As the air begins to cool and hearts begin to warm, families gather for favorite traditions, including a visit to Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana. The festival begins Monday, Sept. 9 and runs through Monday, Oct. 28. Fully embracing the change of seasons, Dollywood is reimagined with stunning park décor inspired by the autumnal beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Dollywood entirely transforms again from day to night, and several areas of the park come alive with the glow of Great Pumpkin LumiNights presented by Covenant Health.
Shimmering red, orange and yellow leaves take flight in the Harvest Sky along Showstreet. And, of course, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival isn’t complete without pumpkins of every shape, size and color throughout the park, including the colossal pumpkins, now presented by Food City. These giant gourds come from growers across the East Coast and can weigh up to 1500 lbs. More than 12,000 pumpkins in total call Dollywood home this fall.
Returning this year is Dollywood’s Great Pumpkin LumiNights, one of the park’s most popular events since its inception in 2017. Last year, the nighttime spectacular was nominated for the USA Today 10Best Award for Best Theme Park Halloween Event. Joining the collection of creatively carved pumpkins and larger-than-life icons are 10 ride-themed pumpkin displays, including representations of guest-favorite family coaster Big Bear Mountain and ever-thrilling Wild Eagle. Guests can capture picture-perfect memories with captivating characters, including Harvey and the Pumpkin Master.
Pumpkins aren’t only visually present throughout the park – they’re in many new culinary offerings, as well. Warm, hearty lunch and dinner options include spiced pumpkin bisque, everything toasted garlic knots with pumpkin cheese sauce and hickory smoked ribs with pumpkin spiced rub, found at seasonal culinary booths and restaurants. Other fall flavors are found in various stuffed sweet potatoes, including the maple-brown sugar pecan cinnamon apple stuffed sweet potato, and refreshing beverage options like harvest apple lemonade.
There is always time for a sweet treat, and guests can delight in fresh-baked cookies and cakes – like the apple cider cupcake – at Spotlight Bakery, as well as other delectable offerings throughout the park. The tasting pass allows guests to enjoy multiple food and beverage items, including these treats and more, at different festival locations for one price. The pass can be purchased in the park or online for $39.99 plus tax or $36.99 plus tax for gold and diamond season passholders.
Talented Southern gospel, bluegrass, jazz and country artists fill the mountain air with music. Gospel music stars include The Isaacs, Triumphant Quartet, Jeff and Sheri Easter, 11th Hour and A.R.M.D. Vasilios. Country acts such as Mandy Barnett, Lee Roy Parnell and T.G. Sheppard showcase their gifts on stages throughout the park. Suzy Bogguss, former Dollywood performer, brings her talents back home this fall.
The Pines Theater will host The String Revolution, a group known for their memorable fusion of jazz, rock, classical and world music, infused together to create captivating records, as well as artists like Redd and The Paper Flowers, Jessica Willis Fisher and Nashville’s Rockland Road. And “NightTime at the Back Porch” will feature talents including Run Katie Run, New Zealand’s Tami Neilson, Ruby Leigh from The Voice and Acadian party band Beauxmont.
There are more than 1100 individual performances, so there is always a new show to enjoy. A complete entertainment schedule with locations can be found on Dollywood.com.
Memories are handmade by Dollywood’s talented resident craftspeople and dozens of artisans from near and far. From fall-scented candles to pumpkin-flavored jams and jellies to hand-blown glassware, there’s no shortage of ways to bring the Smoky Mountains home.
The fall fun lives on at both Dollywood resorts. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort have continued the celebration with themed activities, new culinary options and curated live music performances.
Camp DW has dreamed up new arts and crafts for families to create new memories. Parents and children of all ages can craft light-up pumpkin jars and paint bumblebees and their hives, then warm up with a festive caramel hot apple cider beverage at Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge or a traditional hot apple cider at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort.
The Lounge at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort has multiple new autumnal bites, including smoked bratwurst, which is served on a pretzel roll with bacon-braised red cabbage and wholegrain mustard, and potato pancakes with pumpkin-cranberry crème fraiche. And guests will not want to miss the brand-new offerings at Ember & Elm: Tastes Rooted In The Smokies at Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge, such as spiced strawberry grilled salmon or a smoke-kissed duck breast with an orange chipotle glaze.
The best of the Smoky Mountain fall happens at Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana. For more information, please visit dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.
