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Great Smokey Mountain Event Center Tickets

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The venue

About Great Smokey Mountain Event Center

Welcome to the Great Smokey Mountain Event Center, formerly known as Haywood County Fairgrounds, now reimagined as a multi-venue destination in Waynesville, North Carolina. This complex houses the Great Smokies Arena, the Apple Orchard Building, and the Dogwood Building, offering flexible spaces for concerts, expos, community gatherings, and sports events. We’ve got you covered with practical details on seating, parking, transit, and nearby lodging and dining to help you secure your seats with ease.

Whether you’re planning a big regional concert, a trade show like the Smoky Mountain Geek Expo, or a local community event, this venue provides scalable spaces to fit the moment. Read on for a friendly insider guide to accessing the venue, getting around town, and making the most of your visit.

Seating at the Great Smokies Arena features two bleacher banks of 750 seats each, totaling 1,500 capacity for sports or general admission-style shows. The Apple Orchard Building offers 6,000 square feet with a maximum of 600 attendees, ideal for mid-size receptions or private events. The Dogwood Building spans 12,000 square feet with a maximum of 500 attendees, suitable for meetings, workshops, or vendor booths. Parking is available on-site, with paved handicap-accessible spaces listed for the Apple Orchard Building and overflow parking options for larger events. For travel within the region, Haywood Public Transit services Waynesville, while Mountain Projects operates a local transit hub in Clyde with reservations via email or phone. Nearby lodging and dining options deliver a convenient stay-and-attend experience with affiliate partners recommended for reliability and value. For event updates, check the event listing details as dates can vary and some events may be rescheduled or announced closer to the date.

Good to know

Seating, Parking & Venue Information

  • Address: 758 Crabtree Road, Waynesville, NC 28785.
  • Venue components: Great Smokies Arena (1,500 capacity), Apple Orchard Building (6,000 sq ft, max 600), Dogwood Building (12,000 sq ft, max 500).
  • Seating chart: Great Smokies Arena floorplan shows two bleacher banks of 750 seats each (total 1,500).
  • Parking: on-site parking; Apple Orchard Building lists paved handicap-accessible parking; overflow parking is available for events.
  • Transit: Haywood Public Transit serves Waynesville; Mountain Projects operates transit hub in Clyde, with reservations by email/phone.
  • Nearby hotels: Parkway Inn (2093 Dellwood Rd, Waynesville, NC), Best Western Mountainbrook Inn (3811 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley, NC), Quality Inn & Suites Maggie Valley (3777 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley, NC).
  • Notable events hosted: Smoky Mountain Geek Expo; concerts and community events (e.g., Goose in 2020; Jingle Bell Market); combat sports events like Roughest & Toughest Brawl.
  • Renaming/demolition status: formerly Haywood County Fairgrounds; now branded Smoky Mountain Event Center (not demolished).