Fall Features
Bear-Varian Fall Festival at Anakeesta
Experience the many colors of Autumn in the Great Smoky Mountains from Gatlinburg's award winning outdoor family theme park this fall. Enjoy Bavarian themed food and drinks, games, and live entertainment. Stroll through Vista Gardens to enjoy some stunning pumpkin carvings.
Anakeesta Event
Scenic Helicopter Tours
Since 1972 the iconic Scenic Helicopter Tours has guided visitors high above the skies to experience the best sights of the Smokies. Be sure to book a tour to see the best of fall colors.
Scenic Helicopter Tours
Fall Festivals
One of the best parts about this time of year is the plethora of autumn activities being celebrated in so many different ways. Young adults may enjoy Gatlinburg's Oktoberfest, while younger children will love picking pumpkins at Kyker Farms. Stop by a bluegrass festival or peruse handmade goods at a craft fair.
Fall FestivalsThings To Do In
September
The 22nd of the month marks the first day of fall. As the leaves start to turn golden against the crisp blue skies, plan on some fun autumn outdoor activities to kick off the season.
Fall Rod Run
Sep 14-16, 2023
The area's largest and most beloved automotive event kicks off mid-September at the LeConte Center. This year's event features some unique show cars and even a special tribute to Smokey and the Bandit.
Event Info
Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival
Sep 14-16, 2023
Bring your own lawn chair and set up daily from noon to 11 pm for some fantastic live music at this year's Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival.
Event Info
Oktoberfest @ Peaceful Side Social
Sep 16, 2023
Come out and enjoy the second ever Oktoberfest at Peaceful Side Social in Townsend. The even features seasonal brews, classic German cuisne, live music, and competitive games.
Event Info
Pigeon Forge Bluegrass Festival
Sep 22-23, 2023
The Pigeon Forge Bluegrass Festival is a first-class production featuring an all-star lineup of some of the nation's top Bluegrass talent.
Event Info
Dollywood Harvest Festival
Sep 20 - Oct 30, 2023
Celebrate the change of season at the fan-favorite Dollywood Harvest Festival including the Great Pumpkin LumiNights after dark.
Event Info
National Quartet Convention
Sep 24-30, 2023
Join 40,000+ people from all over the country at Gospel music's largest gathering of the year: the National Quartet Convention.
Event Info
Loretta Lynn Tribute Show
Sep 29, 2023
Grab tickets to this ultimate tribute show at Country Tonite, featuring Loretta's original backup band The Coalminers.
Event Info
Townsend Fall Heritage Festival
Sep 29-30, 2023
Stop by the Townsend Visitors Center for a celebration of mountain heritage, Appalachian skills, arts and crafts, tasty food and bluegrass music.
Event InfoSunnyland Farms
All new at The Mountain Mile Tower & Shops, Sunnyland Farms is your one-stop-shop for delicious gourmet gifts, fine chocolates, and a vast selection Georgia pecans. Stock up on their fall selection of treats and bring home some pecans for your holiday recipes this season.
Sunnyland Farms
Fall At Kyker Farms
Sep 30 - Oct 31, 2023
The classic autumn activities at Kyker Farms are so much fun for the little ones. Enjoy the corn maze and hay ride before finding the perfect pumpkin. Explore the petting zoo, swing on a rope swing, and get plenty of adorable family photos.
Kyker Farms
Autumn Hikes in the Smokies
There is no better time to venture out into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park than the peak of fall colors in mid-October. Check out our top recommendations for fall hikes to enjoy.
Fall Hikes
Be Bear Aware
Did you know that the American black bear doubles its body weight before hibernation? During the fall season, bears are more active as they forage for food. Remember to enjoy from a distance and never feed the bears.
Things To Do In
October
If you're looking for a place to see some of the most beautiful fall colors in the country, look no further than the Smoky Mountains. Look for peak colors in mid-October. There are countless ways to enjoy them.
Fall Festival at Ober Mountain
Sep 19 - Oct 28, 2023
Celebrate the change of season at the month-long fall festival at Ober Mountain, featuring music, movies, food, and outstanding autumn scenery.
Event Info
History & Haunts in Downtown Sevierville
Oct 19, 2023
Enjoy a family-friendly night of frights and fun in downtown Sevierville with walking tours, fireworks, and even a Halloween themed dance party.
Event Info
Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair
Oct 5-22, 2023
A premier holiday shopping destination, the Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair features local artisans, live music, and unique goods.
Event Info
Pigeon Forge Halloween Events
Oct 1-31, 2023
If you're looking for a place to go trick or treating, pumpkin carving, or spooked senseless, check out our list of Halloween events.
Event InfoChalkfest at The Island
Oct 8, 2023
Peruse the amazing chalk art at The Island in the crisp autumn air at Sevier County's one and only chalk festival. Chalkfest brings together professional and amateur artists alike to make concrete their canvas. This year's theme is entertainment.
Chalkfest
Smoky Mountain Llama Treks
Stunning autumn scenery and loveable llamas make up this unique hiking experience with Smoky Mountain Llama Treks, and one of the best ways to see fall colors. You won't regret booking one of their three excursions this fall.
Llama Treks
Gatlinburg SkyPark
Make your way across the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America. The SkyBridge at Gatlinburg SkyPark puts you 1,800 ft above sea level and right in front of Mt. LeConte - a sight to behold in its autumn foliage.
SkyPark
Big Rock Dude Ranch
A great way to experience fall colors, horseback riding at Big Rock Dude Ranch is a thrilling activity for all ages. There's plenty of things to do: gem mining, a petting zoo, a fishing pond and more.
Big Rock Dude Ranch
Rocky Top Wine Trail
With five different wineries and countless flavor selections, the Rocky Top Wine Trail is an essential to-do for those over the age of 21. Your passport allows you to stop by each of the wineries for free tastings, unique activites and snacks.
Wine Trail
TopJump Extreme Arena
Need to get warmed up? TopJump is the best trampoline park in the area, and they've got everything from dodgeball, an indoor ninja park, kids play area, to virtual reality. The kids will have a blast on your next visit.
TopJump
Scenic Drives
Ready to see the best of the Great Smoky Mountains? Check out our list of the top scenic drives in and around the national park. These treks are one of the best ways to see fall colors in the area.
Scenic DrivesFall Features
Pigeon Forge Landing RV Resort
Does it get much better than camping with Mount LeConte in the background? Pigeon Forge Landing RV Resort has the newest accommodations and amenities set along a natural lazy river in the best location in the mountains. Choose a tent site or bring your RV.
Pigeon Forge Landing
Coasts & Goblins
Stop by Rocky Top Mountain Coaster on weekends in October for a special, spooky experience. The ride is made even more thrilling with incredible lights, goblins, ghouls and ghosts. Bring your friends and prepare for a scare!
Rocky Top Mountain Coaster
Pink Jeep Tours
See the very best of the Smokies in all of the mountains' fall splendor with Pink Jeep Tours, voted Best Tours for 2022. They offer several different tour options to help you escape the hustle and bustle for premium autumn leaf-peeping and photo ops.
Pink Jeep Tours
Thanksgiving In The Smokies
Planning on spending this tasty holiday in the Smokies? Check out our guide on things to do during Thanksgiving in Pigeon Forge as well as our list of restaurants with delicious specials for the occasion. We keep it updated as info becomes available.
ThanksgivingSeasonal Spirits
Seasonal Spirits
Click on a bottle to learn more.
Apple Raspberry Reserve
Apple Barn Winery
This classic from the Apple Barn is blended with raspberry juice for a medium sweet delicious flavor.
Old Apple
Tennessee Homemade Wines
A 100 year old recipe made from a combination of locally grown apples. This white blend is light, clean, and deliciously crisp.
Salted Caramel Moonshine
Smith Creek Distillery
The perfect combination of salty and sweet, with a nice smack in the face to finish.
Apple Whiskey
King's Family Distillery
This family recipe comes from two year old whiskey and natural apple flavors combined with cane sugar, hints of vanilla, cinnamon, and smoky caramel for a flavor described as excellence in a bottle.
Red Apple Hard Cider
Tennessee Cider Company
This traditional flavor made from a blend of tart and crisp red apples makes for a perfect refreshment in the autumn months.
Caramel Apple Whiskey
Junction 35 Spirits
Stop by Junction 35 at The Mountain Mile to try out their multitude of tasty fall flavors.
If you're interested in things to do in Pigeon Forge in October, we've got some spooky activities in the Smoky Mountains for you to try. But beware: these spooktacular adventures are not for the faint of heart. These attractions are open year round, but this is our favorite time to enjoy them.
The Haunting Of Hyde House
The elegant and mysterious Hyde House has sat vacant and deteriorating for many years. Local legend claims the mansion is cursed with tormented spirits haunting the hallways. When your group is abandoned by its tour guide, you will meet one of these ghostly residents: Little Isabella. You must solve her puzzles to finally free her from this earthly purgatory.
Enter If You Dare
Masters Of Magic
Have you ever been curious about the other side of magic? Enter the Realm of Illusions, where a legendary magician has invited you to participate in a magical challenge. You must solve an array of tricks and puzzles to progress through Reflecto's historic theater to find your way into this mystical realm.
Mystify
The Haunting
Your job in this spooky escape room is to decide whether or not the notorious Worthington Mansion is truly haunted by the rumored spirits and terrible secrets of its past. Your investigation will decide the truth; but don't forget - you can't escape until it does.
Escape
Mystery Mansion
The ruins of another old mansion sit abandoned by a reclusive and eccentric family. You've heard the rumors; there is a ghostly presence that looms over the old estate. You and your team must race against the clock to uncover the mansion's secrets before it's too late.
Break Out
Outbreak: Dread The Undead
Explore the remains of a destroyed laboratory where the DNA-altering experiments of biotechnology experts at the once notorious Chemacorp have gone terribly wrong. With the building on lockdown, you must fight your way through an army of the undead and avoid infection to find the exit.
Explore