January
Trolley Ride of Lights (Jan. 1-30) Visitors can soak up the spirit of the season from the comfort of a Gatlinburg Trolley by taking the relaxing Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights. These popular guided excursions start at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and travels throughout downtown Gatlinburg. Admission $5 (865) 436-0535
Tennessee Winter Special Olympics (Jan. 29-30) – Watch and cheer as Special Olympics athletes compete for the gold in their annual Winter Olympics day. Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort, www.obergatlinburg.com
February
Gatlinburg Improv Fest (Feb. 23-26) – The Gatlinburg Improv Fest is an event for both performers and spectators at Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre in Gatlinburg.
March
Smoky Mountain SpringFest (March 6 – June 1) – Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, trees are full of new growth and leaves, frost has melted from the high country and waterfalls cascade onto rocks below. Throughout Gatlinburg
April
Great Smoky Easter Arts & Crafts Show (April 4-7) – 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 show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Demonstrations are part of the show. www.gatlinburgcrafts.com
Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament (April 7 – 8) – The 13th Annual Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament in Gatlinburg 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. www.rockytopoutfitter.com or 865-661-3474
Easter Sunrise at Ober (April 8) – 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.
Smoky Mountain Gatlinburg Regional Bridge Tournament (April 16-22) – This large tournament of the Mid-Atlantic Bridge Conference takes place at the Gatlinburg Convention Center with thousands of players participating in Gold Point events and other programs.
Mountain Man Memorial March (April 20-21) – The Fifrth Annual Mountain Man Memorial March is a 26.2-mile march in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee which will be conducted Saturday, April 20 & 21 in Gatlinburg as a tribute to our men and women in uniform. (865) 974-5371
Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage (April 24-28) – Enjoy the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with over 150 different programs, including hiking tours, motorcades, demonstrations & classroom lectures. W.L. Mills Conference Center & various venues, www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org or 865-436-7318
Ribfest & Wings (April 26) – Enjoy the area’s best ribs and wings as well as live entertainment during Gatlinburg’s Ribfest & Wings on Thursday, April 26. One admission price allows sampling until the ribs and wings run out as the Parkway transforms into a Street Fair.
May
Gatlinburg Gateway Triathlon (May 5) – The fourth annual triathlon at the Community Center starts at 8:15 a.m. and is open to anyone 15 years and older capable of swimming one-half mile, biking twenty kilometers, and running five kilometers consecutively. Gatlinburg Community Center, 865/436-4990. Entry Fee
Cinco de Mayo Celebration (May 5) – Ripley’s Entertainment and the City are teaming up to produce the second major Hispanic event in the City of Gatlinburg on Saturday, May 5 with the Cinco de Mayo Celebration. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza
June
Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales (June 15 – August 11) – 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
37th Annual July 4th Midnight Parade (July 3-4) – For the 37th consecutive year, Gatlinburg kicks off America’s Independence Day celebration with the nation’s first parade, which leads off at 12 a.m. on Sunday.
“Stand Here” Fireworks Finale (July 4) – Finish off the 4th in style with a magnificent fireworks show visible from the downtown streets of Gatlinburg!
Gatlinburg’s River Raft Regatta (July 4) – Gatlinburg’s popular River Raft Regatta takes place at noon on Monday, July 4th, on the Little Pigeon River in Downtown Gatlinburg.
Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair (July 20-29) – 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. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gatlinburg Convention Center, www.craftsmenfair.com or 865/436-7479. Admission: $6
August
Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival (Aug. 23-25) – Celebrating the area’s Appalachian musical roots, Gatlinburg will host its first Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival August 23 through 25. http://www.smswf.com
Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival (Aug. 31 – Sept. 2) – 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 on Labor Day weekend, 2012. http://www.gfaf.net
September
Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival (Sept. 13 – Oct. 31) – Fall decorations, old fashioned hayrides, events, entertainment, and local craft exhibits can be seen throughout Gatlinburg.
Fall Color in the Smokies (Sept. 15 – Nov. 15) – There are still a variety of trees in the low country in the Smokies and Gatlinburg that are hanging on, bearing the more muted brown hues and subdued oranges and golds. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, www.gatlinburg.com
Annual Taste of Autumn (Sept. 27) – Featuring the fare of the area’s finest restaurants and businesses, the performance of jazz performers John Celestin and Peggy Smith, the Taste of Autumn returns to the Gatlinburg Convention Center on Thursday, September, all to benefit the United Way of Sevier County. Admission fee
Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament (Sept. 29-30) – The 11th 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
Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair (Oct. 11-28) – 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. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gatlinburg Convention Center, www.craftsmenfair.com or (865) 436-7479. Admission: $6
November
Winter Magic Kickoff & Chili Cookoff (Nov. 7) – Offering mouth-watering recipes of homemade chili ranging from mild and delightful to wild and adventurous, the City of Gatlinburg hosts its 22nd annual Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff on , Nov. from 5 to 8 p.m. on the popular Downtown Parkway. Admission fee
Veteran’s Day Celebration (Nov. 11) – Join Gatlinburg in saluting America’s veterans. Stirring musical tribute on Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza.
Festival of Trees (Nov. 20-24) – Festival of Trees and weekend performances of a holiday classic presented in Gatlinburg. W.L. Mills Conference Center, www.gatlinburgfestivaloftrees.com. Admission fee
Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Holiday Show (Nov. 21 – Dec. 2) – Unique handcrafted gifts made by members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community are offered as they host their annual holiday show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Visit www.gatlinburgcrafts.com or call (800) 568-4748.
December
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