For 46 years, Gatlinburg has kicked off the holiday with the 4th of July Midnight Parade 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 Friday, July 3 in order to secure the perfect viewing area along the parade route.

The Gatlinburg Fourth of July Midnight Parade has garnered national attention and award recognition for excellence in entertainment. The parade has been named by National Geographic Traveler Magazine as a “Top Ten Parade to see in the US” and recognized by Livability.com as one of the “Five Best Fourth of July Celebrations in Smaller Cities.”

Additionally, the event has earned multiple Grand Pinnacle Awards by the International Festivals and Events Association and was named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society.