Eight Smoky Mountain Fall Events

Eight Smoky Mountain Fall Events. Fall is a special, beautiful time in the Great Smoky Mountains! The leaves are changing and the air is crisp. It is the perfect time to check out some fantastic Smoky Mountain Special Events!

Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair

Gatlinburg is one of the Smoky Mountains’ center of arts and crafts. This is a natural place to host the Craftsmen’s Fair.  The two-week-plus fall schedule boasts nearly 200 independent artisans from all over the country creating, displaying and selling their exquisite works.  You’ll find original paintings, photography, ceramics and much more, as well as live bluegrass and country music concerts every day.

Annual Chili Cookoff & Car Show

The Chili cook off in Bryson City definitely won’t leave you hungry.  You’ll get to try fantastic competition chili recipes that range from mild to extra-spicy, with beans and without, meaty to meatless. Live music, artisan booths and other foods will also be on the schedule. Be sure and don’t miss the display of cool vintage automobiles.

Smoky Mountain Harvest Fest

Sevierville hosts their annual harvest fest which runs through the month of October.  This celebration is packed with fall decorations, events and arts and crafts displays.  Check out the HeySmokies daily calendar for an updated schedule, and explore the town made famous by country superstar Dolly Parton.

Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg has a lock on Octoberfest in the Smokies.  This festival takes place at Ober Gatlinburg, the local ski and summer activity resort.  Each September and October Ober becomes a Bavarian party place.  Enjoy old country foods like schnitzel, bratwursts, strudel and more, live polka music and dancing, games and naturally giant steins of beer from different breweries around the Smokies.

LEAF Festival

Asheville is a must stop for any visit to the Smokies.  If you’re a music lover who’s looking for something different, head to the LEAF festival just outside of town near Black Mountain. The three-day festival offers music, dance, art and cultural displays from Africa, Latin America, Americana and Appalachia and has become one of the premier fall happenings in western North Carolina.

Grains & Grits Festival

If you love southern cooking paired with a cool beverage to wash it down this Smoky Moutain event is for you!  Then you won’t want to miss this gathering in Townsend. Taste some of the best gourmet creations and craft spirit makers in the Smokies during this one-day event.  The schedule features educational seminars on distilling, live entertainment and tastings from both local restaurants and dozens of small distilleries who produce gin, whiskey, vodka and of course moonshine.

Fall Harvest at the Island

Pigeon Forge’s premier destination, The Island, provides plenty of fun year round, but for a few weeks in autumn, it dresses up in a harvest theme.  You’ll enjoy taking pictures, sampling seasonal foods and listening to live music.  Near the end of October, the annual Halloween event is held and provides some ghoulish fun for everyone!