Image courtesy of Gatlinburg
It’s getting scary in the Smoky Mountains with Halloween events lurking around every corner and ghosts and goblins working overtime to ensure everyone has a fearsome good time! Here are the events happening this year in the Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville area.
Fun and Halloween Horrors in Gatlinburg
On October 31, bring the kids to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza at Traffic Light #5, from 1-5 pm, for an afternoon of fun and games at the Trick or Treat Kick Off Karnival. Dress the kids in their favorite costume and enjoy the festivities, which include contests, candy, pumpkins, and trick or treat safety tips from the police and fire department.
There’s also lots of horror on show for those who like a scare.
If it sounds like fun to find your way out of a locked room by relying on clues to figure out puzzles and riddles in order to escape, then The Captured, located at the base of the Gatlinburg Space Needle, is the place to begin your Halloween adventures. Do your best to outsmart the descendants of the Craft family known for their desire for human flesh. Choose The Cellar or match wits with a psychotic killer in Scarlett’s Room.
Halloween at Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, is an event that is sure to bring out plenty of howls, screams, and whimpers from unsuspecting visitors at the 19th Annual Fright Nights show. Enter at your own risk as Dr. Streaper is ready to share his mission of “Contamination!” with his mutant virus at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and on Halloween night.
For even more terrifying encounters, enter the Mysterious Mansion where a league of lost souls awaits with anticipation in deadly silence. Step past ancient graves then enter if you dare, but beware, as you’re on your own with this self-guided tour of a classic haunted Victorian mansion.
If you haven’t had your fill of murder and mayhem, consider a night ghost tour with the Gatlinburg Ghost Walk, where you’ll hear tales of long ago and learn about the ghosts that still inhabit the city.
Pigeon Forge Halloween Parties
Stay immersed in the fall season at Dollywood and the Great Pumpkin LumiNights event at the Harvest festival in full swing through October 28. Enjoy entertainment, food, costumed characters, pumpkin carving by skilled artists, face painting, and interactive events. Thousands of jack-o-lanterns creatively designed into unforgettable scenes and sculptures highlight the festival.
The Island has Halloween Carnival entertainment planned for Saturday, October 28 from 5-9 pm, with Halloween enthusiasts of all ages dressing in costumes and participating in the costume contest at 6:30 p.m. You’ll also get 1/2 price for unlimited rides when arriving early in a costume. Throughout the evening there will be high-flying acrobats, circus sideshows, dance performers, stilt walkers, and more. Take a souvenir picture at the Selfie Studio then make your way around The Island collecting delicious treats.
Not all parents like to have their little kids scared, and the Pigeon Forge Community Center offers a really fun event for kids this Halloween again with its Spooktacular event. It’s on Monday, October 30. Dress in non-scary costumes, and explore the abundant candy and treats in a harmless and happy trick or treat environment, with games and interactive activities. It’s a great community effort and a lot of fun. For details call 865-429-7373.
Spooktacular Events in Sevierville
Kyker Farms is a fun pumpkin place for kids and on October 27-28 offers its final Friday and Saturday night scares with its Zombie Blasterz and also The Trail. If you’re up for paintball adventure and a bit of fright, this place is for you. Check out their Kyker Farms After Dark site for more information
Get a jump start on celebrating Halloween by attending the Trunk or Treat CandyBash event on Sunday, October 29 at the Pathways Church. From 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. enjoy the creative ways people have decorated their vehicle trunks for the bash. From funny to scary, each trunk is a work of art each with lots of candy for the kids. There will also be games, food, and a free shuttle from the parking area at Sevier County High School.
All Hallows Eve is off to a great start with the 2nd Annual Sheriff’s Halloween Spooktacular Block Party on Tuesday, October 31 in downtown Sevierville at the main jail. From 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., there’s plenty of trick or treat opportunities as local fire, police, emergency medical staff, and other agencies pass out treats in a safe environment. It’s free!
Check our Gatlinburg cabins, Pigeon Forge cabins and our Wears Valley cabins for your best place to stay in the Smokies.
