Gatlinburg 4th of July Fireworks and Parade
Gatlinburg, TN will once again have to “First July Fourth Parade in the Nation” with the return of the annual Gatlinburg 4th of July Midnight Parade, which begins exactly at midnight when the clock ticks over to July 4th! It has been named by National Geographic Traveler Magazine as a “Top Ten Parade to see in the US”. This popular Gatlinburg parade has grown to be a favorite of visitors as well as locals for over four decades now with over 80,000 spectators! This special parade features numerous floats and participants to honor our nation’s Military Veterans and other U.S. Military Heroes. We are so excited to see this parade return in 2024!
4th of July Parade
Gatlinburg’s Annual Fourth of July Midnight Parade in 2024 will feature country music star Connor Smith as the Grand Marshal. The parade will march through downtown Gatlinburg, beginning at 12:01 am on July 4th at the Baskins Creek Bypass located on East Parkway. Festive floats decorated in sparkling fashion will line the Parkway featuring patriotic marching bands, larger-than-life balloons, and more.
4th of July Fireworks
The 4th of July celebration carries over into the night on July 4th as an incredible 20-minute fireworks display fills the sky over the Space Needle around 10:50 pm. While you can see the fireworks from just about anywhere in Gatlinburg, some of the best views will be in the area around traffic lights #3 and #5. This event is designated as a Top 20 event by the Southeast Tourism Society…when you see it, you’ll quickly see why!
The map below shows the location of the Gatlinburg Space Needle:
We Thank You
Wherever you decide to celebrate the 4th of July, we join you in honoring our nation and those who fight for it. If you or your family have served in our nation’s military or are currently serving, we give you our most sincere gratitude. Thank you!
Tammy
June 17, 2013 at 8:34 pmHow’s the parking for this event? plenty or hard to get? Thanks for any info! We are going to be first timers for this event. thanks! Tammy
Jean
June 22, 2013 at 11:34 pmI would imagine the parking would be bad. I’ve always stayed in downtown Gatlinburg where I could keep my car parked at the motel. The traffic is awful….but part of the fun once a year. LOL They have a couple of fairly new parking garages downtown now; I’m not sure how easy it would be to find a parking spot in the garages. If you’re going to need a parking place, come early. However, I suggest that you find a motel downtown – I like the Gillette Motel on Historic Nature Trail Road (also known as Airport Road). It’s only a couple of blocks up from the parkway. They’re not fancy, but their rooms are large and very clean; and they’ve always had reasonable rates. If you study the trolly maps before you arrive, you can see how the side roads connect to the East Parkway – that will help you avoid a lot of the downtown traffic.
Andy
June 27, 2013 at 7:25 amI agree wit Jean, if you are going get a place in Gatlinburg to stay at. This will get you free guarenteed parking and you won’t have to worry about traffic afterwords. This will be our second time going. Hope you enjoy it.
Georgine
May 27, 2014 at 2:11 pmyou’ll want a hotel on the main drag and you can park there, otherwise I would say it will be hard to find parking and traffic will be crazy.
Gary Logan
June 30, 2014 at 6:59 amif you have rented a place near the route of the parade, or the events, no problem…..parking is NOT ….so many spots and thats’ it…Was there last year, when they closed down the 2nd road and it was bumper to bumper to Gatlinberg from Pigeon Forge……so rent a condo or a room and stay in Gatlinberg for great entertainment..
Emma Lousieunaq
June 24, 2015 at 12:15 pmI’ve gone since I was a kid, There usually is lot of parking, but get there ASAP! The parking was a lot last year, but that’s because I got there ASAP!
Lydia
June 10, 2014 at 4:07 pmthey’re are a few places right on the parkway that you can walk to the street and set up your chairs and watch the parade. Carr’s Northside Cottage, and best of all Brookside Hotel. Brookside has back balconies overlooking the stream, very close to downtown so you caould walk. has its own outdoor pool, playground and parking. you can go and put your chairs out early, beacuse people will start setting them up @ 7a.m. on July 3rd. The blue trolley runs right by there, so you can take the trolley home if your too tired after going downtown. but the parade is just across the yard from the hotel, so you dont have to even get into a car. the parade is awesome! very big! lasts about an hour-hour and a half. Be sure to Wear your Red,White,& Blue and get in the spirit! You’re gonna love it. Its awesome. my mother-in-law lives uo there, so we frequent Gatlinburg. Hope you love it as much as we do.
Lydia
June 10, 2014 at 4:10 pmyou can google “places to stay on east parkway, gatlinburg,tn”. i think the parade runs the length of the parkway
DONNETTA
June 30, 2014 at 8:20 amWe are going to the pigeon forge festival will we have time to go from there to the parade in Gatlinburg in time to see it?
Pattye
July 1, 2014 at 1:32 pmI have been to this parade before ans stayed in Pigeon Forge if you are going to do that park at the aquarium early and watch parade from that area and as soon as the end pass you leave to head back. If you haven’t gotten a room in Gatlinburg by now you will not get one.
sheila
May 31, 2015 at 8:14 pmWhere to stay that’s close, what about the gateway smoky mountain resort is that walking distance
Michaelee
June 30, 2015 at 7:51 pmGoing to the parade at midnight is fun. Any first timer will have a good time. Since the 4th falls on Saturday, the whole area from Gatlinburg through Pigeon Forge into Seveirville will be a madhouse throughout the weekend. Expect waits, traffic jams galore and long lines.
The Pigeon Forge festival at Patriot Park on Saturday is an all day event. They have food and bathrooms available. Take folding chairs and blankets for sitting. John Anderson was there in 2012 and was a great show. We were there last year also.
If you go, have patience and expect a slower pace because it is going to be crowded over the weekend. Above all, have a safe 2015 4th of July.
jennifer
July 3, 2015 at 5:08 pmyou can always stay out on 321 and walk towards town. the parade lines up out that way (between the Alamo and Food City).
jennifer
July 3, 2015 at 5:13 pmthe Sleepy Bear Motel on 321 didn’t look full when i went by this evening (accross from the Alamo) and you wont have far to go tomorrow night to watch the fireworks. Everyone have fun and stay safe.
Dennis Sedivy
July 4, 2017 at 8:44 pmWill the fireworks go on if it is raining
Mike
July 2, 2018 at 11:46 amDoes the trolley run to Gatlinburg before and after the July 4th midnight parade? Are there certain trolleys you need to take?
BRENDA
June 23, 2019 at 8:14 pmIS THE PARADE THE NIGHT OF THE 3RD
Debbie
June 4, 2020 at 9:15 pmWhy don’t you have a reserved seating section like you do for Christmas parade?