September 01, 2023
Dollywood’s 2023 Harvest Festival presented by Humana is nearly upon us. This festival truly is a one-of-a-kind experience; between the award-winning artists and entertainment, spectacular pumpkin features, seasonal culinary options and the Smokies’ fall look, there’s plenty to be excited about.
One element that I love about the Harvest Festival more than any other festival is how “Insta-friendly” it is. Last year, I had to delete about 200 excess photos and videos from 2014 off of my phone just so I could capture everything at Dollywood when I visited during the festival!
The pumpkin on top of the sundae? Thanks to Great Pumpkin LumiNights presented by Covenant Health (included with the price of admission 😱), the park is Insta-friendly both during the day AND at night. I usually spend the day collecting photos and videos of the thousands of pumpkin carvings, fall decorations and all the pumpkin-flavored food and drinks I try. At night, I’m able to travel through Great Pumpkin LumiNights and capture some of the pumpkintastic creations glowing warmly in the dark.
If that isn’t enough to get you excited, allow me to present some previously taken photos from guests that showcase those Insta-friendly moments around the park and have us even more excited for this year’s festival!
My excitement always kicks into high gear when passing through the Great Pumpkin LumiNights arch. The bright lights are just as welcoming as they are stem-ulating.
Photo credit: @dattmay (Instagram)
This photo literally has it all: pumpkins, fall colors, the joy experienced at Dollywood AND a stylish outfit to boot. If that doesn’t capture the fall spirit, what else does?
Photo credit: @ashley.thomas.11 (Instagram)
New in 2022 and returning in 2023, Hoot Owl Hollow really was a hit – or a hoot – with guests. The larger-than-life giant owl structure made of white pumpkins is a must-see in Craftman’s Valley, especially when you take some time to admire “owl” of its smaller friends at its feet.
Photo credit: @jaewatson526 (Instagram)
I just love when guests are creative with some of our accessible Insta-friendly props around the park. This photo works so well because of the pose – it fits right in with the theming of the display!
Photo credit: @thescottsfindaway (Instagram)
If you hadn’t gotten a kick out of my fall puns yet, let this picture inspire you! The giant pumpkin tree is a spectacle both during the day and at night, and this season will make its debut in Market Square. You’ll might be able to see it all the way from Jukebox Junction!
Photo credit: @amberann.dancer (Instagram)
It’s such a neat experience to wander up Craftsman’s Valley through a thinly veiled layer of fog and catch these suspended, carved owls glowing in the night. It’s a fun little game to count all the ones you can find on both sides of the valley!
Photo credit: @stuffthatsgreen (Instagram)
A new opportunity with these photo opportunities around Dollywood is capturing them with a Memory Pass; now made even more convenient with kiosks at the park that allow you to view and select photos from your visit as you go. Plus, you can get creative with our official memory-making photo spots like this family and take some digital pumpkins home with you!
Photo credit: @kaylahann30 (Instagram)
If a picture is worth a thousand words, this one is worth a thousand… plus seven. I’m already feeling a little fall in my heart, which is now also swelling with joy thanks to the cuteness of this photo – the pose and the butterfly-decorated outfit are just perfect.
Photo credit: @kayla_h_courtney (Instagram)
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