🎄🧑🏼‍🎄🕯️Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas Tasting Pass Information + more! 🧑🏼‍🎄🕯️🎄

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood has unveiled the details for their SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL 2025 TASTING PASS.

Running from Saturday, November 1, to Sunday, January 4, 2026, the event offers plenty of time to experience it all. Let’s dive into what’s in store!  Notice that the park will maintain the same operating hours throughout this festival - 11am to 9:00pm.  Dollywood will be closed Thanksgiving Thursday as well as Christmas Eve and Christmas. 

Here's the link to ''BUY NOW'' - click here to do that, if you wish.  All of this info is found on this page at Dollywood.com - Click Here.

A few tips for the tasting pass....

• You can use all five menu items in one visit, or over several visits.  Just use it before the festival ends on January 4th, 2026.
• If you are looking for a lightish date night meal, you may want to split one pass with your bestie and sample different things.  Get creative, you can each get two 'entree' items, and split a dessert treat!
• Login to your Dollywood Account BEFORE you select "Buy Pass", so that you get the appropriate Gold or Diamond Discount applied.

 Note:  If you wanted to purchase a 2026 Season Pass - know that it includes the Smoky Mountain Christmas for 2025.  Read my blog post about Season Passes - Click Here.

Beverages

Savory Bites

Desserts

SCENES FROM AROUND THE PARK
DURING SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS

~Scroll Down for Videos~

 

Check out my videos from last year's festival

What are your thoughts on the offerings for the Festival? Share your opinions in the comments.

🔵Blog Posts and other Helpful Trip Planning information - 

• Dollywood's 2026 Ride - Hidden Hollow Aviation - Updates, Photos, Videos of it Under Construction.
• Getting To Dollywood by Plane
• Hotels with High Ratings in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a spreadsheet that incorporates ratings from different reliable sources and ranked hotels in the area.  I've listed out columns for things like indoor pools, hot tubs and more on the spreadsheet.  Very helpful if you, or someone in your group is looking for a specific amenity.
• Top Breakfast Restaurants in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a list of the best Breakfast restaurants in Pigeon Forge using ratings from various reliable sources and ranked them in my blog post.
  
• 30 Great Places to Eat In Pigeon Forge that are open after 2pm! A list of highly rated establishments that are open past 2pm.
• Guide To Mountain Coasters - A look at all the types of mountain coasters in Sevier County.
• Dollywood's 2025 Operating Calendar +MORE - speculation, guesses on future projects, etc.
• Dollywood's 2026 Operating Calendar +MORE - Calendar + Much More!
• Exclusive Ride Time, Golden Hours, Golden Events - What's the difference??  
• Navigating to Dollywood from North Carolina post-Hurricane Helene.
• 8 Things to do at Dollywood if you don't care for rides - There's a lot to do!
• Pigeon Forge Trolley Info You'll Want to Know!
• Trip Advisors Top 10 Budget Friendly Hotels in Pigeon Forge.
• Tons of YouTube videos - I have so many YouTube videos of Dollywood including every festival and lots of general park updates as well as Big Bear Mountain footage.
• Check out my 2024 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2024.
• Check out my 2023 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2023.
• Check out my 2022 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2022.
• 2024-2025 School Break Calendar - includes Fall, Christmas & Spring Breaks for regional schools.
• Link to Dollywood's TimeSaver Info Page - click Here.
• GrayLine Day-Long Tours from downtown Nashville to Dollywood and back to Nashville - click here

🔶📆 Dollywood's 2026 Operating Calendar and more! 📆🔶

 October 28, 2025

Dollywood has released their 2026 Operating Calendar and Festival Information - Let's dig in to it!

Things I noticed...

• Dollywood is open for 280 Operating Days in 2026/Jan '27!
• This 2026 Calendar looks pretty consistent with what we saw in 2025's calendar.
• I'm hearing Passholder Preview Day is not happening in 2026, which is a good idea in my opinion.  It has felt like a chaotic mess the past few years.
• NightFlight Expedition Grand Opening - Date To Be Determined
• Harvest Festival will feature a NEW Great Pumpkin LumiNights and Dance Party!
• Open on Halloween proper, October 31, 2026.  Will we see anything special???
• Not mentioned on the calendar, but the Run Dollywood Race Weekend is April 24-26, 2026.
• Inaugural race event featuring a 1-mile kids' run, 5k, 10k, and a half marathon course running through the park and surrounding community.


NightFlight Expedition - This will open in the spring (I think) of 2026!  I haven't seen any updates to the planned opening date.




Above, you will find my video comparing NightFlight Expedition to the world's only other Mack Rocking Boat ride, Mission Bermuda at Futoroscope Park in SW France.


I also have a blog post with lots of details as well.  Click Here for that post.


🏃🏼‍➡️Run Dollywood Race Weekend🏃🏼
Race Schedule-
Dollywood.com/RunDollywood.


Friday, April 24:
Bib Pick Up and Expo: Held in the ballroom at Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort from 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Note: There will be no race day pickup.

Saturday, April 25 (7:00 AM Start):
1-Mile Kids Fun Run (Ages 4–12)
5K
10K
These events are chip-timed and run on scenic routes through Dollywood's park rides and attractions.

Sunday, April 26 (6:30 AM Start):
Half Marathon
This headline event begins and ends at Dollywood's Splash Country and includes a scenic journey that runs through the Dollywood Theme Park.



• All participants will enjoy:
• Exclusive inaugural race medals.
• An event-specific T-shirt and race bib.
• Live music and festive on-course entertainment.
• Post-race food and refreshments (for the Half Marathon).
• The opportunity to spend the rest of the day enjoying the park.

Registration is expected to open soon on the dedicated event page:
Dollywood.com/RunDollywood.

SPLASH COUNTRY'S 2026 CALENDAR

Link to SC Calendar:  https://hfe.widen.net/s/rrrswjffvf/dsc26_general_operatingcalendar

According to this article from WATE...

For the first time, Dollywood’s Splash Country will also be having Neon Nights during the upcoming season. The separately ticketed high-energy, glow-themed event featuring a live DJ, vibrant neon vibes, and unlimited access to select attractions.

2026 Season Pass Information

Blog Post - Click Here

🔵Blog Posts and other Helpful Trip Planning information - 

• Dollywood's 2026 Ride - Hidden Hollow Aviation - Updates, Photos, Videos of it Under Construction.
• Getting To Dollywood by Plane
• Hotels with High Ratings in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a spreadsheet that incorporates ratings from different reliable sources and ranked hotels in the area.  I've listed out columns for things like indoor pools, hot tubs and more on the spreadsheet.  Very helpful if you, or someone in your group is looking for a specific amenity.
• Top Breakfast Restaurants in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a list of the best Breakfast restaurants in Pigeon Forge using ratings from various reliable sources and ranked them in my blog post.
  
• 30 Great Places to Eat In Pigeon Forge that are open after 2pm! A list of highly rated establishments that are open past 2pm.
• Guide To Mountain Coasters - A look at all the types of mountain coasters in Sevier County.
• Dollywood's 2025 Operating Calendar +MORE - speculation, guesses on future projects, etc.
• Dollywood's 2026 Operating Calendar +MORE - Calendar + Much More!
• Exclusive Ride Time, Golden Hours, Golden Events - What's the difference??  
• Navigating to Dollywood from North Carolina post-Hurricane Helene.
• 8 Things to do at Dollywood if you don't care for rides - There's a lot to do!
• Pigeon Forge Trolley Info You'll Want to Know!
• Trip Advisors Top 10 Budget Friendly Hotels in Pigeon Forge.
• Tons of YouTube videos - I have so many YouTube videos of Dollywood including every festival and lots of general park updates as well as Big Bear Mountain footage.
• Check out my 2024 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2024.
• Check out my 2023 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2023.
• Check out my 2022 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2022.
• 2024-2025 School Break Calendar - includes Fall, Christmas & Spring Breaks for regional schools.
• Link to Dollywood's TimeSaver Info Page - click Here.
• GrayLine Day-Long Tours from downtown Nashville to Dollywood and back to Nashville - click here

🟡🚌New Grayline One-Day Bus Tour from Downtown Nashville to Dollywood and back🚌🟡

Hi Everyone,

It recently came to my attention that Grey Line Bus Tours offers a Nashville-to-Dollywood-Nashville one-day trip available for around $200.  

I can't find a daily schedule of events but based off of driving Knoxville to Nashville and back for over 30 years, I can make a good guesstimate.

7am - Depart Downtown Nashville - Central Time

10-11am - Arrive at Dollywood - Eastern Time

7pm - Depart Dollywood - Eastern Time

9:30-10:15 - Arrive Downtown Nashville - Central Time

For the time zones, in my head I have to tell myself that it takes me 2 hours on the clock to get to my parents' house in Nashville from Knoxville, and it takes 4 hours on the clock to get home to Knoxville, coming from Nashville.  Over the past several years the travel time has crept upwards.

At this moment I'm looking at availability for the rest of October and it's pretty limited, so this tour seems like it is already a popular option.  I know that it can be a daunting experience for the Nashville tourists who want to visit Dollywood.  You may have to rent a car, drive over 400 miles round trip, factor in a time change, book a hotel, eat, buy park tickets, park at the park.... it's a lot to do to make it happen.  If you are coming here from overseas, then it compounds all of that work...so, this idea seems to me like it should have happened decades ago. 

This is what you'll see when you head to their website.  Click the image to make it larger.  In the bottom left, I selected one adult and one child.  The cost is $416 after 'fees' are added.  

https://graylinetn.com/dollywood-day-trip-from-nashville/

I looked around for some first-hand experience reviews but came up short.  If anyone has an experience to share, please let me know about it in the comments section.   Apparently, the busses are outfitted with Wi-fi....so, there's that.  I kind of wonder if it stops at the Bucee's in Crossville, which kind of halfway in between the two?

Here is the website where you can book your trip, if you desire.  Begin with selecting a date and then click on the times that are available - which is 7am.  It will then take you to the ticket purchase page.  Good Luck!

https://graylinetn.com/dollywood-day-trip-from-nashville/

Something else to note, in my blog post about the upcoming Dollywood hotel , SongTeller, off of Broadway in Nashville, I mentioned that the hotel would likely have day long excursions to the park.  I'm imagining that the Gray Line Service will become part of the SongTeller Hotel's service.  Makes a lot of sense to me for them to outsource this service to a tour bus company.

🔵Blog Posts and other Helpful Trip Planning information - 

• Dollywood's 2026 Ride - Hidden Hollow Aviation - Updates, Photos, Videos of it Under Construction.
• Getting To Dollywood by Plane
• Hotels with High Ratings in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a spreadsheet that incorporates ratings from different reliable sources and ranked hotels in the area.  I've listed out columns for things like indoor pools, hot tubs and more on the spreadsheet.  Very helpful if you, or someone in your group is looking for a specific amenity.
• Top Breakfast Restaurants in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a list of the best Breakfast restaurants in Pigeon Forge using ratings from various reliable sources and ranked them in my blog post.
  
• 30 Great Places to Eat In Pigeon Forge that are open after 2pm! A list of highly rated establishments that are open past 2pm.
• Guide To Mountain Coasters - A look at all the types of mountain coasters in Sevier County.
• Dollywood's 2025 Operating Calendar +MORE - speculation, guesses on future projects, etc.
• Navigating to Dollywood from North Carolina post-Hurricane Helene.
• 8 Things to do at Dollywood if you don't care for rides - There's a lot to do!
• Pigeon Forge Trolley Info You'll Want to Know!
• Trip Advisors Top 10 Budget Friendly Hotels in Pigeon Forge.
• Tons of YouTube videos - I have so many YouTube videos of Dollywood including every festival and lots of general park updates as well as Big Bear Mountain footage.
• Check out my 2024 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2024.
• Check out my 2023 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2023.
• Check out my 2022 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2022.
• 2024-2025 School Break Calendar - includes Fall, Christmas & Spring Breaks for regional schools.
• Link to Dollywood's TimeSaver Info Page - click Here.

🟡🟢2026 Dollywood Season Pass Information - RENEWALS AND NEW PASSES🟢🟡

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood has released information about Renewals for existing pass holders, as well as information for new Season Pass Sales for 2026.  Renewals are currently available with all of these benefits and prices until October 12th.  New Pass Sales begin October 13th, 2025.  If you purchase a new pass, you can visit Dollywood for the rest of 2025...Harvest Festival and Smoky Mountain Christmas.  

As we get closer to opening day in 2026, Dollywood will occasionally have a few types of offers, like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, so when those happen I will post those updates at the bottom of this article - so check back from time to time if you're holding out for a deal.  You probably will not find a better deal down the road, than what they are currently offering.  Something to keep in mind.

Dollywood is currently selling 2025 Season Passes that expire January 2026, so PAY ATTENTION to what you are purchasing.  On October 13th, they will just sell the 2026 pass.

RENEWALS!

This is a scan of what I received in the mail.  

Click Here to Renew at dollywood.com...and more info.

NEW PASSHOLDERS

I REPEAT....  New Passes - Sales begin October 13th, 2025.    Dollywood is currently selling 2025 Season Passes that expire January 2026, so PAY ATTENTION to what you are purchasing.  On October 13th, they will just sell the 2026 pass.

Who is this for?

Brand new Season Passholders who did not have a season pass in 2025.

All of this information comes from Dollywood.com's 2026 Season Pass Page, which you can find right HERE.  Make sure you log in to your Dollywood account before getting started with purchases.

Dollywood is promoting advanced rides for pass holders before it opens to the public!

PRICING

Comparisons of Resorts/2 Park Pass that includes Splash Country & Dollywood only pass options

Dollywood Park, below

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT DOLLYWOOD'S 2026 50 MILLION DOLLAR - RECORD BREAKING ATTRACTION, NIGHTFLIGHT EXPEDITION - CLICK THE LINK TO READ MY BLOG POST WITH TONS OF DETAILS, VIDEOS AND MORE.  CLICK HERE.

FAQ'S for ONLINE PAYMENTS - FOR ANSWERS, CLICK HERE

These benefits seem pretty consistent with last year's offerings with the additional bonus perk of riding NightFlight Expedition before the general public. 

What pass are you going to get for 2025?  Let me know in the comments.

🔵Blog Posts and other Helpful Trip Planning information - 

• Dollywood's 2026 Ride - Hidden Hollow Aviation - Updates, Photos, Videos of it Under Construction.
• Getting To Dollywood by Plane
• Hotels with High Ratings in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a spreadsheet that incorporates ratings from different reliable sources and ranked hotels in the area.  I've listed out columns for things like indoor pools, hot tubs and more on the spreadsheet.  Very helpful if you, or someone in your group is looking for a specific amenity.
• Top Breakfast Restaurants in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a list of the best Breakfast restaurants in Pigeon Forge using ratings from various reliable sources and ranked them in my blog post.
  
• 30 Great Places to Eat In Pigeon Forge that are open after 2pm! A list of highly rated establishments that are open past 2pm.
• Guide To Mountain Coasters - A look at all the types of mountain coasters in Sevier County.
• Dollywood's 2025 Operating Calendar +MORE - speculation, guesses on future projects, etc.
• Navigating to Dollywood from North Carolina post-Hurricane Helene.
• 8 Things to do at Dollywood if you don't care for rides - There's a lot to do!
• Pigeon Forge Trolley Info You'll Want to Know!
• Trip Advisors Top 10 Budget Friendly Hotels in Pigeon Forge.
• Tons of YouTube videos - I have so many YouTube videos of Dollywood including every festival and lots of general park updates as well as Big Bear Mountain footage.
• Check out my 2024 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2024.
• Check out my 2023 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2023.
• Check out my 2022 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2022.
• 2024-2025 School Break Calendar - includes Fall, Christmas & Spring Breaks for regional schools.
• Link to Dollywood's TimeSaver Info Page - click Here.