5 Best Dinner Shows in Pigeon Forge, Ranked

horses and acrobats from dolly's stampede

Dolly Parton's Stampede is one of the most popular shows in the area (media photo courtesy of The Dollywood Company)

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Sure, Vegas has Usher and Dion and Sting.

And sure, Broadway has a number of musicals based on Disney properties and the life stories of Motown artists and Alanis Morissette.

But none of them have what we have in Pigeon Forge: Dinner shows with comedic musicals based on true life events, feats of aerobatics, equine-based stunts and more – all delivered with a delicious multi-course meal you can eat with your hands.

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What is the best dinner show in Pigeon Forge?

Pigeon Forge dinner shows are truly great.

My friends, with the possible exception of the attractions in Branson, Orlando and other tourism meccas of the South, Pigeon Forge is the go-to spot for dinner theatre.

Want to take a date to a dinner and a show? Well, have we got a deal for you!

Pigeon Forge’s dinner theatre culture is well-established and beloved. Generations have come to the Forge to be fed and entertained simultaneously with great success.

Over the years, different experiments in dinner theatre have come and gone. Now, the proprietors of these shows seemed to have figured out the formula, and menu, for success.

In some cases, that formula is to see what Dolly Parton is doing and copy it.

sign for biblical times theater
The sign for Biblical Times in Pigeon Forge (photo by Alaina O’Neal/TheSmokies.com)

5. Biblical Times Dinner Theater

There’s something about the idea of the Biblical Times Dinner Theatre that I can’t quite get my head around. I have, over the course of my life, enjoyed several good passion plays. I grew up around gospel music. But I couldn’t, in good conscience, rank Biblical Times No. 1, and it felt odd to rank it lower than that.

Ultimately, I think my aversion to the show is eating a meal while watching it. I was raised in a fairly straight-laced, but accepting Methodist Church and I simply can’t allow myself to enjoy eating during worship – outside of communion, of course.

If Biblical Times were to put on the show, then invite everyone into the fellowship hall in the basement where a series of very nice ladies serve us all a wide variety of spaghetti and soggy garlic bread, I would be able to embrace this show better.

Still, this theater offers a “feast of Biblical proportion”. The menu features an appetizer, yeast roll, pot roast, smoked chicken, an array of sides and a dessert. Visit the website for current offerings.

Murder Mystery Show Building
This theater offers four different options (photo by Alaina O’Neal/TheSmokies.com)

4. Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show

Just when everyone thought they had all the answers, the owners of this show changed the questions.

Offering four different mysteries, two rated PG-13, and the other two PG, the dinner show is located on Teaster Lane in Pigeon Forge and presents a hearty meal with a side order of … crime. 

The menu features country-fried chicken and savory pulled pork and a choice of soups. And choose from raspberry, chocolate or caramel cheesecake for dessert.

Sit back and watch the entertainment or participate in cracking the case. Check Tripster for ticket prices.

hatfield and mccoy dinner feud
This show is loosely based on real-life events (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

3. The Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud

The Hatfield and McCoy dinner show ruffled my feathers for its first couple of years of existence. It’s not like the Hatfields and McCoys were particularly close to the region, and the idea of taking a blood feud and turning it into a Hee Haw-esque musical comedy bothered me.

Devil Anse Hatfield was a hard man, colorless, ruthless man who sacrificed many lives on the altar of his pride.

But, over the years, I’ve come to the realization that turning him into a sideshow character may be somehow, oddly appropriate. The show itself is funny and features singing, dancing and dog jumping contests.

The fried chicken dinner comes with pulled pork and mashed potatoes as well as corn and other fixings. Check Tripster for ticket prices.

Read Also: The History of the Hatfields and McCoys, a Timeline of Real Events 

horse rider through fire
The Stampede is one of the best shows in town (media photo courtesy of The Dollywood Company)

2. Dolly Parton’s Stampede

Dolly Parton’s Stampede is the original and, I believe, the most popular show in town.

The Stampede – formally the Dixie Stampede – has removed much of the more problematic Civil War-related theming, but still pits a friendly North against South competition featuring horse-riding stunts, the comedy stylings of Skeeter and more.

Keep in mind, that there are live animals and pyrotechnics present during the meal.

The four-course feast features a whole rotisserie chicken and smoked barbeque pork loin as well as corn on the cob, a potato, dessert and more.

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or dairy-free is available upon request. Check Tripster for pricing.

Read Also: Full List of Shows in Pigeon Forge, Ranked With Prices, Coupons [2023]

Pirates Voyage
Pirates Voyage is basically a pirate-themed Dolly Parton’s Stampede (photo by Alaina O’Neal/TheSmokies.com)

1. Pirates Voyage and Dinner Show

This, for some people, would be something of an upset. Dolly’s Stampede is pretty much the gold standard of the industry, but the Pirates are owned and operated by the same people.

This show enjoys the benefit of newer facilities built with knowledge gained in the operation of the Stampede.

The fun show features mermaids, treasure and a lot of fun theming.

Also, for me, pirates are just cooler. The pirate crews swing, dance and sing. There’s diving acrobatics into a giant pool and pirate ships. What’s not to love? In my opinion, it’s one of the best dinner shows in the whole area.

The four-course Pirates Voyage dinner feast comes with the more pirate-friendly cracklin’ pan-fried chicken and sugar-cured ham but operates basically the same as the Stampede.

Tickets are the same price as the Stampede as well.

Pigeon Forge shows without the full dinner experience

There are a few areas shows that are great, and some will offer snacks and food options. But the menu can be a bit more limited and also sold separately. Here are a few shows worth mentioning:

juggler at comedy barn
The Comedy Barn has live animals and juggling performances (photo by Marie Graichen/TheSmokies.com)

Comedy Barn Theater

The Comedy Barn Theater is owned and operated by The Dollywood Company. It’s a highly-rated show in the area and features a family-friendly, Hee-Haw-style comedy.

While it is not a dinner show, it provides the same level of entertainment and you can eat somewhere else beforehand.

The Lumber Jack Feud Inside Sign
Lumberjack Feud is both a show and an adventure park (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud

Honestly, the Lumberjack Feud is really cool.

First of all, it’s men and women in competitive lumberjack events with feats of strength and dexterity. And it’s always fun to watch the lumberjacks.

Even though it isn’t a dinner show, you can go next door to Calhoun’s and have a nice meal afterward as you watch the participants of the Lumberjack Adventure Park ride the Timber Tower. Check Tripster for ticket prices.

Grand Majestic Theatre

First of all, the show is great. I love Soul of Motown, where talented performers sing classic Motown and tribute tunes from artists like Sam Cooke to the Temptations.

I may not be the biggest country music fan to ever live, but give me some classic Motown and I’m a happy guy.

They also feature Hit Parade, the Magic of Terry Evanswood and Grand American Opry.

Again, Grand Majestic Theater is not a dinner theater. However, there’s a café – which is as much a concession stand as it is a café – that serves appetizers and alcohol.

You can get wings, a BBQ sandwich, a hot dog or deep-fried tacos and take them into the theatre for the show. Visit the website for tickets.

What’s your favorite dinner show when you’re on vacation in Pigeon Forge TN? Let us know in the comments!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

John Gullion

John Gullion, Managing Editor at the Citizen Tribune, is a freelance contributor for TheSmokies.com LLC – the parent company of TheSmokies.com and HeyOrlando.com.

16 thoughts on “5 Best Dinner Shows in Pigeon Forge, Ranked”

  1. I totally agree with everything here, especially Pirates being the best show. I loved Stampede but the show needs refreshing as it’s gotten stagnant. People that visit have too many options and they don’t want to keep seeing the same show for years.
    I do however disagree with the honorable mention of Biblical Times. Having worked for that parent company, I know far too much about the operation and especially how the food is addressed. Just nope.

  2. Dixie Stampede all the way. I tried the Hatfeild and McCoy show, just a few weeks ago, disappointment.

  3. The lumberjack feud show that was there before pirates was better. I would definitely say Stampede is better than pirates!

  4. I guess it depends what you like. The Dixie stampede for me was the most boring, been there only once and didn’t care for it enough to go back. Just went to the Pirate this past Saturday, it was entertaining, but I enjoyed the Hatfield and McCoy’s the best, been there 3 time’s, but that is just me. You have to give hats off to them all. Hats off to all that served the food as well.

  5. Hatfield and McCoys,,worse show in Pigeon Forge!!!! Will never waste my money there again.

  6. I hate to say it but I thought the mystery theater really sucked. I love Hatfield McCoy show food was good. Love the stampede and again the food was delicious. I haven’t been to Biblical Times yet nor the pirate so I can’t say anything one way or the other.

  7. Saw the Hatfield and the McCoy’s dinner show. Show was funny and enjoyed watching. The food was good .chicken was dry but all in all I would give it a four and a half stars

  8. I just saw the Pirates, was very disappointing. More Acrobats than anything. We ordered tickets for a handicap, they put me at the very top row and would do nothing about it. I would never go back to this show. Very Inconsiderate management.

  9. I agree! The Pirates is the best show! Saw them all 2 weeks ago and it was truly amazing!

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