Are you planning to visit the Smoky Mountains this fall? Fall in the Smoky Mountains is one of the most beautiful times of year here in the area, as the fall foliage overtakes the landscape with gorgeous hues of yellow, orange, and red. In addition to the natural spectacle of the leaves, there are lots of fun and exciting Smoky Mountain fall festivals that celebrate the season and present fun opportunities for visitors to connect with the Smokies. If you are planning to visit the area this year, here are some of the top Smoky Mountain fall festivals that you can check out:
1. Dollywood Harvest Festival
One of the most popular Smoky Mountain fall festivals that draws people from all over each year is the Dollywood Harvest Festival. This incredible celebration of the season features seasonal treats, decorations, music, and tons more to enjoy alongside family and friends. This festival is also known for Great Pumpkin LumiNights, which illuminate the night sky with the glow of thousands of pumpkins at the park! Guests can also enjoy Candy Corn Country in the Country Fair section of the park and Harvey's Boo Bash, an exclusive nighttime celebration! The Dollywood Harvest Festival typically runs from mid-September through October.
2. Gatlinburg Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival
The town of Gatlinburg has a fall festival of its own that you can check out for free when you come to visit! Shops, restaurants, and more will be decked out in seasonal decorations, with visitors having the opportunity to vote on their favorite displays. There will also be life-size scarecrows and pumpkin people in town, and plenty of photo ops! With so much to do, checking out this Smoky Mountain fall festival is a guaranteed hit for the whole family. Gatlinburg’s Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival takes place mid-September through early November.
3. Autumn at Gatlinburg SkyPark
If you are looking for one of the best ways to take in the spectacular fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains, look no further than the Gatlinburg SkyPark! Throughout the month of October, this popular attraction offers various ways for visitors to celebrate the season and view the foliage. Experience sunrise with early access, live music, breakfast, a souvenir mug, and all-day admission, or visit on Halloween for BrOO Fest! BrOO Fest is a one-day celebration of craft brewing culture in the Smokies. In addition to the special events, guests can check out seasonal decorations, listen to live music, play games on the SkyDeck, and more during the fall season!
4. Anakeesta’s Bear-Varian Fall Festival
Another of the top Smoky Mountain fall festivals that you can check out this year is Anakeesta’s Bear-Varian Fall Festival! Featuring fall-themed art, decorations, entertainment, and more, there is something to do for everyone at this fun seasonal event. Plus, this is one of the best Smoky Mountain fall festivals for the fall foliage. Anakeesta offers plenty of ways for guests to take in the views. Additionally, adults can purchase a beer tasting card that will allow you to embark on a unique beer sampling adventure throughout the park, provided by local and regional craft breweries. Anakeesta’s Bear-Varian Fall Festival typically runs from the end of August through October.
5. Wears Valley Fall Festival
Wears Valley also gets in on the fall fun with their very own Fall Fest, which takes place for a weekend in mid-October. Although this is a shorter event than many of the others that take place in the area, it offers just as much fun, with various activities, entertainment, food, crafts, and more that families are sure to enjoy. Additionally, this festival places an emphasis on preserving natural beauty in the area, with programs designed to reduce waste and more.
6. Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg
Ober Gatlinburg is another of the attractions in the Smokies that get in on the fall fun, with the famous Oktoberfest taking place from late September through October. During this time, guests can experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of the world's most famous beer festival! Enjoy live music, festive photo-ops, and of course, beautiful fall colors! Let's not forget the food. Bring your appetite for favorites like chicken schnitzel, turkey legs, and giant pretzels, plus sweet treats like pumpkin fudge.
As you can see, there are lots of fun Smoky Mountain fall festivals that will allow you to get into the spirit of the season and form fantastic memories with loved ones this fall in the Smokies. If you are trying to time your visit with the changing of the leaves, we’ve got you covered! Generally, the leaves begin to change at higher elevations starting in early to mid-October, with lower elevations following into early November. You can stay up to date with the most current information surrounding the changing of the leaves by checking out our Smoky Mountains fall foliage forecast!
