2025 was Dollywood’s 40th anniversary, but 2026 is going to surpass it
When it comes to milestones, we like certain numbers better than others. You’ll get a better turnout at the 20th reunion that you will the 19th or the 21st. We’ll celebrate the 25th anniversary of a favorite movie or album but when the 27th comes around? Nobody cares.
So, in 2025 Dollywood celebrated its 40th season with quite a bit of fanfare. But not a lot of substance. Sure, there was the refurb on Blazing Fury and some other fun little things. But Dollywood officials themselves acknowledged they expected the 41st season to have a little more steak to its sizzle.
And – if you like reading tea leaves – the hints are pretty clear that Dollywood officials think the 2026 season could be one for the record books. How do we know? In late October 2025, more than two months before the end of the 40th anniversary season, Dollywood officials sent out a press release talking about just how great the 2026 season will be.
Why are Dollywood officials excited about the 2026 season?
There are three major happenings planned for Dollywood’s 41st season. They include a massive new attraction and a pair of events styled after similar successful projects at Disney World in Orlando.
“I’m often asked if there’s anything I would do differently when it comes to what we’ve accomplished at Dollywood, and I can safely say I wouldn’t change a thing,” Dolly Parton said in the release. “I’m so proud of what the park has become in its first 40 years, and with what we have in store for our guests this year, it’s safe to say we’re just getting started!
NightFlight Expedition
Unless this is your first time on our site, you know about the NightFlight Expedition. The ride is a ground-breaking, $50 million attraction that serves as a Dollywood signal that it’s chasing the big boys.
Dollywood officials spent most of the last 40 years turning the purposefully hokey Silver Dollar City into a world class amusement park. There are multiple good to great coasters and an exciting land – Wildwood Grove – that serves as, essentially, a whole other theme park. Now, NightFlight Expedition shows that Dollywood is looking beyond coasters.
“When we opened the park in 1986, it was hard to imagine that we would be able to open attractions like NightFlight Expedition,” Dolly said. It’s so big and so different from anything else we had at that time, that even with all my dreaming I don’t think any of us dreamed of something like this back when we first opened. I’m just honored that so many people have come to visit and support us through the years. It’s because of that support that we’re able to come up with something like this now!”
The ride will be the first of its kind, an indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride.
“During the 5 1/2-minute experience, guests soar on a nighttime flight over the scenic Smokies, enjoy a thrilling whitewater rafting excursion through more than 500,000 gallons of surging water, traverse a mountain ridge on a roller coaster, and navigate a mysterious shimmering lake by boat,” the release said.
Park officials, including President Eugene Naughton, have been nearly giddy when talking about it. They clearly think they’ve hit a home run. I expect that they will be right.
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Run Dollywood
Each Spring, Disney hosts an event for runners called Run Disney, a massively attended event that celebrates runners and running culture. In spring 2026, Dollywood will launch its own similar event.
“Race participants can enjoy the beauty of spring in the Smokies, as well as the unique atmosphere of Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival, as they race the fun-filled course that winds its way through the park and the surrounding area. A full calendar of races is planned for the inaugural event weekend, including the marquee half-marathon slated for Sunday morning,” Dollywood officials said.
There will also be some companion races. They include a 1-mile kids fun run (ages 4-12), a 5k, a 10k – and are scheduled for Saturday morning. Registration takes place on the Run Dollywood page. The event will be April 25 and 26 and Naughton has expressed his excitement for the event.
“I’m a runner, so the opportunity to host our very first Run Dollywood race weekend is exciting for me personally! I can’t wait to welcome the runners here to take on one of the most beautiful and fun courses they will find anywhere,” he said.
Harvey’s Boo Bash
Dollywood again appears to be taking a page out of Disney’s playbook. Harvey’s Boo Bash will be a separately ticketed event that takes place three nights – Oct. 16, 23 and 30 – during the Halloween season.
Like Disney’s Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Christmas Party, Harvey’s Boo Bash will be its own ticket. Day guests will leave and starting a 9 p.m. a Halloween party will begin. It will be hosted by Harvey, Dollywood’s “loveable pumpkin character.”
The Boo Bash will be an “immersive, limited-capacity celebration featuring one-of-a-kind entertainment, treats and fun.”Guests will have all the fun offered by the Great Pumpkin Luminights as well as exclusive activities, offerings, treats and merch. It seems this something of a test balloon. At only three nights, it’s going to a tough ticket to get, I think. The Disney Halloween event starts on select nights in August. Yes, August. And it runs through Halloween. The Christmas Party is on select nights from Nov. 1 into January of 2026. Read more here.
I expect if the Harvey’s event is a hit, Dollywood will add nights in 2027. And possibly take a look at the Christmas event soon thereafter.
Is there anything else for the 2026 season?
It looks like the summer festival is gearing up to be a little extra patriotic in honor of the country’s 250th birthday. We do like the big numbers after all. I imagine there will be some more things announced as the 2026 season gets a little closer. But for now, these are the big ones.
“There’s no doubt 2026 is going to be our best yet,” Naughton said. At least until 2027.
Are you looking forward to Dollywood’s 41st year? Let us know what you think in the comments and on the socials!