Experience Live Music in the Smokies
By Julie Matthews
S
ome of our nation’s most legendary musical artists have hailed from Tennessee including Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and, of course, Dolly Parton, with many more making the state their home. Tennessee is equally known for its deep musical history and its thriving music scene today, which includes a wide mix of musical sounds from bluegrass and blues to rock ‘n’ roll, gospel and soul. Certainly, bluegrass remains a popular music genre in the Tennessee Smokies due to its location in the Blue Ridge Mountains and rich Southern Appalachian heritage.
The region celebrates music and the performing arts throughout the year by holding an array of festivals, concerts and theatrical shows. In Pigeon Forge, Dollywood entertains guests with a variety of live musical performances, including the park’s signature annual festivals I Will Always Love You Music Festival and Flower & Food Festival in the spring; Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration in the summer; and Harvest Festival in the fall.
Townsend’s Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center (GSMHeritageCenter.org) is also a hub for live music. The center regularly hosts concerts, such as the Sunset Concert Series.
Music-Filled Festivals and Events
Top events to keep on your radar.
Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales
Through summer
Gatlinburg’s annual summer street performance festival filled with entertainment from performances to storytelling.
Downtown Gatlinburg
Facebook.com/GBTunesandTales
Pigeon Forge Patriot Festival
July 3-4
Celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary at Patriot Park at this free and family-friendly event.
Patriot Park, Pigeon Forge
PigeonForgePatriotfestival.com
Black Bear & Berry Jam Festival
July 17-19
Ober Gatlinburg’s multi-day festival celebrating food and music.
OberMountain.com
Gatlinburg Songwriters Festival
Aug. 21-22
This two-day music series features top songwriters.
Historic Gatlinburg Inn, Historic Gatlinburg
GatlinburgSongWriters.com
Mountain Music Festival
Aug. 21-23
Gatlinburg Convention Center
Get ready to rock at one of the largest rock music events in the region.
TheMountainUSA.com
Sevier County Fair
Sept. 1-7
Experience something fun for the entire family, including live music.
SevierCountyFair.org
Annual Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival
Sept. 17-19
A fun annual event full of music and camaraderie at the farm.
Dumplin Valley Farm RV Park, Kodak
DumplinValley-Bluegrass.com
National Quartet Convention
Sept. 27-Oct. 3
Gospel music lovers won’t want to miss this event—one of the globe’s biggest gatherings of this music genre.
LeConte Center, Pigeon Forge
Wears Valley Fall Fest
Oct. 16-18
Enjoy a weekend full of live music entertainment at this family-friendly fall festival. Plus, vendors, food trucks and much more.
Field next to Tennessee State Bank, Sevierville
WearsValleyFallFest.com
Grains & Grits
Nov. 7
Live music performances, craft spirits and delicious food and more.
Townsend
GrainsAndGritsFest.com
Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies Festival
Nov. 19-21
A popular holiday-focused festival featuring festive musical performances.
Gatlinburg Convention Center, Gatlinburg
BlueGrassChristmasInSmokies.com
Also see this publication’s Theater Guide section on page 17 for information about popular theater shows in the Tennessee Smokies.
2027
Save the date for the Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass Festival, which is typically held in downtown Sevierville in May.
