History & Haunts Sevierville 2025 – Red’s Soda Fountain, Dog Costume Fun & Fireworks Over Downtown!

There’s something magical about fall nights in downtown Sevierville. The crisp air, the smell of caramel and popcorn, the laughter echoing around Court Avenue — it all sets the stage for one of the town’s most charming and spooky traditions: History & Haunts Sevierville.

This year was our very first time attending the event, and honestly, we had no idea what to expect. We’d heard about the costume contests, ghost stories, and fireworks, but being there in person was a whole new experience.

So, come along as we relive our adventure through Sevierville’s haunted history, one costume, cupcake, and firework at a time.

Watch this Our awesome YouTube video tour:

Things to Do in Sevierville in October

Fall in the Smoky Mountains always feels a little extra special, and Sevierville captures that autumn spirit perfectly. As soon as we parked downtown, we were greeted with decorations everywhere — hay bales, pumpkins, scarecrows, and even a life-size Dolly Parton figure made out of corn stalks

Dolly Parton figure made out of corn stalks

in front of the bank that houses Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

The whole downtown area was blocked off for the event, making it feel like one big street festival. Families, couples, and groups of friends wandered between booths, each one offering something festive. From games to giveaways and local food vendors, there was no shortage of fun.

Reds Soda Fountain & The Sweet Side of Sevierville

Before heading into the crowd, we made a quick stop inside Red’s Soda Fountain and Ice Cream — a Sevierville favorite. They were serving up special Halloween-themed treats like homemade zombie cookies, oatmeal mummy cookies, and zombie cupcakes that looked almost too good to eat.

We couldn’t resist snapping a few photos. The zombie cookies had tiny icing eyes and green frosting that looked deliciously creepy zombie cookies

The zombie cupcakes were topped with candy eyeballs and purple icing swirls zombie cupcakes

And those oatmeal mummy cookies — wrapped in white icing bandages — were so cute that we almost didn’t want to take a bite oatmeal mummy cookies

If you ever find yourself downtown during October, this is a must-visit stop. Between the retro vibe and the creative sweets, Red’s Soda Fountain Sevierville is a perfect mix of nostalgia and spooky fun.

Dog Costume Contest & Family Fun

Nothing brings people together quite like a costume contest, and the first event of the night was the dog costume competition.

There was a parade of pups dressed as everything from movie villains to fairytale heroes. One adorable dog showed up next to a “Predator” prop and completely stole the show dogs over here by the predator

another one that’s themed for Nightmare Before Christmas.

got the winners

We joked about bringing our own puppy, but honestly, she would have gone wild in that crowd.

Haunted History Tour in Sevierville, TN

After the costume fun, it was time for something a little darker — the Haunted Walking Tour through downtown. Guided by a costumed storyteller, the group wandered through dimly lit streets as “ghosts” from Sevierville’s past appeared to tell their stories.

Each stop revealed another piece of Sevier County’s haunted history, and every performer brought their character to life in the most chilling (and fascinating) way.

We met historical figures like:

P.Z. Wynn and Catlett, two men involved in a 19th-century crime that ended with both being hanged right in Sevier County.
Dr. James A. Henderson, a brave doctor who fought against the White Caps — a secret vigilante group that terrorized the county in the 1890s — only to be murdered in his own home.
Rendy Bailey, known as the county’s wandering woman, whose tragic story of heartbreak and loneliness ended with her freezing to death one winter night.
Marvin McMahon, a 13-year-old boy who died in a jail fire after being arrested for stealing a chicken — one of the saddest tales of all.
Captain Simeon Perry, a war veteran murdered in 1826, whose death remains one of Sevierville’s oldest unsolved crimes.

The reenactments felt incredibly real — you could tell each actor had studied their role deeply. They mixed a bit of eerie storytelling with real local history, reminding everyone that Sevierville’s past is full of fascinating and sometimes heartbreaking stories.

Tales of Outlaws & Bank Robbers

Just when we thought the ghost stories couldn’t get any wilder, two actors appeared on horseback (or at least, pretending to be). They portrayed Will and Cal Derick, two brothers who, along with a friend named Pearl Thurman, attempted to rob the Bank of Sevierville more than a century ago.

The story ended badly for them — both men were shot multiple times when the robbery went wrong. It was a dramatic reminder of how lawless things could be in the early days of Sevier County.

Hearing these stories under the glow of streetlights made it feel like stepping back in time.

Sevierville Events 2025: Booths, Games & Chick-fil-A Fun

As the night went on, the mood shifted back to family fun. Booths lined the streets, each offering trick-or-treat games, face painting, and giveaways. The Chick-fil-A booth seemed to draw the biggest crowd — with a spinning prize wheel where people could win anything from nuggets to ice cream sandwiches.

It quickly turned into a running joke among the crowd as people shouted, “Sandwich! Nuggets! Ice cream!” and cheered each winner. We even saw one prize-tossed T-shirt end up in a tree, causing a mini crowd-moment as everyone tried to shake it loose.

Nearby, we stumbled upon a cozy little pumpkin patch

glowing under string lights and right next to the Dolly Parton statue. Families were picking pumpkins, taking photos, and soaking in that perfect fall-in-Sevierville vibe.

Costume & Dance Contests

If the dog contest was cute, the adult costume and dance contests were downright hilarious and heartwarming. From Vikings to piñatas, clowns, and Spongebob, everyone came to win.

One of the highlights was the “Little Debbie Family,” who looked like they’d walked straight out of a snack commercial — and yes, they did take home a prize. The crowd laughed, clapped, and cheered for every costume that took the stage.

The dance competition that followed turned into a lively street party. Even though it was short, it showed just how much spirit Sevierville locals have when it comes to community events.

Fireworks Over Downtown Sevierville

As the night came to a close, everyone gathered across from the courthouse for the grand finale — fireworks presented by SkyLand Ranch.

The bright colors lit up the night sky, reflecting off the old brick buildings downtown. Kids pointed excitedly while couples took videos and families hugged together under the glow of sparklers.

It was the perfect ending to a night filled with history, laughter, and local pride. Even though our dog back home would have hated the noise, we couldn’t stop smiling.

Family-Friendly Halloween in Tennessee

If you’re searching for a family-friendly Halloween event in Tennessee, the History & Haunts celebration in Sevierville should absolutely be on your list. It’s not just about ghosts or costumes — it’s about community, storytelling, and honoring the people who helped shape the area’s history.

From spooky tales to sweet treats and fireworks, it offered something for everyone — whether you’re into folklore, photography, or just a fun night out with loved ones.

We left with tired feet, full hearts, and a bag of snacks for our kids waiting at home — plus a promise to return next year, maybe even in costume.

Final Thoughts

Our first time experiencing History & Haunts Sevierville was everything we hoped for and more. Between the laughter, the live storytelling, and the small-town charm, it reminded us why Sevierville feels so special — especially in the fall.

So if you ever find yourself in the Smokies around October, make sure to stop by downtown Sevierville for this unforgettable event. It’s part history lesson, part Halloween party, and 100% heart.