Dollywood launches its annual holiday celebration today, November 6, as Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana officially opens to guests.
Running through January 3, 2027, the 15-time winner for 'Best Theme Park Christmas Event' will feature more than six million lights, seasonal entertainment, festive dining, and holiday traditions across the Pigeon Forge theme park.
Seasonal Atmosphere and Light Displays
Glistening decorations and expansive lighting installations will cover the park grounds. Wildwood Grove transforms into a winter scene with the interactive 'Snow in the Grove' experience, where falling snow and glowing light effects on the Wildwood Tree are accompanied by appearances from Dollywood Christmas characters Roly, Poly, Benjamin Bear, Flit, and Flutter.
Glacier Ridge returns to illuminate Timber Canyon, Wildwood Grove, Wilderness Pass, and Upper Craftsman’s Valley with arctic-themed displays. Additional visual highlights include the 'Christmas Reflections' trees of light floating on the pond at Rivertown Junction, as well as the red-and-white striped displays across Peppermint Valley in Country Fair.
Live Entertainment and Holiday Shows
Dollywood’s indoor and outdoor stages will present a full line-up of seasonal entertainment throughout the festival. The flagship show, Christmas in the Smokies, returns to the Celebrity Theater, alongside Heidi Parton’s A Christmas To Remember, featuring songs and personal stories from Dolly Parton’s niece.
Other returning show favorites for the 2026 season include:
- 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
- Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs
- O’ Holy Night
- Appalachian Christmas with the Smoky Mountain String Band
- Candlelight Carolers
Santa Experiences and Festive Dining
Guests can visit "Santa’s List... Naughty or Nice?" to peek inside Santa’s Smoky Mountain cabin as he and his elves prepare for the holidays. Santa will remain at the park checking lists through Dec. 23. On select dates (Dec. 12, 13, 19, and 20), Aunt Granny’s Restaurant will host a separately ticketed "Breakfast with Santa" at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., priced at $24.99 for adults and $12.99 for children.
Dollywood’s culinary team has introduced a mix of savory dishes and sweet treats for the season:
- Savory: Buffalo chicken stuffed baked potatoes, jambalaya, stuffing stackers, loaded potato soup, crispy fried corn strips, and parmesan rosemary knots.
- Sweet: Mint chocolate chip brownie sundaes, red velvet hot chocolate, vanilla eggnog, candy cane cupcakes, apple dumplings, sugar cookies, and gingerbread people.
Festival Tasting Passes covering multiple culinary items are available for $45.99 plus tax ($42.99 plus tax for Gold and Diamond passholders). Most of Dollywood’s standard attraction lineup will also remain operational during the event, offering night rides above the illuminated park grounds.
Resort Experiences and 2027 Season Passes
Holiday activities extend to Dollywood’s resort properties, DreamMore Resort and Spa and HeartSong Lodge & Resort. Both locations feature seasonal decor, roaming entertainment, marshmallow roasting, and Camp DW children's activities. Special holiday dining menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve will be offered at DreamMore’s Song & Hearth: A Southern Eatery and HeartSong’s Ember & Elm: Tastes Rooted in the Smokies.
Dollywood’s 2027 Season Passes are now on sale, offering admission to the remainder of the 2026 Smoky Mountain Christmas festival in addition to the full 2027 operating season. Single-day ticket holders can apply their admission value toward an upgrade on the day of their visit. Four pass tiers are available (Diamond, Gold, Silver, and Summer Fun), alongside the Pre-K Imagination Season Pass for children born in 2022 or 2023.
