Ah, inhale the fresh Smoky Mountain turkey in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Wait…what? Oh no, not the wild critters gobbling about, we’re talking about the succulent Thanksgiving turkey cooked at your cozy cabin in the mountains. Paired with smooth mashed potatoes covered in creamy gravy, 4-cheese macaroni, baked stuffing, homestyle cranberry sauce, and mouthwatering veggies, what could be better? Why, spectacular rolling mountain views with remnants of fall colors only a glance away from the dining table of course! There are so many reasons to enjoy Thanksgiving in the Smokies.
Select restaurants stay open and serve special holiday dishes so you don’t have to cook. Attractions in downtown Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville offer more things to do on your Thanksgiving getaway — like riding roller coasters at Dollywood Theme Park, hiking trails to Cades Cove waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, skiing at Ober Gatlinburg, experiencing the Astra Lumina night show at Anakeesta, and enjoying Winterfest light displays along the Parkway. Plus, there are seasonal events to elevate your festive stay! Yeah, Thanksgiving in the Smokies is pretty great.
Spice up your fall tradition with a Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg Thanksgiving and survive the holidays with family in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Homemade Memories at YOUR Mountain Cabin
Shop for fresh ingredients in town, then meal prep and cook Thanksgiving dinner at your cabin together. All cabin rentals by Cabins for YOU come with a fully equipped kitchen, meaning cookware, plates, cutlery, glasses, and a multitude of kitchen tools are provided. Peel vegetables over the sink, whip up sauces and sides on the stove, toss a stuffed turkey in the oven, keep rolls warm in the microwave, and store the freshly made whip for dessert in the fridge.
When it’s time to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast at your Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg cabin, let the teens set the table and get the serving spoons ready. And after everyone in the family has gathered with full plates, mute the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade on the big screen TV, and swap thankful thoughts around the table before digging in.
The best part of spending Thanksgiving at a Smoky Mountain cabin? Majestic mountain peaks, a sparkling river, or towering treetops with spectacular fall foliage are just through the windows, creating a peaceful and beautiful holiday atmosphere to share with loved ones.
Cabin Amenities
Oh, a homemade Smoky Mountain Thanksgiving meal and breathtaking mountain scenes at your cozy cabin aren’t enough to persuade your holiday plans? Let us convince you with a list of top-notch amenities you can request and enjoy this holiday season at your Smoky Mountain cabin!
- Home theater with surround sound
- Game tables (pool, air hockey, foosball, shuffleboard, etc.)
- Arcade games
- Private indoor pool with waterfall
- Steamy outdoor hot tub
- Soothing indoor jetted tub
- Big screen TVs
- Stacked stone fireplace
- Outdoor firepit for s’mores
- Gas or charcoal grill
- Rocking chairs
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- King-size, queen-size, and bunk beds
- Mountain, valley, river, city, or wooded views
Variety of Cabin Rentals
Inviting the whole family for a big Thanksgiving reunion? Browse our large group lodges! Bringing your precious pets? Check out our pet-friendly cabins of all shapes and sizes.Need to save cash to go Christmas shopping in the Smokies? Book a budget-friendly cabin.
Smoky Mountain Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving
Bump meal prep and cleanup and take a break from cooking this Thanksgiving in the Smokies! If you’re looking to get away from whipping up a storm in the kitchen, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg restaurants and dinner shows — just a short drive from your log cabin — have you covered. Some even offer special holiday dishes and to-go feasts on Thanksgiving Day.
Pick from one of our favorite places to eat Thanksgiving dinner in the Smokies and forget about planning a big holiday dinner on vacation! Go for something more traditional or scarf down something out of the box this year, like a melty cheese pizza or spicy hot wings.
Special Thanksgiving Menus
- Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant & Farmhouse Grill
- Cherokee Grill
- Hard Rock Cafe
- Mama’s Chicken Kitchen
- Mama’s Farmhouse
- Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen
- Puckett’s Restaurant
- The Old Mill Pottery House Cafe
- The Old Mill Restaurant
- The Park Grill
Fun Dinner Shows
- Dolly Parton’s Stampede
- Hatfield & McCoy’s Dinner Feud
- Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show
Unique Holiday Flavors
- Big Daddy’s Pizzeria
- Seasons of Ober Restaurant
- Margaritaville
- Squisito Too
- The Peddler Steakhouse
- No Way Jose’s Cantina
- Loco Burro
- Johnny Rockets
- Puckers Sports Grill
- Flapjack’s Pancake Cabin
- Crockett’s Breakfast Camp
- Downtown Flavortown
- Ole Red Gatlinburg
- Smith & Son Corner Kitchen
- Alamo Steakhouse & Saloon
- JT Hannah’s Kitchen
- Chicken Guy!
- Burg Steakhouse
- Crawdaddy’s Restaurant & Oyster Shop
Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show in the Smokies
Craft with the kiddos at the cabin or opt to visit the pros in town at the Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show. Or…why not do both? Every year, the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community — the largest group of independent artisans in the nation — showcases their homemade creations for Thanksgiving.
Held in late November at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, it’s a great — and FREE — event to stretch your legs and let your eyes feast on wondrous masterpieces (sampling of what you may find below). Many are made with traditional methods passed down through the generations, so you certainly won’t be disappointed. In fact, you might even bring some art and crafted goods home!
Peruse & Purchase
- Carved mountain critters
- Hand-painted gourds
- Classic dulcimers
- Jewelry
- Pottery sets
- Birdhouses
- Stained glass designs
- Oil paintings
- Metalwork
- Woven baskets
- Sweet treats
Dates & Hours for 2022
Nov 22-27, 2022
Tues-Sat | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sun | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Gatlinburg Convention Center
234 Historic Nature Trail
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Pigeon Forge Fireworks Display on Thanksgiving Night
Get ready for booming Thanksgiving Fireworks at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge! An annual event, this festive fireworks show will top off Thanksgiving Day with a bang! And as the largest fireworks event of the year in town, it’s a must-see during your Smoky Mountain Thanksgiving stay. The show begins at 7:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving night, so be sure to arrive early for a good spot to view the colorful and brilliant array in the night sky.
Location: Titanic Museum Attraction
2134 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Make a Thanksgiving vacation in the Smokies your new family tradition today — with a cozy cabin, mountain views, zero-prep meals, fun things to do, and festive events!