Situated in Sevier County and known nationwide as a desirable vacation destination, Gatlinburg, Tennessee has a little bit to offer everyone throughout the year. Of course, the fall foliage that can be viewed in this beautiful mountainous backdrop throughout the autumn season is for sure worth a trip to the area. In fact, the area is so breathtaking this time of year that Gatlinburg was even named the Best Place to Visit for Fall in 2024 by USA Today. Read on to learn more about what makes Gatlinburg a must-visit destination for the fall:
Fall Events in Gatlinburg You Don’t Want to Miss
Fall Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair: October 2nd – October 19th, 2025
This interesting fair welcomes artisans and craftsmen from all over the United States. The indoor Fall Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair includes numerous booths featuring a myriad of handmade products that are one-of-a-kind. Another interesting offering at this particular craftsmen’s fair is the fact that many craftsmen will demonstrate their time-honed talents right in front of the guests, allowing the works of art to come to life.
The exclusivity of the craftsmen, who are allowed to display their wares and their talents, is immense, with each participant being subject to a rigorous jury process to guarantee the quality and uniqueness of each and every product featured. Painted artwork, pottery pieces, jewelry, copper art, local candy makers, photography, and molded leather are all examples of some of the work found at the Fall Craftsmen’s Fair.
In addition to the crafts and handmade products, daily music shows and a Kids Korner, which is operated by volunteers from Smoky Mountain Resort Ministry, ensures that there is something for everyone to enjoy. The craft fair being indoors makes it an ideal way to dodge rain showers as well, all with an affordable admission price.
Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival & The Gatlinburg Harvest Festival: September 1st – November 1st, 2025
Beginning in mid-September and running through late November, the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival is a great way to experience Gatlinburg in the Fall. Adding to this experience, the Gatlinburg Harvest Festival is an extension of this established fair and includes a fun scarecrow scavenger hunt. These life-size, three-dimensional scarecrow people are situated throughout downtown Gatlinburg. The 30 unique scarecrows can be found by downloading the visit Gatlinburg app.
The Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival is more than a singular event, and instead, is an entire season of fun. This includes the already-mentioned scarecrow scavenger hunt and more fun, fall-themed decor spread throughout the area. It also includes seasonally-inspired meals and lots of fun and spooky events like area corn mazes, moos and boos at a local ranch and even a haunted ghost town.
Bear-Varian Fall Festival: September 13th – October 31st, 2025
Next up on the list of the best fall events in Gatlinburg is the Bear-Varian Fall Festival. This is hosted at Anakeesta high above the town of Gatlinburg, where viewing the area foliage is simply breathtaking. This unique festival is Bavarian-inspired and includes seasonal family entertainment, autumn decor, and beer sampling from local and regional craft breweries. Admission includes a souvenir lanyard and a choice of six 8 oz. beers.
This one-of-a-kind beer sampling experience is made possible by Anakeesta partnering with many local breweries. There are also some fabulous foods to enjoy, Bavarian-style, of course, including German Chocolate Funnel Fries and Giant Pretzels. Entertainment includes many fun groups, such as the SkeleTones, and Scarecrow Bros, along with the Anakeesta Witches, who happily brew up some mayhem with enchanting song and dance.
Chalkfest at The Island (Nearby Pigeon Forge): October 5th, 2025
This annual event transforms the concrete of the nearby Island in Pigeon Forge into a vibrant canvas. Chalkfest at the Island is a free community event that allows talented artists to create unique, stunning, and fun masterpieces right before guests’ eyes. Mind-bending 3D illusions, intricate details, and vibrant colors make chalkfest a fun yearly event in the fall season.
Artists of all skill levels and ages are welcome to come display their chalk creations after registering for the event. This community event is a true celebration of art, expression and vitality. The art creations also make great backdrops for pictures and are a unique way to unleash imagination in the community in general.
The Island at Pigeon Forge is near Gatlinburg and includes over 80 shops, attractions, restaurants and more. The island also includes a unique 200-foot Observation Wheel and the Show Fountains. The wheel can be seen from various locations throughout Pigeon Forge and is lit up bright against the night’s sky each night.
Gatlingburg’s Chili Cook Off & Winter Magic Kickoff: November 6th, 2025
Presented by Bush’s Chili Beans, Gatlinburg’s Chili Cook Off & Winter Magic Kickoff returns to Gatlinburg on November 6th for the 36th year in a row. This food-centric festival is made possible by local organizations and businesses, and the attractions range from traditional to those with a bit of an eclectic flair.
Guests can sample the homemade chili recipes with a backdrop of live music from the TopHouse Band. There will even be a celebrity meet-and-greet appearance from none other than Duke, Bush’s Spokesdog. Duke’s meet-and-greet will be a first-come, first-serve throughout the night. This event marks the official countdown to the Gatlinburg Winter Magic Celebration, whereby the night’s end, Gatlinburg will be lit up with over one million LED lights throughout the downtown proper.
This one-day event begins with the chili cook-off celebration and with the lighting of the downtown lights, kicking off the winter season. The chili samples range from mild to hot and exotic, with guests being encouraged to vote for their favorite, eventually crowning one chef as the formal fan favorite. The popularity of this event means that festival-goers are encouraged to purchase their tickets early to ensure they get to attend.
Gatlinburg’s Fall Events Are Great Fun
Gatlinburg is a great area to visit, especially as it relates to fall events and family fun. The Smoky Mountains, in general, are beautiful throughout this time of year, but the fun events that take place throughout the fall make visiting the area that much better during that time of year. If you are planning on visiting Gatlinburg or surrounding areas this upcoming fall, consider any or all of the events outlined above.
