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Fall Splendor Weekend
Starts: 10/03/2025 - Ends: 10/05/2025
The days are getting shorter, the temperatures are getting cooler, and Gatlinburg East/Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday is putting on her finest colors as the leaves begin to change. Spend the days hiking the Smoky Mountain Trails right outside our back gate or take a scenic drive on the Foothills Parkway. You won't be disappointed with either! Back at the campground, we will have Campground Crafts, Bingo, and of course you don't want to miss our Pancake Breakfast on Sunday morning!
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Thanksgiving Weekend
Starts: 11/27/2025 - Ends: 11/30/2025
Join us at Gatlinburg East/Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday for our 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Dinner. As we give thanks for the great outdoors & each other - our team will provide the turkey, ham and dinnerware for a traditional Thanksgiving Feast. We're asking campers to bring a dish to share with others. On Friday, we'll also have pet pictures with Santa. On Saturday, join us for Campground Crafts, Bingo and Movie Night (FREE popcorn). We'll end the weekend with a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday morning. We promise good food, good friends and great camping this weekend!
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Halloween Weekend #2
Starts: 10/17/2025 - Ends: 10/19/2025
We have 4 perfect Halloween weekends in store for you at Gatlinburg East/Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday, but book early because we fill up fast in October. We'll have Trick-or-Treating, Costume Contests for Tiny Humans, Adults and Pets, and a Site Decorating Contest... ALL with Scary Good Prizes for the winners. Live Music Saturday night with Arbor North! Join us for other activities like movie night, Eerie Ice and Frankenjuice fun! You don't want to miss a Special Pancake Breakfast on Sunday morning.
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Letters to Santa
Starts: 12/01/2025 - Ends: 12/15/2025
Letters to Santa at Gatlinburg East/Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday! $5 Includes Letter Writing Kit, Postage & Return Letter/Certificate from Santa.
Pick up your Letter to Santa Kit in the General Store. This wish list for Santa is a fun Christmas tradition that not only kids, but also other family members can fill out. Once finished, drop it in our special Express To Santa Mail Box. Be sure to put the correct return address so that Santa can write back! You can also check out the wishes on your children's and loved one's list. Just pop by the front desk and request the letter.
Your loved one will receive a personalized letter from the desk of Santa Claus, and an official North Pole nice list certificate, in a bright red envelope via Special Delivery.
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Winter Wonderland
Starts: 12/01/2025 - Ends: 12/31/2025
Our campground is open all year long! Enjoy the peaceful beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains with a month-long celebration at Gatlinburg East/Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday. Take photos with Santa and our mascot Koa Bear and enjoy our Hot Chocolate Bar. Live Music Saturday night December 27th with Arbor North! Every Sunday morning, we will wrap up the weekend with a Pancake Breakfast. We will also be helping to provide gifts to less fortunate children in our community. We will have a tree for new, unwrapped gifts if you would like to help.
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Halloween Weekend #4
Starts: 10/31/2025 - Ends: 11/02/2025
We have 4 perfect Halloween weekends in store for you at Gatlinburg East/Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday, but book early because we fill up fast in October. We'll have Trick-or-Treating, Costume Contests for Tiny Humans, Adults and Pets, and a Site Decorating Contest... ALL with Scary Good Prizes for the winners. Live music with Joe Lee Stevens on Saturday night! Join us for other activities like movie night, Eerie Ice and Frankenjuice fun! You don't want to miss our Mountain Bistro Menu.
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Halloween Weekend #1
Starts: 10/10/2025 - Ends: 10/12/2025
We have 4 perfect Halloween weekends in store for you at Gatlinburg East/Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday, but book early because we fill up fast in October. We'll have Trick-or-Treating, Costume Contests for Tiny Humans, Adults and Pets, and a Site Decorating Contest... ALL with Scary Good Prizes for the winners. Join us for other activities like movie night, Eerie Ice and Frankenjuice fun! You don't want to miss a Special Pancake Breakfast on Sunday morning.
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Halloween Weekend #3
Starts: 10/24/2025 - Ends: 10/26/2025
We have 4 perfect Halloween weekends in store for you at Gatlinburg East/Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday, but book early because we fill up fast in October. We'll have Trick-or-Treating, Costume Contests for Tiny Humans, Adults and Pets, and a Site Decorating Contest... ALL with Scary Good Prizes for the winners. Join us for other activities like movie night, Eerie Ice and Frankenjuice fun! You don't want to miss a Special Pancake Breakfast on Sunday morning.
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Billy Boucher's Bluegrass Band
Starts: 10/11/2025 - Ends: 10/11/2025
Immerse yourself in the delightful world of Billy Boucher's Bluegrass Band, where musical brilliance meets pure, unadulterated fun. This folk group is a captivating blend of incredibly talented musicians, each hailing from diverse musical backgrounds. Together, they concoct a mesmerizing sound, infusing banjos, kazoos, washboards, and even bike horns into their repertoire, creating a truly one-of-a-kind experience. From the moment the band takes the stage, prepare for a “rootin' tootin'” good time full of sing-alongs, smiles, and fun as you're transported to a bygone era, where timeless melodies and heartwarming harmonies reign supreme. Their renditions of beloved bluegrass, folk, and rock classics resonate with every soul, leaving you with a warm nostalgia that's hard to resist. Any time Billy Boucher shows up, it's bound to be a great night.
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Fall Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair
Starts: 10/02/2025 - Ends: 10/19/2025
Experience the beauty of autumn in the Smoky Mountains at the October Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair, held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. This popular fall event features over 200 artisans showcasing handcrafted goods including pottery, woodwork, jewelry, paintings, seasonal décor, and more. Enjoy live music, craft demonstrations, and a festive atmosphere perfect for all ages. Discover one-of-a-kind treasures and support American craftsmanship in the heart of Gatlinburg.
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Anakeesta's Bear-Varian Fall Festival
Starts: 09/13/2025 - Ends: 10/31/2025
Experience the magic of autumn in the Smoky Mountains during Anakeesta's Bear-Varian Fall Festival. Enjoy Halloween-themed décor, seasonal food and drink specials, and local craft beer tastings with a scenic mountaintop view. Wander through nature-inspired pumpkin carvings in Vista Gardens and experience Anakeesta at Night, when the village glows in enchanting shades of orange, purple, and green. This family-friendly fall event blends natural beauty with festive fun in the heart of Gatlinburg.
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Care Camps Big Weekend
Starts: 05/08/2026 - Ends: 05/09/2026
Your stay will make a difference in the lives of children with cancer, by helping raise funds for medically supervised pediatric oncology camps. These camps help children who have cancer enjoy care-free time focusing on fun, friends, and activities instead of on their illness. Stay at a participating KOA campground on May 8-9, 2026, and 50%* of your second night's stay will be donated to the Care Camps Foundation. This organization distributes $2 million annually to support over 100 pediatric oncology camps across the U.S. and Canada. Learn more at carecamps.org.
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Dollywood Harvest Festival
Starts: 09/12/2025 - Ends: 10/27/2025
Celebrate the beauty of fall at the Dollywood Harvest Festival in Pigeon Forge, TN. Enjoy stunning autumn décor, delicious seasonal treats, live gospel music, and the glowing magic of Great Pumpkin LumiNights. This award-winning festival offers family-friendly fun and Smoky Mountain charm all season long.
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Leaf Peeping in Gatlinburg
Starts: 09/30/2025 - Ends: 10/31/2025
Leaf peeping in Gatlinburg, TN offers a breathtaking fall experience in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. Enjoy vibrant foliage, crisp mountain air, and scenic overlooks along hiking trails and drives like the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and Newfound Gap Road. It's the perfect autumn escape for nature lovers.
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Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff
Starts: 11/06/2025 - Ends: 11/06/2025
The Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff is a flavorful fall tradition where local chefs, restaurants, and talented home cooks compete to serve up their best chili recipes. Stroll through downtown Gatlinburg sampling a variety of delicious chilis—from classic recipes to creative twists—while enjoying live music, festive entertainment, and the vibrant Smoky Mountain atmosphere.
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Jurassic Adventure at The Island
Starts: 08/10/2025 - Ends: 11/02/2025
Step back in time and discover the age of the dinosaurs with the free Jurassic Adventure at The Island in Pigeon Forge! This thrilling event showcases 21 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, each with interactive features that make these prehistoric giants come alive. Perfect for families, dinosaur lovers, and adventurers of all ages, you can stroll through The Island and get up close to towering T-Rexes, fierce raptors, and more. Don't miss this limited-time adventure that combines fun, education, and excitement in one unforgettable journey.
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Lights Over Gatlinburg
Starts: 10/31/2025 - Ends: 01/31/2026
Experience the magic of Lights Over Gatlinburg, the Smoky Mountains' premier holiday light festival. Enjoy millions of dazzling lights, festive decorations, live music, and family-friendly events throughout downtown Gatlinburg and surrounding parkways. Perfect for visitors of all ages, this seasonal celebration offers a memorable winter getaway filled with holiday cheer, shopping, dining, and outdoor fun.
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Fantasy Of Lights Christmas Parade
Starts: 12/05/2025 - Ends: 12/05/2025
Kick off the holiday season in downtown Gatlinburg with the beloved Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade, featuring marching bands, giant balloons, dancers, musicians, and a special appearance from Santa Claus himself!The parade begins at 7:30 p.m., stepping off from Baskins Creek Bypass on East Parkway and making its way through downtown before ending at traffic light #10.This award-winning tradition has welcomed more than 20 million guests from around the world and continues to spread holiday cheer year after year. Arrive early to grab your spot along the Parkway—and don't forget your Santa hat to join in the festive spirit.
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Gatlinburg New Year's Eve Ball Drop & Fireworks
Starts: 12/31/2025 - Ends: 12/31/2025
Ring in 2026 at Gatlinburg's spectacular New Year's Eve Ball Drop & Fireworks Show! This free, family-friendly celebration takes place at the base of the iconic Space Needle and draws nearly 50,000 visitors each year. The evening kicks off with live music at 10 p.m., leading up to the midnight countdown. As the ball drops, fireworks will launch from the 400-foot Space Needle, synchronized to music and enhanced by dazzling LED lights. Don't miss one of the nation's most unforgettable New Year's Eve traditions!
