On July 3rd and 4th, Pigeon Forge will be decked out in red, white, and blue to celebrate the annual Patriot Festival at Patriot Park! This yearly event is used to commemorate the birthday of our great nation. New this year, the event will be expanded to a two-night celebration in honor of America's 250th anniversary! Twice the celebration means twice the headliners! Continue reading to find out what big name country stars are set to headline the 2026 Pigeon Forge Patriot Festival:
Headline Entertainment
Every year, the festival has a headline music act, to go along with a number of other bands throughout the event. Since this year's celebration will be held on both Friday the 3rd and Saturday the 4th, this edition of the Patriot Festival at Patriot Park will have not one, but two headliners! Country music star and Tennessee native Craig Morgan headlines on Friday. On Saturday, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Carly Pearce takes the stage. Both concerts are set to begin at 8 P.M. Did you know that both Craig Morgan and Carly Pearce used to be performers at Country Tonite before their careers took of? Additional performers will be announced as we get closer to the Patriot Festival.
Other Activities at the Festival
In addition to listening to live music throughout the celebration, there are plenty of other family activities at the Pigeon Forge Patriot Festival. You can expect a variety of children's activities and games so families always have something fun to do on both nights. There will be a variety of food vendors offering burgers, hot dogs, and more, set up around the park, so be sure to grab some dinner before the show starts. Don't forget to bring your blanket and lawn chairs to set up around the stage to take in the performances. On Saturday, following the performance by Carly Pearce, there will be a firework show that you don't want to miss!
Location and Parking
The Patriot Festival takes place every year at Patriot Park in Pigeon Forge. The park is located right along The Old Mill Square. There will be free parking for the event at the Teaster Lane Municipal parking lot, and a free shuttle every 20 minutes that will transport you to the festival and back to your vehicle. If you want to show up early, be sure to take a walk through Patriot Park, where you will see flags from all 50 states and memorials to veterans from all across the Smoky Mountains!
More Independence Day Celebrations
In correlation with the Pigeon Forge Patriot Festival, Gatlinburg will be hosting their own firework extravaganza. Beginning at 11:00 P.M. on July 4th, fireworks will be launched from the Gatlinburg Space Needle, lighting up the night sky for miles! Gatlinburg Fireworks Finale has been designated by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the top 20 events of the year. Because the fireworks are set off from the center point of the town, there is not a bad spot to catch the show.
If you want to celebrate Independence Day for a full 24 hours, be sure to catch the Fourth of July Midnight Parade in Gatlinburg. At 12:01 A.M. on July 4th, the parade steps off on the East Parkway and travels through town to Ski Mountain Road. If you want to experience the First Independence Day Parade in the Nation, you will want to show up on Friday night to get a good seat! For a full day of Independence Day celebration, you can begin the early morning watching the parade in Gatlinburg before traveling to Pigeon Forge to watch Craig Morgan, Carly Pearce, and the rest of the musicians perform at Patriot Park!
Lodging for Independence Day Weekend
With Independence Day falling on a Saturday, there is no better time to plan a weekend getaway in the Smokies. There are plenty of lodging options throughout the Smoky Mountains, from traditional hotel rooms to secluded cabins in the mountains. If you want to sleep among the beauty of nature, there are also numerous campgrounds throughout Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Browse through all the best places to stay in the Smoky Mountains for your trip to celebrate the 250th birthday of our great country.
Now that you know how to celebrate the Fourth of July in the Smokies, be sure to check out some of the other Smoky Mountain attractions to visit during your trip! We look forward to celebrating Independence Day with you and your family!
