Ranger-Led Events

Each year, the park offers a number of special programs to help you explore and learn about the park. Come tap your toes to old-time music at the Music of the Mountains festival, enjoy stories of bygone days at the Festival of Christmas Past, or marvel at the park's beautiful wildflowers at the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage.

 

"Granny Franny" shares mountain herb lore at the Festival of Christmas Past.

NPS Photo

Wildflower Pilgrimage

April 26-30, 2022

The Smoky Mountains are a haven for spring wildflower enthusiasts. Join us for hikes, walks, lectures, and programs (both indoors and outdoors) on natural and cultural history. Search for salamanders, learn about aquatic insects, visit an air quality monitoring station, go on wildflower, fern, or tree identification walks...and more.

Music of the Mountains

Check Back for Dates in 2023

The Music of the Mountains festival was created to share the rich musical traditions of the Southern Appalachians with our park visitors. Enjoy traditional Appalachian music during this two day event held at Sugarlands Visitor Center and in Townsend, TN.

 

Smokies Harvest Celebration

October 8 & 15, 2022
Take a glimpse into the past and join us on the Mountain Farm Museum at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center from 10AM - 3PM. Share in some of the traditional fall pursuits that were an important part of rural life in these southern mountains. Enjoy interactive demonstrations such as sorghum-processing, blacksmithing, apple cider pressing, broom-making, woodworking, and more. All activities are free and open to the public.

 

Enjoy live music and caroling at the Holiday Homecoming.

NPS Photo

Holiday Homecoming

December 10, 2022
Enjoy a holiday celebration in the Smokies with traditional music, crafts, and demonstrations at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center from 10AM - 3PM.

Festival of Christmas Past

Check Back for Dates in 2023
Celebrate Christmas in the mountains with old-time music, harp singing, storytelling, children's activities, and craft demonstrations such as weaving, spinning, quilting, and basket making.

 

Junior Ranger Day

To Be Determined

Children and their families can join in a variety of free, hands-on activities including ranger-guided walks, historic toy making, visiting a blacksmith shop, and exploring touch tables with animal skins, skulls, and scat. Information about specific programs is available at each visitor center. This year's theme will be "Find Your Park." Children can earn their Junior Ranger badge by completing three of the specially-planned activities.