Spring is our most curious season in the Smokies – technically it starts the same day it does every year on March 20th as calendrical science dictates, but the practical reality of when it’s warm enough to enjoy the outside and see the emerald greens returning to the mountains is a lot less clear. Some years it feels like Spring by middle of March, some years it feels like Winter until middle of April, and usually it’s anywhere in between. It makes for interesting times here in East Tennessee.

But even more interesting than that are the events that we have to celebrating the oncoming, and then already here, rejuvenation season with festivals, music events, Dollywood re-opening for the year and other items of interest that cater to more seriously interested locals and visitors in Smoky Mountain nature and education. In this article, we’ll share some of the things we’re looking forward to so that you can look forward to them, too!

Wilderness Wildlife Week™
January 28, 2025 – February 1, 2025

Official info:
“Come celebrate the natural features, creatures and cultures of the Great Smoky Mountains. This year, we’ll be inviting some of the leading wildlife experts to lead informative discussions with you. This is a great opportunity to learn and ask questions about nature.

Showcasing what makes the Smokies so special, Wilderness Wildlife Week celebrates the abundance of wildlife, variety of plants, trees, and wildflowers, and rich history of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee through a series of classes, seminars, demonstrations, guided hikes, panel discussions, and workshops.”

Find more on this event at https://www.mypigeonforge.com/event/wilderness-wildlife-week/.

Smoky Mountain Jubilee
February 27, 2025 – Feb 28, 2025

Official info:
“Smoky Mountain Jubilee, hosted by Dr. Ralph Sexton, Dr. Joe Arthur, and Dr. CT Townsend, will gather in beautiful Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on February 27-28, 2025. We are excited to enjoy a spirit of jubilee for two exciting days in the LeConte Event Center. Join us for this free event as we gather to hear powerful preaching from great men of God, experience Spirit-filled worship, and enjoy great Gospel singing by amazing choirs and southern gospel group favorites!”

Find more on this event at http://www.smokymountainjubilee.com/.

Appalachian Wordfest
March 1st, 2025

Official info:
“We’re excited to introduce Appalachian WordFest, Rose Glen Literary Festival’s newest iteration. This one-day event celebrates the words and creativity emerging from our beloved Appalachian Mountains by bringing together authors, young poets, publishers, and book lovers. Look for new elements this year – like an expanded program with more opportunities to see your favorite presenters, small group round robins with authors, a live Poetry Slam competition, and podcasters sharing their words that tickle our ears.”

Find more on this event at https://www.roseglenfestival.com/.

Gatlinburg Smoky Mountain Wine Fest
March 8th, 2025

Official info:
“You’re invited to experience behind the scenes moments of creativity with artists from Arrowmont and the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community demonstrating their craft while you enjoy sipping wines from regional wineries and food pairings from local Gatlinburg restaurants. Also enjoy live entertainment from Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales throughout the event. Handcrafted items will be available for purchase from the artists, crafters and wineries throughout the duration of this event. Ticket holders will need a valid form of ID at the door as this event is open to ages 21 years and up.”

Find more on this event at https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/gatlinburg-smoky-mountain-wine-fest/928/.

Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival
April 18, 2025 – June 8, 2025

“Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival delights guests with hundreds of thousands of brilliant flowers making up numerous displays created by tremendously-talented horticulturists. This popular Pigeon Forge event is blooming with fun and discovery around every corner, thanks to larger-than-life sculptures including a butterfly umbrella, various animal scenes and even a depiction of Dolly’s mother quilting the Coat of Many Colors.

Guests also are greeted by a stunning visual upon arrival as hundreds of colorful umbrellas are suspended above Showstreet to create a dazzling “Umbrella Sky.” In addition to the beautiful flowers, a wide-selection of culinary creations abound to delight guests’ taste buds with a menu full of items inspired by spring in the Smokies.”

Find more on this event at https://www.dollywood.com/themepark/festivals/flower-and-food/.

Easter Sunrise Service at Ober Mountain
April 20th, 2025

“Ober Mountain’s Annual Easter Sunrise Service will be enhanced by the beauty of the Smokies when the community and its visitors gather for this memorable worship service. The 30-40-minute mountain service will begin at 6:30 A.M. and be led by local pastors of the Gatlinburg Ministerial Association.

Ober will provide guests with complimentary Aerial Tram rides to the mountain top beginning at 5:00 A.M. and continuing until the service begins at 6:30 A.M. Complimentary parking will be provided for those who prefer to drive up the mountain. In the event of inclement weather, the Service will be held indoors around the Ice Arena.”

Find more on this event at https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/easter-sunrise-service-at-ober-mountain/126/.

Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage
April 23, 2025 – April 26, 2025

Official info:
“The 75th Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is an annual four-day event in Great Smoky Mountains National Park consisting of a variety of wildflower, fauna, and natural history walks, motorcades, photographic tours, art classes, and indoor seminars. Most programs are outdoors in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, while indoor offerings are held in various venues throughout Gatlinburg, TN.

This event features professionally-guided walks, exhibits, and other learning opportunities to explore the region’s rich natural and cultural resources with over 200 educational hikes on topics like wildflowers, birds, salamanders, fungi, geology and more. Pilgrims from more than 40 states and several countries make the pilgrimage each year to learn more about fungi, ferns, wildflowers, trees and shrubs, medicinal plants, insects (terrestrial and aquatic), salamanders and snakes, birds, mammals (bats to bears), journaling, art and photography, and park history.”

Find more on this event at https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/spring-wildflower-pilgrimage/45/.