Are you planning to be in the mountains on New Year’s Eve?
Well, get ready to say goodbye to 2021 and ring in 2022 in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
There are plenty of events in the area to get you in the celebration spirit, and best of all, some of them are free.
Editor’s Note: While our staff will work to keep this list up to date, cancellations are common this year. Check back for updates and call ahead when possible to confirm your plans.
12. Dave & Busters Family Friendly New Year’s Eve Celebration
We would have ranked this celebration a bit higher up on our list but it’s hard to justify a high rank when your party stops at 8 pm.
Regardless, this family-friendly, albeit early New Year’s Eve celebration at Dave & Busters features an appetizer buffet, a $20 power card per guest, unlimited video game play and a video of a ball drop.
Tickets are $47.30 and are available for purchase on EventBrite. Taxes and gratuity are not included.
This event will run from 5 pm-8 pm on New Year’s Eve.
Dave & Busters is located at 1554 Parkway in Sevierville, TN.
11. New Years Eve at Arcade City Gatlinburg
This year at the all-new Arcade City in Gatlinburg, guests will receive a $20 Arcade City Playcard, a flute of sparkling cider and incredible views of the downtown fireworks display at midnight from the second-floor balcony.
Tickets are now available on EventBrite from $65-$75 per person. Taxes and gratuity are not included.
Arcade City is located in downtown Gatlinburg.
Read Also: Chicken Guy Gatlinburg is now open in downtown: A look inside
10. NYE Extravaganza Weekend at Camp Riverslanding
Guests staying at Camp Riverslanding RV resort can celebrate New Year’s Eve in style with live music, food and refreshments from 9 pm-midnight.
The evening will conclude with a champagne toast and a live broadcast of the Times Square ball drop in New York City.
Guests are also invited to partake in the aptly named “Hangover Breakfast” the following morning from 9:30 am-11 am.
For more information, check out their event page on Facebook.
Camp Riverslanding is located at 304 Day Springs Rd in Pigeon Forge, TN.
9. Anakeesta in Gatlinburg
Anakeesta, open until midnight on New Year’s Eve knows how to put on a memorable celebration with lights, live music and a great view of the downtown Gatlinburg fireworks display.
This year’s featured entertainers include local favorite Monroeville (from noon-3 pm) and the Kincaid Band (from noon-5 pm).
Anakeesta’s celebration is included with the price of general admission. For more information, visit their website.
Pro-tip: Anakeesta will be slightly easier to access than other downtown venues on New Year’s Eve but if you wish to be a bit closer to the fireworks show we recommend SkyLift Park (now sold out), Dick’s Last Resort or Arcade City in downtown Gatlinburg.
Anakeesta is located in downtown Gatlinburg.
Read Also: Anakeesta at night: Walking the bridge, tips on what to do
8. NYE party at Dick’s Last Resort
For this year’s New Year’s Eve celebration, Dick’s Last Resort in Gatlinburg is offering free entertainment, free insults and a free champagne toast at midnight (for guests 21 and up).
Dick’s Last Resort is located in downtown Gatlinburg.
Read Also: What is the restaurant where they insult you in Gatlinburg?
7. Kitty Wampus New Year’s Eve at Harpoon Harry’s Crab House
Harpoon Harry’s is now taking reservations for their New Year’s Eve celebration on Resy.
This year, Harpoon Harry’s will be celebrating with live music from Kitty Wampus from 8 pm on Dec. 31 until 12:45 am on Jan. 1. There is no cover charge for this event.
Harpoon Harry’s is located at 112 Community Center Drive in Pigeon Forge, TN.
6. New Year’s Eve at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort
Celebrate 2022 with a variety of events happening at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort.
Reservations for New Year’s Eve Dinner at the resort’s onsite Song & Hearth are already sold out, but guests can still enjoy live music at the resort from The Downtowners Jazz group, Kate & Corey and Dre Hilton.
The night will conclude with a special video countdown on the event lawn and a fireworks display. For more information check out the Dollywood website.
DreamMore is located in Pigeon Forge, TN.
Read Also: Is DreamMore worth it? An honest review of Dollywood’s resort
5. Hard Rock Cafe in Pigeon Forge
The New Year’s Eve party at the Hard Rock Cafe will feature live music by Tuatha Dea from 9:30 pm to midnight.
A $20 cover charge includes communal seating and a champagne toast at midnight (for guests 21 years of age and up).
For more information and updates, visit the event page here.
Hard Rock Cafe is located at 2050 Parkway in Pigeon Forge, TN.
4. Ole Red New Year’s Eve Bash
Ole Red in Gatlinburg will be featuring live music throughout the day until midnight on Dec. 31.
This year’s celebration will feature December Spotlight Artist Whisky Business as well as other Ole Red favorites.
For more information, visit the website here.
Ole Red is located in downtown Gatlinburg.
3. SkyLift Park Lights of Wonder
SkyLift Park in Gatlinburg is traditionally a popular viewing spot to see the city’s fireworks.
VIP NYE Lights of Wonder tickets are already sold out for 2022 but general admission tickets are still available.
For those who were unable to grab a ticket to the VIP event, SkyLift Park will be broadcasting the Gatlinburg ball drop and fireworks show on their Facebook page starting at 11:55 pm.
For more information, visit their website.
SkyLift Park is located in downtown Gatlinburg.
Read Also: Anakeesta vs. SkyLift Park: Which attraction is better?
2. Fireworks at The Island in Pigeon Forge
Visit The Island in Pigeon Forge on New Year’s Eve for an Island Fountain show and a midnight fireworks display.
This year, The Island will be open from 10 am to midnight. Restaurant and shop hours may vary.
For more information and updates, visit their website.
The Island in Pigeon Forge is located along the Parkway in Pigeon Forge.
1. Gatlinburg New Year’s Eve Ball Drop
Gatlinburg’s New Year’s Eve Ball Drop is the largest New Year’s Eve celebration in town.
Each year, guests gather around the iconic space needle to watch the ball drop and a midnight fireworks show.
But if you plan to attend this popular event, be sure to get there early to secure a parking spot.
The Space Needle is located in downtown Gatlinburg.
Read Also: Parking in Gatlinburg: Prices, maps and free parking tips
What are YOUR plans for New Year’s in the Smokies? Let us know in the comments!
