Fall is one of the best times to visit the Smoky Mountains area! When you visit Gatlinburg in the fall, you can see stunning changing leaves dotting the mountain landscape and experience all sorts of fun things to do, from Smoky Mountain scenic drives to exciting seasonal events! Here are some of the Gatlinburg fall festivals you won’t want to miss this year:
1. Anakeesta’s Bear-Varian Fall Festival
One of the most popular Gatlinburg fall festivals is Anakeesta’s Bear-Varian Fall Festival. At this event, you can experience fantastic views of Smoky Mountain fall foliage as well as autumn-themed decor with plenty of photo ops. During the festival, Anakeesta also offers seasonal entertainment for the entire family, including live music performed by zombies, vampires, and more! Additionally, you can sample beers from local and regional breweries and try a variety of Baviaran-inspired foods such as soft pretzels, schnitzel, and bratwurst. If you want to experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of fall in the Smoky Mountains, you won’t want to miss Anakeesta’s Bear-Varian Fall Festival!
2. Gatlinburg Harvest Festival
You can experience the Gatlinburg Harvest Festival all throughout downtown! As the most widespread of the Gatlinburg fall festivals, this event takes over the entire city of Gatlinburg with fall decorations lining the Parkway and adorning the storefronts. You can take photos with over-the-top fall displays, including various scenes with life-size scarecrow people! A highlight of the Gatlinburg Harvest Festival is the competition among businesses in the community for the title of Best Harvest Decorations. Visitors can cast their vote in the People’s Choice Award, so make sure you take note of your favorite fall decorations so you can vote for a winner!
3. Oktoberfest at Ober Mountain
Oktoberfest at Ober Mountain is another one of the can’t-miss Gatlinburg fall festivals. You can experience the world’s most famous beer festival right here in the Smokies! Ober Mountain fully embraces this event with plenty of festive Bavarian-style decor, traditional music, and unique photo ops. You can try a variety of German beers and authentic foods, such as sausages, giant pretzels, apple strudel, and more! Additionally, you can watch the Munich Oktoberfest Live Cam and test your strength with stein-holding competitions! This festival also features activities for families, such as balloons and crafts for kids.
4. Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair
The Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair has been voted one of the Southeast’s Most Popular Events, making this one of the can’t-miss Gatlinburg fall festivals! This huge fall event takes place in the 150,000 square-foot Gatlinburg Convention Center in the heart of downtown. At this seasonal event, you can explore 200 booths of unique, handmade products crafted by talented artisans from all across the country! You can find one-of-a-kind gifts for yourself and your loved ones for the upcoming holiday season. During the event, you can also enjoy live performances of bluegrass, gospel, and country music!
More Things to Do in Gatlinburg in the Fall
You’ll definitely want to experience these Gatlinburg fall festivals this year! Need more help planning your fall vacation itinerary? Make sure you check out these ideas for more things to do in Gatlinburg in the fall to help you plan the perfect trip!
