If you are planning a vacation to the Smoky Mountains around July 4th, there are two fantastic Independence Day celebrations taking place in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge! Get your family and friends together to join in the celebration of our nation’s independence while listening to live music, watching magnificent fireworks displays and more! Check out these awesome ways to celebrate the 4th of July in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge:
42nd Annual Gatlinburg Fourth of July Midnight Parade
The Independence Day celebration starts in Gatlinburg, TN at 12:01 AM on Tuesday, July 4, 2017 with the 42nd Annual Gatlinburg Fourth of July Midnight Parade! For over 40 years, this classic American small town parade has honored our nation’s Military Veterans and other U.S. Military Heroes while nearly 80,000 spectators line the streets. The parade has been noted as a “Top Ten Parade to see in the US” by National Geographic Traveler magazine and was named a Top 20 Event for 2016 by the Southeast Tourism Society! The parade route starts at traffic light #1A on East Parkway, turns south onto Parkway at traffic light #3 and travels the entire length of downtown to end at traffic light #10 at Ski Mountain Road. Be sure to arrive early to secure a great viewing spot along the parade route!
Gatlinburg’s Fireworks Finale
The 4th of July in Gatlinburg celebration concludes with a spectacular 20 minute fireworks display at 10 PM in the heart of downtown! The 100th Army Band will perform in a free concert at 8:30 PM and again following the fireworks at 10:20 PM on Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza. The best fireworks viewing areas are around traffic lights #3 and #5, so bring your family and friends to view this explosive finale to Independence Day!
Pigeon Forge’s 27th Annual Patriot Festival
Celebrate the 4th of July in Pigeon Forge TN at the 27th Annual Patriot Festival! This wonderful family friendly event features an evening complete with live music and delicious food, followed by a dazzling fireworks display. The event kicks off at noon on July 4th at Pigeon Forge’s Patriot Park, which is located at stop light #7 on Old Mill Avenue. Free parking is available at the Teaster Lane Municipal Parking Lot at 2936 Teaster Lane where a complimentary shuttle will provide transportation throughout the event. Come to the Patriot Festival to check out the free carnival for children and food vendors, as well as live entertainment from 1:30 to 9:30 PM. The event finale is a spectacular fireworks display at 9:45 to commemorate our nation’s birthday!
If you are looking for the perfect place to stay in the Smokies while celebrating the 4th of July in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, check out the Smoky Mountain cabin rentals from Top Cabin Rentals today! We have a wide variety of affordable cabins with one or more bedrooms as well as all the amenities necessary for a fantastic vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains!
