The 2024-2025 season will be a year full of fun at the Dollywood theme park! Dollywood is a theme park located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee near the gateway of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 2024 is shaping up to be a great year for the whole family at Dollywood with new activities and events happening all season long. What events are happening? When are they happening? Here’s everything you need to know about the Dollywood schedule of events in 2024.
Is Dollywood Open Year-round or Only During Certain Seasons?
Dollywood is not open year-round. It operates on a seasonal schedule, typically opening in the spring and closing in the winter. However, it does have special events and festivals throughout the year, so it’s best to check the official schedule for specific dates and operating hours.
When Does Dollywood Open in 2024?
Image Credit: The Dollywood Company.
Dollywood theme park has announced its schedule for the upcoming season. For those who hold a season pass, there will be an exclusive passholder day on March 8, 2024. The park will open to the general public on March 9, 2024, and reservations are no longer necessary. However, it is important to purchase tickets in advance as they are date-based and limited due to capacity limits during popular holidays.
When Does Dollywood’s Splash Country Open in 2024?
Dollywood’s Splash Country water park is set to open on May 11, 2024. Visitors to Pigeon Forge can cool off during the hot summer months while enjoying thrill rides at the water park after a day of roller coasters at the theme park. We highly recommend planning ahead by utilizing the Dollywood schedule of events. Book your tickets early to avoid long waits at the park entrance and to enjoy a less stressful start to your visit.
Opening Event—I Will Always Love You Music Festival
Dollywood Parks will kick off the season with a festive event introduced in 2023—the I Will Always Love You Music Festival. From March 9 to April 14, guests can enjoy an updated version of fan-favorite, Paradise Road, a new show called “Trio,” which celebrates the same-named album featuring Dolly, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt, and an interactive singalong show featuring some of Dolly’s biggest hits.
The festival commemorates the art of songwriting and the stories behind the songs. There will also be unique park decor, live music, and culinary offerings for the celebration.
April Brings the Dollywood Flower & Food Festival
Starting in the spring, the annual Dollywood Flower & Food Festival will run from April 19 to June 9. New at the Flower & Food Festival will be musical acts like the “Melodies of Spring” concert series and the live show “A Brighter Day.” This event will be full of the brilliant colors of hundreds of gorgeous “mosaiculture” creations in addition to delicious food unique to the event.
Flower and Food Festival is also where guests will be able to see the picturesque umbrella sky along Show Street and indulge in dozens of festive flavors from seasonal food venues.
Drones and Fireworks During Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration in June
Following the spring festival will be Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration. From June 15 through August 11, the Dollywood schedule will include the following:
- Extended park hours
- The Gazillion Bubbles Show
- A Dance Party beneath the Wildwood Grove tree
- Sweet Summer Nights Fireworks and Drone Show
Welcome a Tennessee Fall at Harvest Festival and Great Pumpkin LumiNights
Image Credit: The Dollywood Company.
Rounding out the year are the fall and winter festivals known as Harvest Festival and Smoky Mountain Christmas. Harvest Festival is held from September 9 through October 28, 2024. This autumn festival is an event every member of the family can enjoy because it is focused on the atmosphere of fall as opposed to the macabre or spooky of other theme park events.
Gospel music takes center stage during the Harvest Festival this year. Dozens of artists will perform every day, except Tuesdays, in September and October. The acts on the Dollywood Gospel Music Schedule will be announced at a later date.
Enjoy the Holiday Season at Smoky Mountain Christmas
Smoky Mountain Christmas, held from November 1 through January 5, 2025, is a magical event that brings the holiday spirit to life. As you step into Dollywood during this festive season, you’ll be transported to a winter wonderland filled with dazzling lights, heartwarming music, and joyful celebrations.
One of the highlights of Smoky Mountain Christmas is the “Joyful! Season of Light” drone show. The festive show is only second to the six million twinkling lights that adorn buildings, trees, and windows all throughout the park.
Entertainment on the Dollywood Schedule of Events
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. And for an even more spectacular experience, the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration in June will feature a larger nightly drone and fireworks show, as well as the return of the guest-favorite Gazillion Bubble Show Aurora!
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.
Bloom!, a new sway pole show featuring street performers flying through the air, has not yet been confirmed to return for the 2024 Dollywood season. Guests can expect other seasonal performances, including the new show “Trio,” the popular holiday acapella group the “MistleTones,” and various artists throughout the year. With a variety of seasonal shows and entertainment, there’s always something new and exciting happening at Dollywood!
Dollywood Season Pass Program
Dollywood’s Season Pass program was restructured in 2022 and has maintained its changes from since that year. The Dollywood Silver Season Pass starts at $164 and offers unlimited visits, two Bring-a-Friend Free tickets, and a discount on Dollywood lodging. The Silver Pass is the most affordable, but it does come with blackout dates.
For just $75 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 Details
Gold Passholders can also take advantage of another exciting new perk created in 2022 and remaining a benefit in 2024. 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, creating new memories and unforgettable experiences.
New in 2024—The Dolly Parton Experience
The Dolly Parton Experience will open in 2024 and will be three times the size of the former Chasing Rainbows Museum. Inside the attraction, interactive elements will involve guests in Dolly’s journey from Locust Ridge, Tennessee to performing on stages around the world.
In this new area, guests will discover three distinct experiences that tell Dolly’s story. Songteller includes the inspiration for and results of her biggest dreams. Behind the Seams showcases Dolly’s one-of-a-kind style. Finally, Precious Memories takes the queue inside the DreamSong theater to the next level with an exhibit on the importance of faith and family to Dolly and her family and friends.
