Dollywood is a favorite attraction in Pigeon Forge no matter the season, but guests especially love visiting this theme park during the holiday season. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas is a family-favorite Christmas festival that offers fun for all ages. Here’s everything you need to know about this festival this year.
1. Dates and Hours
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas begins November 4, 2023, and runs through January 6, 2024, when the theme park closes for the season. During this holiday festival, Dollywood will be open from 11:00 AM until 9:00 PM to give guests plenty of time to soak it all in during the day and experience the Christmas lights and sights after dark. During the month of November, the theme park will be closed every Tuesday and on Thanksgiving Day. In December, Dollywood will be open every day except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The theme park will also be open every day during the first week of January as the festival comes to a close. Just keep in mind that park hours are subject to change and may be impacted by inclement weather conditions.
2. Holiday Shows
One of the best activities to do during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas is watch the many heartwarming holiday shows taking place throughout the theme park. Two family-favorite Christmas traditions are watching “Christmas in the Smokies” and “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” These indoor shows are sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Other great holiday performances include outdoor shows like “O Holy Night,” “Appalachian Christmas,” and “Holiday Wild Roots.” You’ll love hearing all the Christmas music and sharing in the holiday cheer! New this year is the nightly Christmas drone show where you can watch hundreds of drones light up the night as they dance to festive tunes!
3. Seasonal Flavors
Another great thing about Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas is the chance to taste all sorts of holiday dishes and sweet treats. Try the turkey, pork belly, and sweet Italian sausage skillets for a hearty holiday meal that will warm you from the inside out. Make sure you save room for dessert so you can enjoy treats like holiday cookies and cupcakes that are sure to put you in the holiday spirit! You can even try up to five select festival foods for one low price with the purchase of a Smoky Mountain Christmas Tasting Pass, which includes both savory and sweet menu items.
4. Santa’s List
Returning once again to Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas this year is the chance to see Santa Claus at work! Santa’s List…Naughty or Nice gives children and those young at heart the opportunity to see Santa in his Smoky Mountain cabin as he reviews his famous list. Find out if your or your kid’s name is on the Nice List and get a photo with Santa as you peer through the window of his workshop. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see Santa and catch a sneak peek at his important naughty or nice list!
5. Award-Winning Christmas Event
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas has been awarded the Golden Ticket Award for Best Christmas Event every year for the past 15 years. The reason this festival continues to win awards is because it brings families closer together as they explore an intricately designed winter wonderland. During Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, you’ll see more than 6 million twinkling lights as well as dozens of Christmas trees that sparkle with holiday cheer! Everyone loves seeing all the decorations while experiencing a variety of rides, heartwarming shows, seasonal shopping, and festive flavors.
Stay Close to Dollywood This Holiday Season
There are so many great things to see and do when you visit Dollywood this holiday season. Are you planning on visiting the theme park while you’re in town? If so, you’ll want to stay close by so you won’t miss a thing! Browse through our Pigeon Forge cabins to find the perfect place to stay near Dollywood and start planning your trip today!
