With amazing new entertainment, extended park hours and a nightly fireworks show, Dollywood is the perfect place for families to celebrate the fun and excitement of summer.
From June 11- Aug. 7, Dollywood’s park hours are 10 AM - 10 PM daily, allowing guests more time to create memories and share experiences together. In addition to extended hours during this time, visitors can enjoy Dolly’s Nights of Many Colors, a spectacular synchronized fireworks show which paints a colorful canvas across the Smoky Mountain sky. Guests also can join in the excitement of Lite the Nite, a high-spirited dance party which occurs each evening prior to the fireworks extravaganza.
Two new shows headline the summer beginning with award-winning illusionist Brad Ross’ Unbelievable magic show June 11- July 10. Ross takes audiences on an inspirational journey into a world of fun and magic where anything is possible. Along the way, children learn to discover the magic in everyday items and events they find all around them. Each show features unbelievable magic and illusions, comedy and audience interaction. It’s an awe-inspiring show that is fresh and fun for both kids and adults. Brad said,
"I'm beyond thrilled to be joining the Dollywood family and bringing our incredible illusions, world-class magic and pure family fun to Pigeon Forge this summer. One of the things I'm most excited about is the opportunity to help families experience magic in a whole new way - my show is all about finding the magic that's all around us and there is no more perfect place to make that happen than at Dollywood!"
Dollywood goes to the dogs July 11- Aug. 7 with the high-flying antics of Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience. These talented animals will leave audiences begging for more. Trainers work with these performing pooches to create a high-energy show which features remarkable tricks and eye-popping special effects. All of the dogs in Perondi’s show are adopted from pounds and shelters nationwide. Perondi’s stunt dogs have been featured on “The Tonight Show,” “Ellen” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Chris said,
“I am ‘dog-gone’ excited to bring back my Stunt Dog Experience to Dollywood this summer. Dollywood is one of our favorite theme parks and performing in the Celebrity Theater is an honor. I can promise this show is fur-flying fun for the whole family!”
Summer also means it’s story time again at The Little Engine Playhouse, as some of the Imagination Library’s best titles are brought to life! "Old Bear and His Cub" and "Betty Bunny Didn’t Do It" are featured as 25-minute musicals with special sing-along songs written by Dolly. Everyone’s favorite, "The Little Engine That Could," also comes to the stage with a delightful reminder of what can happen with a bit of determination and courage.
Festive food adds to the Dollywood experience during the summer with unique new items including macaroni & cheese with various toppings, pretzel dogs, banana split funnel cakes and frozen chocolate-dipped bananas.
Explore Dollywood.com or call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD for park hours and show information.
Photo Credit: © Curtis Hilbun Dollywood
Hallmark Channel visited Dolly at her Smoky Mountain theme park for a special filming of "Home and Family," set to air May 30. The show will highlight Dollywood's unique mix of southern charm, thrill rides, amazing shows and down-home cooking.
Alyvia Alyn Lind was in attendance soaking in all the sights and sounds of Dollywood. Alyvia won the hearts of millions in 2015 when she starred as Little Dolly in the NBC hit film "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors." Alyvia recalled some of Dolly's inspiration,
"She just told me that a dream is a lot bigger than a wish and she said to never give up on your dreams..."
Dolly joined "Home and Family" hosts Mark Steines and Cristina Ferrare as well as the show's family members including lifestyle expert Debbie Matenopoulos, beauty expert Kym Douglas, medical expert Matt Iseman, family man Matt Rogers, fashion designer Orly Shani, DIY expert Ken Wingard and design expert Paige Hemmis.
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The fourth season of "Home & Family" features not only the best in lifestyle advice but also plays host to some of Hollywood's biggest stars and most exciting music acts.
Watch "Home and Family" featuring Dolly Parton and Dollywood May 30 - June 3 on Hallmark at 10 am.
This summer, Dolly Parton is embarking on a 60-city tour throughout the United States and Canada and she is making a special stop in Pigeon Forge, TN. On Nov. 15, Dolly will return to her hometown for a special concert which will benefit her Imagination Library.
Dolly's set list during the tour includes a number of hit songs, with a few new offerings from her double-disc album "Pure & Simple with Dolly’s Biggest Hits." She will also perform a number of hits that have not been heard live by some fans in decades.
Tickets go on sale to Dollywood season passholders on June 15 and to the general public on July 1. The concert is set for Nov. 15 at LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, TN.
UPDATE July 5: SOLD OUT
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a book gifting organization which began in Sevier County, TN. The program, inspired by Dolly's father, has sent over 77 million free books to children in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and the United States.
View Dolly Parton's Pure & Simple Tour Schedule.
Dollywood will kick off the park's 31st season on March 19, with Festival of Nations presented by Humana. Now in its 16th season, the annual festival features two popular returning acts as well as several all-new performances.
Representing Ecuador, Atahualpa combines native Incan instruments with contemporary backups to celebrate the history and culture of the Andes Mountains. Vadim Kolpakov leads Via Romen in presenting traditional and modern European and Russian-Romani (Gypsy) music. Celtic Coast features original music and traditional tunes inspired by the diverse musical heritage of Nova Scotia, Canada. Other artists appearing hail from Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, China and many more. Dolly said,
“Festival of Nations truly is a special time of year at my Dollywood. I’ve been lucky enough to experience the great entertainment and cultures of countries all over the world. I’m so proud to bring these amazing performers to Dollywood so they can share their tremendous talents with all our guests.”
Returning acts include park favorites Mother Africa and Los Pampas Gauchos from Argentina.
In addition to world-class entertainment offered to guests of Festival of Nations, Dollywood has cooked up some of the most diverse dishes from around the world. A myriad of exotic recipes, available throughout the park, sends guests’ taste buds on a trip during each visit to Dollywood’s award-winning food locations.
Guests can find hibachi teriyaki chicken and vegetables from Japan, beef lo mein and egg noodles from China, classic flatbreads from Greece and Italy, tacos with Colombian pork or Mexican shredded beef and much more. For those with a sweet tooth, delectable delights from around the world are available, including various crepes from France, England and Belgium.
Purchase tickets and see the entertainment schedule at Dollywood.com.
Photos courtesy of Curtis Hilbun
Talk show and radio host, Andy Cohen visited Dollywood for a SiriusXM Town Hall featuring Dolly Parton. Before the candid interview, he toured Dolly's Chasing Rainbows museum inside the park and shared a photo on Instagram of his favorite Dolly costumes. He also presented Dolly with two baskets filled with books to honor her book gifting organization, Imagination Library.
Andy helped field questions from the audience and chatted with Dolly about her husband, upcoming tour, movies and a variety of other topics.
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Andy and Dolly recorded the show Live at Dollywood.
It will air on SiriusXM (channel 102), Friday, May 13, 2016, at 4 PM (EST).
