Family Fun with Themed Events
Themed Events Make Every Stay Unique at Jellystone Park™ Watts Bar Lake Near Knoxville, TN
When it comes to family camping and cabins in Tennessee, Jellystone Park™ Watts Bar Lake in Loudon—just outside Knoxville—offers more than a place to stay. It’s a place to celebrate! Our Themed Events bring themed fun to life with hands-on activities, silly competitions, and memory-making moments for campers of all ages.
During the shoulder season, themed weekend events keep the campground buzzing, while in the summer, the celebration continues all week long. With a new theme each week, families who visit multiple times in a season enjoy a completely different experience every stay—it’s like taking multiple vacations without ever leaving your favorite campground.
Looking for the best campgrounds near Knoxville for kids and families? Explore our event calendar and plan your next themed getaway today.
Download the Themed Events One-sheeter here!
All activities and dates are subject to change without notice.
July 13-19, 2026
Christmas Carnival
Celebrate the magic of the holidays in the middle of summer at Jellystone Park™ Watts Bar Lake! Join Yogi Bear™ and friends for a festive Christmas Carnival filled with holiday‑themed games, crafts, and family fun. Decorate ornaments, create Santa’s helper crafts, and enjoy carnival‑style activities with a jolly twist. Take part in candy cane scavenger hunts, meet Santa and his friends, and enjoy sweet treats that bring the holiday spirit to life. To make the celebration even more merry, enjoy live music that fills the park with Christmas cheer—summer‑style! Sing, dance, and celebrate the season with joyful tunes that bring the magic to life.
With music, laughter, and summer sunshine, Christmas Carnival is a merry, magical week the whole family will treasure!
July 20-26, 2026
Santa’s Summer Surprise – It’s Christmas in July!
Experience holiday cheer in the heart of summer at Jellystone Park™ with Yogi Bear™! Deck your campsite for the festive decorating contest, share cookies with Santa, and sing along to carols by candlelight. Join Yogi Bear™ and friends for a spectacular tree-decorating extravaganza and enjoy a jolly summer celebration full of laughter, family fun, and unforgettable memories. It’s a merry event you won’t want to miss!
July 27, 2026 – August 2, 2026
Lakeside Luau
Say “Aloha” to summer fun at Jellystone Park™ Watts Bar Lake! Join Yogi Bear™ and friends for a tropical getaway full of hula dancing, limbo challenges, beach games, and festive crafts. Enjoy family-friendly activities on the lakeshore, sip refreshing mocktails, and take part in a luau-themed party with music, laughter, and colorful decorations. Lakeside Luau Week is the perfect way to soak up the sun, make lasting memories, and bring the spirit of the islands to your summer adventure!
August 3-9, 2026
Duck, Duck, Splash!: A Splash-tacular Spectacular
Get ready to make a big splash at Jellystone Park™ Watts Bar Lake! Join Yogi Bear™ and friends for a weekend of water‑filled fun, laughter, and adventure for the whole family. Dive into exciting pool games, challenge your friends in wet‑and‑wild relays, and participate in silly splash contests that will have everyone giggling. Enjoy duck‑themed crafts, water balloon tosses, and interactive activities that celebrate all things wet and wonderful. From cannonball contests to cozying up for a water‑themed storytime, Duck, Duck, Splash! is a guaranteed good time! To add even more summer energy to the celebration, enjoy live music during the weekend—perfect for dancing in your swimsuits, splashing along to the beat, and keeping the fun going!
August 10-16, 2026
Neon Nights & Tie Dye Delights
Get ready to glow and create at Jellystone Park™ Watts Bar Lake! This vibrant weekend celebrates all things bright, bold, and colorful. Join Yogi Bear™ and friends for tie-dye workshops where campers can design their own dazzling t-shirts, bandanas, or tote bags. As the sun sets, the park transforms for Neon Nights, featuring glow-in-the-dark games, neon face painting, and light-up dance parties that will dazzle the whole family. Add in fun crafts, scavenger hunts, and interactive activities, and you’ve got a weekend bursting with color, laughter, and memories that will shine long after the lights go down!
August 17-23, 2026
Summer Safari Weekend
Embark on a wild adventure at Jellystone Park™ during Summer Safari Weekend! Explore the jungle with fun, family-friendly activities inspired by the animal kingdom. Track down hidden treasures on scavenger hunts, get creative with animal-themed crafts, and test your skills at safari games and obstacle courses. Meet our “wild” friends, enjoy interactive shows, and gather around the campfire for stories under the stars. It’s a roaring good time full of laughter, discovery, and memories that will last a lifetime!
August 24-30, 2026
The Great Color Splash
Get ready to run, walk, jump, and splash your way through a weekend bursting with color and fun! Join the exciting Color Fun Run, where every step is filled with vibrant powder throws and joyful cheers. Enjoy obstacle courses, lively games, and splash parties that bring out the bright smiles and bold energy in everyone. Wear white, bring your spirit, and get ready to make unforgettable, colorful memories!
August 31, 2026 – September 7, 2026
Work Hard, Play Harder: A Labor Day Celebration
Unleash your inner kid and relive the best days of summer at Jellystone Park™! Join us for a backyard bash filled with classic fun, outdoor games, and unforgettable memories. From water balloon fights to s’mores by the campfire, we’ve got everything you need to soak up the sunshine and enjoy the simple pleasures of summer. To keep the good vibes going, enjoy live music that brings the perfect soundtrack to your ultimate summer throwback—dance, relax, and celebrate like a kid again!
September 11-13, 2026
Care Camps Carnival Of Hope
Join us for Care Camps Carnival, a weekend filled with fun, games, and giving back! Step right up and enjoy classic carnival games, thrilling activities, and exciting prizes—all in support of a great cause. From ring toss to face painting, there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Best of all, every game played helps raise money for the Care Camps Foundation, providing children with cancer the opportunity to experience the joy of camp. Bring your family, bring your friends, and let’s create unforgettable memories while making a difference, one game at a time!
September 18-20, 2026
Rocky Top Roundup: Boots, Beats & Bluegrass
Kick up your boots and dive into a weekend bursting with the best of Tennessee’s bluegrass traditions and southern fun! Enjoy live bluegrass and country music performances, toe-tapping dance lessons, and spirited sing-alongs around the campfire. Try your hand at horseshoe toss, participate in a boot-stomping line dance contest, or craft your own rustic keepsakes. With delicious southern-style treats and plenty of friendly competition, this roundup offers something for the whole family, all just minutes from the lively energy of the nearby university town.
