Family Friendly Things to do For Halloween in Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg
Everyone loves the fall in Pigeon Forge. The leaves are changing, the weather feels great and it’s the beginning of the holiday season. You may be surprised to know that there’s some great things to do for Halloween in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Sure, you can take the kids from house to house in your neighborhood. But imagine being able to stay in one place and have just as much fun!
We’re going to make your Halloween in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg a little easier. We’ve put the best family friendly Halloween events in one place so you can make plans and have a great Halloween!
1. Halloween Carnival at The Island in Pigeon Forge
Saturday, October 29th, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Island in Pigeon Forge is hosting it’s 4th Annual Trick or Treat Halloween Carnival this year, bringing you an even bigger celebration of the spookiest holiday. This event is perfect for families, and is 100% family friendly. There’s no admission charge, and parking is totally free as well! You and your family will love checking out the Halloween decorations. But, you’ll love all the awesome things to do even more.
Kids will be able to trick-or-treat throughout the Island, following a special Candy Map you can get on site that takes you around to several of the shops. The Halloween Carnival will also host a costume contest at the Ole Smoky Moonshine stage, starting at 6:30 pm. There’s several categories for you and your family to compete in, too. From families, to individuals, to kids of all ages, there’s a category for everyone. And, the prizes are awesome! Some of the things you can win include an iPad, a GoPro, and a getaway to the Margaritaville Hotel! Even if you don’t want to compete in the contest, make sure to show up in costume. Everyone in costume get’s 1/2 price unlimited rides for the attractions at The Island!
There will be plenty of entertainment at the Halloween Carnival as well. The Island has teamed up with One World Circus of Knoxville, TN to bring its visitors amazing aerial artist show. There’s going to be entertainment everywhere on location, including a fire show, stilt walkers, a living statue, and even a lion (not a real one, but a life-like costume made up of two people). You’ll even be able to take the perfect photo with Selfie Studio, who will be providing free photos for attendees of the event.
Check out the schedule below for a list of the activities set for the evening. And be sure not to miss this awesome Halloween event!
5-9 pm — Trick-or-Treating — Entire Property
5-9 pm — DJ — Ole Smoky Stage
5-6 pm — Roaming lion/tamer performances (Cuddles) — Market Street
5-6:15 pm — Costume Contest Sign Up — Ole Smoky Stage
5:15-5:30 pm — Aerial performance — Ole Smoky Stage
5:45-6:45 pm — Ambient aerial — Trellis under breezeway
5:45-6:45 pm — Stilt walkers — Market Street
6-9 pm — Selfie Studio — Breezeway
6:15 pm — Hand balancer — Market Street
8 pm — Aerial performance — Ole Smoky Stage
8:15 pm — Hand Balancer — Market Street
8:30 pm — Fire Show — Ole Smoky Stage
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131 The Island Dr.
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-286-0119
2. Trick or Treat Kick-Off Karnival at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Monday, October 31st, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Maybe want to head up to Gatlinburg for some Halloween fun. If so, you’re in luck. Everyone’s favorite aquarium is hosting the it’s annual Trick-or-Treat Kick-Off Karnival. This is a perfect option for families who want to Trick or Treat in the Smokies, but don’t want transverse neighborhoods at night. There’s no charge for admission, although there will be food vendors on site. Hosted on Ripley’s Aquarium pavilion, the Kick-Off Karnival offers Halloween-themed contests, costumed characters, food vendors, games, face painting, and LOTS of candy! In addition, the kids can enjoy inflatables, a costume contest, and more. All of the proceeds from the event also go towards the United Way of Sevier County. So, attending helps a great cause too!
You can swing by Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies on October 31st, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm and enjoy fun for everyone!
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Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
88 River Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865-430-8808
3. 15th Annual Spooktacular Halloween Event at the Pigeon Forge Community Center
Thursday, October 27th, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Every year, the Pigeon Forge Community Center hosts a safe, non-scary event for families to go trick or treating. This event takes place at the Pigeon Forge Community Center the Thursday before Halloween. At the event you’ll find vendors from local Pigeon Forge businesses offering candy for the kids. Some of the vendors will have some fun displays and interactive elements for you and the family to enjoy too! In addition to the trick-or-treating, you’ll be able to enjoy entertainment and a haunted house. This event is totally free, and a must-attend tradition of the Pigeon Forge Community.
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Pigeon Forge Community Center
170 Community Drive.
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 429-7373
4. Visit a Cemetery in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park
While it may not be a Halloween event, one spooky (and informative) Halloween activity for you and the family is to visit one of the many cemeteries found in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The remnants of the settlements once found there, there are over 151 known cemeteries in the National Park. Some of the graveyards are large with hundreds of plots – like the one found in the once thriving community of Greenbrier. Others are small family plots, remnants of farmsteads and settlements in the wilderness. Some are remote, only found by bushwhacking.
The National Park Service helps to maintain the cemeteries in the park, mowing grass, removing fallen trees, and performing other maintenance. There are still several descendants who go to pay their respects to their ancestors laid to rest in the park. Visiting a cemetery can be a spooky and fun way to celebrate Halloween, but it can also be a great way to introduce your kids to the history of the people who used to live in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you’re interesting in finding a cemetery in the National Park to visit, be sure to check out this article, which lists all the major cemetery sites in the park.
5. Halloween at WonderWorks
Monday, October 31st, 4:30 pm – 9:30 pm
What better way to celebrate Halloween than exploring the famous upside-down house?! WonderWorks is hosting a very special Halloween extravaganza at its popular museum of the mind in Pigeon Forge. Their offering up a plethora of activities for the kids to enjoy. Starting at 4:30 pm and running until 9:30 pm, they have a whole line-up of awesome showcases, experiments, contests, raffles, and more. In addition to the spooky entertainment line-up, you can check out Halloween-themed food at the concession stand, compete in a costume contest, and participate in some Halloween karaoke! For Halloween only events at the park, tickets can be purchased for only $8.00; to add the Halloween activities to your base WonderWorks ticket is an additional $5.00 per ticket.
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WonderWorks
100 Music Road
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 868-1800
