Enjoy Awesome Fall Festivities in the Smoky Mountains

Pumpkin spice and everything nice attracts visitors and locals alike to the peaceful side of the Smokies for a variety of autumn events and activities.

Located just 3 hours north of Atlanta, this area makes the perfect weekend getaway for those looking for fun festivals, outdoor recreation, and family-friendly events.

Ready to see the changing leaves and inhale the cool mountain air in Blount County, Tennessee? Here are some of the best things to do there this fall!

Photo byTownsend Fall Heritage Festival

Maryville Farmers’ Market
Support local vendors today at the Maryville Farmers Market in downtown Maryville at Founders’ Square. Every Saturday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. stop by to shop regionally made products. Plus, there are monthly craft days on September 21 and October 19. November 2 and 9 are the Holly Day Markets with crafts. November 9 is the last market of 2024.

Great Smoky Mountains 5K and Half Marathon
Lace up your sneakers and start autumn off right with a beautiful walking and running course through the woods of Townsend. Both the 5K and half marathon are great opportunities for beginners and seasoned racers, alike. The Great Smoky Mountains 5K is on Friday, September 6 at 6:15 p.m. and the half marathon is on Saturday, September 7 at 7 a.m.

Autumn Jubilee Craft and Vendor Show
As the holidays quickly approach this craft and vendor event offers the works of more than 50 makers, artists and other vendors. The Autumn Jubilee Craft and Vendor Show is the perfect chance to support local creators. Located in the parking lot of Victory Baptist Church in Maryville. The event is Saturday, September 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Southern Grace Manor Fall Market Dates
Enjoy autumnal vendors, coffee and baked goods on Saturday, September 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Southern Grace Manor Fall Market in Maryville. Roam through our manor built in 1900 as you explore a variety of fall options.

Maple Lane Farms
Have an “a-maz-ing” time exploring the corn maze and pumpkin patch at Maple Lane Farms in Greenback. The farm, owned by Bob Schmidt, is really a farm that grows corn, wheat, soybeans, oats and pumpkins. Schmidt likes to call the fall fun activities “agritainment.” Beginning Friday September 27, experience fun for all ages getting lost in the corn maze. You can also ride a hay wagon to the pumpkin patch. For the children, there’s a kiddie maze, inflatables and face painting. The Country Barn Store is a haven for all things Halloween and autumnal. Children 4 years old and under are free for the hayrides and corn maze. Costs vary for other attractions for children and adults.

Townsend Fall Heritage Festival
The Townsend Fall Heritage Festival, held on September 27 and 28, at the Townsend Event Center located at 7930 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, is a celebration of Appalachian culture with live Bluegrass music, traditional crafts, and delicious Southern cuisine. Enjoy a diverse lineup of bands including Carolina Bluegrass, Brand New Box of Matches and Tim Decker and Tennessee River, performing throughout the weekend. Feast on offerings from food vendors like Captain Mac’s Seafood and Chef Mo Cafe. Explore crafts, activities for all ages and food vendors from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Parking is $10, benefiting the Townsend Volunteer Fire Department, with free shuttle service available.

The Gathering at RT Lodge
The Gathering at RT Lodge is a vibrant celebration of culinary arts and local craftsmanship. This immersive weekend features collaborative dinners with renowned chefs Abigail Black, Sam Fore, Sahar Siddiqi and Sarah and Karl Worley, alongside RT Lodge’s Trevor Stockton and Caitlyn Cox. Enjoy foraging excursions with Shannon Walker, panel discussions, craft demonstrations, and exclusive tastings from Beard Brothers Coffee and Walker Brothers Craft Kombucha. The event concludes with a special Sunday brunch and private shopping experiences. For more details and tickets, click here. This year’s event begins on Friday September 27 at 3 p.m. and lasts until Sunday September 29 at 11 a.m.

Peaceful Side Social Presents Oktoberfest 2024
Celebrate Oktoberfest all day on Saturday, September 28 at Peaceful Side Social in Townsend. Special programming will be from noon to 6 p.m. featuring family entertainment, including an official Stein holding competition, costume contests for people and dogs, face painting and a bounce house, seasonal special craft beer and curated German food.

Blue Ribbon Country Fair
This ideal family event is a great way to get a taste of life on the farm in the 1800s. Blue Ribbon Country Fair at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend showcases the daily life of a “farmer in the Cove.” Children and adults see picking apples, gathering eggs, sweeping the cabin porch, doing laundry by hand, corn shelling and planting crops were the way of life in the 19th century. This event is Saturday, September 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and requests a $20 parking donation.

Fall Railroad and Heritage Festival
Journey back in time at the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum’s Fall Railroad and Heritage Festival in Townsend. The two-day celebration is great for families and history buffs. Step into the past to explore the rich heritage of Tuckaleechee Cove. Engage with local artisans and vendors, experience riding a hand pump car. Taste a “Steam Cream” homemade ice cream. This event offers a garden railroad ready for visitors to operate. Plus, this festival has exclusive exhibits and rare artifacts. Come experience all the fun on Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tastes of the Smokies
Celebrate the tastes of Appalachian culture with regional food, music and history at the Tastes of the Smokies. This annual fundraising event on Sunday, October 13 at 5 p.m. benefits the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend. Chat with living history demonstrators while tasting artfully prepared food and drink provided by local restaurants such as Towns End Coffee, Peaceful Side Social and The Abbey. Attendees walk through the galleries and Appalachian Village at a leisurely pace to see what’s new at the Heritage Center. Tickets begin at $125 for adults ages 21 and up.

Spooktacular Extravaganza
Boo! Find fun Halloween activities on West Broadway in downtown Maryville at Spooktacular Extravaganza. There’s fun for the whole family including trick or treating at downtown businesses, a dog costume contest, a dance party in the street, carnival games and more. It’s on Friday, October 25 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. This event is free with one exception -- it costs $5 to enter a pet in the costume contest.

DIY Spooky Book
Put your creativity to the test and make a spooky looking book – one that mirrors something a witch or wizard may use. This class will upcycle old books by following step by step instructions to create your own masterpiece. All materials are provided unless you’d prefer to bring your own book or additional objects to use in decorating. The class is held on Friday October 25 at 5 p.m. at Creative Spark Studio in Maryville. It costs $40 plus a 4.5% booking fee.

Trick or Read
Kids ages 3 to 10 years old can come to the Blount County Public Library Children’s Room for a free book, while supplies last. Take the opportunity to show off your Halloween costume.

Autumn Brilliance Photography Workshop at Tremont
Celebrate fall and enhance your nature photography skills with the Autumn Brilliance Photography Workshop in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This immersive course will teach you to capture the vibrant fall colors and diverse landscapes, from mountain vistas to intimate stream scenes, using expert techniques in light, composition, and equipment. Enjoy exclusive access to scenic spots like Foothills Parkway and Cades Cove, with ample feedback from five seasoned photographers. Suitable for all skill levels, this $912 workshop includes instruction, food, and lodging within the park November 1st through November 4th.

This article is not at all sponsored, affiliated or a paid promotion. We just love sharing the best of the Southeast with you via NewsBreak. Sign up to receive daily stories like this right to your inbox.