Whether you’re a native to the South or just a fun-loving visitor, you’ve got to make plans to attend the Gatlinburg Beans & Cornbread Festival in 2016! This exciting beans ‘n cornbread competition offers the best of Southern culture and cuisine. Enjoy Smoky Mountain music that will take you all the back to the “good ole days” as well as a unique display of antique engines at this Gatlinburg event. And, of course, come hungry; you’ll have the chance to try a wide selection of delicious beans and cornbread! Below we’ve answered all your questions about the Beans & Cornbread

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This May, make your plans to attend the festival where rich cultural history meets good family fun! We’re talking about East Tennessee’s premier celebration of Scottish culture and history, the Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games. Founded in 1981, the festival was originally known as the Gatlinburg Scottish Festival and Games, and it remains one of the oldest and best Scottish festivals in the United States. It's a truly unique and fun event filled with music, food, drink, game, and more. The Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games is an event for people of all ages and cultural backgrounds. No

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No, we’re not talking about the Hulk. We’re talking about going green for Earth Week in the Smokies! Each year the mountain town of Gatlinburg celebrates the earth with its week-long Earth Week festivities. From special events for kids to a nighttime race through the streets of Gatlinburg, Earth Week has something for everyone to enjoy! This year, Earth Week will be Monday, April 18, 2016, through Saturday, April 23, 2016. Be sure to plan your Smoky Mountain visit during that time so you don’t miss out on all the games, crafts, and outdoor activities in store. This is a

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Redbud trees dot the landscape. Forsythia and rhododendron have begun to bloom. Dogwood-lined roads wait to greet you as you drive down a winding mountain road. Finally—spring has sprung in the Smokies! Although every season has something to offer when you visit the Smoky Mountains, springtime has its own special appeal. With wildflowers blooming around every bend, you won’t find a better place to experience the colors, beauty, and warmth of spring. This year, be sure to plan your springtime getaway to the Smokies during the month of April, when you can enjoy everything the Smoky Mountains have to offer

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Tennessee Special Olympics Winter Games 2016 Every year, an excited group of special athletes gear up for the exciting annual competition, the Tenneessee Special Olympics Winter Games! This January marks the 31st year for the games at Ober Gatlinburg. Bring your group to cheer on the contestants and witness all the action during your 2016 winter vacation to the Smokies. For those who would like to know a little more about the Special Olympics, see our FAQs below. We’ve tried to answer all your top questions about this event, and we’re looking forward to seeing you on the sidelines at

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Upcoming Winter Events in the Smokies With the holidays are behind us, that doesn’t mean you’ve run out of ways to have fun in the Smoky Mountains this winter. There are still plenty of fun-filled activities on the calendar for January and February. So pack your bags and get ready for some good times with friends and family this winter in the Smokies! Special Olympics Tennessee Winter Games January 31–February 2, 2016 Head to Ober Gatlinburg for the traditional Opening Ceremonies of the 31st Special Olympics Tennessee Winter Games from 6:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on January 31. The public

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For the 28th year in a row, the cities of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in the Smokies invite you to join thousands of other guests as they celebrate the end of 2015 and the beginning of 2016. Gatlinburg has plenty in store for you to enjoy leading up until midnight, including free music near the Gatlinburg Convention Center at traffic light number 8. For other fun-filled activities on the schedule for New Year’s Eve, check out these local attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Ball Drop and Fireworks at The Space Needle Built in 1970, the Gatlinburg Space Needle has

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Chili Cookoff and Veterans Day Kickoff Winterfest The annual Winterfest in the Smoky Mountains, with events in both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, is the celebration of the holiday season. It is the culmination of all things Christmas and winter with more than 3 million holiday lights, decorated storefronts, kids’ activities, holiday events, and more. Smoky Mountain Winterfest is a big deal, and such a big event calls for an equally impressive kickoff! That’s where the annual Winter Magic Kickoff & Chili Cookoff comes in. Each year, Winterfest gets started with a fun downtown Gatlinburg event focused on a favorite winter

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The holiday season is a magical time to visit the Smokies. Starting in November, the streets of Gatlinburg will light up with $1.6 million worth of lights and displays that commemorate this special time of year. Enjoy walking the streets of downtown Gatlinburg, or you can ride the Gatlinburg Trolley to take in this amazing sight. The Trolley Ride of Lights runs at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 each evening from November 12, 2015 to January 31, 2016 and costs $5 per person. Another great way to enjoy the holiday season in Gatlinburg is to attend one or all of these

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Your Smoky Mountain vacation is incomplete without a visit to the one-of-a-kind Ober Gatlinburg. This one-stop shop for family recreation and fun is so much more than a wintertime ski resort. All year long you can enjoy shopping, dining, ice skating, mini golf, outdoor activities (including a ride on the Aerial Tramway or the Scenic Chairlift), the family-friendly Wildlife Encounter, Kiddie Land, and so much more! Ober Gatlinburg is located on the Parkway in Gatlinburg, and if you’re planning to visit the Smoky Mountains during the fall, then you’ll have the chance to catch Ober Gatlinburg’s 6th annual Oktoberfest celebration!

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