4 Fun Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg

The best way to celebrate Independence Day is with a trip to the Smoky Mountains, where you’ll find all kinds of festive activities throughout Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg! Put on your red, white and blue to show off your patriotism, then get ready for fireworks, parades and other exciting events! Here are 4 fun ways to celebrate the 4th of July in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg:

1. Attend the Patriot Festival

One of the best ways to celebrate the 4th of July in Pigeon Forge is with the Patriot Festival at Patriot Park! This popular annual event  features a night of live music, food, and fun games in honor of our great nation’s birthday! After the musical performances, the night sky will light up with a dazzling fireworks display that is sure to take your breath away! All of the activities are free and open to the public, so bring your family and friends for an unforgettable evening!

2. See the First Independence Day Parade in the Nation

Gatlinburg is home to the first Independence Day parade in the nation, as it kicks off at 12:01 AM on the 4th of July! You’ll want to stay up late to see this amazing parade that has been named by National Geographic Traveler Magazine as a “Top Ten Parade to See in the US”! The parade route begins at the intersection of East Parkway and Baskins Creek Bypass, then turns south onto the Parkway at traffic light #3. The parade then continues through downtown Gatlinburg, ending at Ski Mountain Road. Be sure to arrive early to park and secure your place along the parade route!

3. Watch the Fireworks at the Gatlinburg Space Needle

Another fun way to celebrate the 4th of July in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg is by viewing the magnificent fireworks display at the Gatlinburg Space Needle! The spectacular 20 minute show starts at 11 PM on Independence Day and can be viewed from any vantage point throughout Gatlinburg! One of the best places to see the show is from the Gatlinburg SkyBridge Park, where you can view the fireworks from the top of the mountain! There are a limited number of tickets available for this event, so be sure to buy some as soon as possible!

4. Visit the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary at Dollywood

Celebrate the birth of our nation by visiting Dollywood’s Eagle Mountain Sanctuary, a 30,000-square foot aviary that houses the country’s largest presentation of non-releasable bald eagles! This is a rare opportunity to get an up close look at these beautiful birds that symbolize the strength and freedom of America! You’ll also get to see members of the American Eagle Foundation interacting with these spectacular animals, so be sure to bring your camera along to capture some unique photos!

Now that you know some of the fun ways to celebrate the 4th of July in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, check out all of our cabins in the Smokies today to plan your getaway! We look forward to welcoming you to the Smoky Mountains!