Summer in the Great Smoky Mountains. There’s nothing quite like it. Elevated in the mountains, you’re away from the sweltering heat of cities, while at the same time, the scenery is lush with mountain greenery and gushing rivers. The towns in the Great Smoky Mountains gain a special summer energy. Head to Greeneville to explore local, funky art and incredible mountain views. Deeper into the mountains, there’s the cozy little town of Wears Valley, where you can rent a cabin and have access to a secret entrance into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. One of the better-known towns here, Gatlinburg, has a special summer appeal that’s a bit different from the peace and quiet you might expect of the Smokies. Come July, it hosts one of the most scenic and surprising Independence Day parties in America.
Gatlinburg claims the title of “first Independence Day parade in the nation,” as its Convention & Visitors Bureau states, because the parade commences as soon as midnight strikes on July 4th. From then on, the day is a bonanza of Independence Day-related fun, from a river raft regatta to a fireworks finale. There’s also live music, a drone light show, and street performances, all of which has earned Gatlinburg a rank in Livability’s five best July 4th celebrations in the country.
Gatlinburg’s legendary midnight parade
Gatlinburg’s Fourth of July parade was named one of the top 10 in the U.S. by National Geographic. Begun as an annual tradition in 1975, the midnight parade (which is free to attend) draws in a crowd of about 80,000 and features marching bands, creative floats, giant balloons, and performers in costume. The parade has a particular focus on honoring service members, with performances by the 572nd U.S. Air Force Band and additional representatives from the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force.
The midnight element of the midnight parade is no joke — the parade-goers line up at precisely 11:59 p.m., and they begin marching at 12:01 a.m. on July 4. Typically, the parade is marshaled by a special guest (the 2025 Grand Marshal is country musician Logan Crosby). The parade starts at the Baskins Creek Bypass on East Parkway, then proceeds along the parkway for about 90 minutes, passing the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It ends at Traffic Light #10, where Ski Mountain Road intersects, and then attendees go home to get some sleep before the following day of more celebrations, which kick off at 11 a.m.
Other Gatlinburg July 4th traditions, from raft racing to fireworks
