Oktoberfest Leads The Way For Fall Events In Gatlinburg
By Leif Palmer
Posted on September 20, 2022
Autumn is a special time in Gatlinburg thanks to the variety of seasonal events taking place in the city. These events add yet another dimension for visitors to experience, especially if they're already traveling to the Smokies to see the foliage change colors in the national park or to visit any of the city's world-class attractions. Mix in the existing selection of shops and restaurants, and it's easy to see what makes fall one of the most popular times of year to visit Gatlinburg.
One of the area's more popular annual events returns to Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort this week. OktOBERfest kicks off early (as usual) on September 23 and runs through October 30. This 13th annual autumn celebration features five weeks of Bavarian-style food, drink and music, including the Smoky Mountain Oompah Band performing traditional folk dances in authentic costumes in a series of free daily shows. In addition to the live entertainment, Ober's selection of beverages and foods will add a layer of German authenticity to the event.
And if a full month of yodeling, schnitzel and Bavarian dances isn't enough to hold your interest, note that Ober Gatlinburg will have its usual array of seasonal attractions, including bumper cars, a rock-climbing wall, an alpine coaster, indoor skating rink, alpine slide, scenic chairlift and more.
Beginning October 13, Gatlinburg visitors can get their craft-fair fix at the annual Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair. That event runs through October 30 as well. Taking place at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, this show welcomes top crafts people from all over the country. It's a juried event in which only the best of the best are selected to display their hand-crafted wares and demonstrate their skills live. Look for exceptional pieces of pottery, paintings, leatherwork, copper art, candy making, photography and much more. In all, more than 200 exhibitors will be on the convention center floor, where guests can shop, observe and interact with the crafters. There are also hands-on art activities for the kids, live country and bluegrass shows, food vendors and more. It's a great opportunity to get your holiday shopping kicked off with a bang.
November starts with an event called Astra Lumina at Anakeesta adventure park. This nighttime outing allows Anakeesta guests to immerse themselves in uniquely designed light displays, projections and soundtracks, all in an effort to help them connect with the celestial lights in the skies above. It's part of Anakeesta's Lumina Enchanted Night Walk series, the first of its kind in the country.
Whether you're traveling up a mountain to access Ober Gatlinburg or Anakeesta or staying in the heart of downtown to visit the Craftsmen's Fair, we have the widest selection of affordable parking lots Gatlinburg has to offer. Pay one price for the full day and easily get to your destination (or to tram transportation up the mountain) by foot.
About Leif Palmer
Leif Palmer loves residing in Gatlinburg. He is an avid outdoorsman: rowing for exercise on the lake, trail hiking, and free climbing rocks in the mountains. He indulges his arty side by periodically beating up pieces of marble by sculpting. He is always frustrated by his inability to sink long putts, and hates his curly hair (but his wife loves it). Leif has been known to muster enough courage to change a diaper, and hopes his son will become a chip off the old block.