Independence Day celebrations in the Smoky Mountains are back with a bang in 2022! Discover one-of-a-kind things to do, and enjoy all your favorite patriotic festivities decked out in red, white and blue. Catch a parade, listen to live music, feast on classic summer dishes and drinks, and – of course – enjoy colorful fireworks all throughout the mountains!
Events and schedules are subject to change. So, please check with each venue before visiting to get the latest details about opening times, closures and any Covid related safety requirements. Now, read on to find out where you can celebrate the good ol’ U.S. of A. in the Smoky Mountains in 2022!
Gatlinburg 4th of July Midnight Parade
Be the first one to celebrate America’s freedom with Gatlinburg’s annual 4th of July Midnight Parade. In an unforgettable tradition going back over 40 years, the parade – named by National Geographic Traveler Magazine as one of the top ten parades to see in the US – kicks off right when the clock strikes midnight and ticks into July 4th. Both tourists and locals will line the main thoroughfare of Downtown Gatlinburg to honor our country’s military veterans and heroes. Bring chairs and blankets for the whole family to sit back and enjoy then get ready to marvel at patriotic floats, giant helium balloons, costumed characters, marching bands, bagpipe players, bluegrass music, horseback riders, and so much more!
Gatlinburg Fireworks Display
The 4th of July starts at 12:00 am in Gatlinburg with the parade, but it finishes with a giant BANG in one of the Smoky Mountains most spectacular fireworks displays. Start watching the skies above the Gatlinburg Space Needle around 10:00 pm. The 407-foot-high observation tower is tall enough that the display will light up the night and fill the skies, allowing you to see the show from just about anywhere in town. But locals know that the best views are in the area around traffic lights #3 and #5.
Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta
In between the bookends of parades and fireworks, there are plenty of fun and exciting things to do to carry on the celebrations in Gatlinburg. Immerse yourself in local traditions like the Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta. While it may not be full-on white water rafting, this race of unmanned floatables takes place on the scenic Little Pigeon River that runs right through town and is a memorable activity for the whole family to share together.
Registration is at 10:00 am, then the race kicks off at 11:00 am at the Christ in the Smokies bridge. You can either enter a rented rubber duck for a small fee ($2, $3 or $5) or bring your own at no cost. All proceeds are donated to the Gatlinburg Chamber Foundation.
The race ends once all of the floatables have crossed the finish line at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Winners will receive trophies for finishing 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Treasure, Duck and Most Creative Float categories.
Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales
The beloved annual summertime tradition – Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales – returns to Gatlinburg this year from July 1, 2022 to July 31, 2022. Recurring daily from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm, this exciting festival is filled with roving street performers, musicians, storytellers, cloggers and artisans. Discover some of the best talent in the Great Smoky Mountains in downtown Gatlinburg – and it’s all FREE! As you mosey down The Strip you’ll hear the rhythm of clog dancers tapping out their beat along the street. Listen as storytellers regale passersby with traditional mountain tales. Check out the wares of local artisans as the music of bluegrass bands and folk singers drift through the air. Later in the evenings, things really crank up with more live bluegrass music.
Pigeon Forge Patriot Festival
Right next door to Gatlinburg, you can celebrate Independence Day in Pigeon Forge. They’ll be hosting their annual Patriot Festival on Monday, July 4th with food, fun games and music. The entire festival is open and free to the public. The headliner of the festival’s concert is Grammy-nominated country music star, Josh Turner! Catch his performance of hits like Would You Go with Me and Long Black Train. Bring your picnic blankets and lawn chairs to claim your spot for the big fireworks show that kicks off at 9:50 pm. Visit the event website (No Follow Link) for information on the full schedule.
Downtown Asheville Independence Day Celebration
If you’re on the North Carolina side of the Smokies, head to Pack Square Park in Downtown Asheville, NC at 6:30 pm and grab your spot for the big fireworks display. While there is no accompanying festival this year, feel free to bring a picnic basket or order delicious takeout from one of the amazing downtown restaurants. DJ Nex Millen will be playing tunes from the Pack Square stage from 6:30–9:30 pm. Then the fantastic fireworks display begins at 9:30.
Backyard Fourth in Maggie Valley, NC
Also over in North Carolina, you can join in Maggie Valley’s annual Backyard Fourth celebration. Hosted at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds, the gates open on the 4th of July at 6:00 pm, and admission is free. Bring your picnic blankets, chairs, food, bubbles, hula hoops, and games! (Just FYI, this is an alcohol-free event.) Enjoy an evening of picnics and fun before the exciting fireworks show starts at dark.
Reminder: Fireworks are illegal in National Forests
Fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices are prohibited on all national grassland and national forest lands year-round, regardless of weather conditions or holidays. Regulations are enforced, and violation is punishable as a misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment of not more than six months, or both.
