Over the course of the year, vile creatures crawl forth from the shadows. Some spread their spiny black wings to hunt for sweet blood, and others remain invisible to better torment their victims. Some hideous monsters rely on brute strength and poisonous fangs, while others use their charming appearance to lure you into their web of black magic. What is their aim, you ask? They arrive on our doorsteps solely to corrupt our homes and spread terror across our world!
These creatures cannot be destroyed with sword or stake. That said, there is a way to stop this terrible wave of evil from consuming the earth. Sugar, of all things, seems to be their greatest weakness. Don your most menacing costumes, load up on ammunition at a Gatlinburg candy shop, and make your way to the battlefields! These things to do for Halloween in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are our best hope for saving the world from hellish fiends.
Stock Up at the Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Candy Shops
Whoa there, warriors! You may be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed about fighting the evils of Halloween, but you can’t just run straight into battle unprepared. Arm yourselves well first with a few bags of the beasts’ Achilles heel: sweet treats and candy. Find your sugary weapon of choice at these Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg candy shops.
Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen
Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen is the oldest candy shop in Gatlinburg, supplying this neck of the woods with candy since 1952. Since scary monsters are weakest to homemade candy, make sure to stop at this Gatlinburg candy shop on the Parkway on your way toward the events and attractions. Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen specializes in homemade taffy logs that come in 33 unique flavors, including moonshine taffy and a sugar-free option. You’ll also find plenty more on their shelves: from chocolates to candied apples to peanut brittle. Plus, you can watch the candy professionals work their craft right before your eyes!
Smoky Mountain Candy Makers
Smoky Mountain Candy Makers is a family-owned and -operated small business producing some of the region’s most original candy. Thanks to their old-fashioned taffy wrapping machine from 1940, their taffy candies remain as true to tradition as possible. Browse over two dozen flavors, including Watermelon, Sassafras, Peach, Butterscotch, and Cotton Candy. At less than $10 per pound of taffy, you’re in for a bargain at Smoky Mountain Candy Makers!
Sugar Rush Candy Store at TopJump
Next, head over to TopJump Trampoline & Extreme Arena. Not only will you find countless hours of family fun at the best trampoline park in Eastern Tennessee, but you’ll also stumble upon a gold mine of sweets! The Sugar Rush Candy Store at TopJump has everything from classic candies to contemporary favorites, such as jelly beans, Nerds, taffy, lollipops, and more. Explore their massive selection to load up on bulk candy, and rest assured you’ll be well prepared for whatever monsters Halloween brings!
Kids’ Activities for Halloween in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge
The haunted house at Ripley’s Haunted Adventure has chewed up even the bravest of our warriors. The plague of jack-o’-lanterns at the Dollywood Halloween festivities continues to mock and taunt our innocent civilians. However, as long as you’re well stocked on gummy bears, taffy, and chocolates, you’ll be able to make it out of these adventures alive. Choose your mission wisely from among these family-friendly Halloween activities!
Ripley’s Haunted Adventure
A 10,000-foot renovated mansion looms up from the hustle and bustle of the Gatlinburg Parkway. Perhaps it was a nice place to live for some family once upon a time, but something terrible must have happened there. Locals say they hear screams coming from this dark, creepy house on a regular basis. They say the place is riddled with the undead. All we know for sure is that none who enter ever come back out… Do you have the guts to tour Ripley’s Haunted Adventure? Only adults and children at least six years old will be permitted to enter.
In addition to the undead, mountain mutants take over every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October, plus Halloween Day. The 24th Annual Fright Nights Show, “Backwoods Terror 3: Family Reunion,” returns to spread more terror to the good citizens of the Smokies. Catch the show for no extra charge at Ripley’s Haunted Adventure!
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
The Trick-or-Treat Kick-Off Karnival returns to the plaza in front of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies for another year. It’s the perfect chance to show off your creative costumes, people-watch to enjoy others’ costumes, and earn even more candy! A wide variety of Sevier County vendors will be giving out candy and prizes to trick-or-treaters. The games are 50 cents to play, and all proceeds will go to a charity to be announced. Stop by the event anytime from 11 am to 3 pm, but make sure to be there at 2 pm to participate in the costume contest.
Trick-or-Treat at The Island
The Island is the largest entertainment hub in Pigeon Forge, with 23 acres of boutiques, restaurants, family-friendly attractions, and exciting rides. Every year, The Island celebrates autumn with pumpkin-themed decor, perfect for photo ops, and seasonal flavors at the restaurant and distilleries. During the daytime, immerse yourself in the spirit of leaf season! Come evening, however, the ghouls will begin to emerge from the shadows. The Island invites families to come trick-or-treating from 5 pm to 7 pm and stay for the fountain shows and music.
Dollywood Halloween Events
Dollywood is not just an award-winning theme park with over 40 amusement rides alongside countless other attractions, shops, shows, and dining spots. It’s also one of the best places to go in the Smokies for seasonal events. Enjoy a Dollywood Halloween full of apple treats, pumpkin barbecue, live music performances, and sculptural installations!
The annual Great Pumpkin LumiNights is an award-winning presentation of illuminated pumpkin carvings and light sculptures that transforms the amusement park into an autumn wonderland. For instance, new this year is the Hoot Owl Hollow, where an enormous glowing owl reigns over the night alongside her roosting friends. Catch all this family fun and more at the Dollywood Harvest Festival, lasting from now until October 29.
Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg get overwhelmed with maleficent monsters and ferocious freaks each October and need your help in the fight! While offerings of candy seem to keep the blighted at bay, we also need brave souls to prove that survival is possible even at the creepiest events. If you succeed in your Halloween undertaking, rest assured that the world can continue living in safety and contentment…at least, until next year.