Just 5 weeks from now will be the hallowed eve of Halloween in the Tennessee hollow, but the season of pumpkin spice and punk frights across the county will begin and be in the throes of celebration pretty much starting by the time you read this.
Many of our Smoky Mountain visitors come in October and even as early as late September to get a wide variety of seasonal atmosphere from the Tennessee Smokies – the Fall Colors, the Harvest Festival celebrations, the cooler temperatures and woodsy smells, and the primeval feeling of getting scared by the forces of the unknown. We say much of the first three as part of our Smoky Mountain tourism, so let’s have some fun and devote this article to the spooks and chills you can have in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg from now until midnight October 31st!
Halloween Events:
Great Pumpkin LumiNights at Dollywood
Start Date: Sep 25, 2020
End Date: Oct 31, 2020
From their official page on mypigeonforge.com:
“Named as the country’s best fall theme park event last year by USA Today, the annual Dollywood Harvest Festival is a must-see experience during the fall season. Below are some of the fun and exciting things to see and do at this year’s festival, you won’t want to miss.
See the New Colossal Pumpkins! One of the new additions to this year’s Harvest Festival are more than a dozen colossal pumpkins that came from growers across the East Coast. These pumpkins weigh anywhere from 800 to more than 1500 lbs. each.”
See more on this event at https://www.mypigeonforge.com/event/harvest-celebration.
Ripley’s Fright Nights
Start Date: October 2, 2020
End Date: November 1, 2020
From their official page on gatlinburg.com:
“Ripley’s Haunted Adventure Fright Nights happen every weekend in the month of October. This year the theme is Nostalgic Nightmare.”
Halloween Spooktacular Event
Start Date: Oct 29, 2020
From their official page on mypigeonforge.com:
“Join the family-fun Spooktacular Halloween Event at the Pigeon Forge Community Center on the Thursday before Halloween. This free and non-scary event is a safe alternative for families to go Trick or Treating.”
See more on this event at https://www.mypigeonforge.com/event/spooktacular-halloween-event/.
Trick or Treat Kick Off Karnival
Start Date: October 31st
From their official page on gatlinburg.com:
“A fantastic family Halloween day event from 1:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m. Fun for visiting guests and local residents – contests, costumed characters, candy and more await guests who attend this annual Halloween extravaganza. Festival locations will be at Anakeesta Plaza and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza in Gatlinburg.”
See more on this event at
https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/ripleys-trick-or-treat-kick-off-karnival/25/.
Halloween Trick of Treat
Start Date: October 31st
From their official page on mypigeonforge.com:
“Step right up! Step right up! Join us for our annual Halloween Trick of Treat at The Island in Pigeon Forge.
Enjoy free Trick or Treating Halloween night at The Island In Pigeon Forge and unlimited rides for just $5 for those in costume. Currently, the start time of Trick of Treat is still TBD. Check back for details.”
See more on this event at
https://www.mypigeonforge.com/event/halloween-trick-treat/.
Horrific Attractions
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum
88 River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(888) 240-1358
From their official website:
“The weirdest place in Gatlinburg is back and better than ever with an ALL NEW experience. Get up close to a car completely covered in crystals, see a dragon made out of recycled scrap metal, check out the National Anthem on license plates from the 50 states, you will not believe the beautiful Last Supper artwork made out of lint!”
See more on this attraction at
https://www.ripleys.com/attractions/ripleys-believe-it-or-not-gatlinburg#odditorium.
Mysterious Mansion
424 River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-7007
From their official website:
“We invite you to join us in a terrifying excursion to explore this classic “turn of the century” haunted mansion. Let your fears awaken and discover the startling secrets of this dreadfully daunting domain. If you dare to step inside this once grand abode you shall take an unguided tour finding your way through secret passageways, eerie dark corridors, winding staircases and spine chilling chambers that will curdle the blood of even the bravest of souls! But BEWARE! You never know what restless, rotting residents might be lurking around the corner in each foreboding room ahead …or BEHIND YOU! Join us and Release Your Screams in Gatlinburg’s original haunted house! IF YOU DARE!”
See more on this attraction at
https://gatlinburgsmysteriousmansion.com/.
Castle of Chaos
110 Showplace Blvd unit a, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 428-5228
From their official website:
“Step inside the Pigeon Forge Castle – high on the hill at Parkway and Showplace – for a non-stop, shoot-em-up great time! This Pigeon Forge attraction is nothing short of exhilarating as you swoop through new exciting lands, surrounded by sights and sounds that make you feel like you’re really inside the game. You’re seated in a theater during this madcap 5D adventure, but you’ll feel like you’re virtually right there – sometimes careening across the cobblestones, whooshing from rooftop to rooftop, or splashing over a behemoth waterfall. Your trusty 3D goggles and handy laser blaster will help you get into the action and compete with other riders to shoot for the highest score. High fives can be given all around as the fun ends with a screen shot showing each person’s tally.”
See more on this attraction at
https://www.hollywoodwaxentertainment.com/pigeon-forge-tn-attractions/castle-of-chaos/.
Outbreak – Dread the Undead
110 Showplace Blvd unit a, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 428-5228
From their official website:
“#1 ZOMBIE ATTRACTION IN PIGEON FORGE, TN. What happened here at Chemacorp, the company that was once the global leader in biotechnology? Their experimental DNA-altering Alpha Strain has gone terribly wrong and turned soldiers into aggressive zombies. Now, the building is on lockdown, and the only way out is through an emergency exit on the other side of the compound! Along the way, the sights, sounds, smells, and real live scares will keep you on your toes and make your heart pound. It’s seriously a thrill-a-second the whole way through as you avoid being infected by hordes of the undead or exposed to the remaining aerosol doses of Alpha Strain. Contain your fear? No way!”
See more on this attraction at
https://www.hollywoodwaxentertainment.com/pigeon-forge-tn-attractions/outbreak-zombie-attraction/.
Appalachian Ghostwalks
(423) 743-9255
From their official website:
“Appalachian GhostWalks invites you, your family and friends, or tour group to come and explore the mysteries of our mountain heritage. All tours feature actual haunted sites where many of our guests have experienced the unknown and the unexplained and where history is brought to life for all ages. Our tours and vacation packages are always great for kids as young as five – designed to be a positive yet thrillling experience for the whole family!”
See more on this attraction at
https://www.appalachianghostwalks.com/.
