Dollywood at Christmas, Your Guide to This Year’s Festival [2026]

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas has long been one of the park’s most cherished traditions, and Dolly Parton has said Christmas at Dollywood has a way of bringing cherished family memories back to life while helping families make new traditions together. The 2026 festival runs from Nov. 6, 2026 through Jan. 3, 2027. The Dollywood crew traditionally works behind the scenes beginning mid-June, stringing lights on days when the park is closed, overnights and early mornings.

The park usually closes for about a week after the Great Pumpkin LumiNights and Harvest Festival event to transition into a winter wonderland overflowing with holiday lights. It’s certainly no easy feat hanging up more than 6 million Christmas lights while simultaneously preparing for other seasonal events and offering park-goers an uninterrupted experience. The process takes almost 5 months from start to finish each year.

Is Dollywood open on Thanksgiving and Christmas?

Dollywood kicks off the Christmas season on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026 with its Smoky Mountain Christmas festival, presented by Humana. The festival runs through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027, the last operating day of Dollywood’s 2026 season. Operating days and hours vary by date, so check Dollywood’s official Calendar & Hours page for operating days, including the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, before you go.

We encourage all guests to double-check the operating calendar when making plans to visit the Dollywood theme park in the Smokies. Gold and Diamond season passholders can also watch for Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Early Ride Time event on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026.

Dollywood’s Holiday Feast and Sweets

For those looking to celebrate the holidays with the perfect family meal, Dollywood’s chefs have a menu full of hearty holiday dishes and seasonal sweets. A Smoky Mountain Christmas Tasting Pass lets you try up to five festival foods for one price, and Dollywood lists the 2026 Christmas Tasting Pass as “coming soon.” Be sure to check the website for updates.

Is Dollywood fun at Christmas?

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas festival is one of the most beloved traditions in the Smoky Mountains. In fact, it has won the Best Theme Park Christmas Event award 15 times. Throughout the park, you’ll see dozens of Christmas trees, decorations and holiday cheer, from the crisp blues and whites of Glacier Ridge to the soft candlelight glow of Craftsman’s Valley and the classic red and green of Santa’s Village.

Returning favorites for 2026: Peppermint Valley and Snow in the Grove

Two favorites from last year’s festival are back for 2026. In Peppermint Valley, the Country Fair area is transformed with sparkling red and white candy cane lights. Each evening in Wildwood Grove, Snow in the Grove brings the Wildwood Tree to life with light, color, music and falling snow, joined by Dollywood’s glowing Roly Poly characters.

Also, did you know Santa Claus himself has a Smoky Mountain cabin? Kids of all ages can take an immersive trip to visit the North Pole at the “Santa’s List … Naughty or Nice” interactive experience.

Dollywood also brings a wide variety of live entertainment to the Dollywood Christmas event. The theme park’s family favorite shows light up both indoor and outdoor stages. The festival’s headline show, “Christmas in the Smokies”, has been a must-see for families every Christmas season since it began in 1990. Other Dollywood Christmas classics returning this year include “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “Appalachian Christmas” and “O Holy Night.”

Are rides open during Christmas at Dollywood?

Rides do traditionally continue to run throughout the winter season at Dollywood. However, operations are dependent upon the weather. For example, each ride has a temperature at which it must close. Most rides will close if temperatures reach about 36 degrees or below. View the weather guidelines for each attraction or ride here.

Tips for going to Dollywood for Christmas

First things first, make sure the park is open when you plan to make your visit. After the festival ends on Jan. 3, 2027, the park is closed for the winter until the 2027 season begins in March. Also, remember to wear layers if you plan to visit Dollywood during the Christmas celebration. Even though daytime temperatures may be pleasant and sunny, temperatures cool down quickly at night in the mountains of Tennessee.

Here are a few more tips from our team for making the most of your Smoky Mountain Christmas visit:

• Visit Santa in his Smoky Mountain cabin. Santa’s List… Naughty or Nice? in The Village is geared toward the little ones, but it’s so well done that grown-ups enjoy it too. Dollywood lists visits with Santa among the guest favorites returning this year.
• Ride a coaster after dark (but bundle up). Weather permitting, many rides keep running during the festival, and a roller coaster at night is a fun way to see the lights from a bird’s-eye view. Dress warmly if you plan to ride, and remember that rides can close when temperatures drop.
• Browse the crafts. In Craftsman’s Valley, you can watch Dollywood’s master craftsmen at Valley Forge Blacksmith hand-forge collector knives, horseshoe gifts and home decor, and at Mountain Blown Glass in Rivertown Junction, you can help make your own blown glass ornament. Both are great spots for one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts.
• Wear good shoes. You’ll cover a lot of ground strolling through the lights, so comfortable shoes are a must, along with those warm layers for after the sun goes down.
• Plan ahead. Buy your tickets in advance so you can skip the ticket line when you arrive. Dollywood is very busy this time of year, so decide which shows and lights are most important to you and plan your day around them.
• Download the Dollywood app. The official Dollywood app has real-time park hours, show schedules and ride wait times, a GPS-enabled map, and mobile food ordering so you can spend less time in line.

How much does it cost to go to Dollywood at Christmas?

Ticket prices vary by date, so check current one-day and two-day ticket prices before your trip. Of course, you get the most out of your dollar if you visit for two days. You can also book with Tripster and save time in line before your arrival. We encourage all guests to check the daily schedule on the Dollywood website for the latest information on showtimes and other updates. Double down on your Dollywood experience and stay at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa or Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort and truly treat yourself. DreamMore’s halls are also decked in beautiful décor inspired by warm, rich memories of Christmas in the Smoky Mountains. Christmas-season weekends are a popular time to visit, so it’s worth booking your Pigeon Forge cabin or hotel early for a holiday stay near the park.

Thinking about coming back? 2027 season passes go on sale to the general public on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, and anyone who buys a 2027 pass can start visiting during this year’s Smoky Mountain Christmas. Guests can also apply their paid one-day admission toward a season pass, as long as the upgrade is made on the day of their visit before leaving the park.

Have you been to Dollywood for the Christmas celebration? What did you think? Let us know in the comments.