Dolly Parton officially welcomed guests back to the Great Smoky Mountains for Dollywood’s 41st season, unveiling details for what is set to be the park’s most ambitious year to date.
Voted the #1 theme park in America by Tripadvisor, Dollywood opened its gates on March 13, 2026, for a special media and Season Passholder preview.
The big news for the 2026 season is the upcoming debut of NightFlight Expedition, a groundbreaking indoor roller coaster that Dolly herself describes as a "recreation of the magic of the Smokies."
The Most Anticipated Ride of 2026: NightFlight Expedition
Set to open later this spring, NightFlight Expedition will be Dollywood’s 11th roller coaster. This immersive indoor attraction is designed to tell a story through four distinct experiences on a single ride.
Guests will soar over the scenic Smokies on a nighttime flight, navigate a "whitewater rafting" excursion featuring more than 500,000 gallons of surging water, and plunge into a mysterious shimmering lake.
Dolly Partton said:
"The ride takes me back to so many wonderful memories I had as a kid, with all the fireflies and the moonlight making the Smokies have a special kind of magic. "I had to recreate that for everyone visiting Dollywood!"
A Season of Firsts: Run Dollywood and After-Hours Events
Beyond the new coaster, Dollywood is introducing several brand-new experiences for 2026:
- Run Dollywood (April 25-26): The park’s inaugural race weekend features a half-marathon, 10k, 5k, and a 1-mile kids' fun run, winding through the park during the peak of the flower bloom.
- Neon Nights at Splash Country: Starting May 16, Dollywood’s water park will host select after-hours, ticketed events featuring shorter wait times and exclusive menus.
- Harvey’s Boo Bash: A new separately ticketed after-hours event during the Harvest Festival, offering candy stations and a glowing nighttime atmosphere in Great Pumpkin LumiNights.
2026 Festival Calendar
| Festival | Dates | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| I Will Always Love You | Now – April 12 | New Artrageous and Moto Motion shows. |
| Flower & Food | April 18 – June 7 | 500,000+ blooms and larger-than-life sculptures. |
| Smoky Mountain Summer | June 15 – Aug 2 | Sweet Summer Nights drone and fireworks show. |
| Harvest Festival | Sept 14 – Oct 31 | Great Pumpkin LumiNights and new Harvey's Boo Bash. |
| Smoky Mountain Christmas | Nov 6 – Jan 3 | 6 million lights and award-winning holiday shows. |
Enhanced Entertainment and Culinary Offerings
The season kicks off with the I Will Always Love You Festival, celebrating Dolly’s legendary songwriting. New for 2026 are Artrageous, an interactive fusion of live art and music, and Moto Motion: Freestyle Showdown, featuring extreme riders and aerial daredevils.
Foodies can purchase the Festival Tasting Pass ($42.99) to sample new seasonal treats like the BBQ Chicken Melt, Piccadilly Lemonade, and the Strawberry Cheesecake Milkshake.
Planning Your Visit
Dollywood is currently offering a limited-time incentive for new 2026 Season Passholders, including a $10 discount on Silver or Gold passes and an exclusive NightFlight Expedition lanyard.
Located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Dollywood continues to be a premier destination for families seeking a blend of world-class thrills and authentic Appalachian charm.
