2013 Gatlinburg Event Calendar
January
Gatlinburg’s 23rd Annual Winterfest (January 1 – 31) – The City of Gatlinburg magically lights up the winter nights with over 2 million spectacular lights in fantastic displays throughout town. Displays are sure to dazzle the spirit and bring out the kid in everyone. Special lighting displays are added in January for Valentines Day. For more information please call 800-568-4748.
Ober Gatlinburg Winter Sports (January 1 – 31) – Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort. 800-251-9202.
February
Gatlinburg’s 23rd Annual Winterfest (February 1 – 28) – The City of Gatlinburg magically lights up the winter nights with over 2 million spectacular lights in fantastic displays throughout town. Displays are sure to dazzle the spirit and bring out the kid in everyone. Special lighting displays are added in January for Valentines Day. For more information please call 800-568-4748.
Ober Gatlinburg Winter Sports (February 1 – 28) – Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort. 800-251-9202.
March
Ober Gatlinburg Winter Sports (March 1 – 16) – Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort. 800-251-9202.
Smoky Mountain Springfest (March 12 – June 2) – A countywide celebration of the season featuring special events, local craft shows and much more. 800-568-4748.
4th Annual Gatlinburg Screenfest (March TBA) – River Terrace Resort. Features independent films and filmmakers from all over the nation. For additional information visit www.gatlinburgscreenfest.com or call 865-809-4106.
Great Smoky Easter Arts & Crafts Show (March 28-30) – Unique handcrafted gifts and products produced by members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community are placed on display and offered for sale as they host their annual Easter show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.
Easter Sunrise Service at Ober Gatlinburg (March 31) – Soak up Easter Sunday sunrise from the top of Mt. Harrison at Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort during this service sponsored by the Gatlinburg Ministerial Association.
April
14th Annual Smoky Mountain Trout Festival (April 6-7) – Open to adults and children. Multiple categories to be contested in this largest trout tournament in the Smokies. For information call 865-661-3474.
5th Annual Gatlinburg Gateway Triathlon (April 13) – Gatlinburg Community Center. Begins at 8:15 am. Open to anyone 15 years and older capable of swimming one-half mile, biking twenty kilometers, and running five kilometers consecutively. 865-436-4990.
Music on the Mountain (April TBA) – Sugarlands Visitor Center. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park presents its one-day event with free, limited-seating performances by a series of six prominent musical acts. 10 am. – 5 pm.
5th Annual Mountain Man Memorial March (April 20) – 26.2-mile march in the Smoky Mountains. A tribute to our men and women in uniform. For information call 865-974-5371.
Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage (April 24-28) – Seven day event featuring 170 different programs, nature walks, lectures, seminars, art classes, photographic tours, and motorcades. Call 865-436-7318 ext. 22 or visit www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org.
May
10th Annual Ribfest and Wings (TBA) – Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza and River Road. Live music, children’s activities and Hot wing eating contests. $10.00. Call 800-568-4748 for details.
Gatlinburg Farmer’s Market (May 18 – October 12) – Offering local choices for healthy mountain living, the Gatlinburg Farmers Market is open each Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Alamo Steakhouse parking lot at 705 East Parkway starting May 18 through October 12, 2013.
June
Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales (June 21 – August 10) – Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales is a summer-long street performance event featuring costumed musical performers, storytellers and artisans portraying time periods as far back as 1800.
July
4th of July Midnight Parade (July 3-4) – Saluting the valiant men and women of our military services, this 38th annual showcase is the “First July Fourth Parade in the Nation!” Parade starts at the stroke of midnight to begin Independence Day.
River Raft Regatta (July 4) – Gatlinburg’s popular River Raft Regatta takes place at noon on July 4th, on the Little Pigeon River in Downtown Gatlinburg.
Gatlinburg Craftmen’s Fair (July 19-28) – Art, crafts and music lovers can find 150-plus booths featuring some of the nation’s finest work. Artisans and craftspeople are on hand to demonstrate their skills, answer questions and offer their unique art for sale. Live Country & Bluegrass entertainment. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
August
Smoky Mountain Songwriter’s Festival (August 15-18) – Celebrating the area’s Appalachian musical roots, Gatlinburg will host its third annual Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival August 15 through 18.
September
Fat Cars ‘N Mason Jars Moonshine Festival (September 26-28) – Ole Smoky Moonshine celebrates Appalachian heritage with this event featuring tours and mountain music. A concert and dinner are also part of the tentative plans.
Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival (September 13 – October 31) – Fall decorations, events, entertainment, and local craft exhibits.
Octoberfest at Ober (September 27 – November 3) – Ober Gatlinburg is celebrating October with a fantastic festival featuring Bavarian-style food, drink and music, but you don’t have to don your finest lederhosen or dirndls to be a part of the fun.
Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament (September 28 & 29) – The 14th Annual Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament is open to adults or children – and equally challenging for both visitors and locals, with multiple categories to be contested in this largest trout tournament in the Smokies.
October
Smoky Mountain Fall Foliage (October 1 – November 2) – The notion that peak color season in Great Smoky Mountains National Park happens in mid-October is a misconception. The marvelous colors of autumn actually light up the Smokies for seven weeks or more as the peak elevations move down the mountainsides from the highest elevations to the foothills.
Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival (October 4-6) – A family oriented fine arts festival featuring juried artists from around the country and music on the campus of Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts in downtown Gatlinburg.
Ripley’s Fright Nights (October 4-31) – Ripley’s Haunted Adventure is celebrating its 15th annual Fright Nights.
Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair (October 10-27) – Art, crafts and music lovers can find almost 200 booths featuring some of the nation’s finest work. Artisans and craftspeople are on hand to demonstrate their skills, answer questions and offer their unique art for sale. Live Country & Bluegrass entertainment.
November
Veteran’s Day Celebration (November 11) – Join Gatlinburg in saluting America’s veterans of the Armed Forces, featuring stirring musical numbers and words of tribute on Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza.
Winter Magic Kickoff & Chili Cookoff (November 13) – Offering mouth-watering recipes of homemade chili ranging from mild and delightful to wild and adventurous, the City of Gatlinburg hosts its 24th annual Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff on Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown.
Festival of Trees (November 26-30) – Surrounded by the twinkling lights and sounds and smells of the holidays, shop the many handmade centerpieces and craft items, and return to the joys of celebrating Christmas in the Smokies.
Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show (November 26 – December 1) – Unique handcrafted Thanksgiving gifts made by members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community are offered for sale at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.
Nutcracker “Sweet” (November 29 & 30) – Presented by the Great Smoky Mountain Dance Theatre, enjoy this holiday classic presented in Gatlinburg, with performances at 7 p.m. in the W.L. Mills Auditorium. (GSE) Call (865) 680-7369 for information and reservations.
Winter Magic Tunes & Tales (November 29 – December 21) – Through the holiday season, visitors can meet characters and storytellers and enjoy caroling along the Parkway Friday and Saturday evenings during this fourth annual event!
December
Great Smoky Christmas Arts & Crafts Show (December 2-8) – Unique handcrafted gifts made by members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community are offered as they host their annual Christmas show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.
Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade (December 6) – The City of Gatlinburg invites you to bundle up and generate a spirited dose of holiday cheer and soak up Gatlinburg’s 38th annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade at 7:30 p.m.
Christmas On Ice (December 7 & 8) – Enjoy the spirit of the season as local skaters display their talents on ice to the sounds of holiday music in a two-day performance at Ober Gatlinburg’s ice arena.
*Be sure to also check out the Pigeon Forge Calendar of Events.