Here are March events in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area, as wildflowers, wildlife and venues all wake up, and cabin deals abound in this less crowded time.- a good time to visit for those who like less crowds but plenty of action.
Photo by Genia Stadler
The land wakes up in March with the very beginning of the famous wildflower profusion in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding area. In March, the first daffodils have often already appeared in Cades Cove. Wildlife too, is waking from the winter hibernation, with some newborns appearing, and the chance to see bear cubs starting.
Up on the mountain the snow remains, and Ober Mountain continues its skiing and snow tubing. While the ski run usually closes sometime in March, the resorts can usually keep the snow tubing slope open until Easter.
In the lower elevations, rainfall is common in March, with temperatures in the low 60’s and dropping to overnight 30’s. The many waters of the area are running fast from the snow melt, and the whitewater rafting outfitters and guides start their season typically now. Ober Mountain has joined in with fun too, offering its own rafting adventures, as well as ziplining.
Dates in March
In 2024, March 1st signals the opening of registration for the annual Wildflower Pilgrimage, which will happen May 1-4 this year. Kicking the month off also is Chuck Wagon Cookoff happening at Clabough’s Campground on Wears Valley Road, a 3-day event, March 1-3, with some mouthwatering food – registration is already open.
March 1 also opens an entire Irish Month at the Titanic Museum, attraction, in anticipation of the green day coming, and to commemorate the many Irish people aboard that ill-fated ship. As a special treat, magical Irish Cottages have been discovered and are on display at the museum (a little different from our luxury cabins, but very cute accommodations!).
March 1 also opens a month-long celebration of the color green at the SkyPark overlooking Gatlinburg, with Get Lucky at the SkyBridge. The same day begins a 3-month special event along the Rocky Top Wine Trail, and this year it’s the Cheese and Wine Trail 2024, designed for those who know that travel involves the palate in large part.
Well, and on the 2nd day of the month, Gatlinburg’s jewel of an education facility, the world-renowned Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts holds a one-day event, the Spring Family Workshops, a cluster of 6 different classes for all ages in specialized crafts.
The Smokies are magical of course, and Magic Shows happen in lots of places all year, but in spring we get the annual Winter Carnival of Magic to bring a convention and classes with expert magicians from across the country showing us how it’s done. In 2024 it’s March 7-9, and at the Country Tonite theater, a fabulous venue.
Dollywood opens from its winter closure for the new season on March 9, offering us the I Will Always Love You Music Festival through April 14, featuring live music, much food, and stage performance.
March 10 launches the week leading to the big day, and the Gatlinburg Space Needle decks out in green and gold light shows to illuminate Parkway. Gatlinburg meanwhile paints the town green, adding flags and decoration, as well as Celtic music on the air throughout the town. Music continues in a big way on March 11 in Pigeon Forge at Country Tonite with the annual NACMAI Hall of Fame Show and Awards, lasting through March 17.
Anakeesta kicks in on March 14 with its own special celebrations looking toward the day with more Celtic music (and green beer), through the 17th.
And finally, St. Patrick’s Day happens on March 17, regular as clockwork, and the lively restaurants and taverns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge step up to the occasion with all the usual razzmatazz, including green beer (and wine) and song and celebration. The Island invites us to Eat, Drink and Be Irish all that day, with music and dance throughout the day, and green as far as the eye can see.
Another kind of music comes alive from the roar of the motors running, with the car meets on March 15-16 – you know it’s spring when the classic cars come out of the garage – starting with the annual Corvette Expo, combining with the Chevelles in the Smokies event, both concurrently at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge.
Ford gets its chance the other side of St Patrick’s, on March 18 with the annual Ponies in the Smokies event, at the Sevierville Convention Center, with a week’s worth of hot rodding and everything Mustang, through March 23.
Gospel takes center stage on March 21-22, as the Smoky Mountain Jubilee comes to town at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, showcasing some uplifted preaching and singing with guest ministers, choirs and gospel groups.
And if you’re coming to the Smokies during any of these events, remember that March can be a great time to rent a vacation cabin also, on either side of spring break, as this “shoulder” period offers up specials as great as Half-Price cabins – see our Specials page for the latest great deals.
Easter
Easter Sunday is March 31 in 2024, and there will be numerous events surrounding that weekend – we’ll list them all in the upcoming April Events post, so stay tuned for that!
Register Ahead
- Registration opens in March for the annual Wildflower Pilgrimage held on May 1-4.
- Registration opens in March for the annual Mountain Quiltfest held in early June.
TIP: here’s how to find an affordable Gatlinburg cabin, and see all of our cabins in the Smoky Mountains, including our Pigeon Forge cabins and our Wears Valley cabins.
