Top 5 Most Popular Gatlinburg Fall Events

Fall in the Smoky Mountains is postcard-perfect. Warm days, crisp nights, and all the original crafts, tasty food, Halloween fun and autumn festivities you could want. Join us in Gatlinburg for these unique outings.

1. Oktoberfest at Ober Mountain

Break out the beer, serve the strudel, and go German at Ober Mountain's Oktoberfest. “Oompah bands” tootle traditional music and the outdoor beer garden offers mountain views with Bavarian brews. You’ll have access to Ober’s great activities, too, like ice bumper cars, coasters, slides, rock climbing, mini golf, arcade games, and the Wildlife Experience.

2. Ripley's Fright Nights

Ripley’s Haunted Adventure is a year-round haunted house experience, but on October weekends, they amp up the chills with super spooky Fright Nights. Expect vintage thrills with this year’s “Nostalgic Nightmare” theme on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 2-31. Ask about the VIP package for couples and photos with the monsters.

3. Hands On Gatlinburg

Create your own unique arts and crafts pieces with guidance from experienced artists. Hands On Gatlinburg is three days of studio classes where you can let your inner crafter loose. Sign up to make a stained glass panel, weave a basket, paint a watercolor still-life, blow glass, mold soaps, get your hands dirty making pottery and much more. Register now to choose your favorite crafts.

4. Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair

Get your holiday shopping done early—and be sure to pick up handmade delights for yourself. Watch demonstrations and talk with crafters. There’s something for every taste: Woodwork, metalwork, and leatherwork, plus fabric crafts, ceramics, jewelry, toys, rugs, candles, glass, soaps, prints and paintings, foods and sauces—and much more.

5. Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff

Spicy and hot, mellow and rich, or somewhere in between? However you like your chili, you’ll find plenty to sample at the Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff. Taste chilis from 20 local eateries as they compete to tempt judges’ taste buds. Listen to live music while you try family-friendly activities, too. Just keep a napkin handy!

When you’re tuckered out after a day of fall fun, return to a private Gatlinburg vacation cabin to recharge for the next day’s festivities. Colonial Properties welcomes you to your mountain home.