PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.–(March 26, 2026)–Dollywood is putting a “spring” in the steps of runners at the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, park next month with the first Run Dollywood race weekend, April 25-26. The fun doesn’t stop there, however, as a brand-new half-marathon weekend is scheduled Sept. 26-27 during the Harvest Festival. Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton celebrated the upcoming events by running through the park with media early Thursday morning to mark the one-month countdown to the inaugural half-marathon.
Participants during April’s event will enjoy 1 million blooms and the flavors of Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival, along with the fresh spring beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. The weekend lineup includes the marquee half-marathon on Sunday, plus companion races on Saturday—a 1-mile kids fun run, a 5k and a 10k. Course maps can be found at https://runsignup.com/Race/RunDollywood/Page/Course-Maps.
“I’m an avid runner myself,” explained Naughton, “so welcoming runners to our first Run Dollywood weekend is incredibly exciting for me personally. We can’t wait for everyone to experience this one-of-a-kind course, complete with live music, on-course entertainment, and those special Dollywood surprises that make every step memorable. I’m glad we were able to give our friends in the media a sneak peek this morning and hope they’ll join us on race day as well.”
An extremely limited number of race entries still are available for the April 26 half-marathon, and registrations still are available for the kids fun run on April 25. Bib pickup and a race expo are scheduled for Friday, April 24, at Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. Runners will receive exclusive inaugural race medals, an event-specific T-shirt and race bib. After crossing the finish line, participants can enjoy the park’s world-class attractions and shows—voted the #1 theme park in the U.S. by Tripadvisor users.
Looking ahead to fall, the new Run Dollywood half-marathon during the Harvest Festival will let runners enjoy the crisp autumn air of the Great Smoky Mountains, the glow of Great Pumpkin LumiNights, and all the fun of Dollywood’s guest-favorite fall festival. While details are still being finalized, final registration information will be available soon at Dollywood.com/RunDollywood. Interested runners can fill out an interest form on the Run Dollywood page to receive an email with information once it is available.
Dollywood’s 2026 season is shaping up to be the biggest in its 41 seasons. From the opening of NightFlight Expedition to new themed events and experiences, there is something for every member of the family to enjoy this year. For more information about all of the fun, 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 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 opened in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, on May 3, 1986, and earned the theme park industry’s highest accolade, the Applause Award, in 2010. Dollywood has earned 67 Golden Ticket Awards and 28 Brass Ring Awards for live entertainment. In 2022, 2024 and 2025, Dollywood was named by Tripadvisor as the #1 theme park in the country based on actual guest reviews. The park is located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park and 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, attractions, shows and crafters inspired by and 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