Dollywood 2026 Calendar and Operating Schedule

Dollywood's official 2026 operating calendar is out. The park opens March 13 and runs through January 3, 2027, with five seasonal festivals, NightFlight Expedition — the world's first indoor hybrid coaster/whitewater ride — and operating hours ranging from 9 AM to 11 PM depending on the event. Here's the complete guide to planning your 2026 Dollywood trip.

2026 Dollywood Season Overview

Dollywood opens March 13, 2026 | Season runs through January 3, 2027
Passholder Exclusive Park Dress Rehearsal: March 12, 1–8 PM
Dates and hours subject to change — always verify at dollywood.com before your visit

Dollywood's 2026 season runs from mid-March through early January — a full 10-month run with five distinct seasonal festivals. The park is closed January and February as staff prepare for the next season. Operating hours vary significantly by event and time of year, ranging from 10 AM–7 PM on standard days to 9 AM–11 PM during peak holiday periods.

2026 Festival Calendar

I Will Always Love You Music Festival
March 13 – April 12
Dollywood's spring music festival, celebrating the musical legacy of Dolly Parton and the park's Appalachian roots. Live performances across the park's stages anchor the six-week run, the first major festival of the 2026 season.

Dollywood's Flower & Food Festival
April 18 – June 7
The park's most visually spectacular spring event — elaborate topiaries, garden-inspired food and craft cocktails, live music, and the Smoky Mountain wildflower backdrop at its most dramatic. The Flower & Food Festival draws repeat visitors specifically for the food offerings, which feature local and regional ingredients across dozens of booths and pop-ups throughout the park.

Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City
June 15 – August 2
Extended park hours and the signature summer entertainment: the Sweet Summer Nights Dance Party and nightly Drone Show light up the sky after dark. Summer hours extend to 9:30 PM on peak nights, making NightFlight Expedition and the full ride lineup available into the evening. The drone show is one of the most photographed events in the Smoky Mountains corridor.

Dollywood's Harvest Festival presented by Humana
September 14 – October 31
The fall festival coincides with peak Smoky Mountain foliage — one of the most popular travel periods of the year in the region. The Great Pumpkin LumiNights light experience and a Dance Party join the seasonal foods, craft demonstrations, and the park's full ride lineup. These months are guest favorites for their crisp weather and festive atmosphere. Park hours during Harvest Festival run 10 AM–9 PM on standard days.

Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana
November 6 – January 3
Consistently named one of the best Christmas theme park events in the country — more than 6 million lights, the nightly Parade of Many Colors, award-winning holiday stage shows, and Santa in his workshop. The Christmas season runs nearly two full months and is one of the most booked periods in the Colonial Properties calendar. Book Pigeon Forge cabin rentals for Christmas week well in advance — this is the most competitive booking window of the year.

What's New at Dollywood in 2026

NightFlight Expedition — The world's first indoor hybrid coaster/whitewater river raft ride, debuting in 2026. The 39-inch height minimum allows most school-age children to ride. The indoor setting makes it one of the few Dollywood experiences available regardless of weather conditions, and the hybrid coaster/water concept is something no other park in the world currently offers.

2026 Dollywood Operating Hours at a Glance

Hours vary significantly by date and event — the park publishes specific daily hours on its calendar at dollywood.com. The general hour ranges from the official 2026 calendar:

Standard operating: 10 AM–7 PM or 10 AM–8 PM
Extended spring/fall: 10 AM–9 PM
Peak summer (Summer Celebration): 9 AM–8 PM to 10 AM–9:30 PM
Peak holiday (Christmas season and major events): 9 AM–10 PM or 9 AM–11 PM
Closed: January and February (dates TBD — check dollywood.com)

Always verify current hours at dollywood.com before your visit. Hours are subject to change without notice.

Planning Tips for a 2026 Dollywood Visit

Book early for festival weekends. Dollywood's Harvest Festival weekends (mid-October) and the first weeks of Smoky Mountain Christmas (early November) are the most competitive booking windows for both park tickets and nearby cabin rentals. Peak October weekends book out months in advance.

Use the Stay & Play Pass. Every direct Colonial Properties booking includes the Stay & Play Pass — one complimentary attraction ticket per paid night of your stay. Dollywood may be included; confirm which attractions are active on your booking before purchasing tickets separately. See the full attraction list →

Stay close. A Pigeon Forge cabin near Dollywood puts you 5–10 minutes from the park entrance — which changes the math of a full park day. No long post-park drives when the kids are exhausted. No early departures to beat traffic. Browse Pigeon Forge cabins →

Arrive early on peak days. Dollywood's early hours (9 AM on peak event days) are the quietest time in the park. The most popular rides — Wild Eagle, Lightning Rod, NightFlight Expedition — have their shortest waits in the first hour. The Passholder Dress Rehearsal on March 12 (1–8 PM) is the earliest access to the 2026 season.

2026 Dollywood Festival Dates — Quick Reference

I Will Always Love You Music Festival: March 13 – April 12
Flower & Food Festival: April 18 – June 7
Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration: June 15 – August 2
Harvest Festival: September 14 – October 31
Smoky Mountain Christmas: November 6 – January 3, 2027

Frequently asked questions

When does Dollywood open in 2026?

Dollywood's 2026 season opens March 13. Passholders have exclusive access on March 12 from 1–8 PM. The park runs through January 3, 2027, with January and February closed for the off-season.

What are Dollywood's 2026 festivals?

Five festivals: I Will Always Love You Music Festival (March 13–April 12), Flower & Food Festival (April 18–June 7), Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration (June 15–August 2), Harvest Festival (September 14–October 31), and Smoky Mountain Christmas (November 6–January 3, 2027).

What's new at Dollywood in 2026?

NightFlight Expedition — the world's first indoor hybrid coaster/whitewater river raft ride (39" minimum height). Check dollywood.com for any additional 2026 additions and updates.

Are Dollywood tickets included with a Colonial Properties cabin booking?

Dollywood tickets may be included in the Stay & Play Pass that comes with every direct Colonial Properties booking — one complimentary attraction ticket per paid night of your stay. Confirm Dollywood's inclusion at the time of booking.