Tuesday, August 27, 2024 South has its own unique ways of celebrating the season, even as fall travel often highlights northern destinations. While you might still catch glimpses of changing leaves, it’s the vibrant festivals and cultural events that truly define autumn in these regions—along with an abundance of pumpkins. This fall, MBPR invites you to migrate southward and discover the excitement and charm that await.
Dollywood’s Harvest Festival in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee September 9 through October 28 As the Great Smoky Mountains burst into their autumn colors, Dollywood undergoes a magical transformation for its Harvest Festival, presented by Humana. During this festive season, the park showcases massive pumpkins weighing between 800 and 1,500 pounds, along with Dolly Parton-inspired displays, including a giant guitar made entirely of pumpkins that plays “Tennessee Mountain Home” and a tree where Dolly’s voice narrates the changing seasons in the Smokies. Guests can enjoy live performances featuring Southern gospel, bluegrass, and country music, explore over 50 world-class rides and attractions, and indulge in seasonal treats brimming with pumpkin and apple flavors.
As night falls, the park becomes “Great Pumpkin LumiNights,” presented by Covenant Health, where visitors are treated to a dazzling display of more than 12,000 illuminated pumpkins carved into whimsical characters. International Festival in Bowling Green, Kentucky September 28 As Kentucky’s .