Press Releases

Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales Returns For Eighth Season

Back by overwhelming demand and expanded for 2013, Gatlinburg's eighth annual presentation of Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales begins in April and May in downtown Gatlinburg on Fridays and Saturdays. On June 14 you’ll be able to enjoy Tunes & Tales every night of the week through August 10. Tunes & Tales is a summer-long street performance event throughout downtown Gatlinburg featuring musical performers, storytellers and artisans giving you a taste of Appalachian culture.

This popular event truly highlights one of Gatlinburg’s greatest assets – the walkability of the community – and provides guests with an interactive, educational and entertaining experience the whole family can enjoy.

The collection of personalities and performers arrive nightly at 6 p.m. in the center of town. Visitors witness a magical transformation of sidewalk to stage as the characters disperse along the downtown Parkway for an evening of entertainment and storytelling until 11 p.m.

Trios, duos, single acts and clogging groups will perform seven nights a week for the duration of the summer. The mountain style of music is featured all season from the beginnings of the pure Appalachian sounds to traditional bluegrass music.

They will also enjoy the talents of the Back Porch Cloggers demonstrating old time clogging and even teaching folks some fun moves and steps.

Our Tunes and Tales performers teach the young and old alike their old time ways. Zeno, the Gatlinburg Bear, the official ambassador of Gatlinburg, loves to welcome everyone to Gatlinburg with his signature bear hugs.

Only in Gatlinburg is there free entertainment and fun all along the Parkway all summer long!