If your 2026 travel plans include the Smoky Mountains, there’s a reason the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee keeps landing on “must-do” lists: it’s part dinner, part comedy show, part stunt spectacular—and it’s designed to make everyone in your group laugh while they eat.

Now in its 15th year, the experience leans into a classic premise: guests choose a side—Hatfield or McCoy—and spend the next two hours caught in the middle of a long-running family feud that plays out with music, dancing, mountain clogging, and a steady stream of comedic one-upmanship. The town sheriff and mayor help keep the mayhem moving, guiding the families through competitions that feel like a Smokies-style showdown with plenty of surprises.

One of the biggest “you have to see it to believe it” features is the set. The stage shifts from musical numbers and dancing into a full water stage, complete with a 24-foot-deep swimming hole that becomes part of the action. You’ll see stunts and competitions unfold on the “mountainside,” then watch the show pivot into splashy moments that bring boats, diving boards, and big visual gags into play. The feud even spirals into quirky, only-in-Pigeon-Forge territory—banjo duels, clogging battles, mop-based antics, dogs performing dives, and a cameo from Lil Hickory the pig to help decide which clan is the “best in the Smokies.”

And then there’s the other headliner: the food.

This is an all-you-can-eat, four-course Southern feast meant to leave nobody hungry. It starts with a creamy Southern-style soup and hot bread, then rolls into classic comfort dishes like fried chicken, open pit pulled pork barbecue, mashed potatoes, buttery corn on the cob, and coleslaw. Dessert plus tea or coffee rounds it out, and the “all-you-can-eat” promise is a big part of why families and groups love making this a centerpiece of a Pigeon Forge night.

The show’s leaders say the goal stays the same no matter what year it is. “We don’t let anything interrupt the fun, feudin’ and food at our show, not even the calendar turning over to a new year,” said David Major, Corporate Director at Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud. “The cast pours their heart, soul and silliness into every performance, and our audiences love becoming part of our ‘feudin’ family’ and creating memories that will have them laughing long after the show is over.”

When to go and how to plan it

The Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud runs shows throughout January five nights a week, with daily shows beginning January 29. Reservations and showtimes are available on the show’s official website.

Why it’s a smart add to a Smokies itinerary

Operating in Pigeon Forge since 2011, the show blends special effects, musical productions, live animals, and that all-you-can-eat meal into one package—making it an easy “one decision” night out when you want a break from planning every detail of your trip. It also recently received a first-place “Best Comedy” award in 2025 from Best of Pigeon Forge, which tracks with what most visitors say after the final splash: you don’t just watch this show—you’re part of it.

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(Banner Photo Courtesy Dollywood Parks & Resorts)