Offerings feature new family-friendly attractions, live entertainment, events and more.
PIGEON FORGE, Tennessee (May 20, 2025) – Summer brings a fresh lineup of attractions, events and entertainment to Pigeon Forge, one of the Southeast’s most popular family vacation destinations. From an adventure 200 million years in the making at The Island in Pigeon Forge to the need for speed at the new Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster and the SpeedZone Fun Park, pack the car and hit the road to Pigeon Forge for an unforgettable road trip that’s close to home.
As Memorial Day kicks off the unofficial start of summer, see a sampling of what’s happening in the Great Smoky Mountains below. (All performances subject to change and/or cancellation. Admission fees and reservations apply for some. Please contact individual businesses/events for more information.)
New for Summer 2025 in Pigeon Forge
- Jurassic Adventure at The Island in Pigeon Forge – a free experience beginning May 21 featuring 22 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, each with interactive elements and sounds, along with a custom Island Fountain Show telling the story of the dinosaurs. Posted QR codes link to a webpage with details to learn about each dinosaur
- Scooby-Doo Mystery Putt – opening Summer 2025, a 36-hole mini-golf course themed around Scooby-Doo and the iconic Mystery Inc. gang
- Space Race Adventures – includes a galactic-themed 15-hole mini-golf course, 5500 square foot laser tag arena, VR experience and a go-kart track
- Truth Traveler by Ark Encounter: Virtual Reality Experience – opening June 2, a virtual reality attraction that takes guests back through Biblical history and will also include a planetarium.
- Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Supper Show – now offers the first all-you-can-eat supper buffet in Pigeon Forge and a supper show featuring a new song and act.
- Dollywood’s 40th Anniversary Season – includes a new anniversary show opening Memorial Day weekend, an all-new drone and fireworks show during the park’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration (June 14 to Aug. 3), a new daily opening ceremony, a remastered “Heartsong: The Movie,” and the Country Fair area features a bright refresh.
- Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster – opening this summer, the world’s only racing coaster, features two side-by-side tracks that allow passengers to race along two lift hills and a series of intertwining twists and turns.
- Great Big Game Show – brings an interactive game show to The Island in Pigeon Forge where guests are the contestants.
- SpeedZone Fun Park – spans nearly two acres and features four go-kart tracks, including the three-story Tennessee Twister, the 600-foot-long Blue Ridge Blitz, the Dragon Tail Slick Track and a Junior Track exclusively for children to enjoy.
Seasonal Entertainment
- Pigeon Forge’s free Patriot Festival on July 4– festival, including music and activities for kids, begins at 4 p.m. in the city’s Patriot Park; headliner performs at 8:30 p.m. prior to a fireworks display
- The Island in Pigeon Forge’s Ole Smoky Moonshine Stage – The Barn at The Island offers daily live music. Click here for lineup/times.
- Country Tonite Theatre’s Celebrity Concert Series – Eddie Montgomery on June 27, Pam Tillis on July 25, and The Oak Ridge Boys on Sept. 26. Tickets available for purchase here.
- Dollywood’s Rock the Smokies – Annual Christian music festival Aug. 23. Ticket information available here.
Summer Events
- Tennessee Fishing Week – All Tennesseans are invited to go fishing with no license required June 7-13. Learn more here.
- Tennessee Tax Free Weekend – Tennessee’s traditional sales tax holiday on clothing, school supplies and computers takes place July 25-27
- Celebrate Freedom – discounts for veterans, current military personnel, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians at select Pigeon Forge businesses Aug. 1-31. Visit MyPigeonForge.com for a list of participating businesses.
- Paloma Swim Disco Pool Party – Saturdays through Aug. 9 5-9 p.m. at Paloma Swim Club at The Wayback. Free for overnight guests and $25 for non-hotel guests. Poolside sips and bites available for purchase.
Additional information about these and all other Pigeon Forge events and businesses is available at MyPigeonForge.com or by calling 800-251-9100.
#
—MyPigeonForge2025—
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 1-800-251-9100.