Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration isn’t the only exciting festival or event going on this summer! There are a variety of different things going on, between events you may have heard of before to ones that often go under the radar. We’ve made this list of 7 other Smoky Mountain events you can attend before summer is over. Take a look to get ideas and be sure to add them to your vacation itinerary!
1. Gatlinburg Songwriter’s Festival
If you’re passionate about supporting local artists and country music, then you’ll definitely want to experience the 2-day Gatlinburg Songwriter’s Festival at the Historic Gatlinburg Inn. Learn about the songwriting process through intimate panel sessions, listen to the featured artists perform, and interact with fellow music fans!
2. Great Smoky Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival
The Great Smoky Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival is a beloved Smoky Mountain event located at the Townsend Visitor Center. In addition to the hot air balloons, you’ll find all kinds of fun family activities, arts and crafts for the kids, local vendors, food trucks, and a beer tent! Dogs are also welcome, and proceeds benefit the Townsend Volunteer Fire Department and the Townsend Elementary School.
3. Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion
One of the most popular Smoky Mountain events of the summer is the Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion. Hosted at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, this annual gathering of Jeep enthusiasts takes over the town! You’ll find all kinds of Jeep merch, and several local attractions are offering special deals and discounted tickets, including Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Supper Show, Rocky Top Mountain Coaster, and more!
4. Great Smoky Mountain Bronco Stampede
Another Pigeon Forge car show to attend this summer is the Great Smoky Mountain Bronco Stampede. Whether you’re a proud owner of a Bronco or simply dream of having one someday, all Bronco enthusiasts are welcome for a weekend of fun stampeding the strip! They’re also doing a group driving tour through Cades Cove– you won’t want to miss it!
5. Sunset in the Smokies at Anakeesta
The best way to spend a summer evening is at Anakeesta’s Sunset in the Smokies. The adventure park stays open until 10 PM, so you can experience the best sunset views in all of Gatlinburg! You’ll have access to the Treetop SkyWalk, Treeventure, VistaGardens, and more all lit up with lights; it will be a completely new experience for your family! Plus, you can add on their Astra Lumina night walk for a breathtaking and awe-inspiring way to end your night.
6. Appalachian Craft Fest
Appalachian Craft Fest is held for 4 days each August at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, highlighting handmade art and Appalachian traditions. It's one of the summer Smoky Mountain events you don't want to miss to get a close up look at the traditions the Smokies are built on! Artisans from all over the region show off their crafts, so you'll see everything from pottery and woodwork to jewelry, textiles, and one-of-a-kind art. You can wander the booths, chat with the makers, and really get a sense of Appalachian craftsmanship firsthand.
7. An Evening with The Oak Ridge Boys at Country Tonite
There’s no better way to end the summer season here in the Smoky Mountains than with a celebrity concert at Country Tonite! The Oak Ridge Boys will be performing their Farewell Tour in September at the Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge, so don’t miss your last chance to see this iconic country music group perform their greatest hits in person!
These Smoky Mountain events are always a fun time if you're looking for things to do. Want more ideas of what to do before summer is over? Explore the natural beauty of the national park and check out this list of the best places to visit in the Smoky Mountains in the summer!
