PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.—Dollywood will open its 42nd season in March 2027 with new family experiences, returning festivals, and a spring country concert series. Season Passholder Preview Day is scheduled for March 10, with the park’s grand opening for all guests on March 11.
“Every season at Dollywood brings something different, and there’s always a new reason to experience the park and the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains around us,” says Eugene Naughton, president of Dollywood Parks & Resorts. “As the Golden Ticket Awards’ reigning Most Beautiful Park, we know there’s something special about seeing Dollywood dressed in its best for each changing season. With new experiences and returning traditions for our guests to love, 2027 is the perfect year to get a season pass to make memories again and again.”
The season begins with the I Will Always Love You Music Festival, running March 11-April 11. The “From the Heart—The Life & Music of Dolly Parton” show also returns, sharing Parton’s story through her narration and music. It will play in Celebrity Theater and continue through the Flower & Food Festival.
During the Flower & Food Festival, May 7-June 20, guests can see large-scale Mosaiculture displays and more than 1 million blooms, along with seasonal food offerings. The new Country Hitmakers concert series will feature classic country artists May 7-June 13. Performers will be announced later.
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, presented by Food City, will run June 26-Aug. 8. The event will include the nightly Sweet Summer Nights dance party, drone show, and fireworks, as well as returning shows: “The Gazillion Bubble Show: Evolution,” “Moto-Motion Freestyle Showdown,” and “Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience.”
The Harvest Festival, presented by Humana, will run Sept. 11-Oct. 31, with carved pumpkins, live performances, and Great Pumpkin LumiNights. Harvey’s Boo Bash, which debuted this year, is expanding to six dates in 2027: Oct. 1, 15, 22, 23, 29, and 30. The separately ticketed event will keep the park open until midnight for guests, with treats, select attractions, character appearances, and a family-friendly dance party in Wildwood Grove.
A new character, the Dream Maker, will join Wildwood Grove in 2027. Through stories and interactive experiences, she and her Dream Wagon will invite children to share their dreams and encourage them to support others.
The park’s Barbeque & Bluegrass event will return Sept. 3-6, over Labor Day weekend, with barbecue, sides, and live bluegrass performances. Dollywood also will host three Run Dollywood race events: April 23-25, Sept. 24-26, and Nov. 12-14. The fall race coincides with the Harvest Festival, while the Christmas event begins with the 15th annual Light the Way 5K, which benefits Keep Sevier Beautiful and Dollywood’s employee assistance program, Share It Forward. More information is available at Dollywood.com/RunDollywood.
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, presented by Humana, will run Nov. 5-Jan. 2 and will feature 6 million lights and holiday shows. Rudolph, Clarice, and Bumble return, as does “Wonderful Christmas!,” a light show on a large tree in Wildwood Grove. A new Mrs. Claus’ Cookies experience will let children make cookies in a holiday kitchen after visiting Santa at Santa’s List—Naughty or Nice.
The 2027 park season will mark the first full season for NightFlight Expedition, which opened this past August.
In addition, Dollywood’s Splash Country will open its 27th season May 15, with daily operations through Aug. 15, and weekend and select weekday operations through Sept. 19. Neon Nights, a separately ticketed evening event, will return Fridays and Saturdays from June 25-Aug. 14, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. It will include a live DJ, neon-themed activities, and access to select attractions.
Season passes are available for current 2026 passholders, with sales to the general public beginning Nov. 2. Passholders can begin visiting during the 2026 Smoky Mountain Christmas festival. Options include Diamond, Gold, Silver, and Summer Fun passes, as well as a free Pre-K Imagination Season Pass for children born in 2022 or 2023.
Guests can also stay at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa or Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. Both hotels offer benefits, including TimeSaver passes, transportation to the parks, preferred parking, and package delivery for park purchases.
