Dollywood Looks Ahead to 2027 Season with New Festivals, Immersive Tributes, and Expansive Programming

As Dollywood prepares to turn the page on a new chapter in the Great Smoky Mountains, the upcoming 2027 season will undeniably carry a bittersweet resonance. For the first time, the park’s opening day and subsequent months will unfold without its visionary founder, the legendary "dreamer-in-chief" Dolly Parton, who passed away in August. Yet, even as the destination mourns the loss of its beloved icon, park leadership is pushing forward with an ambitious lineup for 2027, blending nostalgia, fresh entertainment, and returning fan favorites that underscore Parton’s enduring legacy.

The park’s 42nd operational season is officially slated to kick off on March 10 for exclusive season passholders, followed by a public opening on March 11. Calendars indicate that the resort will welcome guests across 275 operational days throughout the year. While this is a modest decrease of six operating days compared to the 41st season, the schedule is densely packed with new additions, special events, and the milestone celebration of the first full operational year for the recently introduced NightFlight Expedition ride.

Dollywood President Eugene Naughton emphasized that the spirit of invention and seasonal transformation remains a cornerstone of the park’s operational philosophy. Every season at Dollywood brings a distinct atmosphere, he noted, offering visitors a fresh perspective on the park and the surrounding natural splendor of East Tennessee. Park officials are leaning heavily into this philosophy for 2027, ensuring that returning visitors and first-time guests alike find plenty of reasons to make the journey to Pigeon Forge.

What’s New at Dollywood for the 2027 Season

Among the most prominent additions for the new season is the introduction of a brand-new park character known as the "Dream Maker." Stationed within the whimsical Wildwood Grove area, the Dream Maker and her specially designed Dream Wagon will interact directly with visitors of all ages. Through carefully crafted storytelling and immersive experiences, the character is designed to encourage guests to embrace ambitious aspirations, cultivate self-confidence, and uplift others through acts of courage and everyday kindness. Developed as a direct reflection of Parton’s life and philosophy, the Dream Maker serves as a living embodiment of the values that the entertainer championed throughout her career.

Music lovers will also find plenty to celebrate during the park’s vibrant spring calendar. Running from May 7 through June 13, the new Country Hitmakers concert series will debut as part of Dollywood’s annual Flower and Food Festival. The multi-week event is set to feature celebrated performances honoring classic songs by legendary figures within the country music genre, though comprehensive scheduling and artist details will be announced by park administration at a later date.

Meanwhile, just down the road at Dollywood’s Splash Country, water park enthusiasts can look forward to an expanded slate of summer activities. The water park will officially launch its 27th season on May 15, remaining open on a daily basis through August 15 before transitioning to a weekend and select weekday schedule that runs through September 19. For visitors seeking evening entertainment, the separately ticketed Neon Nights event will make its return on Friday and Saturday evenings between June 25 and August 14, offering a live DJ alongside unlimited access to select water park attractions under the summer night sky.

Festival programming will also see the triumphant return of a beloved culinary and musical staple. The Barbeque and Bluegrass Festival is officially returning to the park over Labor Day weekend, running from September 3 through September 6. The multi-day event pairs the rich, savory flavors of authentic Smoky Mountain barbecue with the traditional acoustic sounds of live bluegrass music, which will echo across stages throughout the property. Although the festival was last hosted by the park in 2019—and subsequently derailed from its planned 2020 comeback by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic—its revival is expected to draw large crowds of traditionalists and food enthusiasts alike.

After-hours excitement is also expanding following a successful debut. Harvey’s Boo Bash will return for the autumn season with a significantly larger footprint, growing from three exclusive dates during its inaugural 2026 run to six operating nights in 2027. The separately ticketed evening events are scheduled for October 1, 15, 22, 23, 29, and 30, providing guests with exclusive seasonal treats and significantly reduced wait times for select park attractions during operations that extend until midnight.

The winter holidays will bring their own specialized charm, highlighted by the introduction of Mrs. Claus’s Cookies during the award-winning Smoky Mountain Christmas festival. The interactive experience invites children to step directly into a festive kitchen setting to bake and decorate custom treats alongside Mrs. Claus herself.

For those looking to balance out the seasonal indulgences, the resort is expanding its athletic offerings with the new Run Dollywood Christmas race weekend, scheduled for November 12 through November 14. Runners will have the unique opportunity to navigate a course winding through the park’s glittering display of six million holiday lights. The race weekend opens with the 15th annual Light the Way 5K, a charitable event benefiting Keep Sevier Beautiful and Share It Forward, Dollywood’s internal employee assistance program. This winter event joins the resort’s established spring race weekend, slated for April 23 through April 25, and the fall race event scheduled for September 24 through September 26.

Holiday traditions will also make anticipated comebacks. Beloved holiday characters including Rudolph, Clarice, and Bumble are returning to the property, alongside the popular theatrical and light production “Wonderful Christmas!,” which chronicles the relationship between a Polar Bear and a Black Bear through thousands of synchronized lights illuminating the massive Christmas tree positioned at the base of the Wildwood Tree.

Honoring the Life and Legacy of Dolly Parton

As Dollywood looks toward the future, park leadership remains dedicated to preserving and honoring the memory of its co-owner and namesake. Following Parton’s passing in August, executives immediately began formulating permanent physical tributes designed to integrate seamlessly into the park’s landscape while reflecting her deep personal convictions.

The focal point of these commemorative efforts will be a cascading water feature constructed near the front steps of the Robert F. Thomas Chapel, the historic building on park grounds where Parton frequently worshipped and reflected on her upbringing. Naughton noted in August that water serves as a universal symbol of life, expressing a desire that visitors never forget the profound impact of Parton’s time on earth. Because the chapel served as a physical manifestation of her openly expressed Christian faith, Naughton reasoned that the location offered an ideal space for a permanent reflection area.

Park administrators are aiming to have the waterfall completed in time for the opening of the 2027 season. Additional tributes currently in development include comprehensive updates to The Dolly Parton Experience, as well as the installation of custom stained-glass windows inside the Robert F. Thomas Chapel.

Securing Admission for the 2027 Season

For guests hoping to experience the upcoming slate of events and attractions, Dollywood has structured its ticketing and pass options across multiple tiers. The park currently offers three primary season pass categories: Diamond, Gold, and Silver, all of which are available for purchase. Additionally, the recurring Pre-K Imagination Season Pass continues to offer complimentary admission for the entire operating year to any child born in either 2022 or 2023.

Current passholders have until November 1 to lock in renewal rates, which range from $159.99 to $354.99 depending on the chosen tier. Season passes officially open for general public purchase on November 2 through the official Dollywood website, with structured payment plan options available to assist buyers. As an incentive for early buyers, individuals who purchase a 2027 season pass prior to the conclusion of the current 2026 operating year on January 3 will receive complimentary admission to the ongoing Smoky Mountain Christmas festival.

Budget-conscious visitors can also utilize the Dollywood Summer Fun Pass, priced at $124.99, which provides unlimited park access during the core summer window between April 19 and September 10. Depending on the tier selected, season passholders receive an array of supplementary benefits, including complimentary parking, TimeSaver ride access, resort lodging discounts, retail and dining percentages, and complimentary Bring-A-Friend admission vouchers.