festival Archives - Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge Events

Scottish Festival and Games 2022

Posted May 19, 2022 by Tony Perez

The 2022 Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games happens all day Saturday and Sunday, May 21-22, in Townsend, TN, just a few scenic miles drive to the west of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. In a great location set against the foothills of the mountains, and right next to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it’s an explosion of Scottish culture and fun, and a unique annual festival.

The Games are one of the oldest Scottish Festivals in the country, and it’s an excellent occasion to get a taste of all things Scottish, with some rocking Celtic live music, formal Pipes & Drums, clan histories, Scottish dance, athletic contests from the Highland Games, as well as sheepdog performances, a dog show, and many kid-friendly activities, with face painting of course. Oh, and many opportunities to taste and explore the famous Scotch whiskies of that remarkable nation.

Images courtesy of the Scottish Festival & Games

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August Events 2019: What’s Happening in the Smoky Mountains

Posted July 29, 2019 by Tony Perez

Here’s what’s happening in the Smoky Mountains area around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in August, 2019. It’s the time that leads into the fall season, and also the time when the new Specials on cabins start happening, with as much as Half-Price Cabins available!

Image courtesy of the Balloon Festival

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June and July Events 2019: What’s Happening in the Smoky Mountains

Posted June 1, 2019 by Tony Perez

Here’s what’s happening in the Smoky Mountains area around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in the months of June and July, 2019.

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Townsend Spring Festival 2019

Posted May 2, 2019 by Tony Perez

The Townsend Spring Festival is Friday and Saturday, May 3-4, 2019, and features all day and nighttime Bluegrass performances from dozens of musicians and bands. There’s also lots of food, arts & crafts, kid’s activities and other festivities! A parking pass for $10-20 is all it takes to join in the fun – bring your lawn chairs.

Image courtesy of Townsend Spring Festival

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May Events 2019 in the Smoky Mountains

Posted May 1, 2019 by Tony Perez

Here’s what’s happening in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area in May, 2019. How merry is the month of May in the Smoky Mountains? Plenty! There are several festivals and events happening, so read on and choose from the selection below.

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Festival of Nations 2018 at Dollywood

Posted March 13, 2018 by Tony Perez

Are you excited for Dollywood’s 2018 season? There’s a lot to look forward to including the Festival of Nations, one of the park’s biggest annual events. You’ll find plenty to see and do over this multi-week extravaganza, which runs from March 16 to April 9. Plan your visit out ahead of time so you and your family don’t miss out on all of the fun.

The Festival of Nations calls itself ‘a world class cultural experience’ for good reason. Here, you’ll find a vibrant and family-friendly celebration of cultures across the globe. There’s plenty of fun performances to entertain people of all ages.

Images courtesy of Dollywood

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Christmas In The Smokies Bluegrass Festival 2017

Posted December 5, 2017 by Tony Perez

It’s Christmas in the Smokies Bluegrass Festival again in Pigeon Forge as Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road gather with a couple of dozen hot bluegrass bands and performers for this year’s amazing music festival, Wednesday though Saturday, December 6-9, 2017.

This is a really good 4-day festival, held at Smoky Mountain Convention Center on Parkway, with top-notch talent. Lorraine Jordan is a legend in the genre – she and her band’s musicians are all highly awarded. She is noted for her fusion of country music and bluegrass in her Country Grass offerings and collaborations with country performers – as you can find out for yourself on Saturday night when she and the band play with country star Eddie Raven.

Images courtesy of Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road

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Festival of Trees 2017

Posted November 21, 2017 by Tony Perez

The holidays are right around the corner and this is the season of giving. Why not combine the two with a family-friendly charity event? The Festival of Trees is a five day festival held in Gatlinburg from November 22nd to the 26th. It is a great way to both celebrate the holidays and make a difference in the local community.

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8th Annual Smoky Mountain Cornhole Tournament 2017 in Pigeon Forge

Posted August 4, 2017 by Tony Perez

Pigeon Forge sees the 8th Annual Smoky Mountain Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, August 5, 2017, held at Old Mill Square. There will be cash prizes for 1st through 3rd places in both Competitive and Amateur Divisions. Also non-cash prizes for the top 3 places in the Tailgaters Division.

Tailgaters? Okay, the competitive game of Cornhole is a bean-bag toss, except the bag is filled with corn. The 4-ft long board is on a slope, and has a hole in it. Throwing from at least 30 feet away, you have to get the corn bag closest to the hole and ideally in it. There’s a smaller board, 3 feet long, also lighter so it’s easier to carry. This is the tailgater size, as opposed to the regulation size.

Images courtesy of The Old Mill

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2017 Big BBQ Bash in Maryville

Posted June 20, 2017 by Tony Perez

When visiting the south, the down-home flavor of juicy barbeque is a tradition. If your travel itinerary brings you to the Smoky Mountains, you’re in for a delicious treat at the 2017 Big BBQ Bash in Maryville. Scheduled for Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 24, 2017, this free festival of food and fun takes place at historic Founder’s Square in the heart of downtown Maryville.

For Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge fans who may not know, Maryville is about 40 miles to the west – if you’ve been to Townsend on your way to Cades Cove, you were already halfway to Maryville. This historic town on the “quiet side of the Smoky Mountains” also loves a festival, and it keeps throwing parties to prove it!