5 Summer Festivals in Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains You Won’t Want to Miss

Summer is the perfect time to take a family vacation to the Smoky Mountains! The area is bursting with lively music, tasty food, fun activities, and beautiful scenery this time of year. To help you celebrate the season and plan the ultimate getaway, we’ve put together this list of festivals in Pigeon Forge and the surrounding area that you won’t want to miss this summer!

1. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration

One of the most popular summer festivals in Pigeon Forge is Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration. This summertime event takes place from mid-June to mid-August, giving you plenty of time to make your way to the theme park to participate in the festivities! You can experience the sights and sounds of summer all around. Vibrant decor, themed photo ops, and water features can be found throughout the park, and upbeat tunes allow you to dance and groove all day long! Stay after dark to be dazzled by a drone show and fireworks against the starry night sky.

2. Pigeon Forge Patriot Festival

If you find yourself in the Smokies on Independence Day, you won’t want to miss the annual Pigeon Forge Patriot Festival! This is one of only a few summer festivals in Pigeon Forge that’s free to attend and open to the public. On July 4, head to Patriot Park for an afternoon filled with food, games, and live music that the whole family can enjoy! Bring a blanket or lawn chair so you can all comfortably watch the fireworks grand finale at the end of the evening. 

3. Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales

Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales is returning again this summer to Gatlinburg! Throughout the month of July, you can see nightly street performances from talented artists along the streets of Gatlinburg. You’ll be entertained by musical performers, dancers, and storytellers who portray characters from various time periods. Daily performances will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Depending on when you visit, you might get to see one or more performers strolling the street!

4. Anakeesta’s United Tastes of America

Anakeesta is bringing a food and drink festival to Gatlinburg this summer called United Tastes of America! This event showcases the spirit of America in the heart of the Smokies from the end of May to mid-August. From the top of Anakeesta, you can “travel” across the country to visit 12 states and taste their distinct culinary flavors. These options range from savory entrees to sweet desserts to tangy drinks. During your visit, you’ll see red, white, and blue decorations and famous American landmarks as well as hear live music and regional entertainment offerings across the mountaintop.

5. Star Spangled Summer at SkyLand Ranch

One of the newest summer festivals near Pigeon Forge is Star Spangled Summer at SkyLand Ranch. This is the ultimate backyard celebration, and it’s taking place all summer long! Make your way to the top of SkyLand Ranch to see the attraction decked out in red, white, and blue and to enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of summer! The whole family can participate in the festivities, including Summer Nights Line Dancing, The Great American Cookout, SkyLand’s Wild West Music Fest, and more.

Where to Stay This Summer

Now that you know more about the can’t-miss summer festivals in Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains, it’s time to decide where to stay! At the end of your long day of fun, you’ll want to retreat back to comfortable, quiet accommodations. The Inn on the River is Pigeon Forge’s #1 hotel and offers plenty of ways to relax during your summer vacation. From private balconies to in-room spa tubs to outdoor and indoor pools, our hotel has everything you need for a peaceful yet fun stay. Take a look at our Pigeon Forge hotel rooms and Special Offers to start planning the perfect getaway today!