The Dolly Parade on Gatlinburg Parkway in Gatlinburg, TN

The annual Dolly Parade in Gatlinburg, Tennessee happens at the beginning of every May and is a celebration of the area's most famous local celebrity, country singer Dolly Parton. Dolly, a local Southern Tennessee native, attends the parade every year and rides on her own float. The parade is quite the springtime spectacle - Dolly is definitely not the only attraction. Antique car clubs, local high school bands, choral groups, and dance teams, local businesses, and area garden clubs all have floats or performances in the parade. This annual event is truly a time where the Gatlinburg community can come together.

The festival is well-attended by locals and visitors alike, so be sure to set up camp with lawn chairs and a picnic lunch well in advance. After the parade, free and fun activities including live music and performance occur, while local restaurants open their doors with delicious lunch and dinner specials. Dolly Parton's local theme park, Dollywood, has its Festival of Nations going on during the months surrounding the parade, where international performers from around the world put on shows at Dollywood.

Points of Interest

Gatlinburg Parkway in Gatlinburg, TN

Incredible shops, dining options, and area attractions fill the famous Gatlinburg Parkway as it leads into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.