
Each year, Pigeon Forge, TN plays host to numerous events throughout the city. These Pigeon Forge events range from rod runs to concerts and draw people of all ages and interests. The combination of scenery, restaurants, attractions, lodging, etc make Pigeon Forge a prime location for events of all sizes in the Smoky Mountains.
When planning your Smoky Mountain visit to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee it is incredibly important to look over the Pigeon Forge upcoming events calendar to see if any major events are taking place that you would either love to attend or love to avoid! Many visitors are surprised when they roll into town only to find bumper-to-bumper traffic due to a major car show. Some people love it and some people vow to never return…this list is meant to help you prepare your visit for the best possible weekend.
Throughout the list, you will find a “HEAVY TRAFFIC” label beside any event that brings large amounts of traffic each year. Please note, though, that if events or weekends do not have the “HEAVY TRAFFIC” label does not necessarily mean traffic will be light…the labels simply serve as definite warnings for those weekends.
2023 Pigeon Forge Calendar of Events
Events in the Smoky Mountains are subject to change, so be sure to check with the official website, phone number, etc to confirm event details before making your plans. Also, events may be added or removed throughout the year so check back before visiting Pigeon Forge to see what will be happening during your stay.
Pigeon Forge Events in January 2023
Through Feb 19
Pigeon Forge Winterfest
Description: Winterfest continues in Pigeon Forge with the lighting of more than five million lights throughout town.
Location: All Throughout Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge Events in February 2023
Through Feb 19
Pigeon Forge Winterfest
Description: Winterfest continues in Pigeon Forge with the lighting of more than five million lights throughout town.
Location: All Throughout Pigeon Forge
Feb 10-12
Shabbach Youth Conference
Description: Shabbach Youth Conferences is where young people come together from all over the country for a high impact, spiritual weekend of worship, ministry, and fun.
Location: LeConte Center
More info:
https://www.shabbach.com/
Feb 17-19
Make It Count Gymnastics Spectacular
Description: The competition will be held at the LeConte Convention Center. This is a meet, venue, and event that will provide families, coaches, and teams a great kick-off to your Spring Competition season, but also an opportunity for some team bonding, kindling old relationships, meeting new friends, and creating memories to last a lifetime.
Location: LeConte Center
More info:
https://www.makeitcountinvitational.com/make-it-count-classic
Feb 24-26
Challenge Youth Conference
Description: Church of Christ Youth Conference in Pigeon Forge, TN since 2000.
Location: LeConte Center
More info:
https://www.cyconline.com/
Pigeon Forge Events in March 2023
March 3-5
Chuck Wagon Cookoff Weekend & Competition
Description: Pigeon Forge invites Western lifestyle enthusiasts, foodies and those in search of a hearty meal to the new Chuck Wagon Cookoff competition.
Location: Clabough’s Campground & RV Park
More info:
https://www.mypigeonforge.com/event/cookoff
Mar 10
Dollywood Opening Day
Description: Dollywood opens for the 2023 season! Click the link below for the 2023 schedule of open dates and hours.
More info:
click here
Mar 24-25
Corvette Expo
Description: Corvette Expo Established in 1977 is presented by Cooper Events, LLC and held each March at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Location: LeConte Center
More info:
https://corvetteexpo.com/
Pigeon Forge Events in April 2023
Pigeon Forge Spring Rod Run
Description: The Pigeon Forge Spring Rod Run is one of the biggest car shows in the country featuring thousands of classic cars and trucks.
Location: LeConte Center Pigeon Forge
Phone: 865-687-3976
Apr 28-30
Women of Joy
Description: Share a few days with Women of Joy – a ministry that has been changing the lives of women since 1994.
Location: LeConte Center
Apr 28
Music in the Mountains Spring Parade
Description: The annual Music in the Mountains Spring Parade features marching bands, character balloons, entertainment from local attractions & theaters, and more.
Location: Pigeon Forge Parkway
Apr 21 – Jun 11
Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival
Description: The Smokies are blooming like never before. Explore larger-than-life plant sculptures adorned in half-a-million colorful flower blooms, dance under a picturesque Umbrella Sky and indulge in garden-fresh flavors from Dollywood chefs.
Location: Dollywood
Phone: 1-800-DOLLYWOOD
More Info:
https://www.dollywood.com/themepark/Festivals/Flower-and-Food
Pigeon Forge Events in May 2023
Apr 21 – Jun 11
Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival
Description: The Smokies are blooming like never before. Explore larger-than-life plant sculptures adorned in half-a-million colorful flower blooms, dance under a picturesque Umbrella Sky and indulge in garden-fresh flavors from Dollywood chefs.
Location: Dollywood
Phone: 1-800-DOLLYWOOD
More Info:
https://www.dollywood.com/themepark/Festivals/Flower-and-Food
Pigeon Forge Events in June 2023
Apr 21 – Jun 11
Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival
Description: The Smokies are blooming like never before. Explore larger-than-life plant sculptures adorned in half-a-million colorful flower blooms, dance under a picturesque Umbrella Sky and indulge in garden-fresh flavors from Dollywood chefs.
Location: Dollywood
Phone: 1-800-DOLLYWOOD
More Info:
https://www.dollywood.com/themepark/Festivals/Flower-and-Food
Jun 5-8
Annual A Mountain Quiltfest
Location: LeConte Center At Pigeon Forge
Description: Over 60 quilting classes available to attend as well as vendors selling quilting items.
More info:
Click here
Jun 17 – Aug 6
“Summer Celebration” Festival at Dollywood
Description: Dollywood’s Summer Celebration is just that—a time to celebrate making memories with family at a place everyone enjoys! Enjoy special summer entertainment and extended park hours so you can have more time to experience your favorite attractions.
Location: Dollywood
Phone: 1-800-DOLLYWOOD
Website:
https://www.dollywood.com/themepark/Festivals/Summer
Jun 26- Jul 1
Kids Artistic Revue National Finals
Description: KAR is dedicated to producing world class dance events that provide rewarding and positive experiences for dancers, teachers, and parents. Our competitions give dancers across America the opportunity to showcase their talent and passion on the KAR stage.
Location: LeConte Center
Website:
https://dancekar.com/competition/schedule/2022/1545
Pigeon Forge Events in July 2023
Jun 17 – Aug 6
“Summer Celebration” Festival at Dollywood
Description: Dollywood’s Summer Celebration is just that—a time to celebrate making memories with family at a place everyone enjoys! Enjoy special summer entertainment and extended park hours so you can have more time to experience your favorite attractions.
Location: Dollywood
Phone: 1-800-DOLLYWOOD
Website:
https://www.dollywood.com/themepark/Festivals/Summer
TBD
2023 Tennessee Tax Free Weekend
Description: The sales tax holiday begins the last Friday in July each year at 12:01 am and ends at 11:59 pm the following Sunday. During this time clothing, school supplies and computers may be purchased tax-free. Certain restrictions apply. Exemptions sold online are also eligible. Items must be purchase for personal use, not for business or trade.
Location: Numerous area businesses
Pigeon Forge Events in August 2023
Jun 17 – Aug 6
“Summer Celebration” Festival at Dollywood
Description: Dollywood’s Summer Celebration is just that—a time to celebrate making memories with family at a place everyone enjoys! Enjoy special summer entertainment and extended park hours so you can have more time to experience your favorite attractions.
Location: Dollywood
Phone: 1-800-DOLLYWOOD
Website:
https://www.dollywood.com/themepark/Festivals/Summer
August 1 – 31
Celebrate Freedom
Description: Each August, many Pigeon Forge businesses have historically offered discounts during the city’s annual monthlong Celebrate Freedom!™ recognition event.
Location: Numerous area businesses
August 24-26
Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion
Description: Open to ALL Jeep enthusiasts and Jeep Clubs throughout the nation, the Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion is an Expo for all leading Jeep parts and their accessory vendors, including a Jeep Show where several trophies are awarded.
Location: LeConte Center
Click for more info
Pigeon Forge Events in September 2023
September 14-16
HEAVY TRAFFIC
Pigeon Forge Fall Rod Run
Description: The Pigeon Forge Fall Rod Run is one of the biggest car shows in the country featuring thousands of classic cars and trucks.
Location: LeConte Center Pigeon Forge
Phone: 865-687-3976
Sep 24-30
National Quartet Convention Fall Festival
Description: Gospel Music’s largest annual event drawing 40,000 people from over 40 states and a half dozen countries to a week-long Gospel Music festival, featuring the very best in the world of traditional Gospel Music.
Location: LeConte Center
Website:
https://www.natqc.com/
Sep 22 – Nov 4
Harvest Festival at Dollywood
Few places combine the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of fall like Dollywood during their Fall Harvest Festival. Numerous craftsmen are located throughout the park creating unique, handmade goods. The sound of gospel and bluegrass fill the stages. The surrounding foliage turns to a beautiful display of red, yellow, and gold. It truly makes for a perfect place to experience fall in the Smoky Mountains!
Location: Dollywood
Phone: 1-800-DOLLYWOOD
Website:
https://www.pigeonforgetnguide.com/events/dollywood-harvest-festival/
Pigeon Forge Events in October 2023
Sep 22 – Nov 4
Harvest Festival at Dollywood
Few places combine the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of fall like Dollywood during their Fall Harvest Festival. Numerous craftsmen are located throughout the park creating unique, handmade goods. The sound of gospel and bluegrass fill the stages. The surrounding foliage turns to a beautiful display of red, yellow, and gold. It truly makes for a perfect place to experience fall in the Smoky Mountains!
Location: Dollywood
Phone: 1-800-DOLLYWOOD
Website:
https://www.pigeonforgetnguide.com/events/dollywood-harvest-festival/
October
Fall Colors in the Smokies
The surrounding area of Pigeon Forge offers hundreds of square miles of incredible fall foliage that typically peaks in mid-to-late October. The beautiful reds, yellows, oranges, etc paint the mountains in a visual display of natural beauty that is one of the most amazing views found anywhere.
Location: Smoky Mountains
Smoky Mountain Fall Colors Report and Forecast
Oct 13-15
Women of Joy
Description: Share a few days with Women of Joy – a ministry that has been changing the lives of women since 1994.
Location: LeConte Center
Website: https://womenofjoy.org/
Pigeon Forge Events in November 2023
Nov 11 – Jan 6
Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood
Description: Families from around the world make Dollywood their Christmas tradition year after year. Experience millions of lights, award-winning shows and a winter wonderland featuring a 50-foot Christmas tree.
Location: Dollywood
Phone: 1-800-DOLLYWOOD
More info:
click here
Nov 9
Pigeon Forge Winterfest Kickoff
Winterfest 2023 kicks off in Pigeon Forge with the lighting of more than five million lights throughout town.
Location: All Throughout Pigeon Forge
Thanksgiving Weekend / Black Friday Shopping
Description: Thanksgiving weekend is typically a popular time for people to visit Pigeon Forge due to the extended weekend and Black Friday shopping.
Pigeon Forge Events in December 2023
Nov 11 – Jan 6
Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood
Description: Families from around the world make Dollywood their Christmas tradition year after year. Experience millions of lights, award-winning shows and a winter wonderland featuring a 50-foot Christmas tree.
Location: Dollywood
Phone: 1-800-DOLLYWOOD
More info:
click here
Dec 24-Jan 1
HEAVY TRAFFIC
Christmas Break
Description: The week around Christmas and New Year’s is a popular time for people to visit Pigeon Forge due to schools having winter breaks, Winter Extreme taking place in Gatlinburg, year-end shopping deals, etc.
New Year’s Eve
Description: There are numerous New Year’s Eve events, parties, and celebrations throughout Pigeon Forge. Get details on all of the places to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Pigeon Forge by
clicking here.
Final Thoughts
This list of upcoming Pigeon Forge events will be modified throughout the year if events are added, cancelled, changed, etc. Also, just because a date doesn’t have “Heavy Traffic” labeled beside it doesn’t mean the traffic won’t be heavy…we simply marked which events draw a large amount of traffic each year so that you can plan accordingly.