Looking for places to visit in the Smoky Mountains during fall? Some of the best things to do include experiencing the many fall festivals in the area, so keep reading for a complete guide to the best seasonal events in Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Gatlinburg:
Sevierville Fall Festivals
Events at SkyLand Ranch
This attraction doesn’t just put on 1 fall festival, but 3 separate events during the autumn season! The Apple Harvest Festival features hearty fall-themed foods and apple-inspired treats, live entertainment, and more. At night, the Ranch transforms into an eerie Ghost Town (select nights only) for another fun way to experience spooky season in the Smokies. As a pre-event to Ghost Town, Moos and Boos is a kid-friendly trick-or-treating event on select nights. Be sure to dress up for the costume contest!
Wears Valley Fall Fest
Fall magic can be found during one weekend in October at the Wears Valley Fall Fest. You’ll get to explore hundreds of craft vendors, try delicious food, and enjoy live music. The kids will love the many activities and fun catered just for them. Tickets for both day passes and weekend passes are inexpensive, and the event is actually a fundraiser for Keep Sevier Beautiful, with proceeds going directly to helping area power programs!
Pigeon Forge Fall Festivals
Harvest Festival at Dollywood
Another one of the fun things to do in the Smoky Mountains in the fall is the Dollywood Harvest Festival. This event runs from the middle of September through the end of October, so you can enjoy it whenever you’re in town this fall! There are all kinds of autumn decorations, including amazing carved pumpkin sculptures. At night, these sculptures light up during Great Pumpkin LumiNights! You’ll see pumpkin bats, spiders, butterflies, owls, and more glowing bright! Plus, you can enjoy seasonal treats at several locations throughout the park. Even the merchandise at the shops and live shows are centered around the fall season!
Rotary Club Fall Crafts Festival
The Rotary Club hosts one of the best Pigeon Forge fall events at Patriot Park next to Old Mill Square. This craft festival showcases nearly 100 booths filled with locally-made arts and crafts. You might also find a food truck or two, but you can always head over to The Old Mill Restaurant or Pottery House Cafe for a delicious homestyle meal after you’re done shopping!
Gatlinburg Fall Festivals
Bear-Varian Fall Festival at Anakeesta
In addition to being one of the best mountaintop attractions for viewing fall foliage, the Anakeesta Bear-Varian Fall Festival combines mountain music, food, and drinks for a fantastic fall event in Gatlinburg for the whole family. They also offer a Beer Tasting Card so that guests can try six 8-oz. pours of beer from multiple locations around the park!
Oktoberfest at Ober Mountain
Oktoberfest in Gatlinburg is back and better than ever! Sip back and relax at the Beer Garden and sample 5 special brews from Yee-Haw Brewing, sample authentic German food, and enjoy traditional Bavarian music. There are also special activities and crafts for the kids!
Gatlinburg Craftmen’s Fair
Every October, more than 200 craftspeople and artists come to Gatlinburg not only from the Smokies but all over the country to show off their skills and handmade goods. You will be able to walk around and browse through the amazing items for sale, as well as see demonstrations from the artisans throughout the day. The Gatlinburg Craftmen’s Fair is a great place to go and pick out a gift for a loved one to finish your holiday shopping early!
These are some of the top fall festivals and events in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville you won’t want to miss. Read more about things to do in the Smoky Mountains in fall and start planning your autumn getaway today!
