The fall Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair is in its final week. The show wraps up Wednesday, October 28, so if you’ve been meaning to browse handmade pottery, leather and copper work, or get a head start on Christmas shopping, the next few days are your window.
What you’ll find inside
The fair fills the Gatlinburg Convention Center downtown with about 200 booths from artisans and craftspeople around the country. According to the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair website, every exhibitor goes through a jury process, and everything for sale is handmade. Look for pottery, leather goods, copper art and local candy makers, and plan to watch some of the crafters at work, since many demonstrate their skills right at their booths.
Live music is part of the deal. Shows play on the fair’s stage every day at noon and 3 p.m., with country, bluegrass and gospel, and they’re included with admission. Concessions are sold inside the convention center if you need a break.
Hours and tickets
- Dates: daily through Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.
- Admission: the fair lists $12 for adults, and kids 17 and under get in free with a paid adult. Prices can change, so check the fair’s website for the latest before you go.
- Tickets are sold at the door only. Cash and debit or credit cards are accepted, there’s an ATM on site, and most vendors take cards or cash.
- Need more than one day? The fair says it usually takes most of a day to see everything. Bring your ID to the fair office at the end of aisle 500 to get a pass that lets you come back.
Getting there and parking
The convention center sits at traffic light #8 in downtown Gatlinburg, at 234 Historic Nature Trail, with a front entrance on the Parkway at 920 Parkway. October is one of the busiest travel months in the Smokies, so expect heavy traffic, especially on weekends. The fair’s directions page lists some quieter scenic routes into town if you’re driving in from out of the area.
Once you’re in Gatlinburg, parking once and riding the trolley can save a lot of circling. Check the city’s Gatlinburg trolley routes and schedules for current stops and times.
Weather for your visit
It’s shaping up to be a great week to be downtown. The National Weather Service forecast for Gatlinburg calls for sunny days with highs around 70 through the weekend, and nights dipping into the low 40s. Bring a jacket if you plan to stroll the Parkway after the fair closes.
Make a day of it
If the fair puts you in a crafty mood, the Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Community is a short drive from downtown and has working studios and galleries open year-round. It’s a nice way to keep the handmade theme going after October 28.
Sources: the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair website and its directions page, the City of Gatlinburg’s Gatlinburg trolley routes and schedules, and the National Weather Service forecast for Gatlinburg.