New Events, Returning Favorites Highlight Dollywood's 2027 Season

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (Wednesday, October 14, 2026) — Dollywood—the reigning Golden Ticket winner for Best Theme Park Guest Experience in the world—is set for a thrilling 2027 as the Smoky Mountain destination celebrates a landmark year filled with new special events, many guest favorites and even more unforgettable experiences for families to enjoy together. Returning season passholders can lock in their year of fun starting now, while season passes go on sale to the general public on Monday, Nov. 2. 

The park’s 42nd season opens for Season Passholder Preview Day on Wednesday, March 10, with Thursday, March 11 serving as Grand Opening Day for all guests. From exciting new experiences to beloved Dollywood traditions, the 2027 calendar is filled with can’t-miss moments for fans of all ages. 

“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,” said Eugene Naughton, Dollywood Parks & Resorts President. “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.” 

Dollywood’s Barbeque & Bluegrass returns for a Labor Day weekend full of the finest bluegrass music and the tastiest barbeque and fixings anywhere in America. The event, scheduled for Sept. 3- Sept. 6, brings together the rich flavors of the Smokies with the unmistakable sound of bluegrass for a celebration that feels right at home here at Dollywood. Guests can savor mouthwatering barbeque and enjoy live bluegrass performances throughout the park, making this a can’t-miss end to the summer!

During the Flower & Food Festival (May 7-June 20), the Country Hitmakers concert series showcases some of country music’s celebrated artists, creating a one-of-a-kind spring celebration filled with legendary music, vibrant blooms and the flavors of the Smokies. Guests can enjoy performances from classic country favorites while exploring beautiful Mosaiculture floral sculptures and savoring creative culinary offerings. The concert series will run May 7-June 13. Appearing artists will be announced at a later date. 

A new character, the Dream Maker, will come to Dollywood’s Wildwood Grove area in 2027. Through stories and interactive experiences, the Dream Maker will encourage guests to dream big, believe in themselves and lift others up through courage and kindness. The Dream Maker and her Dream Wagon will give children an opportunity to share their own dreams, hear stories inspired by Dolly and discover that dreams can become even more meaningful when they are shared with others. She believes guests should not only follow their own dreams but help others make their dreams come true as well. 

Following its successful debut this season, Harvey’s Boo Bash expands in 2027 with even more opportunities for families to join the fall fun at Dollywood! During this separately ticketed event, the park stays open until midnight exclusively for Boo Bash guests, who can collect plenty of treats, enjoy shorter wait times for select attractions, meet favorite Dollywood characters and dance the night away at a family-friendly party in Wildwood Grove. Harvey’s Boo Bash takes place Oct. 1, 15, 22, 23, 29 and 30. 

Rudolph and his beloved friends make their way back to Dollywood in 2027, bringing the fun of the beloved Christmas story to life for another unforgettable holiday season. Families can again share in the excitement of seeing Rudolph, Clarice and Bumble, while creating memorable moments for kids and parents alike as they celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. 

After guests visit Santa in his Smoky Mountain cabin at Santa’s List—Naughty or Nice, they can visit the all-new Mrs. Claus’ Cookies. Mrs. Claus is bringing a delicious new tradition to Dollywood in 2027 with an interactive cookie-making experience designed especially for families. Kids can step into Mrs. Claus’ festive holiday kitchen, roll up their sleeves and create their very own cookies alongside the holiday hostess herself, making this new experience a fun and memorable part of a day filled with Christmas excitement. The best part is getting to enjoy those sweet handmade creations!
Guests also can enjoy NightFlight Expedition as it opens for its first full season in the Smokies. The ride has received rave reviews from guests since its opening in August, and for many guests, their 2027 visit will be their first opportunity to ride the one-of-a-kind attraction.
After its debut in 2026, the Run Dollywood series returns to America’s friendliest theme park with three race events set for 2027. During the spring event, taking place April 23-25, race participants can enjoy the beauty of spring in the Smokies, as well as the unique atmosphere of Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival. During the fall event, scheduled for Sept. 24-26, participants can take in the sights of Dollywood’s Harvest Festival with its thousands of pumpkins and the glow of Great Pumpkin LumiNights. The Christmas event is set for Nov. 12-14 and kicks off with the 15th annual Light the Way 5k, which benefits Keep Sevier Beautiful and Dollywood’s employee assistance program Share It Forward. During the Christmas event, participants will race through Dollywood’s 6 million twinkling Christmas lights as the fun-filled course winds its way through the park and the surrounding area. Race information can be found on the Run Dollywood page: Dollywood.com/RunDollywood.
The 2027 season begins with the I Will Always Love You Music Festival (March 11-April 11). The instant classic, “From the Heart—The Life & Music of Dolly Parton,” returns to tell Dolly’s remarkable story. This inspirational and uplifting show takes guests along with Dolly for the emotional pull she faced as she left everything she had known in Sevier County to move to Nashville in pursuit of her dreams. “From the Heart” phenomenally tells Dolly’s exceptional story through her own narration and legendary music catalog. The show takes place in Celebrity Theater and runs through the Flower & Food Festival.

Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival (May 7-June 20) blooms bright with iconic Mosaiculture displays throughout the park. Vivid larger-than-life flower sculptures create an immersive atmosphere for park guests with more than 1 million blooms during this stunning festival. Dollywood’s culinary team showcases their world-class abilities during the event with a menu full of delicacies to highlight the tastes of spring in the Smokies. Both “From the Heart” and the Country Hitmakers concert series take place during this beautiful time of year. 

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City (June 26-Aug. 8) is everyone’s favorite summer tradition, and once again includes Dollywood’s Sweet Summer Nights dance party, and drone and fireworks show each night. Three more guest-favorite shows, “The Gazillion Bubble Show: Evolution,” “Moto-Motion Freestyle Showdown” and “Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience” provide popping bubbles, motorized mayhem and showstopping “paw-formances” to help every guest feel like a kid this summer. 

A family tradition for many, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana (Sept. 11- Oct. 31) celebrates the beauty of fall with thousands of carved pumpkins, spirited performances from talented singers and the fun of Great Pumpkin LumiNights. Great Pumpkin LumiNights, which previously has been named the best theme park harvest event in the world, features elaborate pumpkin displays that are fun for every member of the family. A nightly dance party and Harvey’s Boo Bash provide the opportunity for more memory making each evening in the Smokies.  

The industry’s Best Theme Park Christmas event—Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (Nov. 5- Jan. 2)—concludes the park’s thrilling 2027 season with 6 million lights, festive holiday shows, and the warm Christmas atmosphere guests have come to expect during this joyous time of year. In addition to the new Mrs. Claus’ Cookies and the return of Rudolph and Friends, the story “Wonderful Christmas!”  makes a merry comeback and is told through lights on a larger-than-life Christmas tree found at the base of the Wildwood Tree in Wildwood Grove. “Wonderful Christmas” tells the story of Polar Bear and Black Bear reuniting with their families to celebrate Christmas in the Great Smoky Mountains. 

Dollywood’s Splash Country kicks off its 27th season on Saturday, May 15, with daily fun through Sunday, Aug. 15. The Smokies’ favorite water park keeps the good times going on weekends and select weekdays through Sept. 19. At Splash Country, the party doesn’t have to stop when the sun goes down. After last season’s popular debut of Neon Nights, the high-energy, glow-themed event is back with live DJ, vibrant neon vibes, and unlimited access to select attractions. This separately ticketed event is the ultimate way to keep summer going strong at one of the nation’s most beautiful water parks. Neon Nights takes place from 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday evening from June 25 through Aug. 14. 

With a year of surprises ahead, guests should consider a season pass to ensure they can experience all the fun! Four season pass levels—Diamond, Gold, Silver and the Summer Fun Pass—provide great options for every guest, while the popular Pre-K Imagination Season Pass offers free admission all season long to any child born in 2022 or 2023. Passes are on sale now to current 2026 season passholders with exclusive renewal benefits. Passes go on sale to the general public on Monday, Nov. 2. Anyone who purchases a 2027 Dollywood season pass can start visiting during this season’s Smoky Mountain Christmas festival! It’s the perfect Christmas gift for every member of the family.  

Dollywood Diamond Season Passes provide a premium experience for guests. In addition to admission all season long to both Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country, Diamond passholders receive four flexible Bring-A-Friend Free tickets for Dollywood or Dollywood’s Splash Country, free general parking, one-time preferred parking, the largest discounts on dining, shopping and lodging, an all-season refill mug, as well as discounts on TimeSaver passes, VIP tours and preferred parking. Guests interested in this pass should act early as there is a limited quantity available.  

The Gold Pass options represent tremendous value for guests. The two-park Gold Pass provides admission to both Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country, a flexible Bring-A-Friend Free ticket for Dollywood, a flexible Bring-A-Friend Free ticket for Dollywood’s Splash Country, free general parking, an all-season refill mug, as well as discounts on dining, shopping and lodging. The one-park Gold Pass provides the above, minus the entitlements to Dollywood’s Splash Country. 

Gold and Diamond passholders can take advantage of another great perk—complimentary TimeSaver line access the first hour of every operating day. This great benefit allows the named passholder to enjoy expedited boarding on Dollywood’s world-class rides and attractions including guest favorites NightFlight Expedition and Big Bear Mountain! 

Silver Season Passes also are available and include the option to purchase reduced price Bring-A-Friend tickets and discounts on dining, shopping and lodging. Select blackout dates apply to adult and senior Silver Season Passes. Child Silver Season Passes do not have blackout dates. The Dollywood Summer Fun Pass provides a lower priced option for guests looking for unlimited visits between April 19 and Sept. 10.  

Guests at this world-class family vacation destination can experience even more fun at one of Dollywood’s award-winning resort hotels, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa or Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. Both properties offer unbeatable hospitality and exclusive complimentary privileges, including TimeSaver passes, door-to-door transportation, preferred parking at Dollywood parks, and package delivery for purchases made at Dollywood theme park. 

For more information about Dollywood’s 2027 season or season passes, please visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.