge theaters and incredible singers, dancers and actors from all over the city that entertain visitors at the Pigeon Forge theaters nightly.
The parade route begins by entering the Pigeon Forge Parkway near traffic light #6 and head north towards Sevierville to traffic light #3. The parade will take up the northbound lanes of the parkway and all traffic will be diverted to the southbound lanes. This free event is family friendly. Get there early to get the best seats on the parkway.
Read more about dinner theaters in the Smokies on our blog post.
Spring Rod Run
April 18-20
The Spring Rod Run is one of 3 annual car shows held in Pigeon Forge. One of the largest car shows in the country, this show brings together classic cars, every make and model from everywhere to Pigeon Forge.
A spectacular 3-day event for any car enthusiast, the Fall Rod Run includes an $8,000 cash giveaway, awards for the top 25 and ultimate 7 and a huge swap meet with hundreds of show cars and car corral.
Visitors to the area can stop view, sit in, and look under the hood of classic Fords, GMCs, and Gold Wings to name a few. Vendors are also set up to sell customized, antique, and hard-to-find car parts.
The Spring Rod Run is at the LeConte Center, 2986 Teaster Lane, Pigeon Forge.
Also at LeConte Center May 16-18 is the Grand National F100 Ford Show, the largest classic Ford truck show in the country. The event is open to Ford trucks from 1996 and older including pre F-1, F-1, F-100, F-250 UP, F-150, F-250 and up. No Rancheros or Broncos. This event will showcase trucks in a family atmosphere, with an awards banquet and food vendors. The reunion will be held rain or shine.
Dollywood Spring Festivals
Dollywood Theme Park opened March 25 with the “I Will Always Love You Music Festival.”
The new festival, which runs through April 14, will fill the “mountains with the warmth of song and sunshine through larger-than-life performances, colorful and interactive installations and more.”
Live music pours from every outdoor theatre. Visitors can sing along to Dolly’s biggest hits in an all-new sing-a-long and soak in other new productions, including “a reimagining of the beloved Paradise Road, that pay tribute to the art of songwriting.”
The new Celebration Sky is a glittering pink display that mimics the look of giant sequins. Visitors also can enjoy the return of the fan-favorite LOVE sign and savor the festival’s delicious dishes including Smoked Bologna, Burnt Ends, a Strawberry Crunch Funnel Cake and or a refreshing IWALY Punch.
See the full menu and get a tasting pass here.
Also at Dollywood in the Spring Festivals showcase is the Flower & Food Festival April 19 – June 9.
Dollywood bursts to life with more than one million brilliant blooms!
“Wander among the fragrant flowers, blossoming in vibrant hues of purple, pink and yellow. As you journey through the park, you’ll encounter towering sculptures crafted from thousands of living plants, including a playful peacock, mischievous bears, an upside-down umbrella and even a busy beekeeper all blooming sky high.”
As is always true of a Dollywood festival, there will be unique and mouthwatering food for sale and music everywhere.
Dollywood is located at 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd. in Pigeon Forge.
Smoky Mountain Music Festival
April 3, April 19, April 26
The Smoky Mountain Music Festival is a unique musical event for high school, middle school and elementary music groups. For more than 30 years, the festival has drawn musicians from more than 29 states and Canada.
The festival offers school musicians an opportunity to demonstrate their talents before prestigious adjudicators in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains.
Concert, jazz, indoor auxiliary competition and choral competition are held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Main street is blocked off for the parade of bands.
Spring Festivals continue with Blooms & Tunes at Anakeesta
April 14 – May 20
With larger-than-life spring-themed art installations, daily live music and entertainment, chef-inspired seasonal menu items and over 10,000 new blooms in Vista Gardens, Blooms & Tunes will transform the mountain on which Anakeesta is located.
As the sun sets over the Smokies, guests can enjoy the warmer evenings on the mountain when the park comes to life at night with twinkling lights and colorful light displays throughout each village.
The fun begins at the entrance of Anakeesta where guests will see a stunning 20-feet-long blooming daisy and can take a seat on the big green couch.
“On the mountain, check out several grand and colorful flower sculptures, as well as an oversized paint palette complete with 10-foot-tall paint brushes designed specifically for Anakeesta. With over 30 sculptures around the park, there is something new to discover around every corner.”
Located in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg with mountain views and 70 forested acres of fun and relaxation, Anakeesta is a mountain playground for all ages.
To start your day of fun, buy tickets online, then take the scenic open chairlift or the enclosed Chondola from Gatlinburg up the mountain to Anakeesta – you can’t drive yourself.
In addition to all the food, art and spectacular views, Anakeesta has a zip line adventure, gem mining, a personal roller coaster, treehouses, garden walks and a splash pad. Among the trees are wonderful spots for selfies, viewing the scenery, watching downtown Gatlinburg. And food – from barbecue to southern foods with a view from the top.
Smoky Mountain Sweet Dreams Car and Bike Show
April 19-20
Smoky Mountain Street Dreams is a car and bike show held April, May, July, and September this year, with April and September in Sevierville.
The events each include a swap meet, vendors, car corral, and entertainment. Judging will take place on Saturday at 3:00 pm and awards at 6:00 pm. Awards include best classic, best hot rod, best stock, best muscle, best import, best custom, best overall, best motorcycle, best rat rod, best truck, best motor, and top five. More than $5,000 in cash will be awarded.
All makes and models are welcome to enter the show! Entry fee is $60 and includes two wrist bands. Dash plaques offered to first 200. Car corral admission is $50 and includes two wrist bands.
Find the April show on Wears Valley Road in Seveirville. Book a Wears Valley Cabin.
Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Festival
May 4
The fourth annual Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Festival features live music, vendors, foot trucks, a kid zone, guest speakers and a 5K and 1-mile fun run.
Located in Townsend, about 25 miles from Gatlinburg, the Bigfoot Festival includes a Big Foot calling contest in the afternoon at the Performance Pavilion and a live auction.
Townsend is one of the three main gateways to Cades Cove, one of the most popular destinations in the Smokies. A 20-minute drive south of Townsend, the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road is worth every second spent there. The loop is closed to motor vehicle traffic each Wednesday, from June 17th through September 30th. A bike is a great way to get all the way around. If you didn’t bring one, visitors can rent one at Cades Cove Trading Co.
Read more about beautiful Townsend in our blog post.
Find the Townsend Visitor Center at 7906 E Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend
More Spring festivals to checkout:
Classic Cookie’s Annual Cookie Festival
April 27 – Sevierville
March to May 11- Skyland Ranch, Sevierville
Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass music and food festival
May 17, 18 – Sevierville
May 4 – Sevierville
May 17-18 – Evergreen Convention Center, Pigeon Forge
Scottish Festival & Games– 42nd annual
May 18-19 – Townsend Visitor Center
June 3-6 – LeConte Center, Pigeon Forge
Book your cabin for a festival adventure!
Whether you want a treehouse experience or one of our many beautiful cabins, American Patriot Getaways can help you decide where to stay when you come to enjoy the Spring Festivals.
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.
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