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With so much to see and do in The Smokies – we thought it would be helpful to create this little March round-up of upcoming local events throughout Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg! For a complete events calendar, check out our events calendar page. Want to add your event to the list – contact us here!
Elvis Tribute
Elvis fans will not want to miss this tribute at the Grand Majestic! The show is headlined by artists Michael Chambliss, Matt Cordell, Austin Irby and Travis Powell. Call the box office or visit the website to purchase tickets.
Learn all about K9s with this all new Alcatraz exhibit (stock photo)
Alcatraz East Crime Museum K9 Meet and Greet
You will not want this exhibit at Alcatraz East Crime Museum. The exhibit includes a section on K9s, and on March 12, it will showcase the unit’s newest members. The museum will also host a K9 meet and greet on April 1. The temporary exhibit opened in summer 2020 and showcases the critical work that the bureau does on a daily basis throughout the state. Visit the website for more information.
Date: Exhibit additions: March 12, 2021; K9 meet and greet: Thursday, April 1, 2021
When: Meet and greet, 10:30 am-12:30 pm (included with admission)
(photo courtesy of Ole Red)
Spring Blake at Ole Red
It is Spring Blake at Ole Red! During the month of March, stop by or follow along on @OleRed’s social media for giveaways, exclusive content, music and more. Enter the “Spring Blake” sweepstakes in which two lucky winners will receive a “Personal Redphone,” a Zoom meet and greet with Blake Shelton and a “Spring Blake at Home Kit” full of supplies to celebrate in true “Spring Blake” fashion. The kit will also include an Ole Red Drumhead signed by Blake Shelton. Visit the website for updates and information.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and Gatlinburg’s week-long event with the best fireworks viewing party in town! The city’s fireworks show will take place at the Space Needle, directly across from and 100 feet below the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park and SkyBridge. Tickets are limited to ensure space and great views for everyone, plus all tickets include all-day access to the SkyLift Park the following day! Event arrival begins at 8:30 pm with the fireworks scheduled to kick off at 10 pm. For more information, visit the website.
The Titanic’s popular month long celebration will bring out the Irish in everyone! Come celebrate with the crew. Visit the website for more information and to make reservations.
WonderWorks Pigeon Forge announces a new STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) exhibit explaining Earth’s spheres. It is WonderWorks mission to make learning fun for everyone! For more information on this and other events, visit the website.
Alcatraz East Crime Museum Scout Appreciation Days
Honor the scouts during appreciation days at Alcatraz East. All registered scouts wearing a uniform (and their chaperones and tag alongs) are invited to visit for a discounted price. Call about pricing for groups of 10 or more. Visit the Facebook page for information and updates.
Join Anakeesta on St. Patricks Day! Green beer, Irish themed cocktails, mint hot chocolate and special music by bagpiper, Kelly Shipe, will be offered at the fun event. Cliff Top’s menu will include Guinness beef pie, fennel sausage, colcannon, fried leeks, brined corned beef, red potatoes and baby carrots. Music is dependent on the weather. Visit the Anakeesta website to learn more.
Ober Gatlinburg will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with green beer, cabbage and corned beef and live music. The Crossjacks will perform slope side from 1-2 pm. Seasons of Ober Restaurant is open from 5-6:30 pm. Slopes are open from 12-7 pm. Come out and join the fun! Visit the website for more information and updates.
When: Slopes open at 12 pm (included with regular admission)
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with 4 days of Irish music, food, fireworks and so much more. The Smoky Mountains Tunes and Tales will be performing nightly from 5-9 pm as well as dancers performing traditional Irish Dance. Visitors will be treated to a very special appearance by Scottish BagPiper Kelly Shipe each night! The city will be decorated in Shamrock green and fireworks will begin 10 pm on Friday evening. Visit the website for updates and to enter the free trip giveaway for up to 4 lucky people!
The 2021 Classic Hikes of the Smokies in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park feature interpretation of the trails, history and park projects supported by Friends of the Smokies. These hikes support restoration and rehabilitation of some of the Smokies most impacted trails through the Trails Forever program. Start off with the 4 mile Mingus Creek hike, which will feature wildflowers, a historic mill and an old cemetery. Preregistration is required and space is limited. For details and how to register, visit the website.
When: 9 am ($25, members, $35 for renewing or new members) (includes one hike)
St. Paddy’s Day at The Island
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Island in Pigeon Forge! Entertainment will include: The BorderCollies, The Crossjacks, The Tennessee Irish Dancers and Dropkick Murphys. The Island will be decked out in green, and green beer will be on tap at Yeo-Haw Brewing Company. Visit the Facebook page for more information or updates.
Are you ready for some frontier-inspired cooking, prepared without electricity or running water? Circle the wagons at Clabough’s Campground where the cooks will be judged and awarded in categories based on historical accuracy. This weekend event begins with a dinner and music at Mama’s Farmhouse Friday and ends with a breakfast at Stages West and Cowboy Church on Sunday. Saturday offerings include a Western Buckaroo Roundup, free tent entertainment, lunch and an evening concert. Some events are free, but meals and music are priced separately and require tickets. Visit the website to view an online flyer and for more information.
When: Friday, 6 pm; Saturday, 9 am; Sunday, 8:30 am (visit the website for ticket information)
Wine and Cheese Trail
What’s more classic than pairing wine and cheese? Enjoy a glass of wine (your choice of two offerings) paired with delicious, cheesy treats at each of the following (3) locations: Mountain Valley Winery, Hillside Winery and Mill Bridge Winery. Take home a commemorative wine glass after visiting the three participating locations on the Rocky Top Wine Trail. For more information on this event, visit the Facebook event page.
Where: Mountain Valley, Hillside and Mill Bridge Wineries
Join Anakeesta for live music beginning March 18. Cody Bauer Duo, Josh Gilbert Band, Liquid Velvet Duo, Midnight Run, Hendry Bombat, Monroeville, Tennessee Travelers and Shaun Abbott are scheduled so far this month. All events are dependent on the weather. Visit the Anakeesta website to learn more.
When: 12-3 pm, Thursdays-Sundays (included with admission)
Dollywood’s Opening Day
Dollywood opens for the 2021 season on March 13. Capacity remains limited and reservations are highly recommended. The music and entertainment schedule is coming soon. Follow the website for updates on special offers and events.
When: 10 am-7 pm (check the website for admission prices and passes)
Live Music at the Firefly Bar and Grill Patio at Wilderness at the Smokies
Enjoy live music at the Wilderness at the Smokies Firefly Bar and Grill patio. Shaun Abbott, Aaron Tracy, Sara Collins and Slade Adams are scheduled for the month of March. Visit the Facebook event page for more information or schedule changes.
Founded in January 1977, the Corvette Expo is held for Corvette enthusiasts. This expo is the longest running Corvette meet-up in the nation. Events include Cruise the Dragon, Park-n-Show, a swap meet and a Diamond Award Show. Visit the Corvette Expo website to learn more.
Ripley’s hosts several sensory-friendly events and nights throughout the year which offer lowered lighting and music throughout the facility. Quiet spaces are also offered for those who may need a break during their visit. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is a Certified Autism Center. Visit the website for details.
When: 5-9 pm (discount of $3 off per person for families, mention ‘Sensory Night’ at the window)
Sleeping With The Sharks Family Edition
Do sharks sleep? Find out for yourself when you spend the night at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. After a fun-filled night including a dive show, scavenger hunt and late night activity, drift off to sleep while sharks keep a watchful eye on you! Note: Family Edition programs require a minimum of 10 total participants in order to be held. Visit the Ripley’s Aquarium website to learn more.
Date: March 27, 2021 (Saturday evening to Sunday morning)
When: 8 pm- 8:45 am (admission is $67.11 + tax per person)
Ponies in the Smokies
Ford Mustang enthusiasts and clubs will head to Tennessee in March for the Ponies in the Smokies car show. This event features indoor and outdoor car shows, swap meets, auto crosses and poker runs. Social distancing and other safety measures may be enforced. Visit the Ponies in the Smokies website for details and registration.
When: Hours vary each day (prices vary, check the FAQ page for each event admission)
Ober Gatlinburg Spring Fling
Ober Gatlinburg’s annual Spring Fling event will return in 2021. The event will feature pond skimming, where skiers and snowboarders come down the slope to a pond and attempt to skim across without sinking into the icy cold water. The event will also feature the Giant Slalom, big air competitions and other terrain park feature events. This is a free event and advance registration will be available online at www.obergatlinburg.com/springfling. Participants can also register in person the day of the event. Everyone who registers will receive a complimentary Ole Smoky T-shirt.
Puckett’s restaurant and music venue embodies true Tennessee culture through its signature comfort food and talented area artists and musicians. Please check the website for updates or cancellations.
Country fans already know this place gets its name from superstar Blake Shelton’s breakout hit, “Ol’ Red”, and Blake knows a thing or two about spotting country’s next rising stars. Here, at the only live music spot in Gatlinburg with hand-picked talent from Nashville, you never know who will take the stage. For more information, visit the website.
Disclaimer: While we do our best to bring you the most up-to-date information, attractions or prices mentioned in this article may vary by season and are subject to change. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any mentioned business, and have not been reviewed or endorsed these entities. Contact us at info@thesmokies.com for questions or comments.
