Free concerts, children’s activities and more scheduled in Patriot Park for city’s largest Independence Day celebration ever.
PIGEON FORGE, Tennessee—May 7, 2026—In honor of the 250th Anniversary of America, Pigeon Forge (Tennessee) has expanded its Pigeon Forge Patriot Festival into a two-night event with concerts by two headliners. Country music hitmaker and Army Reserve soldier Craig Morgan takes the stage on Friday, July 3, at 8 p.m., while Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Carly Pearce performs on Saturday, July 4, at 8 p.m.
Additional performers for both evenings will be announced soon. More information about Pigeon Forge’s Patriot Festival is available at www.mypigeonforge.com/event/patriot-festival.
Patriot Festival takes place at the city’s Patriot Park (186 Old Mill Ave.) First-come, first-served general admission for both concerts is free. Saturday evening ends with an all-American fireworks extravaganza.
“Pigeon Forge’s Patriot Festival is an Independence Day tradition, and to honor America’s 250th birthday, we’re making this year’s festival the biggest and best ever,” said Pigeon Forge Mayor Kevin McClure. “We’re proud to welcome country music superstars Craig Morgan and Carly Pearce—two headliners, one for each night—who have strong ties to the city of Pigeon Forge.”
Patriot Festival is a homecoming for both artists as both Morgan and Pearce’s careers have deep roots in Pigeon Forge. Morgan, a Tennessee native, was a featured artist at the award-winning Country Tonite show before finding success in country music. Pearce also performed at Country Tonite but got her start at the age of 16 performing in Dollywood theme park’s Country Crossroads show.
A family-friendly lineup, including children’s activities, food trucks and other vendors, begins at 1 p.m. prior to the evening concerts. Patriot Festival guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets and clear bags. Umbrellas, tents and coolers are not permitted. Free parking is provided at the Teaster Lane Municipal parking lot, and a free shuttle operates every 20 minutes between the lot and festival site.
Fiercely rooted in classic country music, Carly Pearce has amassed a string of hit songs, showcasing her talents as a vocalist and songwriter. From her debut album Every Little Thing to the critically acclaimed 29 to 2024’s Hummingbird, Pearce has notched hit singles including “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” a duet with Lee Brice which won both the 2020 CMA Musical Event of the Year and the 2021 ACM Award for Music Event of the Year. In 2021, she and Ashley McBryde teamed up for “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” which earned Pearce a second consecutive ACM Music Event of the Year Award in 2022. The song won the 2022 CMA Musical Event of the Year Award and a Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. Pearce’s second Grammy nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance recognized her collaboration with Chris Stapleton on the song “We Don’t Fight Anymore.” As Pearce is readying her fifth studio album, she defines “the tone for her most vulnerable era yet” (The Tennessean) with tracks like her current single, the “blockbuster duet” (Billboard) with Riley Green “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay,” the “honest anthem” (Rolling Stone) “Church Girl” and the “unfiltered, introspective” (Billboard) “Dream Come True.”
Singer, author, actor, and soldier Craig Morgan has made a name for himself as a country music hitmaker who has amassed more than 2.5 billion career streams and charted over 25 songs on Billboard. With signature hits including “Redneck Yacht Club,” “Almost Home,” “International Harvester,” “Soldier,” “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” and his faith-filled tribute, “The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost,” the multi-faceted entertainer’s music has formed the soundtrack to our lives for over two decades. His new music, American Soundtrack (BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville) is no exception, with each of the EP’s six songs infused with Craig’s faith and patriotism. Morgan received one of country music’s highest honors when he was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2008. Prior to becoming a country music star and TV sensation, Morgan spent seventeen years serving our country in the Army and Army Reserve and in 2023 enlisted again in the Army Reserve, continuing his military career as a Chief Warrant Officer 2. He remains an avid supporter of America’s military personnel and has made nearly two dozen overseas trips to perform for our troops. Craig is a member of the U.S. Field Artillery Hall of Fame and recipient of the USO Merit Award. In 2018, he was awarded the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, one of the highest awards the Department of the Army can bestow upon a civilian, in recognition of his significant dedication to our military men and women around the world. He remains committed to supporting active duty and veteran members of our military through work with Operation Finally Home, the USO and more.
Additional information regarding Pigeon Forge’s Patriot Festival can be found at MyPigeonForge.com or by calling 865-453-8574.
—MyPigeonForge2026—
About Pigeon Forge: Pigeon Forge is in East Tennessee, approximately 35 miles from Knoxville and McGhee-Tyson Airport. Two-thirds of the nation’s population east of the Mississippi River live within a day’s drive, making it an easily accessible family vacation destination. The city’s neighbor is Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most-visited national park in the U.S. It also is home to Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park, Tennessee’s most-visited ticketed attraction. More information about all aspects of Pigeon Forge is available at MyPigeonForge.com or toll-free at (865)-453-8574.
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