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.
With several new lighting displays across its 160 acres, Dollywood theme park, the 14-time winner for Best Theme Park Christmas Event, now boasts more than 6 million shining, shimmering lights as part of the popular Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana, happening November 5 through January 1.
The event, which easily can be described as one of America’s favorite Christmas traditions, shines brightly thanks to the warmth of gleaming holiday lights, award-winning stage productions, Christmas culinary masterpieces and the warm family traditions so many guests have enjoyed throughout the festival’s 30 plus years.
“I believe each season in the Smokies is a precious gift from above, but I also know there is no better time than Christmas to experience the magic of this special place,” Dolly shared. “Christmas is a time for new memories to be created, cherished family traditions to be celebrated and the love of the holidays to warm us all.
“It is my wish that our guests celebrate the light of the Christmas season while they are here with us at Dollywood. I also hope they pause long enough to savor the moments spent with one another. It’s those special moments that are sure to become the beautiful memories they will look upon so fondly for so many years.”
Dollywood truly sparkles this Christmas season with new lighting elements throughout the park providing an element of surprise to guests around every corner, even for those aboard the Dollywood Express. Visitors riding the guest-favorite attraction will enjoy a special light show draped across the field located inside the train’s upper turning loop. Another new lighted area is the Village Pass, which features a 130’ light curtain wall that includes programmed movement. This area leads guests from lower Craftsman’s Valley to The Village. Adventures in Imagination shines in pink, platinum and gold decorations—as well as 60 LED butterflies and a new 20’ ft. tall Christmas tree—in an area fittingly called Dolly’s Christmas.
Guests will find hundreds of additional lighted trees throughout the park this year, as well as more new décor elements and eight different light zones to provide each area of Dollywood its own unique look and feel. The new elements add 1 million lights to the park’s already-impressive total, meaning guests will enjoy 6 million lights during this season’s festival.
As always, guests can experience 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 racing quickly through the night sky with millions of lights twinkling below.
Returning this year on Friday and Saturday evenings is the “Merry & Bright!” fireworks display, which provides a sparkling ending to the day. “Merry & Bright!” lights the sky above Dollywood with a display set to the rhythm of upbeat contemporary holiday hits. After Christmas, the music changes to help guests ready to ring in the new year. Additionally, the New Year’s version of the show takes place nightly Dec. 26- Jan. 1.
In one of the most unique experiences during the Christmas season at Dollywood, Old Saint Nick allows visitors a sneak peek into his little cabin in the Smokies. Guests who visit Santa’s cabin can literally see inside as he reviews…the list! Kids discover whether their names are on the naughty or nice list, and they might even have their photo made as they peer through the window during this once-in-a-lifetime chance to catch Santa at work. Santa goes on a well-deserved vacation after Christmas Day, so families wanting to see him in action shouldn’t wait!
Glacier Ridge fills Dollywood’s Timber Canyon, Wildwood Grove, Wilderness Pass and Upper Craftsman’s Valley with an expansive arctic experience sure to inspire and delight guests. Wilderness Pass serves as one of the highlights of Glacier Ridge thanks to the Wonderful Christmas! Plaza Tree Show, which features a 50-ft. tall animated tree sparkling to life to present a fully-synchronized, dazzling light show throughout the evening. Each show is capped by 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 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.
And 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 herb-roasted turkey breast and citrus-glazed carved ham to chicken pot pie in a bread cone, there are a number of savory items to satisfy every appetite. A number of unique items abound including eggnog cupcakes, gingerbread-dusted funnel cake, holiday limeade and more.
The Christmas fun makes its way to Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa with even more ways to help families make memories this holiday season. To create a truly immersive Smoky Mountain Christmas experience, the resort is celebrating the holidays with a variety of festival-inspired activities, crafts, entertainment, décor and culinary options.
The resort’s halls are decked in beautiful décor inspired by warm, rich memories of Christmas in the Smoky Mountains. The centerpiece is an awe-inspiring, two-story Christmas tree that can be seen from 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 holiday dining experiences—Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas Day brunch, or New Year’s Eve dinner.
Finally, 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 provides admission to this year’s Christmas festival along with admission for Dollywood’s “BIG” 2023 operating season. Guests can purchase their 2023 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 2023 season pass. The 2023 season features “big” fun, including the opening of Dollywood’s longest roller coaster, Big Bear Mountain, as well as 15 additional operating days and the new I Will Always Love You Celebration, honoring the 50th anniversary of Dolly’s iconic song.
For more information and a park operating calendar, please visit dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.
Dollywood plans to cast multiple children’s roles in some of the park’s most-known productions during this year’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana. Dollywood’s entertainment team is now accepting submissions for the roles.
Known around the world for its award-winning entertainment, Dollywood is casting young performers who can play children 8-12 years old. It is important to note the child does not need to be this age, but must be able to convincingly portray a child of this age.
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas has been known for many years as the best theme park Christmas event, and much of that popularity is due to the high-quality shows that take place during the festival. A number of young performers, including country singer Carly Pearce and “American Idol” alum Janelle Arthur, have started their careers at Dollywood.
The children selected for the roles will play in one of three guest-favorite productions, “Christmas in the Smokies,” “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” or “O’ Holy Night.” Dollywood Entertainment Director Paige Bales said,
“We are looking for those special children who are able to connect with our audiences. The talent of our entertainers is the secret to our success, and we are looking for that same ability from the children in these roles.”
Both speaking and singing parts are available, and dialogue memorization is required. Rehearsals will begin in late October with performances taking place during the entire run of the festival, November 6 - January 2. Each role will be double-cast, allowing for additional flexibility.
“We understand that the kids in these roles need time for school work and time to just enjoy being a kid during the holidays, so that is why we double-cast these roles,” Bales continued.
Parents of interested applicants should submit a video of their child singing a favorite song, along with a video of them reading “Bear in There” by Shel Silverstein. Additionally, parents should include a headshot, resume (including the child’s height) and links to live performances. All materials should be sent to auditions@dollywood.com by Sunday, September 5.
For more information about the children’s audition submissions, visit Dollywood.com/jobs/auditions or email auditions@dollywood.com.
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana, one of the world’s premier theme park events, has been nominated as part of USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice travel awards for Best Theme Park Holiday Event. The contest, which now is live, runs through Monday, Dec. 2.
Smoky Mountain Christmas already has won the 2019 Golden Ticket Award from Amusement Today for Best Theme Park Christmas Event in the world, an award the festival has earned for 12 consecutive years. In fact, Dollywood is the only park in the world to ever win the award.
During Smoky Mountain Christmas, the park boasts an impressive count of more than five million brilliant lights, heartwarming Christmas entertainment, delicious holiday meals and the fun of Dollywood at Christmas. Glacier Ridge presented by Goo Goo Cluster® opened last season, providing guests a completely new way to experience the Smokies at Christmas. Thanks to the opening of Wildwood Grove earlier this year, there is, even more, to explore in this dazzling area.
Fans of Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas can vote now through Monday, Dec. 2 by visiting USA Today 10Best. Voters are encouraged to vote each day from each of their devices. Competition is fierce, so Dollywood fans should vote early and often to show their support! Dollywood recently won the USA Today 10Best award for Best Theme Park Halloween Event thanks to the overwhelming votes of park supporters.
From the cheer and joy of Dollywood’s Parade of Many Colors to traditional holiday shows like It’s a Wonderful Life and Christmas in the Smokies, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas fosters family memory making for guests. For those who wander through the spectacular scenery, it is easy to understand why it has become a family tradition for so many. Guests can experience the fun enchantment of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer and friends straight from the children’s holiday classic or sit down together for a fabulous Christmas feast at many of Dollywood’s award-winning dining locations. Most of Dollywood’s signature rides and attractions also operate in this merry environment, with rides racing along just above the millions of twinkling lights.
For more information about Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana, please visit Dollywood.com, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or download the Dollywood App.
