Fall in the Smokies! Check out these fall festivals and fairs happening in East Tennessee
Fall is about so much more than just football in East Tennessee.
With summer heat dissipating, it's time for autumn celebrations and traditions. There are plenty of events happening!
Celebrate the fall season in the Smokies at Dollywood, honor Appalachian traditions in Townsend, go to a bluegrass festival or put on your finest lederhosen and enjoy Oktoberfest.
Here are fun festivals and events this fall in Knoxville, the Great Smoky Mountains and East Tennessee.
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Tennessee Valley Fair
Through Sept. 18 (Chilhowee Park in Knoxville)
The Tennessee Valley Fair has showcased the arts, agriculture and our East Tennessee heritage for over 100 years. During the 10-day fair, festivalgoers can enjoy amusement rides and games, circus acts, action sports like a rodeo and demolition derby, fireworks, food and much more.
The festival is stacked with big names musical performers like country artist Clint Black and rock band Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
Fair tickets: $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and children 5 and older. More information tnvalleyfair.org.
Location: 3301 E. Magnolia Ave., Knoxville, TN 37914
Days & Hours: Sept. 13, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sept. 14-15, 5 p.m.-11 p.m.; Sept. 16, 5 p.m.-midnight; Sept. 17, 10 a.m.-midnight; Sept. 18, noon to midnight
Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival
Sept. 15-17 (Kodak)
The bluegrass festival returns for its 22nd festival. Fifteen bands and artists are scheduled to perform, including Sideline, Wildlife and Seth Mulder & Midnight Run. Toby's Kettlecorn, Queeners Wings & Cuisine, Dazzle Delights, and Wacky Tacky Tacos are just a few of the vendors that will be on the campsite.
The festival opens from noon until 11 p.m. each night. This is a rain or shine event with free parking, but camping is by reservation only.
Tickets: $35-$110
Location: 525 E. Dumplin Valley Road, Kodak, TN 37764
Dollywood’s Harvest Festival
Sept. 23–Oct. 29 (Pigeon Forge)
Experience the beautiful Smoky Mountain fall views at Dollywood! Along with thrilling roller coasters, exciting shows, and delicious fall foods and snacks, Dollywood transforms into a not-so-spooky fall hideaway.
This year debuts Hoot Owl Hallow, featuring gigantic, glowing owls resting in trees, on top of buildings and across the hillside.
Dollywood’s Harvest Festival runs through the end of October and tickets start at $89. Visit dollywood.com for more theme park and ticket information.
Townsend Fall Festival
Sept. 23–25 (Townsend)
Honor Appalachian and mountain traditions in the foothills of the Smokies at Townsend Visitor Center at 7906 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway. The free festival is packed with Southern food, Appalachian craft vendors and a full lineup of bands.
Contemporary and traditional and mountain music will be featured throughout, and visitors should get ready for clogging and square dancing.
There will be numerous art and craft booths, Appalachian demonstrations, old-fashioned kids’ games, and food like fried pies and kettle corn.
Festival hours are 10 a.m.-10 p.m. each day. Parking is $10, but there is a free shuttle.
Visit smokymountains.org/townsendfallfestival for a detailed list of performances and vendors.
Clinch River Fall Antique Festival
Sept. 30–Oct. 1 (Clinton)
Find hidden treasures at this popular seasonal festival full of antique dealers and artisans lining Market Street in Clinton's historic downtown area. Free to browse, there will be live music, food trucks and other vendors on location along with antique and craft dealers.
Hours: Sept. 30, noon-8 p.m.; Oct. 1, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. More details found at adventureanderson.com.
Oktoberfest in Farragut
Sept. 30–Oct. 2
Bratwurst, sauerkraut, lederhosen, and of course, beer. It only means one thing: Oktoberfest is here.
Mind Yer Ps & Qs in Farragut presents the German-inspired festival. Their beer garden will have at least six taps with different beers. But this is a family-friendly event. There will be live music, cornhole, bounce houses, best lederhosen contests and a stein-holding contest.
Hours: Sept. 30, 4 p.m.-midnight; Oct. 1, 11 a.m.-midnight; Oct. 2, noon-6 p.m.
Tickets: $10 per day. Children under 10 years old are free.
A portion of the proceeds will go to local organizations Alzheimer’s Tennessee and PJ Parkinson’s Support.
Visit oktoberfestfarragut.com for more information.
Pridefest
Sept. 30–Oct. 2
Get ready for three days of equality, community, family and fun. The annual Pridefest is an open celebration of music, entertainment and speakers focused on promoting equality and inclusion.
This year's Pridefest will kick off with a night parade on Friday, Sept. 30 with pride festivities on Saturday and brunch and shopping options on Sunday.
The free event is presented by Knox Pride and aims to make this year’s Pridefest diverse and inclusive for Knoxville’s LGBTQ community and allies.
More details regarding vendors and schedule of events will be released soon. Check knoxpride.com and Knox Pride socials like facebook.com/knoxpridefest for updates.
Water Lantern Festival
Oct. 1 (Chilhowee Park)
Light up the water with dreams, hope and love. This unique festival allows friends and family to create a magical moment by illuminating thousands of lanterns on the lake at Chilhowee Park, located at 3301 E. Magnolia Ave., as a way to spread positive energy and peace.
Family-friendly games, activities and giveaways will be available, along with food truck options, vendors and music.
The event lasts from 4:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25.99-$55.99
Ticket prices depend on date of purchase and covers design kit material, commemorative drawstring bag, and cleanup following the event. Ticket funds help provide safe water and sanitation to families around the world through water.org.
Visit waterlanternfestival.com/Knoxville for event schedule and other information.
Fall Harvest Fest and Craft Fair
Oct. 8 (Lenoir City)
Head to Horse Haven in Lenoir City for an afternoon of games, live music, a pumpkin patch, pony rides, and a variety of crafts. Festivalgoers can also join in on a silent auction.
Tickets: $10, plus parking for $10
Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at 2477 Ford Road in Lenoir City.
HoLa Festival
Oct. 8–9 (World's Fair Park in Knoxville)
The 22nd HoLa festival returns to World’s Fair Park in downtown Knoxville to celebrate the diverse cultures of Latin America through authentic food, live Latin jazz, rock and salsa music, dancing, games, and handmade jewelry, crafts, art, and other items by local vendors.
Hispanic Heritage Booths also have educational activities for children (and adults) to learn more about Latin America and Hispanic culture.
A $1 donation is required to enter the festival for anyone 12 and older.
Hours: Oct. 8, 4-10 p.m.; Oct. 9, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Wears Valley Fall Fest
Oct. 14–16 (Sevierville)
Come for Elvis, stay for the food and fun. The three-day 9th Wears Valley Fall Fest is packed with live music and entertainment, Southern food, arts and crafts vendors, antique cars and tractor displays.
An Elvis impersonator will perform classic hits all three days, and several musical acts, including local favorite Jimbo Whaley, will perform classic country, country rock, and bluegrass favorites all weekend.
Tickets: $5 entrance fee per person
Hours: Oct. 14-15, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Oct. 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: 3179 Wears Valley Road, Sevierville, Tennessee
Check facebook.com/wearsvalleyfallfest for full performance schedule.
Farragut Harvestfest
Oct. 30 (Farragut)
A variety of food trucks, live entertainment and beverages will be featured at Farragut Harvest Fest, as always. But organizers promise this year’s annual free autumn tradition will be a “spooktacular” event. Come in your best costume for a Halloween costume contest and an opportunity to trick-or-treat.
Hours: 2-6 p.m. at Village Green Shopping Center on 11505 Kingston Pike
Old Sevier Sunday Market
Oct. 30
Old Sevier Sunday market is getting a little spooky for October. The monthly event is moving back to the parking lot across from South Coast Pizza at 1024 Sevier Ave. Many of the vendors will be wearing Halloween costumes and will also be giving out candy for trick-or-treating.
Hours: 2-6 p.m. at 1024 Sevier Ave in Knoxville
Greek Fest
Nov. 4–6 (Knoxville)
Can’t make it to Greece this fall? Head to St. George Greek Orthodox Church at 4070 Kingston Pike in Knoxville and get a taste of delicious authentic sweet and savory Greek food at the 43rd annual Greek Festival.
Experience Greek culture, live music, traditional dancing and live music, shopping, and much more.
There is no onsite parking at the church, but parking is available at surrounding businesses and shuttles will regularly transport festivalgoers.
Tickets: $2 per adult, children under 12 are free.
Check out greekfesttn.wordpress.com, facebook.com/greekfestknoxville for more information.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Fall festivals and events in the Smoky Mountains and Knoxville
