Photo credit: Curtis Hilbun
Dollywood’s 40th anniversary season is officially underway after Dolly Parton welcomed guests and media during the park’s first day of operation on March 14. The event marked her first public appearance following the passing of her beloved husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, on March 3.
During the morning media event, Dolly shared her appreciation for the outpouring of support she has received from around the world following Carl’s passing. Then, Dolly, alongside Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton, offered a look ahead to Dollywood’s upcoming anniversary season, as well as a sneak peek of a groundbreaking new project coming to the Smoky Mountain theme park in 2026.
Following a year of record attendance in 2024, Dollywood Parks & Resorts—the #1 U.S. theme park according to Tripadvisor reviews—has a lot to celebrate in 2025, its 40th operational season. Last year, the park added The Dolly Parton Experience—subsequently named by USA Today as one of the Top Five Best New Theme Park attractions in 2024—and celebrated the first full year of operation for the company’s second lodging property, Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort.
Additionally, Dollywood’s Splash Country celebrates its 25th season, while Dollywood’s DreamMqdore Resort and Spa enjoys its 10th year of operation in 2025. In a year full of milestone anniversaries, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library marks its 30th anniversary, and as of today, has gifted more than 270 million books to children around the world under the age of 5.
During the event she thanked guests for their part in making her beloved Dollywood theme park one of the most recognized and awarded parks in the world.
"Thank you to our guests and the community for the support they’ve given to my Dollywood for 40 years," Dolly said. "It’s hard to believe it has been that long, but it never would have lasted if it hadn’t been for you—our guests. On opening day in 1986, I was just hoping that people would really want to come visit a theme park with my name on it. And even though I always try to dream big, I’ll admit I was a little bit nervous that first morning. But people did come out to support us that first day, and I’m so proud to see that Dollywood has continued to grow through the years to become a place of fun and togetherness for everyone who has come to visit.
"I’m also very honored that we’re starting off the anniversary season with the I Will Always Love You Music Festival," she added. "I hope that this festival inspires everyone to share their own special light with the world each day. It doesn’t matter what your dream is—even if it’s opening a theme park with your name on it—follow those dreams and never give up!"
One surprise highlight of the media event was a mysterious teaser video that hinted at something major coming to the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, park in 2026. Naughton believes the addition will continue to elevate Dollywood’s status globally within the industry.
"We’re not ready to share the details, but I can tell you it will be a revolutionary new experience unlike ANYTHING anywhere else in the world," he said. "We’re able to add these experiences because of the unwavering support of our guests and the dedication of our hosts to create the friendliest and most welcoming theme park environment in the industry. This is our 40th anniversary season, but I can promise you, we’re just getting started.
"We truly believe the only way to provide that atmosphere is by asking guests for their honest opinions and listening fully to what they tell us. Our hosts are empowered to listen to our guests, and many of the projects our teams are working on right now are due to guest feedback we’ve received. We’re always trying to put wings on Dolly’s dreams, and taking care of our guests in the best way possible has always been her biggest dream."
Guests to Dollywood's 40th season will experience the results of several off-season construction projects, including overall area refreshes in Country Fair and The Village. Among the changes in Country Fair are a new splash pad and expanded seating area—the perfect place for parents and the youngest Dollywood fans seeking a quick break in the action—while The Village received bright new touches and the reimagining of the Imagination Playhouse.
The Imagination Playhouse, which features plays based on books from Dolly’s Imagination Library, becomes a permanent fixture this season, offering its much-loved shows for younger guests from April 19 through the end of September. The theater will offer a rotation of playhouse favorites guests have enjoyed through the years. During Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, new story time and character meet & greets are part of the Imagination Playhouse experience. Also in celebration of the 40th anniversary, "Heartsong: The Movie" will be remastered and moved—appropriately—to Dreamsong Theater as part of The Dolly Parton Experience. "Heartsong: The Movie" will run in the theater in conjunction with "Heidi Parton’s Kin & Friends."
The season begins with the I Will Always Love You Music Festival (now- April 13). This festival celebrates Dolly and her unmatchable talents as an internationally known performer through songs, shows and even culinary delights. Returning favorite "From the Heart—The Life & Music of Dolly Parton" tells Dolly’s remarkable story in an inspirational and uplifting way as guests experience the emotional pull she faced as she left everything she had known in Sevier County to move to Nashville in pursuit of her dreams. The show takes place in Celebrity Theater and runs through the Flower & Food Festival.
For those who cannot contain their love of Dolly, "Sing-a-long with Dolly" invites guests to belt out the lyrics to some of her most-loved songs. This fun and interactive show takes place at the Back Porch Theater. Finally, "Trio, Again featuring Three Times A Lady" honors the "Trio" albums released by Dolly, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. The Three Times A Lady trio, made up of singer/songwriters Victoria Camp, Kennedy Scott and Hannah Blaylock, presents this timeless show for Dollywood guests at the Showstreet Palace Theater.
Two of the parks’ largest projects in 2025 include the Wilderness Pass Restaurant and a new 750-space parking lot; both are set to open later this spring. Projects like the new parking area and Wilderness Pass Restaurant are important pieces of the company’s half-billion dollar, 10-year expansion plan announced by Dolly and Naughton in 2021.
Following the I Will Always Love You Music Festival, Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival (April 18-June 8) blooms bright with iconic Mosaiculture displays throughout the park. Vivid larger-than-life flower sculptures create an immersive atmosphere for park guests with more than half-a-million blooms during this award-winning festival. Dollywood’s culinary team showcases their world-class abilities during the event with a menu full of delicacies to highlight the tastes of spring in the Smokies. “Play On,” a special 40th anniversary retrospective show featuring songs and scenes from many of the park’s iconic shows from years past, debuts on May 3, the date of the park’s first operational day in 1986.
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City (June 14-August 3) is everyone’s favorite summer tradition and once again includes Dollywood’s Sweet Summer Nights drone and fireworks show each night. Even more drones take to the skies this year to present a mesmerizing show that honors Dollywood’s 40th season. “Gazillion Bubble Show: Evolution” and “Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience” provide popping bubbles and playful pooches to help every guest feel like a kid this summer.
A family tradition for many, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana (Sept. 12- Oct. 27) celebrates the beauty of fall with thousands of carved pumpkins, spirited performances from talented singers and the fun of Great Pumpkin LumiNights. Great Pumpkin LumiNights, which previously has been named the best theme park harvest event in the world, features elaborate displays that are fun for every member of the family. Creative culinary items, accomplished artisans and fall fun in the Smokies make this a picture-perfect time to enjoy Dollywood.
The industry’s Best Theme Park Christmas event—Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (Nov. 1- Jan. 4, 2025)—concludes the park’s 2025 season with six million lights, festive holiday shows and the warm Christmas atmosphere guests have come to expect during this joyous time of year.
With 40th anniversary season surprises ahead, guests should consider a season pass to ensure they can experience all the fun! Three season pass levels—Gold, Silver and the new Volunteer Summer Pass—provide great options for every guest, while the popular Pre-K Imagination Season Pass offers free admission all season long to any child born in 2020 or 2021. Passes are on sale now.
The Gold Pass represents tremendous value for guests thanks to two Bring-A-Friend Free tickets and free general parking, as well as discounts on dining, merchandise and lodging. Both Diamond (2025 Diamond Passes already are sold out) and Gold passholders receive access to special events and activities just for them; only the named passholder can receive the perks associated with each pass type. Gold and Diamond passholders can take advantage of another great perk—complimentary TimeSaver line access the first hour of every operating day.
Silver Season Passes also are available and include two Bring-A-Friend Free tickets and a discount on Dollywood lodging. Select blackout dates apply to adult and senior Silver Season Passes and Silver Bring-A-Friend Free tickets; child Silver Season Passes do not have blackout dates.
The Volunteer Summer Pass offers East Tennessee residents an opportunity to purchase a special season pass valid for visits April 21-Sept. 11. The pass is available online only at a discounted rate while supplies last.
Guests at this world-class family vacation destination can experience even more fun at one of Dollywood’s award-winning resort hotels, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa or Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. Both properties offer unbeatable hospitality and exclusive complimentary privileges, including TimeSaver passes, door-to-door transportation, preferred parking at Dollywood parks and package delivery for purchases made at Dollywood theme park.
For more information about Dollywood’s 2025 season or season passes, please visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.
The merriment of the season returns during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (Nov. 1, 2024 - Jan 5, 2025) with cherished traditions for generations of Dollywood guests. From award-winning stage productions to delicious culinary masterpieces and 6 million twinkling lights, there is something festive in store for every family member.
Guests are sure to feel the holiday spirit throughout the park during Smoky Mountain Christmas thanks to awe-inspiring displays located around every corner. It is this dedication to creating the industry’s best Christmas event that led the Golden Ticket Awards to name the event a “legend” after 15 consecutive “best of” wins.
Photos © Curtis Hilbun / Dollywood
Joy is everywhere at Dollywood with interactive elements and experiences for all guests. Wildwood Grove transforms into a snowy winter wonderland with a brand-new immersive experience, Snow in the Grove. Guests will feel the Christmas magic as snow gently begins to fall upon Wildwood Creek as the Wildwood Tree glows to life every evening. The merrymaking continues as Dollywood’s Christmas characters, Roly and Poly, join in the fun as the snow descends. Dollywood’s Merry and Bright! fireworks show returns to dazzle guests with a festive end to the day on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Also new this year is the Christmas Reflections light installation in Rivertown. As night descends, the Rivertown pond shines brightly as five brilliantly decorated trees shimmer to life with their lights reflecting onto the water below. This display will be a beautiful addition to the more than 6 million lights sure to dazzle guests on their visit. Glacier Ridge presented by Goo Goo Cluster returns to Dollywood’s Timber Canyon, Wildwood Grove and Wilderness Pass with a vibrant nighttime display.
Dollywood’s beloved entertainment shines on both indoor and outdoor stages. A new offering this year is “Heidi Parton’s A Christmas To Remember,” where Dolly’s niece, Heidi, shares songs and stories from her family’s Christmas traditions. The show takes place in the Dreamsong Theater. The festival’s family-favorite headline show, “Christmas in the Smokies,” returns to Celebrity Theater and delights guests as it has every year since its debut in 1990. Other Dollywood Christmas classics return including “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs” and more.
One of the most unique experiences guests can enjoy this Christmas at Dollywood is Santa’s List... Naughty or Nice? Santa gives visitors a sneak peek into his cozy Smoky Mountain cabin. Families can see him hard at work finalizing this year’s naughty and nice list, and even talk with the jolly old elf himself! Santa returns to the North Pole for a well-deserved vacation after Christmas Day, so families wanting to see him shouldn’t wait!
Guests will delight in the delicious holiday menu created by Dollywood’s chefs. From hearty rosemary garlic white pizza to warm holiday stuffing stackers and tomato florentine soup, food connoisseurs are sure to find something to love. For those with a sweet tooth, Dollywood has a wide array of treats to offer, including red velvet whoopie pies, peppermint twist cupcakes, traditional sugar cookies, gingerbread people and more!
During the holidays, guests can experience the thrill of Dollywood’s world-class rides, as most attractions are operational during the Christmas season. From these rides, guests can take in the dazzling display of millions of lights shining down below.
The Christmas spirit also can be found at Dollywood’s resort properties, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, where guests can enjoy roaming entertainment, marshmallow roasting and hot apple cider. Camp DW provides holiday crafts and activities to spark joy in the youngest visitors.
At Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, every corner is adorned with colorful holiday décor. Guests can gather around the breathtaking two-story Christmas tree that brightens both levels of the lobby or enjoy the beautiful Christmas Tree Show on the resort’s pool deck. DreamMore Resort’s culinary team prepares decadent meals in Song & Hearth: A Southern Eatery. The resort is a great place to taste delicious meals during Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort celebrates its first anniversary on Nov. 3, 2024, and is decking the halls with beautiful Christmas décor inspired by the surrounding Great Smoky Mountains. In the lobby, guests can relax by the fire in front of the lantern-inspired four-story windows. Guests will be welcomed to the table at HeartSong Lodge’s restaurant Ember & Elm: Tastes Rooted in the Smokies. This unique dining location will present delicious dinners crafted by the culinary team for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
For anyone wishing to share the magic of creating cherished family memories, a Dollywood Season Pass is the best gift to give loved ones. Diamond and Gold Season Passes purchased during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas allow admission to this year’s festival and Dollywood during the entire 2025 operating season. Guests can purchase their 2025 Season Pass now or upgrade their regular admission ticket on the day of their visit. Ticket purchasers receive credit for the value of a regular one-day ticket toward purchasing a 2025 Season Pass. Next year marks Dollywood’s 40th anniversary season, and with so many surprises in store to celebrate the milestone, it will be a year to remember.
For more information, please visit dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.
Dolly Parton and Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton welcomed guests and media to great fanfare during the opening ceremonies for the 39th season at Dollywood, held on March 8. Dolly shared an update on her busy winter, a look ahead to Dollywood’s 2024 season, and introduced some of the new entertainment guests can see during the year—including a “duet” with Naughton during a preview of the new “Sing-a-long with Dolly” show.
Opening week had already been special for the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee park, with Southern Living naming Dollywood one of the South’s Best Attractions as part of its 2024 The South’s Best awards. The headline of the article boldly proclaimed “Why Dollywood is Better than Any Other Theme Park.”
The I Will Always Love You Music Festival (now–April 14) features three new shows celebrating Dolly’s career. Her remarkable story is told in “From the Heart—The Life & Music of Dolly Parton.” The new show takes place in Celebrity Theater and will run through the Flower & Food Festival presented by Covenant Health (April 19-June 9).
For those who cannot contain their love of Dolly, “Sing-a-long with Dolly” invites guests (and park presidents) to belt out the lyrics to some of her most-loved songs. This fun and interactive new show takes place at the Back Porch Theater. Finally, “Trio, Again featuring Three Times A Lady” honors the “Trio” albums released by Dolly, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. The Three Times A Lady trio, made up of singer/songwriters Lauren Mascitti, Kenney Scott and Hannah Blaylock, presents this timeless show for Dollywood guests at the Showstreet Palace Theater.
In addition to the new shows, Dollywood has invested $1 million in technology upgrades to various theaters and show venues across the park. Also, every stage throughout the park will feature shows during every season of the year.
“I’m so excited for everything we have in store for our guests in 2024,” Dolly said. “We’re investing a lot of time and money into our entertainment this year, and I think the work we’ve put into these shows really is going to be noticed. One of those new shows is ‘From the Heart.’ It is a Broadway-style production about my music and my life, and John Dietrich (co-writer/director) and I can’t wait to hear what guests think about it. We also have ‘Trio, Again featuring Three Times A Lady’ to celebrate the Trio albums I did with my good friends Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. Those were such fun albums to make so I’m glad we are going to have a show to remember those.
“And you know, the last show might be my favorite. I always hear people everywhere I go singing my songs, so we thought it would be good to give folks a place to come and do it with their friends. We’re doing a show called ‘Sing-a-long with Dolly’ so guests can come to the park and sing along to my songs as loudly as they want. I’m sure it will be a joyful noise! But if Eugene is leading the singing, it might just be noise,” she added with a laugh.
Dollywood Parks & Resorts plans another large year following a massive 2023 season. Last year, the park added Big Bear Mountain—subsequently named the Best New Family Coaster in the world—and expanded the company’s lodging properties with the October opening of Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, now named one of National Geographic’s “Hotels We Love in 2024.”
Not resting on its laurels, The Dollywood Company debuts the multi-faceted Dolly Parton Experience in May alongside several new guest-friendly amenities and an operating calendar that includes another 23 operational days—or 357 operating hours—for the 2024 season! With the addition, Dollywood theme park’s calendar grows to 281 operational days for 2024, this after an additional 21 operating days were added to the 2023 calendar in comparison to the 2022 season.
The Dolly Parton Experience, which opens May 24, features a number of interactive elements to make guests feel as if they were alongside Dolly as she journeyed from Locust Ridge to stages around the world. The entire Adventures in Imagination area transforms to create The Dolly Parton Experience. Housed in multiple buildings, the multi-faceted experience includes exhibits that span her unparalleled career, a look at the inspiration for and results of her biggest dreams, the importance of her family, and even a curated exhibit that highlights Dolly’s signature style through the years. The Dolly Parton Experience provides guests with more Dolly than ever, as it is three times the size of the former Chasing Rainbows Museum.
In Songteller, guests will trace Dolly’s roots from Sevier County to the bus she boarded to Nashville the day after her high school graduation. Several exhibits showcase some of Dolly’s favorite mementos from music, movies and TV shows, while one room is dedicated solely to her record-selling albums. The showstopper for the experience is a massive room that features a 360-degree, projection-mapped story that tells, in her own words, how Dolly has become one of the most beloved figures in the world.
At Behind the Seams, guests will get a sneak peek at how this Smoky Mountain girl’s iconic look comes to life, while the Precious Memories exhibit, located in the front of the Dreamsong Theater, honors Dolly’s friends and family and shows how their support allowed her to spread her wings to unimaginable heights. A new show, “Heidi Parton’s Kin & Friends,” debuts in the Dreamsong Theater when the area opens on May 24. The show features Dolly’s niece, Heidi Parton, and a cast singing songs and telling stories; and since Heidi wrote it alongside her aunt Dolly, it includes songs and stories that only family would know!
Lightning Rod, one of Dollywood’s most popular attractions, has also reopened for the 2024 season. The ride debuted with a new, high-speed chain lift that will provide guests with a more consistent and efficient ride experience. Despite the removal of the launch system, once the coaster trains reach the first drop, the ride experience remains identical to the previous format revered by coaster enthusiasts around the world. With the anticipated improvements to the ride, it is estimated an additional 1 million guests will be able to ride Lightning Rod each season.
All of the projects and calendar changes have been undertaken with one thing in mind—Dollywood guests.
“Our Dollywood Parks & Resorts properties have truly become among the top vacation destinations in the entire country,” said Eugene Naughton, President of The Dollywood Company. “We’ve earned several great honors this past year, including being #27 on Forbes’ list of Best Customer Service in the entire country. Recognition like that comes because of the effort we place each day on ensuring the guest experience for every person who visits us is the best it can possibly be. We really believe the only way to do that is by asking guests for their honest opinions and listening fully to their responses.”
The Dolly Parton Experience provides guests an opportunity to learn more about the park’s Dreamer-in-Chief through curated exhibits, interactive experiences and live entertainment. Attractions like this—as well as last year’s Big Bear Mountain and HeartSong Lodge & Resort additions—are integral in the company’s half-billion dollar, 10-year expansion plan announced by Dolly and Naughton in 2021. Naughton says the expansion strategy should allow Dollywood Parks & Resorts to remain among America’s top theme park destinations.
“We really do offer something different here,” he explained. “The hearts of our hosts go far beyond the tasks they complete at excellence each day. Our hosts make a true connection with our guests, making them feel like they’re part of the family. It’s been that way since the park opened. Now, our strategy of adding more attractions and resorts—five total resorts and an outdoor resort—lets us grow our infrastructure and offerings in a way that allows Dollywood Parks & Resorts to regularly be considered among the top destinations in the country. Include the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains right at our doorstep, and it really is easy to see why so many families are now making us their theme park of choice.”
Following the I Will Always Love You Music Festival, Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival presented by Covenant Health (April 19-June 9) blooms bright with vivid larger-than-life flower sculptures. Park guests enjoy this immersive atmosphere as they make their way through more than half a million blooms during this stunning festival. In addition, Dollywood’s culinary team showcases their world-class abilities with a menu full of delicacies that highlight the tastes of spring in the Smokies.
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City (June 15-Aug. 11) is everyone’s favorite summer tradition, and once again includes Dollywood’s Sweet Summer Nights drone and fireworks show every night, with weekend shows through Sept. 1. Another favorite, the "Gazillion Bubble Show,” returns to mesmerize guests in Celebrity Theater.
A family tradition for many, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana (Sept. 9-Oct. 28) opens two weeks earlier this season, providing guests more time to celebrate the beauty of fall with thousands of carved pumpkins, spirited performances from talented performers including Suzy Bogguss, Rhonda Vincent and The Isaacs, and the fun of Great Pumpkin LumiNights presented by Covenant Health. Great Pumpkin LumiNights, which previously has been named the best theme park harvest event in the world, features elaborate displays that are fun for every member of the family. Creative culinary items, accomplished artisans, and fall fun in the Smokies make this a picture-perfect time to enjoy Dollywood.
The industry’s Best Theme Park Christmas event—Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (Nov. 1- Jan. 5)— also opens earlier and concludes the park’s 2024 season with six million lights, festive holiday shows, and the warm Christmas atmosphere guests have come to expect during this joyous time of year.
With so much more in ’24, guests should consider a season pass to ensure they can experience all of the fun! The Gold Pass represents a tremendous value for guests. Those who purchase now receive a Bring-A-Friend Free ticket and free general parking, as well as discounts on dining, merchandise and lodging. Diamond (Diamond Passes are sold out) and Gold passholders also receive access to special “Golden Events”—exclusive events and activities just for them. (Only the named passholder can receive the perks associated with each pass.)
Gold and Diamond passholders also can take advantage of another great perk: daily “Golden Hours.” During the first hour of every operating day, Gold and Diamond Season Passes operate just like TimeSaver Passes, allowing the named passholder expedited boarding on Dollywood’s world-class rides and attractions including Big Bear Mountain. Silver Season Passes also are available and include a Bring-a-Friend Free ticket and a discount on Dollywood lodging. Select blackout dates apply to adult and senior Silver Season Passes and Silver Bring-a-Friend Free tickets. Child Silver Season Passes do not have blackout dates.
Season pass prices increase after March 17. For more information about Dollywood’s 2024 season or season passes, please visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.
Santa won’t be the only thing flying high above Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana this season. Smoky Mountain Christmas, which undoubtedly can be described as one of America’s most cherished Christmas traditions, captivates visitors with the rich essence of the holiday season thanks to its gleaming holiday lights, award-winning stage productions, Christmas culinary masterpieces and warm family customs that have enriched the festival for more than three decades.
“Christmas is the time when the love of family, the joy of togetherness and the hope of a brighter tomorrow all seem to shine the brightest,” Dolly explained. “It’s also the time of year when those special family memories and traditions just seem to mean the most to us all.”
“I want our guests this Christmas season to celebrate that special light while they are here with us. I hope they’ll stop and enjoy the moments spent together in the beauty of this special place. Those are the moments that everyone will remember many years from now—when the kids are grown up with kids of their own, and the whole family is reminiscing about special times during Christmases past.”
Not only did Smoky Mountain Christmas earn this year’s Golden Ticket Award for Best Theme Park Christmas event, it also is nominated for USA Today’s 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards for Best Theme Park Holiday event. Voting is now underway and ends on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 11:59 a.m. A voting link can be found at Dollywood.com/vote. Dollywood fans can vote once per day, per device.
The 15-time winner for Best Theme Park Christmas Event boasts more than 6 million shining, shimmering lights throughout the park, but the newest ones will fly above the park each evening as part of a stunning holiday drone show.
The spirit of Christmas shines merry and bright during Smoky Mountain Christmas (Nov. 4- Jan. 6, 2024), but the new Joyful drone show adds even more holiday fun for guests to enjoy. This larger-than-life display embraces the season with hundreds of drones soaring in the air and displaying festive reds, greens and whites in a captivating show sure to delight every guest. Park officials added the merry-making show following the success of the park’s summer drone show the past few seasons.
Holiday splendor is abundant this Christmas with captivating elements throughout the park providing unexpected delight for guests at every twist and turn. In one of the most unique experiences during the Christmas season at Dollywood, Santa has granted exclusive access for visitors to glimpse into his enchanting Smoky Mountain cabin. Guests will be guided to take a look into Santa’s cozy hideaway, where he can be found hard at work on the all-important naughty and nice list. Children and families will be able to peek into Santa’s cabin and seek to find their names on the coveted list. Santa goes on a well-deserved vacation after Christmas Day, so families wanting to see him in action shouldn’t wait!
Glacier Ridge presented by Goo Goo Cluster fills Dollywood’s Timber Canyon, Wildwood Grove, Wilderness Pass and Upper Craftsman’s Valley with an expansive arctic experience sure to delight guests. The Plaza at Wilderness Pass undergoes an extraordinary transformation that immerses guests in a wintry paradise and serves as one of the highlights of the area thanks, to the Wonderful Christmas! Plaza Tree Show. Featuring a 50 ft. tall animated tree, the area comes to life in a fully-synchronized, dazzling light show that concludes with an immersive snow finale.
Dollywood’s family-favorite shows light up both indoor and outdoor stages. The festival’s headline show, “Christmas in the Smokies,” has been a guest-favorite production and a must-see for families every Christmas season since it began in 1990. Many other Dollywood Christmas classics return including “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “O’ Holy Night,” “Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs,” “Heart of the Holidays,” “Candlelight Carolers,” “The Mistletones,” “Appalachian Christmas with the Smoky Mountain String Band,” “Holiday Wild Roots” and more.
As always, guests can experience the thrill of Dollywood’s world-class rides amidst the hustle and bustle of the park during the holidays, as most rides are operational during the Christmas season. Nothing compares to soaring through the night sky with millions of lights twinkling below.
For those looking to celebrate the holidays with the perfect family meal, Dollywood’s team of chefs have a menu full of culinary surprises sure to delight. From oven-roasted turkey breast and chipotle turkey nachos to pork belly skillet and pot roast mac & cheese, there are a number of savory items to satisfy every appetite. Sweet treats abound including red velvet whoopie pie, eggnog cupcakes, toffee hot chocolate, festive Christmas cookies and more!
The Christmas fun makes its way to Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, providing guests with even more ways for families to make lasting memories this holiday season. To create a truly immersive Smoky Mountain Christmas experience, the resort is offering a plethora of holiday-inspired activities, crafts, entertainment, breathtaking décor and culinary options.
The resort’s halls are decked in beautiful Christmas décor inspired by warm, rich traditions of Christmas in the Smoky Mountains. The centerpiece is a jaw-dropping two-story Christmas tree that graces both levels of the lobby. DreamMore Resort’s culinary team prepares delicious holiday meals in Song & Hearth: A Southern Eatery. Guests can gather together to give thanks and enjoy a flavorful meal throughout the season or experience one of four special holiday dining experiences—Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas Day brunch or New Year’s Eve dinner.
Dollywood’s newly-opened HeartSong Lodge & Resort is decking the halls for the first time with Christmas décor and festivities, providing even more ways to make guests’ days merry and bright. This highly-anticipated lodging experience provides guests with a variety of unique experiences, dining options and activities, making it the ideal Smoky Mountain getaway for the holiday season.
In line with HeartSong Lodge’s essence of seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces, its halls are decorated in the rich yet muted hues found in the Smokies. Through the extravagant four-story lantern-inspired windows, guests will be able to take in a 22-ft. natural cut Fraser fir located between the Lodge’s fire feature and outdoor pool, which will serve as the focal point both inside and outside. Families will be welcomed to the holiday table at HeartSong Lodge’s restaurant Ember & Elm: Tastes Rooted in the Smokies, a unique dining destination where guests will find an unforgettable feast crafted by the culinary team for both Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
For anyone searching for the perfect Christmas gift of family fun and memories, a Dollywood season pass is the solution! Diamond or gold season passes purchased during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas provide admission to this year’s Christmas festival along with admission for Dollywood’s entire 2024 operating season. Guests can purchase their 2024 season pass online now or upgrade their paid one-day admission ticket on the day of their visit. Ticket purchasers receive credit for the value of a regular one-day ticket toward the purchase of a 2024 season pass. The 2024 season features the highly-anticipated opening of the Dolly Parton Experience, which will include multiple experiences in a newly-designed area of the park. Opening in the area surrounding and including the former Chasing Rainbows museum, The Dolly Parton Experience will allow guests a behind-the-scenes look at Dolly’s iconic status and immerse themselves in her incredible story.
For more information and a park operating calendar, please visit dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.
After being named runner-up in 2021 by USA Today readers in the publication’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Family Resort, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa has another opportunity to be named number one in the category.
DreamMore Resort, which celebrates its seventh anniversary this month, has quickly become a sought-after resort. With the upcoming addition of HeartSong Lodge & Resort, which is set to open in fall 2023, Dollywood Parks & Resorts has become well-known as a family vacation destination. In June, DreamMore Resort opened Suite 1986. This new experience invites guests to stay inside Dolly Parton’s former tour bus, which has been turned into the ultimate hotel suite. Suite 1986 illustrates another facet of the country music icon’s life—the free-spirited traveler. The Prevost was Parton’s home away from home as she traversed the country throughout the last 15 years.
Voting is now open and runs through Monday, August 15 at 11:59 a.m. EDT. A link to the voting page can be found at www.dollywood.com/vote. Anyone is eligible to vote and may do so once per day, per device. Nominees for all categories are chosen by a panel of relevant experts which includes a combination of editors from USA Today, editors from 10Best.com, other expert contributors and more.
Nestled in the Smoky Mountains, next door to Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country water park, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa provides guests with a full-service, comfortable home-away-from-home experience that only Dolly Parton could create. Inspired by Dolly’s childhood in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, a love for music and storytelling and a desire to create a place for families to grow and play, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa brings Dolly’s vision for a premiere family destination to life.
This wonderful resort has several unique areas and experiences for families to spend quality time together. Families can gather to play checkers by the fireplace in one of the resort’s grand living rooms, enjoy a glass of sweet tea in a rocking chair on one of the many porches or swap stories on one of the beautiful garden benches. The resort’s lavish 20-acre property includes premiere amenities and perks to help guests create their own special moments and memories.
Full-service dining, indoor and outdoor pool complexes, and exclusive park privileges—like complimentary transportation to Dollywood theme park and complimentary TimeSaver passes for Dollywood rides and shows—make the property a must-visit experience. Additionally, there are a variety of on-site activities at the resort for families. Through fun-filled activities, including arts and crafts, storytelling and summertime pool parties, Camp DW is designed to inspire children’s imaginations. At night, families gather around the fireplace for a bedtime story with a book selected from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Guests can also roast complimentary marshmallows to make s’mores each night around the fire pit.
During its history, DreamMore Resort has earned several awards. It was named the #1 Amusement Park Hotel in 2018, 2021 and 2022, by USA Today. It has also been named one of Southern Living’s “Best Places to Stay in the South” and one of Travel + Leisure’s “25 Resorts in the US that are Perfect for Families.”
For more information about Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, as well as special offers available at the Smoky Mountain resort destination, visit Dollywood.com/resort.
