TRAVEL TIPS & NEWS | Misty Mountain Condo

October & November 2020

There's more to the Great Smoky Mountains this time of year than taking in the gorgeous fall foliage (although that's certainly worth a visit). Here are some fun events happening in and around Gatlinburg that you don't want to miss.

Gatlinburg Craftmen's Fair

Handmade crafts at Gatlinburg Craftmen's Fair — One-of-a-kind painted items just like these and many more!

When: Daily through Oct. 25th

Where: Gatlinburg Convention Center, 234 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg

See artisans and craftsmen from all over the USA. Browse two-hundred booths with unique and one-of-a-kind handmade crafts. Watch as skilled craftspeople demonstrate their talents and witness unique works of art come to life. You'll find exceptional pottery pieces, painted artwork, molded leather, copper art, local candy makers, photography, and many more handmade items.

Get your holiday shopping done early! The Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair October is the perfect spot to find unique gifts for everyone on your list!

2. Oktoberfest at Ober

Oktoberfest 2020 in Ober Gatlinburg — Eat, drink, and be merry at Oktoberfest!

When: Daily through November 1st

Where: 1001 Parkway Suite 2, Gatlinburg

This fantastic festival features Bavarian-Style food, drink, and music. The Smoky Mountain Oompah Band, in authentic costume, will perform traditional folk dances with free shows daily. Enjoy live entertainment & a Bier Garten featuring specialty Oktoberfest bier and foods.

When you've had your fill of yodeling, schnitzel & Bavarian beer, take advantage of everything else that Ober Gatlinburg has to offer. Activities include the new Rock Wall, The Ski Mountain Coaster, Indoor Ice Skating, the Alpine Slide, the Chair Swing, the Scenic Chairlift, Kiddie Rides, the Wildlife Encounter & more. Remember to bring your camera to capture the memories.

3. Ripley's Fright Nights

Ripley's Haunted Adventure casket room — Caskets on display at Ripley's Haunted Adventure

When: Every weekend in October, from 6:00 - Close (EDT)

Where: 908 Parkway, Gatlinburg

This year the theme is Grimsby & Streaper: Back from the Dead. The former owners of a local casket company, their factory closed in 1926 due to their strange disappearance. Now, enter if you dare every Friday and Saturday night in October to experience Gatlinburg more memorable Halloween tradition!

4. Ole Red's "Battle of the Bands"

When: Every Wednesday night starting at 6:00 PM (EDT)

Where: 511 Parkway, Gatlinburg

Ole Red’s “Battle of the Bands” series is ongoing across all Ole Red locations, giving fans in Nashville, Gatlinburg, Tishomingo and Orlando the opportunity to experience country artists from across the nation and vote for their favorite.

Each band will have the opportunity to play two songs including one original and one cover. The performances from each venue will be livestreamed into the others, giving guests at each location the opportunity to “visit” all the Ole Red venues in one night. Guests will receive a special offer just for participating in the voting process.

5. Ripley's Trick or Treat Kick Off Karnival

When: October 31st, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST

Where: Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza, Gatlinburg

A fantastic family Halloween day event from 11:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. Fun for visiting guests and local residents – contests, costumed characters, candy and more await guests who attend this annual Halloween extravaganza. Festival location will be at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza in Gatlinburg. PS: Plan a visit to the aquarium while you're there!

6. Veterans Day Celebration

Veterans Day 2020 — Honoring our veterans on November 11

When: November 11th, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST

Where: 1870 Sports World Blvd., Gatlinburg

Annual event to honor the valiant men and women who have and are currently serving our country during the Veterans Day Celebration on November 11 at 11:00 a.m. at Rocky Top Sports World.

7. Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff Presented by Bush's Chili Beans

When: November 12th, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST

Where: 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg

Experience live entertainment and mouth-watering homemade chili sampling and some new adjustments to honor the Tennessee Pledge guidelines.

NEW in 2020, tickets will be required to enter (Buy Tickets HERE). To accommodate for social distancing, event attendance will be limited. Due to the popularity of the event, advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended. Tickets are $10 and available online at Gatlinburg.com/chili.

Other new protocols include: touchless point of entry, handwashing stations placed throughout the festival, and ample open spaces for social distancing in the outdoor venue. Chili vendor booths will be appropriately spaced apart and equipped with contact shield barriers for serving chili samples. Facial coverings will be required for entry.

The time-honored traditions of popular local restaurants offering unique, homemade chili samples and vying for the coveted People’s Choice Award will go on. Additionally, festival goers will enjoy the free, live entertainment by the Eagles tribute band, On The Border - The Ultimate Eagles Tribute! On The Border provides an authentic Eagles concert experience while journeying through The Eagles songbook. They cover every big hit, from ballads like “Desperado” and “Lyin’ Eyes” to rocking hits such as “Life in the Fast Lane” and “Heartache Tonight.”

City leaders will participate in an official lighting ceremony for Smoky Mountain Winterfest that features millions of twinkling lights adorning Gatlinburg Winter Magic light displays throughout the city.

8. Great Smoky Thanksgiving & Christmas Arts & Crafts Show

local art & craft shows — Local painter Louise Bales - Cliff Dwellers Gallery

When: November 24th - December 6, Daily 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST

Where: 234 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg

Unique handcrafted gifts made by members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community are offered as they host their annual Thanksgiving show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. The Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community is the nation's largest organization of independent artisans makes its home in Gatlinburg and the 8-mile Arts and Crafts Loop along Route 321, Buckhorn Road and Glades Road.

The Tennessee artists and craftspeople here create beautiful and useful things with techniques handed down for centuries. Find gorgeous quilts, old-fashioned straw brooms with hand-carved handles, exquisitely woven baskets, hand-dipped scented candles, Victorian ceramic pitchers, pottery, dulcimers, stuffed bears and leather vests. There is handmade jewelry, unlike anything you'll find in the malls back home. Painters capture scenes of landscapes and mountain life, while potters and weavers work magic with clay and cloth.

9. Festival of Trees

Christmas tree festival — Unique Christmas trees on full display

When: November 24th - November 29th, Daily 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM EST

Where: 234 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg

Hospitality Solutions is happy to announce that the long-standing holiday tradition of the Gatlinburg Festival of Trees will continue in 2020! This year has brought unprecedented changes, and our event might be a bit different than in years past. We are working to redesign the event to adhere to the TN Pledge guidelines, and Festival related activities will be determined by current conditions at the time of the event. The Festival of Trees runs from November 25th to November 29th and promises to provide holiday cheer and memories for families to kick off the holiday season!

The proceeds of this event benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains and the Gatlinburg Chamber Foundation Scholarship Fund. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Smoky Mountains serve more than 1,600 local youth across Sevier County. The clubs offer youth a safe place to learn and grow through programs designed to build character and strengthen life skills while not at home or school. The Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Foundation awards college scholarships each year to graduating seniors. We are very pleased to announce that the proceeds from the Festival’s 46th Anniversary year netted a donation of over $55,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains and $12,000 to the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Foundation Scholarship Fund.

Please join us in continuing the tradition of ringing in the Christmas season with the 2020 Festival of Trees. We greatly appreciate your support of this event, which has been a part of our community for over 46 years.

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