Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge
The main parkway through the center of town is pumping with Pigeon Forge attractions and plenty of things to do in Pigeon Forge. Bright lights fill the night sky at shows & theaters. The Smoky Mountains surround your senses on outdoor adventures or visit favorite destinations like Cades Cove!
Gatlinburg is famous for many things, undoubtedly a favorite tourist destination set just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But did you know that it is also the host city to one of the most well respected and unique music festivals of its kind, the Smoky Mountain Music Festival?
Smoky Mountain Music Festival
2022 Dates:
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Every year thousands of young musicians travel to Gatlinburg from across the country, elementary through high school aged, to compete in musical competitions of every variety during the Smoky Mountain Music Festival. The competitions cover a variety of categories such as:
- Concert Band,
- Orchestra,
- Jazz Band to Street Parade,
- Winterguard,
- Drum Line,
- Concert Choir,
- Chorus, and much more.
The Smoky Mountain Music Festival has featured more than 6,000 bands from over half of the United States and even bands from our Northern neighbor, Canada. The festival director is none other than, W.J. Julian, the Director of Bands Emeritus of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
The festival not only involves the musicians competing, but it brings the music and competition to downtown Gatlinburg. Everyone can join in on the fun of this festival during Saturdays when the town comes alive with the musical parade. Competing bands attending the festival form a parade that winds through the strip of downtown as visitors and supporters can enjoy and cheer on their favorite band.