Celebrate July 4th at the Gatlinburg midnight parade!Gatlinburg is gearing up for the 4th of July Midnight Parade which steps off at 12:01am on Wednesday, July 4th. The parade route begins on East Parkway at the intersection of Baskins Creek Bypass, turns left onto the Parkway at Traffic Light #3 then proceeds south to end of town at Traffic Light #10.
In preparation for the parade, inbound traffic will be reduced to one lane on East Parkway/Hwy. 321, from City Hall to Little House of Pancakes, beginning at approximately 7:00pm on Tuesday, July 3rd. The parade route will be completely closed beginning at 11:40pm.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive in town early to secure parking. There are attractions, shopping, restaurants and eateries to entertain everyone while waiting for the big event. Lodging is still available within walking distance of the parade route. For more information about all July 4th events and lodging visit Gatlinburg.com.
For 43 years, Gatlinburg has kicked off the holiday with the first Independence Parade in the Nation stepping off at 12:01 a.m. on July 4. Stretching more than a mile, the parade route begins at Baskins Creek Bypass on East Parkway, turning south onto Parkway at traffic light #3 and traveling the length of downtown to traffic light #10 at Ski Mountain Road. Parade goers are encouraged to arrive early on Tuesday, July 3rd in order to secure the perfect viewing area along the parade route.
- July 3rd – 6 pm 100th Army Band Rock Band, “Hard Knox” will play on the Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza.
- July 4th – 9 pm 100th Army Band Concert Band will perform a concert on the Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza.
Gatlinburg’s Fourth of July celebrations will come to a close at 10:00 p.m. on July 4th when visitors will enjoy the spectacular 20-minute fireworks display in the heart of downtown, with the best viewing areas around traffic lights #3 and #5.
In addition to the Fourth of July events, the streets of Gatlinburg are filled with Appalachian music from Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales every night through August 11. The City offers free Parkway Trolley service, spanning the full length of the Parkway, daily through August 11 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.