Dollywood’s subsequent season would possibly really feel somewhat completely different with out its dreamer-in-chief – particularly on opening day – however Dolly Parton’s theme park nonetheless has massive plans for 2027.
The park’s forty second season will characteristic new particular occasions, a brand new character and a competition that visitors haven’t been in a position to expertise prior to now seven years.
“Each season at Dollywood brings one thing completely different, and there’s all the time a brand new motive to expertise the park and the fantastic thing about the Nice Smoky Mountains round us,” Dollywood President Eugene Naughton stated in a information launch. “We all know there’s one thing particular about seeing Dollywood wearing its finest for every altering season.”
Dollywood will kick off its 2027 season on March 10 for season passholders and March 11 for all visitors. There might be 275 operational days, in keeping with its calendar. Although that’s six fewer days than the forty first season, the yr might be full of new additions and can mark the primary full season of the brand new NightFlight Expedition journey.
What’s New at Dollywood for the 2027 Season
The Dream Maker
Whereas having fun with Dollywood’s Wildwood Grove space, chances are you’ll encounter a brand new character referred to as Dream Maker and her Dream Wagon. By means of tales and interactive experiences, she is going to “encourage visitors to dream massive, consider in themselves and carry others up by means of braveness and kindness,” in keeping with Dollywood.
Parton served because the inspiration for the character, which is likely one of the methods Dollywood plans to proceed celebrating its namesake.
Nation Hitmakers live performance sequence
This new live performance sequence will characteristic performances of traditional songs by legendary nation artists. It should run Could 7 by means of June 13 throughout Dollywood’s Flower and Meals Competition. Full particulars might be launched later.
Neon Nights return at Splash Nation
Splash Nation kicks off its twenty seventh season Could 15 and might be open each day by means of Aug. 15, earlier than shifting to a weekend and choose weekday schedule by means of Sept. 19.
Friday and Saturday evenings between June 25 and Aug. 14, the individually ticketed occasion Neon Nights will return with a stay DJ and limitless entry to pick points of interest on the water park.
Barbeque and Bluegrass
Dollywood is bringing again the Barbeque and Bluegrass Competition for Labor Day weekend (Sept. 3-6).
The occasion will pair the wealthy, savory flavors of the Smokies and the normal sounds of bluegrass. A wide range of barbecue with fixings and stay bluegrass performances might be featured all through the park.
Dollywood final hosted the competition in 2019. It was set to return in 2020, however the park’s schedule that yr was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Extra Harvey’s Boo Bash
Harvey’s Boo Bash will return to Dollywood with expanded dates subsequent season. The after-hours bash will happen on six dates, permitting visitors to take pleasure in unique treats and shorter wait instances for choose points of interest till midnight.
The individually ticketed occasions might be held subsequent Oct. 1, 15, 22, 23, 29 and 30. There have been solely three bashes provided throughout its debut 2026 season.
Mrs. Claus’ Cookies
Children will be capable to step into Mrs. Claus’ festive kitchen and create their very own cookies together with her throughout Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas competition.
Smoky Mountain Christmas marathon
You possibly can burn off Mrs. Claus’ cookies by working by means of the park’s six million lights for the brand new Run Dollywood Christmas race weekend (Nov. 12-14).
The weekend kicks off with the fifteenth annual Mild the Manner 5K, which advantages Preserve Sevier Lovely and Dollywood’s worker help program, Share It Ahead.
The resort’s spring race occasion (April 23-25) and fall occasion (Sept. 24-26) will return subsequent yr, too. Extra info is out there at Dollywood.com/RunDollywood.
Christmas comebacks
Along with the brand new Mrs. Claus’ Cookies characteristic, Rudolph, his buddy Clarice and Bumble will return to Dollywood. The story “Fantastic Christmas!” additionally makes a comeback, telling the story of Polar Bear and Black Bear by means of lights on the big Christmas tree on the base of the Wildwood Tree.
How Will Dollywood Rejoice Dolly Parton?
Parton died in August, and Dollywood leaders have plans in movement to proceed honoring her within the park. The centerpiece of the tributes might be a cascading waterfall close to the entrance steps of Robert F. Thomas Chapel.
“Water represents life, and I by no means need individuals to overlook her life. And the chapel’s an ideal place as a result of she wore her religion on her sleeve. So it made good sense to me to make {that a} everlasting tribute space,” Naughton stated in August.
Naughton hopes to have the waterfall added by the opening of Dollywood’s 2027 season. Different tributes within the works embrace updates to The Dolly Parton Expertise and new stained-glass home windows within the chapel.
When Are Dollywood’s 2027 Seasonal Festivals?
- I Will At all times Love You Competition | March 11 by means of April 11
- Flower and Meals Competition | Could 7 by means of June 20
- Smoky Mountain Summer time Celebration | June 26 by means of Aug. 8
- Barbeque and Bluegrass Competition | Sept. 3 by means of 6
- Harvest Competition | Sept. 11 by means of Oct. 31
- Smoky Mountain Christmas | Nov. 5 by means of Jan. 2
The way to Get Dollywood Season Passes
For those who don’t wish to miss out on any enjoyable at Dollywood in 2027, the park provides three sorts of season passes: Diamond, Gold and Silver. Passes are on sale now. Moreover, the Pre-Okay Creativeness Season Go provides free admission all season lengthy to any little one born in 2022 or 2023.
Present passholders can renew season passes for $159.99-$354.99 till Nov. 1. Season passes go on sale for most of the people Nov. 2. Passes may be bought at Dollywood.com. Fee plans can be found.
Anybody who purchases a 2027 season cross earlier than the 2026 season ends Jan. 3 can expertise this yr’s Christmas competition at no cost.
The $124.99 Dollywood Summer time Enjoyable Go is a less expensive choice for visitors on the lookout for limitless visits between April 19 and Sept. 10.
Season passholders obtain particular perks similar to free parking, TimeSaver, lodging, eating and merchandise reductions and Deliver-A-Pal tickets.
Devarrick Turner is a trending information reporter at Knoxville Information Sentinel, a part of the USA TODAY Community. Electronic mail [email protected].
Reporting by Devarrick Turner, Knoxville Information Sentinel / Knoxville Information Sentinel
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