Enjoy!

Free Summer Movie Series at The Forge Cinemas
Now – August 6th, 2026

The Forge Cinemas in Pigeon Forge is bringing back its popular Free Summer Movie Series for Summer 2026! Families and visitors can enjoy FREE select movie showings every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday throughout the summer.

Doors open daily at 9:00 AM, with movies beginning at 10:00 AM. Two family-friendly movies will play each day in separate auditoriums. Seating is first-come, first-served and limited to auditorium capacity.

Guests of all ages are welcome, and kid-friendly snack packs will be available for purchase.

See more on this event at https://www.mypigeonforge.com/event/free-summer-movie-series-at-the-forge-cinemas/.

The Smoky Mountain Big Rig Showdown
July 30th to August 1st, 2026

The iconic Big Rig Showdown is hitting the road and making its way to one of America’s favorite family vacation destinations. Mark your calendars for July 31 and August 1, 2026, as the Smoky Mountain Big Rig Showdown rolls into the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, TN.

Event Highlights for 2026:
Big Rigs – Shiny, custom, and powerful trucks on display
Great Food – Food trucks and vendors from across the region
Truck Parade – A rolling showcase through Pigeon Forge
Light Show – Evening glow featuring some of the brightest rigs around
Live Music & Entertainment – Fun for the whole family

See more on this event at https://www.mypigeonforge.com/event/the-smoky-mountain-big-rig-showdown/.

Celebrate Freedom
August 1st to August 31st, 2026

Celebrate Freedom is Pigeon Forge’s way of saying thank you and to honor all the brave men and women who have fought and are still fighting for our freedom. Pigeon Forge will be celebrating our freedom the entire month of August with discounts for veterans, current military personnel, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians at many of our local businesses and attractions.

These men and women have devoted their lives to protecting the citizens of America, and their bravery deserves to be recognized. Each and every one has made a difference in someone’s life and honoring these servicemen and women shows appreciation for the sacrifices they have made.

See more on this event at https://www.mypigeonforge.com/event/celebrate-freedom/.

Great Smoky Mountain Bronco Stampede
August 14th to August 15th, 2026

The Great Smoky Mountain Bronco® Stampede is a vendor-based Expo for Bronco® and 4 X 4 enthusiasts from across the nation!

The indoor and outdoor event is located at the LeConte Event Center in the heart of Pigeon Forge, TN. The Expo will have a wide range of vendors showcasing the latest Bronco® and off-road products, custom vehicle builds, and a “Show and Shine” competition where Bronco® builds compete for awards across multiple categories.

The event is a chance to connect with fellow Bronco® fans and clubs from all over the country. Whether you’re a seasonal off-roader or just beginning your Bronco® journey, this event offers something for everyone.

See more on this event at https://www.mypigeonforge.com/event/great-smoky-mountain-bronco-stampede/.

Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Club Invasion
August 20th to August 22nd, 2026

We are thrilled to announce the 2026 Jeep® Invasion™, an annual event proudly hosted by the Smoky Mountain Jeep® Club of Maryville, TN!

This year’s Jeep® Show is bigger than ever, featuring both indoor and outdoor exhibits with over 300 national, regional, and local Jeep® accessory vendors. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your Jeep®, connect with fellow enthusiasts, or just enjoy the vibrant Jeep® community, this event has something for everyone.

See more on this event at https://www.mypigeonforge.com/event/great-smoky-mountain-jeep-invasion/.

Tennessee Tax Free Weekend
July 31st to August 2nd, 2026

The state’s traditional sales-tax holiday ahead of the start of the 2026-27 school year will be July 31-Aug. 2, according to the Tennessee Department of Revenue website.

Here’s what you can (or can’t) buy tax-free that weekend, either from a physical store on online:

General clothing such as shirts, pants, dresses, socks and shoes that cost $100 or less per item (or pair). The offer doesn’t apply to jewelry, handbags or sports equipment.

School and art supplies that cost $100 or less per item or set of items, such as binders, backpacks, crayons, paper, pens, pencils and rulers, and art supplies such as glazes, clay, paints, drawing pads and artist paintbrushes.

Computers, laptops or tablets for personal use priced at $1,500 or less. The tax-free offer doesn’t apply to storage media (flash drives, compact discs), separate software, printer supplies or household appliances.

See more on this event at https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/education/2026/04/21/when-is-tennessees-tax-free-back-to-school-shopping-weekend-in-july-2026/89556168007/.

8th Annual Great Smoky Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival
August 15, 2026

Join us for a spectacular evening of hot air balloons and family fun! This annual fundraiser supports local community initiatives, with proceeds benefiting the Townsend Volunteer Fire Department and Townsend Elementary School, ensuring vital services and education thrive in our area.

See more on this event at https://exploretownsend.com/great-smoky-mountains-hot-air-balloon-festival/.

4th of July Midnight Parade

“Join us for the Annual Gatlinburg 4th of July Midnight Parade!

Date & Time:
Join us at 12:01 AM on Friday, July 4, for the first Independence Day celebration in the United States. Parade lineup begins at 11:59 PM on Thursday, July 3.

Location:
Downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee
(Begins at Baskins Creek Bypass and ends at Traffic Light #10)

Celebrate Independence Day in Gatlinburg
Make history by attending the Annual Gatlinburg 4th of July Midnight Parade, one of the most iconic Fourth of July events in the country. Recognized by National Geographic Traveler as a “Top 10 Parade to See in the U.S.”, this unforgettable celebration draws tens of thousands of visitors to downtown Gatlinburg each year.

You’ll be part of the first Independence Day parade in the nation, set against the stunning backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Parade Highlights
Experience one of the best Fourth of July events in the Smokies with over 100 unique entries, including:

Patriotic and creatively themed floats
Marching bands and drumlines from around the country
Military salutes and honor guards
Giant balloons and street performers
Family-friendly entertainment all along the Parkway
The parade follows Gatlinburg’s Parkway, from Baskins Creek Bypass to Traffic Light #10, delivering high energy and unforgettable memories from start to finish.”

See this event at https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/annual-4th-of-july-midnight-parade/35.

Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta

“Gatlinburg’s most-nail biting race of the summer returns! Set against the backdrop of Gatlinburg’s fun-filled Fourth of July celebration, comes the ever-competitive River Raft Regatta, an annual race of unmanned floatables down the Little Pigeon River.

All contestants will begin the day at the race’s starting line at Edgewater Hotel & Conference Center, beginning at 11 AM to register their floatable. The race kicks off at 1 PM and ends after all floatables have crossed the finish line at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies plaza.

Eventgoers can opt to enter a rented rubber duck into the competition (or bring your own decorated boat in whimsical or traditional décor at no cost) for $2 or 3 for $5 onsite. All proceeds go to the Gatlinburg Chamber Foundation and is a great way to for everyone to participate in this fun, thrilling event. This year’s River Raft Regatta will issue trophies to those who finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Treasure, Duck and Most Creative Float categories.

Come be a part of the Fourth of July tradition beloved by Gatlinburg visitors of all ages!”

See this event at https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/gatlinburg-river-raft-regatta/21.

4th of July Drone Show & Fireworks Finale

“Designated a Top 20 event by Southeast Tourism Society, join the celebration in downtown Gatlinburg as the city lights up the mountain skyline with to mark our nation’s “Independence Day” with animated 200 drones show featuring patriotic themes launching from the top of the Convention Center and spectacular fireworks finale from the Gatlinburg Space Needle. You can even get a behind the scenes look at the drones after the event!

The show is free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to find parking and avoid road closures.

Gatlinburg will light up the Smoky Mountain sky with a dual finale: a stunning patriotic drone show beginning at 10:50 p.m., followed by the city’s signature fireworks display launched from the Gatlinburg Space Needle. The synchronized aerial shows are free and open to the public, with ideal viewing from the Shade Tree Lot on Airport Road.”

See this event at https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/4th-of-july-drone-show-%26-fireworks-finale/815.