Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer vacation season, and we can’t think of a better place to spend it than Pigeon Forge! Our Smoky Mountain city really comes alive at the end of May, with gorgeous weather and a number of special events that your family is sure to love. To help you make the most of your getaway, we has put together a guide to five awesome Memorial Day events in Pigeon Forge and the Smokies.
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1. Family Fest in the Smokies
If you’re a fan of gospel music, you definitely don’t want to miss Family Fest in the Smokies! This three-day event at the Gatlinburg Convention Center features some of the biggest names in gospel, including organizers Bill and Gloria Gaither. The uplifting concerts and worship services will take place from Friday evening through Sunday over Memorial Day weekend.
May 26-28, 2017
Gatlinburg Convention Center
234 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
2. Dollywood’s Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival
Dollywood’s Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival is one of the most popular Memorial Day events in Pigeon Forge. Beginning on Friday, this 10-day festival celebrates two of Tennessee’s best traditions: delicious smoked meats and toe-tapping music. The theme park will offer all of your favorite BBQ dishes, including pulled pork, smoked chicken, smoked sausage, ribs, and the best Southern sides. In addition to the mouthwatering food. Dollywood’s Barbeque & Bluegrass launches the unofficial start of summer and combines the tastiest barbeque in the South with free daily concerts from the biggest names in bluegrass. This year’s festival features an impressive bluegrass lineup including Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Dailey and Vincent, Blue Highway, Hot Rize and Steep Canyon Rangers.
Theme Park
10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Dollywood Theme Park
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd. Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
3. Start of the Season at Dollywood’s Splash Country
Located next door to Dollywood, the Splash Country water park is another can’t-miss destination for any Memorial Day weekend vacation in Pigeon Forge. Ranked among TripAdvisor’s top 10 water parks, Dollywood’s Splash Country is the perfect place to cool off when the weather gets hot. Featuring 35 acres of thrilling attractions, dining options, canopies and retreats, and beautiful scenery, our award-winning water park has something for everyone.
Water Park
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Dollywood Theme Park
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd. Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
4. Smoky Mountain Thunder Memorial Ride
The Smoky Mountain Thunder Memorial Ride honors the brave men and women in our armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice with a special motorcycle procession through five counties in East Tennessee. The ride begins on Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Sevier County Courthouse. Spectators will have the chance to see hundreds of motorcycles, a bald eagle, and a moving wreath-laying ceremony at the Veteran’s Monument.
Sunday, May 28th.
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5. White Water Rafting with Smoky Mountain Outdoors
Memorial Day weekend is a great time to go white water rafting with Smoky Mountain Outdoors! The end of May marks the start of prime rafting season because the dam that regulates the Pigeon River begins making guaranteed water releases on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Treat yourself to an unforgettable experience at Smoky Mountain Outdoors (SMO) with one of our many white water rafting adventures in Tennessee. Whether you’re looking for a mild ride on the lower section of the river or a wild ride on the upper section of the river, you’ll have a blast when you take a white water rafting adventure with Smoky Mountain Outdoors.
453 Brookside Village Way Gatlinburg, TN 37738
