Your Guide to the Best Gatlinburg Fourth of July Events

It’s officially the season of hot apple cider, warm blankets, and pumpkin patches. It’s also the season for fall festivals, and the Smoky Mountain area is full of them!

Here are three festivals you can enjoy while on your Smoky Mountain vacation.

1. Dollywood Harvest Festival

If you love Dollywood and the fall season then you won’t want to miss this event! From early September to late October this annual celebration marks the best weather and some beautiful fall foliage in the Smokies. Stay late into the evening to see beautifully carved pumpkins, lit up and on display. During the day you’ll enjoy fall themed food, and colorful leaves all throughout the park.

2. Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair

In early to mid October the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair heads into full swing. Artisans from across the country gather to peddle their wares while musicians serenade the crowds. You’ll see everything from woodworking and pottery to handcrafted jewelry and leatherworkings. If you have an appreciation for handmade goods then this event is for you.

3. Wears Valley Fall Festival

The Wears Valley Fall Festival takes place in mid October and is a favorite event for locals. Come experience the hundreds of vendors, melodic live music, and incredible Southern cuisine. If you’re interested in a true rustic, Appalachian festival with plenty to do and see for the whole family, then this one is for you.

No matter the festival you choose you’ll need a place to stay. Choose from one of our many options at Bear Camp Cabin Rentals today!

The Great Smoky Mountains are the perfect place to spend Independence Day! To help you make the most of your precious vacation time, we’ve put together a list of the best Gatlinburg 4th of July events for 2014.

Gatlinburg 4th of July Midnight Parade

Gatlinburg is home to the First Independence Day Parade in the Nation! Starting at midnight on July 4th, this totally unique parade typically brings over 100,000 spectators to the Smokies. You can expect to see members of every branch of the U.S. military, awesome floats, and plenty of patriotic spirit.

This year’s parade route will begin at traffic light #1A on East Parkway and turn south onto Parkway at traffic light #3. The parade will end at traffic light #10 at Ski Mountain Road. We recommend coming early because some people start setting up lawn chairs at 7 a.m. on July 3rd!

Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta

The July 4th River Raft Regatta is one of the best Gatlinburg traditions. Folks from all over flock to the Little Pigeon River for an unmanned raft competition. Judges will award prizes to the best store bought and hand made rafts. If you plan on building your own raft, don’t be afraid to get a little crazy! Anything and everything that floats is fair game.

Registration for the Regatta starts at 10:00 a.m. at the Christ in the Smokies bridge on River Road. The race begins at 12:00 p.m. and the festivities will end at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

Gatlinburg 4th of July Fireworks

Gatlinburg always ends Independence Day with a bang! At 10 p.m., the night sky over downtown Gatlinburg will erupt with beautiful colors and formations. The Gatlinburg fireworks never disappoint, and they have even been named a top 20 event by the Southeast Tourism Society. The fireworks will be centered around traffic light #3, but there are really no bad viewing spots in the downtown area.

Bear Camp Cabin Rentals is right around the corner from all of the amazing Gatlinburg 4th of July events. We offer one of the widest selections of vacation rentals in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, so we can accommodate virtually any group size and budget. Visit our Gatlinburg Cabinspage to find the perfect place to stay for your trip to the Smokies or give us a call at 1-865-366-5730.