Your ultimate guide to fall festivals and haunts around East Tennessee

Although crisp fall temperatures haven't made their way to East Tennessee yet, annual autumn events are already starting, so you can get that fall feeling even if it's still too summery out for your favorite sweater or a hot pumpkin spice latte.

Seasonal festivals and events for all ages are planned around Knoxville, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and East Tennessee to serve up the heartwarming feelings - and the Halloween haunts - this time of year brings. Here's where and when you can visit a pumpkin patch, taste fall-inspired treats, get a good scare and enjoy harvest festivals with your family and friends.

If you would like your fall festival, attraction or event added to this list, email [e-mail].

Anakeesta's Bear-Varian Fall Festival

Until Nov. 1

• Anakeesta visitors can enjoy autumn-themed décor throughout the park, nature-inspired pumpkin carvings, seasonal entertainment and Bavarian-inspired food. Drink specials from several local and regional craft breweries will be available to sample. 
• For more information and to purchase tickets, visit anakeesta.com.

Dollywood's Harvest Festival

Sept. 14-Oct. 31

• Embrace the change of seasons by visiting Dollywood during the annual Harvest Festival. A longstanding tradition at the park, the festival greets guests with seasonal park décor and music, surrounded by the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains in autumn.
• Enjoy live music, harvest-themed food and photo ops with pumpkin displays throughout the park. By night, the pumpkins come to life through the Great Pumpkin LumiNights.
• When the sun goes down during Harvest Festival, the fun glows even brighter at Harvey’s Boo Bash, Dollywood's new exclusive limited-capacity nighttime celebration, on Oct. 16, 23 and 30. Tickets to the Boo Bash can be bundled with daytime admission or purchased for the nighttime event only.
• Fall treats on the menu include a candy corn sundae, caramel apple milkshake, roasted squash soup, stuffed acorn squash, sweet potato cornbread stack, chicken and sausage gumbo and wild-berry tea..
• Dollywood is open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. each day of operation during the Harvest Festival. For more information on Dollywood or to purchase tickets, visit dollywood.com.

Tennessee Brew Works' Wamptoberfest

Sept.

19

• Tennessee Brew Works and Wampler’s Farm Sausage are joining forces for the inaugural Wamptoberfest, an Oktoberfest celebration at Tennessee Brew Works’ new Lenoir City Barrel House, located at 200 East Depot Street. The celebration takes place 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 19, coinciding with the opening day of Germany’s Oktoberfest.
• Admission is free, with reservations highly recommended for larger groups.
• The day will feature a full lineup of live music, beginning with polka band Polkswagon noon-3 p.m., followed by an acoustic set from Ayca & The Sasquatch3:30-6:30 p.m. Local musician Cole Sitzler will close out the evening 7-9 p.m.
• Wamptoberfest will also serve as a qualifying venue for the 2026 Steinholding State Championship. The top male and female competitors from the event will advance to the Tennessee State Championship competition in Knoxville this October.
• To learn more, visit tnbrew.com.

Deep Well Farm's Festivities

Sept. 19-Nov. 1

• Located in Lenoir City, Deep Well Farm offers a corn maze, hayrides, a little wagon train, a pumpkin patch and other family-friendly activities.
• To view festival events and ticket information, visit deepwellfarm.com.

Oakes Farm's Fall Festivities

Sept. 19-Nov. 1

• Celebrate fall on the farm with the family at Oakes Farm's 26th anniversary of showcasing fall activities. Enjoy the corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayrides, animal exhibit, flower fields, fall décor, comfort food, games and fun.
• To purchase tickets and see hours of operation, visit oakesfarm.com.

Pigeon Forge Rotary Club Craft Fair

Sept. 25-Oct. 24

• Visitors to Pigeon Forge have the opportunity to see and purchase handmade items from some of the area’s most talented artists and crafters. Stop by the 50th annual Pigeon Forge Rotary Club Craft Fair in Patriot Park. Admission and parking are free, but freewill donations will be accepted for distribution to local charities.
• The festival is 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily at Patriot Park, along Old Mill Avenue.
• For more information, call [phone].

Ober Gatlinburg's Oktoberfest

Sept. 25-Nov. 1

• Ober Gatlinburg is bringing back Gatlinburg’s original Oktoberfest celebration this fall, Sept. 25-Nov. 1.
• Experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of the world’s most famous beer festival right in the heart of the Smokies. Ober will transform into a Bavarian-style festival grounds, complete with blue-and-white checkered décor, mums, fall leaves, oversized steins and festive photo-ops. Enjoy live bands on the outdoor sound stage and stein-holding competitions for those eager to test their strength Bavarian-style. Relax in the mountaintop biergarten and sip on five different German beers from Yee-Haw Brewing, paired with authentic favorites such as chicken schnitzel, sausages, turkey legs, giant pretzels, and sweet treats including apple strudel and pumpkin fudge.
• For more information, visit obergatlinburg.com.

Kyker Farms Fall Adventure

Sept. 26-Oct. 31

• Kyker Farms in Sevierville will offer family fun including corn mazes, hayrides, a pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, bonfires, playgrounds and more.
• Hours are 4-7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 1-7 p.m. Sunday.
• For more information, visit kykerfarmscornmaze.com.

Rocky Top Mountain Coaster Coasts & Goblins

Oct. 1-31

• Coasts & Goblins has returned to Rocky Top Mountain Coaster in Pigeon Forge. Enjoy 20 acres of hair-raising, bone-chilling fun on Tennessee’s longest mountain coaster weekends throughout October.
• Coaster riders control the speed, whether flying by to escape doom or slowing down for creepy closeups. Tickets are available at rockytopcoaster.com.

Maple Lane Farms Fall Festival and Corn Maze

Oct. 2-31

• Maple Lane Farms is celebrating the 28th year of its annual fall festival, which features a 10-acre corn maze, hayrides, pumpkin patch, sunflower fields, inflatables, food and games. The 2026 maze design features the theme "Celebrating 250 years of America."
• The family-friendly farm, located in Greenback, is open weekends Oct. 2-31. The corn maze will be haunted on weekends through Oct. 31, starting at dusk.
• For more information, visit tnmaplelanefarms.com.                                            

Dead Man's Farm Haunted Attraction

Oct. 2-Nov. 1

• Dead Man's Farm Haunted Attraction in Philadelphia, Tennessee, celebrates 18 years of fear this fall. Interactive attractions include the Bludgeon Haunted House, Lost Souls Haunted Trail and Midway Escape Games.
• For tickets and hours, visit deadmansfarm.com.

Zoo Knoxville's BOO! at the Zoo

Oct. 3-30

• BOO! at the Zoo will feature several nights of not-too-scary Halloween fun, good for preschool- and elementary-age children. The family event features trick-or-treating along the BOO! Trail, where little trick-or-treaters can fill their bags with goodies as they make their way through the zoo.
• BOO! at the Zoo nights will be Oct. 3-4, 8-11, 15-18, 22-25 and 29-30. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit zooknoxville.org.

Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair

Oct. 8-28

• The Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair hosts artisans and craftsmen from all over the nation at the downtown Gatlinburg Convention Center. More than 200 booths with unique and one-of-a-kind handmade products will be displayed. Look for glass blowing, pottery pieces, painted artwork, molded leather, copper art, local candy makers, photography and other unique items.
• For more information, visit craftsmenfair.com.

Wears Valley Fall Fest

Oct. 16-18

• The Wears Valley Fall Fest celebrates the Great Smoky Mountains and the beautiful fall colors with three days of family fun, crafters, entertainers, activities and food next to the Tennessee State Bank on Wears Valley Road.
• For more information, visit wearsvalleyfallfest.com.

Cherokee Caverns Trick-or-Treat in the Cave

Oct. 16-18 and 23-25

• Take the family to historic Cherokee Caverns for the annual trick-or-treat event. Everyone is welcome to wear their favorite Halloween costume and trick-or-treat along the cave path. Enjoy themed scenes from your favorite movies and TV shows, photo ops, thousands of lights, festive music and lots of candy and fun among the stalagmites and stalactites.
• The cave path is stroller- and wheelchair-accessible, and the cave is a comfortable 58 degrees year-round. Admission is $15 a person for ages 3 and older. For more information and tickets, go to cherokeecaverns.com.

City of Oak Ridge's Children’s Halloween Party

Oct. 22

• The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host the 44th annual Children’s Halloween Party 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 22.
• Activities will be planned throughout the western fields of A.K. Bissell Park, including a costume contest, trick-or-treating, a pumpkin patch, and a hayride. Food trucks will sell a variety of food and drinks.
• Parking will be available in the west (recreation center side) and east (library side) parking areas.
• To learn more about this event, visit the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks website at orrecparks.oakridgetn.gov.

Museum of Appalachia's Fall Heritage Days

Oct. 22-23 and 29-30

• The Museum of Appalachia invites students and families to step back in time during its annual Fall Heritage Days 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 22-23 and 29-30.
• Guests can watch and take part in demonstrations of open fire cooking, storytelling, shape-note singing, rug hooking, pumpkin carving, sorghum mill, basket making, spinning and weaving, broom making, lard rendering, blacksmithing, lye soap making, coopering, wood carving, quilting, corn milling, and flintknapping, which highlight the skills that sustained early Appalachian communities.
• Admission includes a tour of the museum farm and village, which contains some three-dozen historic log structures, exhibit halls filled with thousands of Southern Appalachian artifacts, working gardens and farm animals.
• For more information and to purchase tickets, visit museumofappalachia.org.

Historic Ramsey House's Hearth and Harvest Tours

Oct. 23-24

• Historic Ramsey House invites the community to experience the warmth and wonder of autumn at its Hearth and Harvest Tours, taking place 6-8 p.m. Oct. 23–24.
• Guests will enjoy candlelight tours of the beautifully preserved 1797 house, live blacksmith demonstrations, and seasonal treats by the fire, including s’mores, hot cider and hot chocolate.
• For more information about the event or to purchase tickets, visit ramseyhouse.org.

Howl-O-Ween Pooch Parade and Pet Expo

Oct. 25

• This free Halloween-themed event for pet owners and their dogs, now in its 13th year, is co-sponsored by the University of Tennessee Gardens and the UT College of Veterinary Medicine. It will be 1-5 p.m. Oct. 25 in the Gardens, 2518 Jacob Drive.
• The expo will offer educational booths, pet businesses, rescue groups, food trucks and a food drive to benefit the Companion Animal Initiative of Tennessee outreach program at the veterinary college.
• Costumed dogs can enter the 3 p.m. parade to be judged in categories including scariest, funniest, homemade and pop culture.
• For information or to register, visit utgardens.tennessee.edu.

Blount County's Spooktacular Extravaganza

Oct. 30

• Blount County's Spooktacular Extravaganza, a free street festival for families, will be 5-8 p.m. Oct. 30 in historic downtown Maryville. The event will feature trick-or-treating at downtown businesses, a dog costume contest, dance party, games and more.
• For more information, visit parksrec.com.

Trick-or-treat at The Island in Pigeon Forge

Oct. 31

• Visit The Island in Pigeon Forge on Halloween night for special trick-or-treating 5-7 p.m. Oct. 31. Little monsters and their grownup companions can stroll through The Island, collecting delicious treats from participating stores and attractions.
• The Island Show Fountain will have special Halloween-themed shows featuring spooky music and eerie lighting effects.
• For more information, visit islandinpigeonforge.com.

Dancing Bear Appalachian Spooktacular

Nov. 1

• For an upscale evening of spooky storytelling, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro is hosting an event on Halloween around the fire pit.
• This is an adult-only event and tickets are limited. For information and to purchase tickets, visit dancingbearlodge.com.

Hayley Choyis an editorial researcher for the Knoxville News Sentinel and can be reached at [e-mail].

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Your ultimate guide to fall festivals and haunts around East Tennessee