April showers bring May flowers, but in East Tennessee, you don’t have to wait until May.
Get ready to enjoy the brighter days of spring.
Springtime in the Smokies means butterflies and brilliant flowers, and to celebrate, Dollywood is soon returning with its Flower and Food Festival.
The fourth annual Dollywood Flower and Food Festival, presented by Covenant Health, is blooming to life on April 21, 2023 and will run until June 11.
The theme park will soon be covered in a kaleidoscope of colors and Mosaicultures.
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What is the Flower and Food Festival at Dollywood?
During the festival, more than half a million flowers can be seen across the theme park, and new culinary options become available from Dollywood’s acclaimed chefs.
Dollywood partners with an internationally-acclaimed sculpting team to create elaborate flower installations where beautiful flowers come to life throughout Dollywood in the form of Great Smoky Mountain turtles, raccoons, frogs, black bears and more.
The floral displays reach heights up to 15 feet and celebrate the spirit of the Smoky Mountains.
The festival takes its blooms and brilliance throughout Dollywood, starting with photo opportunities as soon as guests step foot through the gates.
Once inside the park, guests find themselves under an array of colorful umbrellas.
Also, the festival will feature special menu items created by Dollywood’s culinary team to recreate the best traditions of cuisine from around the world.
What’s new at the Flower and Food Festival in 2023?
New in 2023, the festival will feature Love Always at the Back Porch Theater. This show will feature music and lyrics that “speak from the heart”, from classic to country to R&B.
During the event, the all-new roller coaster Big Bear Mountain is expected to make its debut sometime in May. It will be the park’s longest roller coaster with a top speed of 48 mph.
Finally, many of the festival’s favorites will be returning, including Bloom! – a recent addition to the festival that includes an acrobatic performance with dance, circus and theater.
With performers balancing on bending poles nearly 12 feet high, it’s a show that both kids and adults are sure to enjoy.
What displays will be featured at the Flower and Food Festival?
The larger-than-life sculptures will shine in a breathtaking display of mother nature.
For example, the numerous floral displays include depictions of various animal scenes like chatty mallard ducks, a peacock, rascally raccoons, a butterfly umbrella, a beekeeper sculpture with beehives and playful bears.
Also, Dolly’s rich influence through song comes alive with the beautiful tribute “Coat of Many Colors“, which features a scenic sculpture of Dolly Parton’s mother, Avie Lee.
In homage to Dolly’s mother, this sculpture shows her sewing the famed Coat of Many Colors. It is perhaps the most popular sculpture at the festival.
What is the Flower and Food Festival Tasting Pass?
One of the main festival elements, of course, is all about the food and delicacies.
Can’t decide on one dish? Park guests can enjoy a Tasting Pass, which allows guests to partake in the flavors of spring at different festival locations.
The tasting pass can be purchased in the park or online. It is $36.99 plus tax or $33.99 plus tax for Gold and Diamond season passholders.
With this pass, guests can sample five food offerings at any Flower and Food Festival culinary location.
Dollywood Flower and Food Festival menu
This year’s menu will feature fresh spring flavors that can be found in special locations throughout the park.
The culinary side of this annual festival features a variety of food items including:
Beverages and Mocktails
- Blueberry Boba Tea (Seasonal booth)
- Blue Woog (Market Square Potatoes)
- Mango Boba Iced Tea (Seasonal booth)
- Passion Fruit Lemonade (Seasonal booth)
- Strawberry Lemonade (Market Square)
Savory Bites
- BBQ Pork Sliders (Miss Lilian’s BBQ Corner)
- Beef Bulgogi Nachos (Seasonal booth)
- Cobb Salad (Iron Horse Pizza and Market Square)
- Cuban Sandwich (Seasonal booth)
- Garlic Shrimp Mac & Cheese (Miss Lillian’s BBQ Corner)
- Loaded Mac & Cheese (Miss Lillian’s BBQ Corner)
- Loaded Potato Tornado (Market Square Potatoes)
- Pretzel Crab Melt (Iron Horse Pizza)
- Quinoa Salad (Iron Horse Pizza)
- Street Corn Salad (Seasonal booth)
- Street Tacos (Market Square)
- Sweet & Tangy BBQ Meatballs (Seasonal booth)
Sweet Treats
- Berry Funnel Cake (Crossroads Funnel Cakes and Splinter’s Funnel Cakes)
- Bakery Treats (Spotlight Bakery)
- Pistachio Waffle Ice Cream Sandwich (Showstreet Ice Cream)
For more details or to view the full menu with a location and map, visit the Dollywood website.
Read Also: Is a Dollywood Season Pass Worth It? An Honest Review
Music and shows at Dollywood’s Flower and Food Festival
Last but not least, a highlight of the festival is the entertainment, which will include musicians, Southern gospel groups, contemporary Christian artists and – as previously mentioned – impressive acrobatics.
Shows for the Flower and Food Festival include:
- Bloom!
- The Hall Sisters
- The Tones
- Harmonies of the Heart
- Smoky Mountain String Band
- Wild Roots Band
- Love Always
Read Also: When Does Dollywood Open? Festival Dates and More [2023]
How much does it cost to go to Dollywood?
The Flower and Food Festival is included with the price of admission, not including food or extra add-ons. Regular Dollywood admission is $89 for a one-day pass.
You can also visit for two days for about $55 per day. You can book a one-day or two-day pass with Tripster.
Before you go, be sure to check out the official Dollywood app for a complete list of dining locations.
Want to make the trip even more special? Consider a stay at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa.
Visit their website here to view the daily schedule at Dollywood as you plan your trip.
Have you been to the Dollywood Flower and Food Festival in the Great Smoky Mountains? What did you think? Let us know in the comments!
Have never been to Dollywood. One day i will get to.
How do I buy tickets for special menu
Will there when gluten free options