New Year’s Eve Ball Drop
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!
Celebrate the New Year in Gatlinburg!
Welcome to the New Year in Gatlinburg, Tennessee! Around this season, the snow is falling and the leaves are gone, but the holiday spirit is alive in the Smokies and is exciting everyone around. Join in the celebrations and bring your loved ones with you to enjoy the festivities. At the stroke of midnight on January 1st the ball in Gatlinburg drops for the thousands of visitors who come from all over. Since 1987 The Gatlinburg Winterfest’s Ball Drop has become one of the largest organized New Year's Eve events in the nation. With fireworks and live music to entertain everyone, this event is one you will never forget and will be a memory for you and your loved ones to forever enjoy together.
A Few Tips
You will want to arrive several hours early as parking fills up quickly. But don’t worry, there is plenty to do in the meantime! Beginning at 11 p.m. the roads surrounding the ball drop will close, giving visitors enough space to enjoy the festivities. At 10 p.m. bands perform live to bring in the New Year along with plenty of other fun activities.
Enjoy Every Moment
The ball drop is not the only Winterfest festivity you should look forward to though. When you are coming up to celebrate the New Year, don’t forget to take a drive or a walk to see the beautiful Christmas lights that decorate Gatlinburg each year. Another fun activity is the Snowpeople Scavenger Hunt which you can participate in by downloading the Visit Gatlinburg app. With so much to participate in you will never be bored. Prepare to launch the New Year with your loved ones and with a joyful celebration in Gatlinburg!
