Easter Arts and Crafts Show

The Easter Arts and Crafts Show fills the Gatlinburg Convention Center each spring, typically running Friday through Sunday on Easter weekend from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with over 150 regional artisans displaying handcrafted pottery, hand-carved wooden bowls, sterling silver jewelry, and Appalachian quilts.

You’ll find aisles organized by craft type—woodworkers near the east entrance, jewelers clustered in the center hall, and fiber artists along the back wall—making it easy to browse for spring gifts or souvenirs that carry the spirit of the Smokies home.

Admission runs around $8 for adults, free for children under 12, and parking fills quickly after 11 a.m. on Saturday, so plan to arrive by 10 or use the Gatlinburg Trolley from downtown lots. Many artisans demonstrate techniques at their booths—watch a potter throw clay on the wheel or a blacksmith shape hot iron—and most accept credit cards, though a few cash-only vendors cluster near the food court.

The show typically coincides with mild spring weather in Gatlinburg, with highs in the 60s and occasional rain showers, so bring a light jacket and comfortable walking shoes for the concrete floors. If the Convention Center crowds feel heavy, slip outside to walk the nearby Little Pigeon River Greenway, a paved path that follows the water through downtown and offers mountain views without the indoor bustle.

After browsing, head to The Peddler Steakhouse, founded in 1969 and set along the river with a stone fireplace and windows overlooking the water, for classic cuts and a salad bar that locals favor. For a weekend stay, look for lakeside rentals near Gatlinburg on Lake.com within a short drive of Douglas Lake or Watauga Lake, where you can pair the arts show with early morning fishing or an afternoon paddle before heading back to browse the booths.