
Local Time
- Timezone: America/New_York
- Date: Jul 04 2026
- Time: 12:00 am - 6:00 pm
America’s First 4th of July Parade — Downtown Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg kicks off Independence Day before anywhere else in the country — literally. The parade steps off at 12:01am July 4th, making it the first Fourth of July parade in the nation. Floats, marching bands, giant balloons, and military tributes roll through downtown Gatlinburg from Baskins Creek Bypass to Traffic Light #10. Show up a little before midnight July 3rd to grab your spot.






