Groundbreaking new attraction, debut Harvest events, seasons of family fun highlight calendar
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (Tuesday, October 28, 2025) — Dollywood—Tripadvisor’s #1 U.S. theme park—is gearing up for a 2026 season unlike any year before in its rich history, complete with the opening of its largest attraction ever, a new harvesttime special event and the inaugural Run Dollywood race weekend. Season passes for this landmark year go on sale to the general public on Saturday, Nov. 1.
The park’s 41st season opens for all guests on Friday, March 13, with special ride preview days for season passholders in advance of the NightFlight Expedition opening. NightFlight Expedition, at a cost of more than $50 million, is the largest attraction investment in the history of Dollywood Parks & Resorts and is scheduled to open in Spring 2026. It is the first attraction in the world to merge its four unique experiences into one groundbreaking ride.
“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 explained. “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!
“When we opened the park in 1986, it was hard to imagine that we would be able to open attractions like NightFlight Expedition. 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!”
As the world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride, NightFlight Expedition takes Dollywood guests on an unforgettable journey through the Smoky Mountains to search for bioluminescence in the nation’s most-visited national park. 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.
While NightFlight Expedition certainly is the headline of Dollywood’s 2026 season, several other additions make it a banner year for the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, park. America’s friendliest theme park has always been a place where memories are measured in smiles, but now those memories also can be measured in miles thanks to the inaugural Run Dollywood race weekend set for April 25-26, 2026.
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. Companion races—a 1-mile kids fun run (ages 4-12), a 5k, a 10k —are scheduled for Saturday morning. Registration takes place on the Run Dollywood page: Dollywood.com/RunDollywood.
Those ready for even more family-friendly fall fun in the Smokies should look no further than Dollywood’s exclusive new nighttime event, Harvey’s Boo Bash, set for Oct. 16, 23 and 30. The Boo Bash—hosted by Dollywood’s loveable pumpkin character, Harvey—is an immersive, limited-capacity celebration featuring one-of-a-kind entertainment, treats and fun.
A separately ticketed event, Harvey’s Boo Bash begins after Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana closes to regular park guests on the selected nights. The Boo Bash begins at 9 p.m. and runs through midnight, offering guests an evening to enjoy Great Pumpkin LumiNights as well as several exclusive activities and offerings just for them, including a number of candy collecting stations and access to many of Dollywood’s award-winning attractions. Guests also can enjoy unique, event-only food and merchandise offerings, providing visitors with a chance to try new flavors and find exclusive souvenirs available only at Harvey’s Boo Bash.
Great Pumpkin LumiNights glows even brighter every evening during the Harvest Festival (Sept. 14-Oct. 31) thanks to another debut, a new dance party that is sure to light up the night! With upbeat music, dazzling lights and a festive autumn atmosphere, it’s the perfect way to keep the fabulous fall fun going after the sun goes down! Additionally, the Rivertown and Market Square areas of the park will transform into Apple Jack’s Market, with special culinary offerings and décor celebrating the prized harvest treat, the apple. Meanwhile in The Village, Tassletop Junction features grilled corn and area theming in honor of the mighty maize marvel.
“Like Dolly said, this year is going to offer so many new experiences and opportunities for our guests to create lifelong memories,” Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton said. “NightFlight Expedition is a game-changing attraction for our industry, and we’re proud to be able to have it here for our guests to enjoy.
“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. And our first special event of its kind, Harvey’s Boo Bash, provides a great way for our guests to experience our Harvest Festival. There’s no doubt 2026 is going to be our best yet.”
Dollywood joins the nationwide celebration of America’s 250th birthday with vibrant red, white and blue décor all across the park from March through August. The Sweet Summer Nights drone show will light up the sky each evening during the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration with a dazzling patriotic salute to commemorate this historic occasion.
The season begins with the I Will Always Love You Music Festival (March 13-April 12). The instant classic, “From the Heart—The Life & Music of Dolly Parton,” returns to tell Dolly’s remarkable story. This inspirational and uplifting show takes guests along with Dolly for the emotional pull she faced as she left everything she had known in Sevier County to move to Nashville in pursuit of her dreams. “From the Heart” phenomenally tells Dolly’s exceptional story through her own narration and legendary music catalog. The show takes place in Celebrity Theater and runs through the Flower & Food Festival.
Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival (April 18-June 7) blooms bright with iconic Mosaiculture displays throughout the park. Vivid larger-than-life flower sculptures create an immersive atmosphere for park guests with more than half-a-million blooms during this stunning festival. Dollywood’s culinary team showcases their world-class abilities during the event with a menu full of delicacies to highlight the tastes of spring in the Smokies.
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City (June 15-Aug. 2) is everyone’s favorite summer tradition, and once again includes Dollywood’s Sweet Summer Nights drone and fireworks show each night. Two more guest-favorite shows, “Bubble Evolution” and “Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience,” provide popping bubbles and playful pooches to help every guest feel like a kid this summer.
A family tradition for many, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana (Sept. 14- Oct. 31) celebrates the beauty of fall with thousands of carved pumpkins, spirited performances from talented singers and the fun of Great Pumpkin LumiNights. Great Pumpkin LumiNights, which previously has been named the best theme park harvest event in the world, features elaborate pumpkin displays that are fun for every member of the family. The new nightly dance party, as well as the debut of Harvey’s Boo Bash, provide the opportunity for more memory making in the Smokies.
The industry’s Best Theme Park Christmas event—Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (Nov. 6- Jan. 3)—concludes the park’s unparalleled 2026 season with six million lights, festive holiday shows, and the warm Christmas atmosphere guests have come to expect during this joyous time of year.
Dollywood’s Splash Country kicks off its 26th season on Saturday, May 23, with daily fun through Sunday, Aug. 9. The Smokies’ favorite water park keeps the good times going on weekends and select weekdays through Sept. 20.
This summer, the party doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. For the first time ever, Splash Country is lighting up the night with Neon Nights—a high-energy, glow-themed event featuring a live DJ, vibrant neon vibes, and unlimited access to select attractions. This separately ticketed event is the ultimate way to keep summer going strong at one of the nation’s most beautiful water parks. Event dates and details will be announced at a later date.
With a year of surprises ahead, guests should consider a season pass to ensure they can experience all the fun! Four season pass levels—Diamond, Gold, Silver and the Summer Fun Pass—provide great options for every guest, while the popular Pre-K Imagination Season Pass offers free admission all season long to any child born in 2021 or 2022. Passes are on sale now to current 2025 season passholders and those who registered for the special pre-sale period. Passes go on sale to the general public on Saturday, Nov. 1. Anyone who purchases a 2026 Dollywood season pass can experience this season’s Smoky Mountain Christmas festival for free! It’s the perfect Christmas gift for every member of the family.
Dollywood Diamond Season Passes provide a premium experience for guests. In addition to admission all season long to both Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country, Diamond passholders receive two flexible Bring-A-Friend Free tickets for Dollywood, two flexible Bring-A-Friend Free tickets for Dollywood’s Splash Country, free general parking, the largest discounts on dining, shopping and lodging, an all-season refill mug, as well as discounts on TimeSaver passes, VIP tours and preferred parking. Guests interested in this pass should act early as there is a limited quantity available.
The Gold Pass options represent tremendous value for guests. The two-park Gold Pass provides admission to both Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country, a flexible Bring-A-Friend Free ticket for Dollywood, a flexible Bring-A-Friend Free ticket for Dollywood’s Splash Country, free general parking, an all-season refill mug, as well as discounts on dining, shopping and lodging. The one-park Gold Pass provides the above, minus the entitlements to Dollywood’s Splash Country.
Gold and Diamond passholders can take advantage of another great perk—complimentary TimeSaver line access the first hour of every operating day. This great benefit allows the named passholder expedited boarding on Dollywood’s world-class rides and attractions.
Silver Season Passes also are available and include the option to purchase reduced price Bring-A-Friend tickets and discounts on dining, shopping and lodging. Select blackout dates apply to adult and senior Silver Season Passes. Child Silver Season Passes do not have blackout dates. The Dollywood Summer Fun Pass provides a lower priced option for guests looking for unlimited visits between April 18 and Sept. 13.
Guests at this world-class family vacation destination can experience even more fun at one of Dollywood’s award-winning resort hotels, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa or Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. Both properties offer unbeatable hospitality and exclusive complimentary privileges, including TimeSaver passes, door-to-door transportation, preferred parking at Dollywood parks, and package delivery for purchases made at Dollywood theme park.
For more information about Dollywood’s 2026 season or season passes, please visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.
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About Dollywood Parks & Resorts: A highly awarded and widely recognized leader in the amusement industry, Dollywood Parks & Resorts—which celebrates its 40th anniversary season in 2025—consists of the 165-acre Dollywood theme park; the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country; and two award-winning resort properties: Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. As unique as its namesake and owner Dolly Parton, Dollywood is the 2010 Applause Award winner, the theme park industry’s highest accolade; winner of 64 Golden Ticket Awards; and recipient of 28 Brass Ring Awards for Live Entertainment. The park is located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park and earned the Golden Ticket Award for the Best Park in the world in 2023. In 2022, 2024 and 2025, Dollywood was named by Tripadvisor as the #1 theme park in the country based on actual guest reviews. It also has been recognized as a top U.S. theme park by USA Today on multiple occasions. Dollywood is open mid-March through early January and offers rides and attractions, shows and crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. Dollywood’s Splash Country, recognized by the Travel Channel and Tripadvisor as one of the country’s most beautiful water parks, operates from mid-May to mid-September. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa as well as Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort provide guests with spectacular mountain views and family-friendly amenities next door to Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country. For more information, visit dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary.
Media Contacts:
Pete Owens: Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, (865) 428-9486, (865) 755-7972 or [email protected]
Wes Ramey: Public Relations Director, (865) 428-9484, (865) 640-3805 or [email protected]
Ellen Liston: Public Relations Manager, (865) 428-9629, (865) 919-7001 or [email protected]
Jennifer Webb: Sr. Publicist, (865) 428-9602, (865) 323-7584 or [email protected]
For B-roll, photography and more information, visit the Dollywood Media Room at http://www.dollywood.com/Media/Media-Room