Dollywood 2027 Calendar and Operating Schedule

Dollywood's 2027 operating calendar is out. The park opens in March and runs through January 2, 2028, with six seasonal festivals — including a Barbeque & Bluegrass weekend — and operating hours that shift from 10 AM–7 PM on standard days up to 9 AM–10 PM during peak holiday periods. Here's the complete guide to planning your 2027 Dollywood trip.

2027 Dollywood season overview

Dollywood's 2027 season opens in March and runs through January 2, 2028, with a Passholder Preview Day on March 10 before the public season begins. The park is closed for most of January and all of February as staff prepare for the following year. Across that roughly ten-month run, six distinct festivals carry the calendar from spring through the holidays, and operating hours vary widely by season — from shorter 10 AM–7 PM days early on to 9 AM–10 PM during the busiest holiday stretches.

As always with theme-park schedules: dates and hours are subject to change, so confirm the specific day you're visiting at dollywood.com before you finalize plans.

2027 festival calendar

I Will Always Love You Festival — March 11 – April 11

Dollywood's spring music festival, celebrating the musical legacy of Dolly Parton and the park's Appalachian roots, with live performances across the park's stages. It's the first major event of the season.

Flower & Food Festival — May 7 – June 20

The park's most visually spectacular spring event — elaborate living topiaries, garden-inspired food and craft beverages, live music, and the Smoky Mountain spring in full bloom. The food offerings draw repeat visitors all on their own.

Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City — June 26 – August 8

Extended park hours and the signature summer entertainment, featuring the Sweet Summer Nights Dance Party and a nightly Drone Show lighting up the sky after dark. Summer hours stretch to 9:30 PM on peak nights, keeping the full ride lineup open into the evening.

Barbeque & Bluegrass — September 3 – 6

A focused Labor Day–weekend event pairing live bluegrass with Dollywood's smoked-and-slow barbecue — a flavorful, music-filled kickoff to the fall season.

Harvest Festival presented by Humana — September 11 – October 31

The fall festival lands right alongside peak Smoky Mountain foliage — one of the most popular travel windows of the year. It features the Great Pumpkin LumiNights light experience and, on select nights, Harvey's Boo Bash (October 1, 15, 22, 23, 29, and 30), plus seasonal foods and craft demonstrations.

Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana — November 5 – January 2, 2028

Consistently ranked among the best Christmas theme-park events in the country — millions of 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 of the year in the Smokies.

2027 operating hours at a glance

Hours vary significantly by date and event — Dollywood publishes specific daily hours on its calendar at dollywood.com. Based on the official 2027 calendar, the general ranges are:

• Standard days: 10 AM–7 PM or 10 AM–8 PM
• Extended spring/fall: 10 AM–9 PM
• Peak summer (Summer Celebration): up to 10 AM–9:30 PM
• Peak holiday & major events: 9 AM–10 PM
• Passholder Preview Day: March 10, 10 AM–8 PM
• Closed: most of January and all of February

Always verify current hours at dollywood.com before your visit — they're subject to change without notice.

Planning tips for a 2027 Dollywood visit

Book early for festival weekends. Harvest Festival weekends in mid-to-late October and the opening weeks of Smoky Mountain Christmas in early November are the most competitive windows for both park tickets and nearby cabins — peak October weekends book out months ahead.

Stay close. A Pigeon Forge cabin near Dollywood puts you minutes from the park entrance, which changes the whole rhythm of a park day — no long drive home when the kids are worn out, and no leaving early to beat traffic.

Arrive early on peak days. On 9 AM event days, the first hour is the quietest in the park and the headline rides have their shortest waits. The Passholder Preview on March 10 is the earliest access to the 2027 season.

Match the trip to the festival. The park feels genuinely different season to season — spring blooms, summer drone shows, fall LumiNights, and the Christmas lights are each worth planning a trip around. Pick the festival first, then the dates.

2027 Dollywood festival dates — quick reference

• I Will Always Love You Festival: March 11 – April 11
• Flower & Food Festival: May 7 – June 20
• Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration: June 26 – August 8
• Barbeque & Bluegrass: September 3 – 6
• Harvest Festival: September 11 – October 31
• Smoky Mountain Christmas: November 5 – January 2, 2028

Frequently asked questions

When does Dollywood open in 2027?

Dollywood's 2027 season opens in March, with a Passholder Preview Day on March 10 (10 AM–8 PM) before the public season begins. The park runs through January 2, 2028, then closes for most of January and all of February for the off-season. Confirm exact opening dates at dollywood.com.

What festivals does Dollywood have in 2027?

Six: I Will Always Love You Festival (March 11–April 11), Flower & Food Festival (May 7–June 20), Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration (June 26–August 8), Barbeque & Bluegrass (September 3–6), Harvest Festival (September 11–October 31), and Smoky Mountain Christmas (November 5–January 2, 2028).

What are Dollywood's 2027 operating hours?

They range from 10 AM–7 PM on standard days up to 9 AM–10 PM during peak holiday periods, with extended evening hours during the Summer Celebration (to 9:30 PM on peak nights). Hours vary by date and event, so check the specific day you're visiting at dollywood.com.

What's the difference between the 2026 and 2027 festival dates?

The lineup is similar, but the windows shift year to year — and 2027 adds a Barbeque & Bluegrass weekend (September 3–6). If you're traveling before the 2027 season begins, check our 2026 Dollywood calendar for this year's remaining festival dates and hours.

When is the best time to visit Dollywood?

It depends what you want: fall's Harvest Festival coincides with peak Smoky Mountain foliage, Smoky Mountain Christmas is one of the country's best theme-park holiday events, and summer brings extended hours and the nightly drone show. Pick the festival that appeals most, then book early — fall and early-Christmas weekends are the most competitive for cabins and tickets alike.