The Great Smoky Mountains are beautiful all year long, but there’s no denying that the burnt orange, golden yellow and fire red colors that cover the trees in Autumn are a spectacular sight to be seen. And while coming to the mountains to see the colors is entertainment enough, we know that your family will want something fun to do while taking in the views. To help you plan your trip to the Smokies, we’ve put together a list of our 5 favorite events to attend that are surrounded by Gatlinburg TN fall foliage!
1. Smoky Mountain Fall Festival at Ober Mountain
Smoky Mountain Fall Festival at Ober Mountain is a family friendly event that lasts for a month, spanning the end of September to the end of October! Of course, ice cold beer is one of the highlights of this festival, but you’ll also be blown away by the selection of delicious foods like bratwurst, schnitzel, pretzels with beer cheese, and so much more. And your family will love dancing and singing along with the Full Moon Concert Series! Other fun activities will be held throughout the festival, including Friday Night Movie Nights under the stars, Skate Parties at Ice Rink, and lots of hay fun on top of the mountain. It’s an unforgettable experience that the whole family will love!
2. Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair
The Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair is a wonderful way to enjoy the Gatlinburg TN fall foliage while learning about the city and it’s talented and creative citizens. This event fills the 150,000 square feet of the Gatlinburg Convention Center and features nearly 200 booths, all displaying local pottery, hand painted pieces of artwork, delicately crafted jewelry and hundreds of other artisan wares. The cost of admission also includes entertainment such as live country and bluegrass music!
3. Ripley’s Fright Nights
For the adrenaline lovers and Halloween addicts, Ripley’s Fright Nights is the scariest, spookiest and most heart-pounding Halloween event of the year! Stumble and fumble your way through the winding hallways, and hear the ghostly screams that will make your skin crawl! This event takes place at Ripley’s Haunted Adventure. We guarantee you don’t want to experience this attraction alone, so bring lots of friends!
4. Trick or Treat Kick-Off Karnival
For the young children in your family, the Trick or Treat Kick-Off Karnival is a daytime Halloween event where your kids can participate in costume contests, pumpkin contests, safe trick or treating, and lots of other fun activities! This event is located on the plaza of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. It is on October 31 from 11 am to 4 pm.
5. Anakeesta’s Bear-Varian Fall Festival
Another fun way to celebrate the Gatlinburg TN fall foliage is to visit Anakeesta during their Bear-Varian Fall Festival. During this time of year, you can enjoy gorgeous views of the mountains as the leaves start to change colors. Plus, the theme park itself is decked out in Halloween themed decor, with pumpkins, scarecrows, twinkly lights, and much more. Enjoy specialty seasonal Bavarian food and drinks at every snack shop and restaurant, all while you still enjoy the fun of Anakeesta itself!
For even more ideas on how to enjoy the beautiful Gatlinburg TN fall foliage, check out our extensive list of Gatlinburg TN festivals and events!
