Dollywood Schedule of Events (2023)

The 2023-2024 season will be a year full of fun at the Dollywood theme park! This year is shaping up to be a great year on the Dollywood schedule, with more exciting events added throughout the season. What events are happening? When are they happening? Here’s everything you need to know about the Dollywood schedule of events in 2023.

Dollywood Schedule of Events for 2023

First, if you are a season passholder, the park will be open for its exclusive passholder day on March 10. The general public can begin visiting Dollywood on March 11. Reservations to visit the park are no longer necessary. However, tickets are date-based and must be purchased in advance around popular holidays to avoid being turned away because of capacity limits.

Dollywood’s Splash Country water park opens on May 13, 2023.

Dollywood Special Events

Typically, there are several options to look forward to on the Dollywood schedule of events. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered those plans in some ways, but it has also given Dollywood the ability to put its best foot forward for its limited-time festivals and events.

New in 2023: I Will Always Love You Celebration

New for the 2023 season will be the kick-off of the I Will Always Love You Celebration. From March 11 to April 8, guests can celebrate the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s iconic song and recognize several noted up-and-coming singers/songwriters with performances throughout the park.

There will also be unique park decor and culinary offerings for the celebration.

Dollywood Flower & Food Festival

Starting in the spring, the annual Dollywood Flower & Food Festival will run from April 21-June 11. New at the Flower & Food Festival will be musical acts like the “Melodies of Spring” concert series and the live show “A Brighter Day.”

Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration

Following the spring festival will be Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration. From June 17 through August 6, guests can enjoy the following:

• Extended park hours
• The Gazillion Bubbles Show
• Sweet Summer Nights Dance and Drone Show
• More to be announced!

Harvest Festival and Smoky Mountain Christmas

Image Credit: Curtis Hilbun/Dollywood.

Rounding out the year are the fall and winter festivals known as Harvest Festival and Smoky Mountain Christmas. Harvest Festival is held from September 22-November 4, 2023. Smoky Mountain Christmas will occur from November 11, 2023-January 6, 2024.

Gospel music takes center stage during the Harvest Festival this year. Dozens of artists will perform every day, except Tuesdays, in the months of September and October. These are the remaining acts on the Dollywood Gospel Music Schedule this year:

Entertainment at Dollywood this Season

As the park opens in March, guests can expect to be dazzled by Dollywood’s performers and outside musical acts throughout the season. During last year’s Flower & Food Festival, the Melodies of Spring concert series featured contemporary Christian artists, Southern gospel groups, and other fresh and inspiring acts, all appearing inside Dolly Parton’s Celebrity Theater.

Artists who have appeared in the past include Matthew West, Big Daddy Weave, I AM THEY, Rebecca St. James, Sidewalk Prophets, the Rhett Walker Band, and the Triumphant Quartet.

New for the 2023 season is Bloom!, a new sway pole show featuring street performers flying through the air and celebrating the spirit of the Smoky Mountains. Guests can also expect seasonal performances. Groups like “The Tones” become the “MistleTones” during the holiday season. More shows and entertainment announcements will be made throughout the year!

What’s New at Dollywood in 2023

Dollywood’s Season Pass program was restructured in 2022 and has maintained its changes from last year.

The Dollywood Silver Season Pass starts at $159 and offers unlimited visits, two Bring-a-Friend Free tickets, and a discount on Dollywood lodging.

For just $65 more, guests can opt for the Dollywood Gold Season Pass. The Gold Pass includes unlimited visits, Saturday Early Ride Time for the passholder, two Bring-A-Friend Free tickets, and discounts on dining, merchandise, and lodging.

In addition, the Gold Pass provides free parking, a one-day unlimited refill mug per pass, various other discounts, and access to special “Golden Events,” exclusive events just for Gold passholders. Only the named passholder can receive the perks associated with each pass type.

Two-Park Season Pass

Adding a season pass to Dollywood’s Splash County will only cost Silver or Gold passholders $55 more than their total pass cost. Silver Pass guests are blocked out from the water park from July 3 to July 9, but the Gold Pass guests have no block-out dates.

Gold Passholders can also take advantage of another exciting new perk created for the 2022 season that has stayed for 2023. Dollywood’s daily “Golden Hours” will allow Gold passes to operate as TimeSaver passes during the first hour the park is open. The named passholder will receive expedited boarding on Dollywood’s world-class rides and attractions.

New Attraction in 2023

Image Credit: Amy Albers.

Finally, one of the most highly-anticipated Dollywood rides will debut during its 2023 season. Big Bear Mountain will open in the spring, but a specific date has yet to be announced. It will be the longest coaster in Dollywood.

Guests can expect an almost two-minute-long ride on 3,990 feet of track. It will include onboard audio enhancing the ride with music and announcements.