Harvest October Things to Do in the Smokies

Fall Fun and Spooky Things to Do

As if the leaves changing in the Smoky Mountains aren’t enough to have you heading to East Tennessee in October, then maybe adding a couple of car shows, family festivals and Halloween fun with do the trick! Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are all hosting special events that are great for couples and families, often free and definitely fun.

Whether your trip to the Smokies is for a business conference or convention or purely recreational, Heartland Rentals has an autumn vacation cabin perfectly suited for you. They’ll even throw in free attraction passes with each paid night of your stay. No tricks… all treats!

October Fall Festivals, Special Events, Conferences & Conventions

1
59th Annual National Quartet Convention: Gospel music fans will congregate the Pigeon Forge LeConte Event Center to enjoy day and evening performances during NATQC Christian music’s largest annual event.

Robert Tino Smoky Mountain Homecoming 2016

Celebrate Traditional Smoky Mountains

1-2
Smoky Mountain Homecoming: The Robert Tino Gallery in Sevierville hosts their annual fall Smoky Mountain Homecoming from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This free event brings hay rides, pumpkin painting, old fashioned kids games, traditional cooking skills, a tractor show and so much more that exemplify fall in the Smokies.

1-2
Circle Yur Wagons: Volkswagen car show at Sevier County Fairgrounds. Spectator fees are $7 for a 1-day pass and $12 for the weekend.

1-29
Dollywood Southern Gospel & Fall Harvest Festival: Partake of the harvest at Dollywood with four weeks of free gospel concerts, delicious tastes of autumn, and authentic mountain crafts.

Pigeon Forge Rotary Club Craft Show at Patriot Park

Rotary Club Craft Festival

1-29
Annual Pigeon Forge Rotary Club Craft Fair: Talented artists from from all over the USA gather under the ‘big tent’ to offer unique handcrafted gifts and products. Located at Patriot Park in Pigeon Forge. Admission by donation.

1-30
Oktoberfest at Ober: This annual Ober Gatlinburg Oktoberfest Celebration features Bavarian-style foods, bier garten, music and live daily shows through October 30. Multiple shows each Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (865) 436-5423

1-31
Fall Harvest at the Pigeon Forge Island: The entire island welcomes autumn as it transforms with abundant harvest decor. Bring your camera as the harvest setting will make for great family souvenir photos. Enjoy your time listening to music, riding the Wheel, doing and little shopping and looking forward to the changing of the leaves.

1-31
Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival: A celebration of harvest season features festivals, special events and autumn-themed displays throughout Sevier County TN.

1-2, 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, 28-31
Ripley’s Fright Nights: The 18th Annual Fright Nights at Ripley’s Haunted Adventure brings the “Movie Monster Madness” show each weekend in October, with no extra charge every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening plus Halloween night. Show begins at 6 p.m. with a character parade and continues through closing. (865) 430-9991.

“Movie Monster Madness”

1, 8
Gatlinburg Farmers Market: Local farmer’s market offering locally grown produce, homemade products, organic foods and more in the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community at the Covered Bridge on Glades Road, from 8:30 a.m. – Noon. A lot of organic produce, homemade treats and gifts all in a friendly, sociable atmosphere with occasional music provided by local performers. Visit online at www.gatlinburgfarmersmarket.com for vendor and product information.

5-9
Anesthesia Spectrum: Northwest Anesthesia Seminars offers continuing education for Anesthesia Professionals during this conference taking place in Gatlinburg at the ParkVista Double Tree by Hilton. Concurrent workshops for other medical personnel also offered.

6-9, 11-15, 20-23, 25-31
Shocktober “Wicked Things”: Eerie things, strange happenings, coincidences, and otherwise unexplainable phenomena! Erik Dobell and Chris Collins of the spectacular Impossibilities Show will take you on a magical and spooky ghost hunt to unlock the mystery of what happened at Weiss Manor in 1889. Includes is a tribute to Harry Houdini and Hitchcock’s black and white horror films of the 50’s.

6-23
Gatlinburg Fall Craftsmen’s Fair: Artisans and craftsmen from across the country demonstrate their skills and sell their creations at this fall craft show held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Browse and shop while enjoying live entertainment. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Vette Fest

7-9
Vette Fest: The East Tennessee Corvette Club hosts the 2016 Vette Fest in Pigeon Forge at Country Cascades Hotel. The 38th annual event brings Vette owners from across the country for a fun-filled weekend with a car show, cruise and Friday & Saturday night dances.

7-10
Columbus Day Sidewalk Sale: 1492 Columbus Sailed the Ocean Blue and brought us excellent savings on the sidewalks of Tanger Outlet Mall in Sevierville. Check out Coupons for sales and additional discounts.

8
Lucky 13th Anniversary Cruise In: Enjoy cool cars, meal discounts and music with Best of Show trophies, cash drawings and other prizes from Noon-6 p.m.

10-13
Celebrators: The Smoky Mountain Convention Center in Pigeon Forge hosts Christian leaders, speakers and performers for worship and celebration for this annual Christian convention.

10-14
Tennessee Academy of Physician Assistants FallFest Conference: 40th Annual continuing medical education conference takes place at the Gatlinburg Convention Center for PA’s and PA students.

15-16
Smoky Mountain Rubber Stamp and Scrapbook Getaway 2016: Head to the Sevierville Convention Center for 2 days of stamping and scrapping fun! Shop, test and learn with professional rubber stamp and scrapbook design companies from around the country. Check out the 2015 event for details about what’s in store for you!

16
Kiss The Bride Expo: East Tennessee’s newest bridal expo will be held at the Leconte Auditorium at the Sevierville Civic Center. Show is from 3-8 p.m. Tickets are $7 in advance, $10 at the door. 50% of ticket sales will benefit East TN Children’s Hospital.

17-20
Celebrators: LeConte Center welcomes Christian leaders, speakers and performers to Pigeon Forge to learn and celebrate during the 2016 Celebrators Family Reunion. Read about the 2015 gathering.

22
Brenda Lee & Jimmy Fortune in Concert: First Class Concerts presents Brenda Lee & Jimmy Fortune at Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge for 3 & 8 p.m. shows. Visit FirstClassConcerts.com for a full schedule of 2016 celebrity concerts in Pigeon Forge.

24-28
Smoky Mountain Criminal Justice Conference: The 21st annual educational conference is designed for law enforcement, corrections officers, judges, probation officers, police officers, attorneys, and others associated with the criminal justice system. Conference is held at the Edgewater Hotel in Gatlinburg.

27
Halloween Trick or Treat: Traditional games, fun and candy! Free Safe Halloween event takes place at the Pigeon Forge Community Center beginning at 6 p.m. Arrive early as this is a favorite event of visitors and locals alike.

27-28
Tennessee Law Institute Convention: Tennessee’s leading provider of continuing legal education holds their annual Gatlinburg seminar at the Gatlinburg Convention Center Mills Auditorium.

29
Halloween Carnival at The Island: From 5-9 p.m., you and your little monsters can enjoy a true circus carnival with acrobats and carnival acts, costume contest and tons of candy. Wear your costumes for unlimited rides at half price. Grab a ‘candy’ map to find out where your treats are!

31
Trick Or Treat Kickoff Carnival: Local businesses offer contests, costumed characters, inflatables and candy on Halloween at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza. Proceeds benefit the United Way of Sevier County. Carnival begins at approximately 1 p.m. with downtown trick-or-treat after 6 p.m.

31-November 3
Creekside Gospel Music Convention and Diamond Awards: This 5th annual Creekside Gospel Music convention comes to the Smoky Mountain Convention Center for spiritually uplifting music, fun and fellowship. New for 2016! Creekside Golf Tournament Classic.

Reserve Your Heartland Rental Cabin & Have a Cozy October in the Smoky Mountain