Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration Shines with New Flavors and Festive Fun

• Guest Author

Note: This blog was written by Dollywood Public Relations Intern, Rian Fann

As summer arrives in the Smokies, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City (June 14 through August 3) brings sunshine, sensational culinary treats and showstopping entertainment to every corner of the park.

Vibrant seasonal decor transforms Dollywood into a celebration of color and fun. Guests can cool off at the interactive Bubble Foam Zone or snap a picture beneath the whimsical Kite Sky, a canopy of bright, playful kites that create the perfect photo backdrop. Each evening ends with Sweet Summer Nights, a guest-favorite finale that combines energetic dance parties in Wildwood Grove with a special 40^th anniversary version of our dazzling drone and fireworks show.

Tasty seasonal bites await guests throughout Dollywood. Sweet selections include the Mango Ice Cream Bar and Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Bar, while the Chipotle Chicken Rice Bowl and Watermelon Cucumber Salad offer satisfying savory and refreshing options. Sip on the Sparkling Pomegranate Lemonade or Peach Boba Lemonade and explore more options with the Summer Celebration Tasting Pass, which lets guests sample up to five festival favorites for one great price. And Dollywood Season Passholders get a discount on the Tasting Pass, too!

Entertainment is nonstop with exciting shows across the park. The Gazillion Bubble Show – Evolution fills Celebrity Theater with countless bubbles and mesmerizing effects. Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience brings high-flying canine talent to Showstreet Palace Theater, while the new Play On show at Pines Theater celebrates the music and legacy of Dollywood over the past four decades. Younger guests will love three classic children’s books come to life at the Imagination Playhouse, and book characters Peter Rabbit and Llama Llama will be available for special meet & greet experiences. Other favorites include the Wild Roots Band, Forever Country, A Cappella Fusion, and Wings of America. Show details and times are available at Dollywood.com.

Guests staying at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa and Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort will find even more to enjoy beyond the park. At DreamMore Resort, Camp DW will keep families entertained with daily crafts, watercolor painting, pool parties, field days, bedtime stories and nightly s’mores. The Lounge serves seasonal dishes like the Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich, BBQ Smoked Brisket Quesadilla, Spicy Summer Flatbread, Kale Salad, Fried Green Tomato BLT and Fried Pork Tenderloin Sandwich. Guests can also satisfy their sweet tooth with signature desserts including an Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich and Orange Blossom Honeycomb Cheesecake.

For guests wanting even more vacation relaxation, the Spa at DreamMore offers exclusive summertime specials, including the Summer Celebration Mani-Pedi, Signature Facial and Signature Massage.

HeartSong Lodge & Resort offers a rustic summer retreat filled with Camp DW crafts like canvas bag decorating, firefly jars and porcelain painting. Activities include pop-up chalk art, story time and poolside fun. At the resort’s High Note, guests can enjoy flavorful summer dishes, including Summer Melon Salad, BBQ Beef Sandwich and BBQ Ribs.

Whether enjoying thrilling rides, singing along at a live show or winding down with a relaxing evening at Dollywood’s resorts, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration is packed with unforgettable summer moments and memories for the whole family.