As the temperatures turn cooler, Gatlinburg celebrates the changing of the seasons with decorative fall displays and the return of the life-size Scarecrows during Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival. The Gatlinburg festival kicks off with Taste of Autumn on September 12 and runs through Veterans Day, November 11.
From the foodie to the family of four, Gatlinburg offers something to satisfy every visitor, with comfort-food cookoffs, open-air fall carnivals, craft fairs and live entertainment around every corner. Below is a complete calendar of all the fall activities and events that visitors can look forward to.
Anakeesta’s Legend of Hallow Mountain – Sept. 13 - Nov. 2: Visitors can experience a ghoulish good time at Anakeesta’s all-new Legend of Hallow Mountain during Autumn at Anakeesta. Spine-chilling scare zones plus fun and spook-free activities abound at this premier Halloween event, happening every weekend until November 2.
OktOBERfest – Sept. 27 - Nov. 3: Scenic beauty and old-fashioned fun blend to create one big celebration of German culture at Ober Gatlinburg. Take your pick of festive offerings, with everything from Bavarian-style cuisine, polka, bier garten, live entertainment and more.
Smoky Mountain Harvest Tunes and Tales - Oct. 2 - Oct 24: Visitors are invited meet costumed storytellers, musical ensembles and cloggers portraying Appalachian characters from time periods as far back as the 1800s along the Parkway Friday and Saturday evenings.
Scarecrow Trail – Wander through the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community to discover hundreds of amazing, handcrafted Scarecrows and harvest scenes during Gatlinburg’s featured fall experience. The trail continues into downtown Gatlinburg, where the city’s life-size Scarecrows are on display to be enjoyed by visitors and locals alike, from now until November 11.
Ripley’s Fright Nights – Oct. 4 – Oct 27: Come face to face with the spine-chilling terrors that lurk inside Ripley’s Haunted Adventure on Friday and Saturday nights in October during their annual special fright show.
Appalachian GhostWalks "Mystery, History, and Adventure in the Smokies!" Nightly, lantern-led Gatlinburg GhostWalks take you on a journey back through time to discover the past history and hardships of Gatlinburg's homesteaders along with pioneer and Native American heritage. Tours depart nightly from TGI Friday's in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Advance reservations are required.
Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair – Oct. 10 - Oct. 27: This annual event that brings a wealth of arts, crafts and entertainment together for three jam-packed weeks in the Gatlinburg Convention Center, artisans and craftspeople demonstrate their skills, answer questions and offer their unique art for sale.
Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff Presented by Bush's® Chili Beans – November 6: Favorite local restaurants off-face to be crowned the area’s chili recipe champion at the annual comfort food cook-off, held in the heart of exciting downtown Gatlinburg. Live music, chili eating contests and new on-site offerings make this year’s event a can’t be fall celebration.
Veterans Day Celebration – Nov. 11: This 18th annual program salutes the men and women who served in our Armed Forces in this special ceremony on Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza. This event is designated an official Regional Site for the Observance of Veterans Day by the Veterans Day National Committee, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Congrats to all the winners in the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival contest!
Platinum: Anakeesta Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Camp LeConte Christmas Eve Gift Country Cobbler of Gatlinburg Gatlinburlier Tobacco Gatlin’s Greystone Lodge on the River Hot Diggity Dawg Kountry Antics Laurel Springs Lodge Bed & Breakfast Mellow Retail Mountain House Inn Mountain Mall Ole Smoky Distillery Ripley’s Aquarium Ripley’s Haunted Adventure Ripley’s Moving Theater Santa’s Claus-et Smoky Mountain Arts & Crafts Village Somewhere in Time Tennessee Cider Company Tennessee Homemade Wines The Hayloft The Village Zukes Woodworkz
Gold (12): Buie’s Landing Christ Museum and Gardens Holiday Inn Club Vacations Holly and Willows Pet Barn Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen Ripley’s Davy Crockett Mini Golf The Cheese Cupboard The Hayloft Comfort Footwear The Honey Pot The Jewelry Spot The Silver Tree Zoder's Inn
Silver (3): Best Gift Idea Ever Ober Gatlinburg Pancake Pantry
