If you are looking for something to do to celebrate our country’s birthday, you have come to the right place! We have put together a list of fun activities and entertainment to help you celebrate!
(Events are listed in chronological order)
Dolly’s Night of Many Colors
June 17-August 6
Dollywood
Free with day’s admission
Synchronized to music each evening. Head to Timber Canyon 15 minutes prior to the fireworks for an energetic and entertaining pre-show!
Guests can enjoy the best viewing areas near:
Timber Canyon/Wilderness Pass
Country Fair in front of Grandstand Cafe
Adventures in Imagination between Dolly’s Closet and Dreamsong Theatre
The Front Gate in front of the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame
The City of Alcoa Presents: FreedomFest
June 24th
City of Alcoa Duck Pond
Free
Rockin the Docks
July 1st
Lenoir City Park Cove
Free
Enjoy live music and a kids’ area with a beautiful view before the fireworks at 10. For the entertainment line-up click here.
Shake’n The Lake
July 3, at 7pm
The Point Resort Marina and Campground, Douglas Lake
Free
Arrive by boat or by car! Kids’ activities begin at noon. There will be live music and fireworks over the lake which begin at 10pm.
For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/eva.talley.12/
Red, White, and Bluegrass
July 3
Dandridge Town Hall
Free
Downtown Dandridge will come alive to the sound of Pop Seals and Open Range as they perform on the stage at Town Hall. Come get your spot on the dike early and enjoy the fireworks from Shakin’ the Lake after the music ends.
First Independence Day Parade in the Nation, Gatlinburg
July 4, at midnight
Parkway, downtown Gatlinburg
Free
Gatlinburg hosts their 42nd annual First Parade of Independence Day at midnight (be sure to arrive early for a good spot as the Parkway is blocked off beginning at 11pm on July 3).
Farragut’s 30th Annual Independence Day Parade
July 4, at 9:30pm
Free
The Parade will begin on Kingston Pike at Lendon Welch Way (Farragut High School entrance) and continue to Boring Road, just east of Farragut Towne Square Shopping Center (old Ingles store site).
Museum of Appalachia Independence Day Celebration & Anvil Shoot, Clinton
July 4, from 9am-6pm
Museum of Appalachia
Free with Day’s admission
Spend Independence Day celebrating the old-fashioned way. The Museum opens for visitors at 9am and the Anvil shooting is at 10am, 11:30am, 1pm and 2:30pm with a bell ringing at 2pm.
For more information, please visit here.
River Raft Regatta, Gatlinburg
July 4, at 10am to enter, 12pm to watch
Per the events page: This year’s fun-filled Fourth of July celebration in Gatlinburg will feature the always-competitive River Raft Regatta, the unmanned kind.
Anything floatable can be entered starting at 10am at the Christ in the Smokies bridge on the River Road and will end at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. There are two categories: Trash (not hand-made) and Treasure (hand-made). Awards will go to the top three in each category. Additionally, the “Judges’ Choice” award will go to the most creative “raft.” Awards will be given to the oldest and the youngest participants. Registration begins at 10am and the race will start at 12pm. Trophies will supplied by the Gatlinburg Recreation Department.
Click here for more information.
Sons of the American Revolution Celebration, Knoxville
July 4, from 10am-12pm
James White’s Fort
This annual observance of Independence Day is in cooperation with Sons of the Revolution, The Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Children of the Revolution. Activities include a flag ceremony, reading of the Signers of the Declaration and a short speech. Refreshments will be served.
Pigeon Forge Patriot Fest
July 4, from noon-10pm
Patriot Park
Free admission
A day and night of live music, food, and fun games in celebration of our nation’s birthday! The headliner for this year’s event is an American country music husband and wife duo, Thompson Square.
All activities are free and open to the public, and are sure to be enjoyed by the entire family. Bring a seat and stay a while. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome! Umbrellas and coolers are not permitted.
Festival on the 4th, Knoxville
July 4, from 4pm-10pm
World’s Fair Park
Free
Spend your 4th in a kid-friendly atmosphere with tons to do including kids’ area, live music, and good eats (available for purchase). The night will end with a fireworks finale.
Oak Ridge Independence Day Concert and Firework Show
July 4, at 7pm
The Oak Ridge Community Band will put on a concert followed by the annual Oak Ridge City Fireworks Display. Bring your lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating. Concert begins at 7pm and is FREE, but donations are gratefully accepted to help offset expenses. Fireworks begin at dark, around 9:45pm.
The concert and firework show will take place at A.K. Bissell Park, located at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike. For more information, visit www.orcb.org or call 865-482-3568.
Townsend Fireworks
July 4, at 9:45pm
Adjacent to Highland Manor Inn
Free
Gatlinburg’s Fireworks Finale
July 4, at 10pm
The final leg of Gatlinburg’s 4th festivities is a 20-minute firework display, best viewed from spots around stoplights #3 and #5 on the Parkway.