Smoky Mountains: 3 Ways to Spend New Year's Eve in the Smoky Mountains

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!

There is no better place to ring in 2015 than East Tennessee! With so much going on in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, it can be hard to decide what to do on the big night. To help you make the most of your time in the area, we have put together three great options for spending New Year’s Eve in the Smoky Mountains:

(See Also: Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort Opens for the Season)

1. The Gatlinburg Ball Drop and Fireworks Show

1483044-gatlinburg_city_skyline_at_dusk_gatlinburg Celebrate New Year’s by attending the 27th Annual Ball Drop and Fireworks Show in Gatlinburg! This exciting event will take place around the 400 foot Gatlinburg Space Needle, located at the intersection of Historic Nature Trail and the Parkway, where the ball drop will count down the final moments of 2014. At midnight, the sky will erupt with a beautiful fireworks display launched from the top of the Space Needle. The fireworks are choreographed with special music, and the Space Needle’s rhythmic LED lights add to the stunning celebration.

There are plenty of restaurants and attractions situated within walking distance of the Space Needle, making it the perfect area to spend New Year’s Eve. Many of the local restaurants and businesses are featuring celebration specials, so it’s easy to spend the whole night in downtown Gatlinburg. For more information about the city’s New Year’s festivities, contact the Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-588-1817.

2. The Island’s New Year’s Eve Party in Pigeon Forge

The Island in Pigeon Forge will host their 2nd Annual New Year’s Eve Party, which is scheduled to feature live entertainment from Joe the Show, Fairview Union, and The Live Rock N Roll Theater. In addition, there will be a variety of children’s activities, a countdown to midnight, and a fireworks display!

The music starts at 6 p.m., while the New Year’s Eve party runs from 8 p.m. to midnight. Admission to the party is completely free. The Island in Pigeon Forge is located at 131 Island Drive, just off the Pigeon Forge Parkway. Come out early on New Year’s Eve to visit the many stores, restaurants, and attractions that the entire family will enjoy. The Island in Pigeon Forge features over 60 retail shops, a tempting selection of popular restaurants and eateries, and attractions such as the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, a towering 200 foot tall Ferris wheel!

3. A Celebration in Your Smoky Mountain Cabin

Whether celebrating New Year’s Eve in the Smoky Mountains as a couple or with the entire family, you can’t go wrong spending the big night in a cabin. The vacation rentals at Bear Camp have everything you need to welcome in 2015!

Book a one bedroom cabin in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge with that special someone and enjoy a romantic New Year’s Eve with a candlelight dinner and a soak in one of our heart shaped Jacuzzi tubs. Families and groups can party the night away in style at one of Bear Camp’s 2 to 5 bedroom cabins, many of which feature hot tubs, fireplaces, game rooms and big screen televisions. Bear Camp Cabin Rentals even has pet friendly cabins so you can bring your four legged friend to the celebration. Regardless of your choice, our cabins each feature fully equipped kitchens so that you can cook up plenty of snacks as you prepare welcome 2015.

We look forward to celebrating New Year’s Eve with you in the Great Smoky Mountains! To make your plans with us, visit the Bear Camp Cabins Contact page or give our vacation specialists a call today.