Gatlinburg, Tennessee · 17th Annual

Smoky Mountain
Elvis Festival

August 14–16, 2026 · Gatlinburg Convention Center
Get Tickets See the Lineup
40+Tribute Artists
3Days of Music
17Years Running
12,000+Fans Each Year
About the Festival

Three Days of the King in the Heart of the Smokies

Every August, Gatlinburg trades its mountain quiet for blue suede shoes. The Smoky Mountain Elvis Festival brings together the country's finest Elvis tribute artists, full live bands, and thousands of fans for a long weekend of rhinestones, gospel, rockabilly, and the songs that made Elvis Presley a legend.

From the jumpsuit-clad showstoppers of the championship round to the late-night gospel singalongs, it's a celebration of the music, the era, and the Smoky Mountain hospitality that keeps fans coming back year after year.

Whether you've been every year since the beginning or you're making your first pilgrimage, there's a seat at the table — and a hunk of burnin' love waiting on stage.

Join Us in August
Tribute performer on stage
2026 Lineup

This Year's Tribute Artists

A headlining roster spanning every era of the King — from the '50s Sun Records sound to the '70s Vegas spectacle. Final championship-round performers announced in July.

Tribute artist

Johnny Vegas

'70s Aloha Era

Reigning festival champion. Full jumpsuit spectacle, a 9-piece band, and "An American Trilogy" that raises the roof.

Tribute artist

Del Ray Carter

'50s Sun Records

Pure rockabilly energy — the slicked hair, the hiccup, and a stand-up bass that never quits.

Tribute artist

Marcus Bell

Gospel & Ballads

Sunday-morning gospel sets that have become the soul of the whole weekend.

Tribute artist

Tony Sciglia

'68 Comeback Special

Black leather, raw vocals, and the swagger of the most famous comeback in music history.

House band

The TCB Mountain Revue

House Band

Our 11-piece house band and horn section backing the championship rounds all weekend.

Youth division performer

Youth Division

Future Kings

The next generation of tribute artists, ages 8–17, competing Saturday afternoon.

Weekend Schedule

Three Days, One King

All performances at the Gatlinburg Convention Center unless noted. Schedule subject to change.

Friday

August 14
  • Doors & Vendor Market
  • Opening Showcase
  • Preliminary Round I
  • Welcome Sock Hop

Saturday

August 15
  • Youth Division Contest
  • Preliminary Round II
  • Fan Q&A & Memorabilia
  • Championship Semifinals

Sunday

August 16
  • Gospel Brunch
  • Finalists' Concert
  • Grand Championship
  • Crowning & Encore
Passes

Get Your Tickets

Kids 10 and under free with a ticketed adult. Group rates available for parties of 10+.

Day Pass

$45/day
  • All performances, one day
  • Access to vendor market
  • General admission seating
  • Festival program
Buy Day Pass
Most Popular

Weekend Pass

$120/3 days
  • All three days of music
  • Reserved seating section
  • Gospel Brunch access
  • Commemorative lanyard
  • Early vendor market entry
Buy Weekend Pass

VIP Blue Suede

$250/3 days
  • Front-row reserved seating
  • Backstage meet & greet
  • VIP lounge + open bar
  • Signed festival poster
  • Reserved parking
Buy VIP Pass
While You're In Town

Explore the Smoky Mountains

Make a weekend of it. Here's what our team and our fans love about Gatlinburg and the surrounding Smokies — from the trails to the local finds.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Outdoors

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Just minutes from the venue. Catch a sunrise at Newfound Gap, wander to Clingmans Dome, or take an easy walk to Laurel Falls before the afternoon shows.

Downtown Gatlinburg
Downtown

The Parkway & Arts Loop

Taffy, moonshine tastings, the SkyBridge, and the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community — eight miles of makers just outside town.

Southern barbecue
Where to Eat

Smoky Mountain Eats

Hickory-smoked barbecue, skillet cornbread, and a slice of pie. Our fans swear by the pancake houses for a pre-gospel-brunch warm-up.

Young plants and garden starts
Green Thumbs

Bring a Little Green Home

The Smokies turn a lot of visitors into gardeners. If you head home inspired to start your own plants, two online growers our staff trust for healthy, true-to-label starts are Clones Up and Get Seeds Right Here — both ship quality clones where permitted.

Plan Your Trip

Getting Here & Staying Over

✈

Fly In

McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville is about an hour away. Shuttles and rental cars run straight to Gatlinburg.

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Drive & Park

Easy off I-40. Use the Gatlinburg Trolley or park at the welcome center and ride in — VIP parking included with Blue Suede passes.

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Stay Nearby

Festival hotel blocks at downtown properties and cabins in the hills. Book early — August weekends fill fast.

Stay in the Loop

Get Lineup & Ticket Alerts

Be first to know when championship-round performers and early-bird tickets are announced.