It is time for Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, and as usual, there is a lot to take in. Dollywood’s Blog has been busy publishing all types of helpful information related to the festival, so I will recap it in this post. Let’s Dig Into It!
First, we’ll look at everything going on in the park to decorate it, and then I’ll show you the blog post that has all of the food for the Tasting Pass! As a bonus, I’ll share links to two more blog posts about how the park transforms from Harvest time to Christmas time! And we'll see how the DreamMore Resort celebrates Christmas! I will post any updates at the bottom of this article.
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Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas: Now with 6 Million Lights!
Dollywood Blog by Wes Ramey
Dollywood is always an amazing experience no matter the season. But for me, there is something a little more special when the park is decked out with more than 5 million lights…wait, check that. Sorry. There is something special about the park decked out with 6 million lights. Yes, you read that correctly. Our special events team is hard at work putting up an extra million lights throughout the park to bring the total number of shining, shimmering lights to 6 million as part of our popular Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (Nov. 5- Jan 1, 2023).
This event, which is the 14-time Golden Ticket winner of Best Theme Park Christmas event, shines brightly thanks to the warmth of those 6 million gleaming holiday lights, award-winning stage productions, Christmas culinary masterpieces and the warm family traditions so many guests have enjoyed throughout the festival’s 30 plus years.
Dollywood truly sparkles this Christmas season with new lighting elements throughout the park providing an element of surprise around every corner, even if you’re aboard the Dollywood Express. Visitors riding our guest-favorite attraction will enjoy a special light show draped across the field located inside the train’s upper turning loop. Another new lighted area is the Village Pass, which features a 130’ light curtain wall that includes programmed movement. This area leads from lower Craftsman’s Valley to The Village. Adventures in Imagination shines in pink, platinum and gold decorations—as well as 60 LED butterflies and a new 20’ ft. tall Christmas tree—in an area fittingly called Dolly’s Christmas.
You’ll also find hundreds of additional lighted trees throughout the park this year, as well as more new décor elements and eight different light zones to provide each area of Dollywood its own unique look and feel.
(note that this has been cancelled for the year) Returning this year on Friday and Saturday evenings is the “Merry & Bright!” fireworks display, which provides a sparkling ending to the day. “Merry & Bright!” lights the sky above Dollywood with a display set to the rhythm of upbeat contemporary holiday hits. After Christmas, the music changes to help guests get ready to ring in the new year. Additionally, the New Year’s version of the show takes place nightly Dec. 26- Jan. 1.
In one of the most unique experiences during the Christmas season at Dollywood, Old Saint Nick allows kids (and kids at heart) a sneak peek into his little cabin in the Smokies. Guests who visit Santa’s cabin can literally see inside as he reviews…the list! Kids discover whether their names are on the naughty or nice list, and they might even have their photo made as they peer through the window during this once-in-a-lifetime chance to catch Santa at work. Santa goes on a well-deserved vacation after Christmas Day, so families wanting to see him in action shouldn’t wait!
Glacier Ridge fills Dollywood’s Timber Canyon, Wildwood Grove, Wilderness Pass and Upper Craftsman’s Valley with an expansive arctic experience sure to inspire and delight guests. Wilderness Pass serves as one of the highlights of Glacier Ridge thanks to the Wonderful Christmas! Plaza Tree Show, which features a 50-ft. tall animated tree sparkling to life to present a fully-synchronized, dazzling light show throughout the evening. Each show is capped by an immersive snow finale!
Dollywood’s family favorite shows light up both indoor and outdoor stages. The festival’s headline show, “Christmas in the Smokies,” has been a must-see for families every Christmas season since it began in 1990. Many other Dollywood Christmas classics return including “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “O’ Holy Night,” “Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs,” “Heart of the Holidays,” “Candlelight Carolers,” “The Mistletones,” “Appalachian Christmas with the Smoky Mountain String Band,” “Holiday Wild Roots” and more.
If you’re looking for food (like me!), our team of chefs have a menu full of culinary surprises sure to delight. From herb-roasted turkey breast and citrus-glazed carved ham to chicken pot pie in a bread cone, there are a number of savory items to satisfy every appetite. A number of unique items abound including eggnog cupcakes, gingerbread-dusted funnel cake, holiday limeade and more.
As always, you can experience all of our world-class rides amidst the hustle and bustle of the park during the holidays, as most rides are operational during the Christmas season. Nothing compares to racing quickly through the night sky with millions of lights twinkling below.
It doesn’t matter what makes Christmas special for you, Dollywood is the place to make once-in-a-lifetime family memories this holiday season.
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On to the Food!
So Many Culinary Choices with Dollywood’s Holiday Tasting Pass
Dollywood Blog by Ellen Liston
When I think of favorite childhood Christmases, they always involve food. Baking sugar cookies with my mama with all the feels and sprinkles. The amazing aroma and warmth of chili on a chilly Christmas Eve after the candlelight service at church. My grandmother’s kitchen on Christmas Day, helping her take her amazing homemade rolls out of the oven and waiting until dessert for her homemade pumpkin and mincemeat pies.
These days, I’m making new memories involving my favorite foods at Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, thanks to the amazing talents of the award-winning culinary team. I’m even more excited about this year’s festival food because we’ve added a holiday tasting pass that will allow me to try not one, not two, but five festival tastes and treats while walking among Dollywood’s 6 million Christmas lights! For one price, festival goers can choose from a wide variety of treats, sweets, meats and more from throughout Dollywood’s amazing array of eateries – all with a special holiday flavor. Literally, I can’t think of a better Christmas present to give myself!
Let’s get started on what we can choose from. And life is short, so we’re beginning with dessert options. I’m super excited that many of my sweet treat choices are in the gingerbread family: a gingerbread funnel cake, ice cream in a gingerbread cone, and gingerbread churros with a side of peppermint eggnog dipping sauce. Pick from eggnog, hot chocolate or sugar cookie cupcakes, and holiday-inspired iced sugar cookies also are among the satisfyingly sweet options at the bakery. Want even more in the sweet department? Try the holiday ice cream sandwich with your choice of ice cream between Belgian waffles, dipped in chocolate and topped with a peppermint crumble crust. Yes, please!
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Now on to some hot and hearty selections that are part of the holiday Tasting Pass options. There are so many delicious dishes – it’s going to be hard to choose, but I think I’m going to have to start with several poultry specialties. The Christmas Toastie Sandwich combines roasted turkey pot roast, stuffing, Brussels sprouts and Swiss cheese on a delicious roll. Then, there’s Dollywood’s Southern-style chicken pot pie served in a homemade bread cone, chipotle turkey nachos, and the turkey campfire skillet. Maybe I’ll add a side of pot roast fries – these literally sound like the best combination of flavors I can think of for any season!
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Want to add some sizzle for a perfect warm holiday meal? One of the specialty skillets combines candied pork belly, white potatoes, onions and peppers, while another combines the savory taste of a sweet Italian sausage rope with red and white skillet-style potatoes, onions and peppers.
Soup and salad more your thing? Dollywood has menu items for that! Loaded creamy potato soup overflows with the tastes of chive, cheddar and bacon, while Bush’s three-bean chili features a trio of cannellini, kidney and pinto beans with ground beef and a cornbread crumble on top. Shake up your meal choices with the holiday shaker salad – a flavorful mix of Arcadian style greens, almonds, cranberries and Feta cheese topped with pomegranate maple vinaigrette.
All that food is sure to make you thirsty, and there are options on the holiday tasting pass menu for that, too. Spice up your Dollywood day with holiday limeade or enjoy a tangy cranberry orange drink. Sounds like a perfect complement to basically anything else I can taste while on my Smoky Mountain Christmas culinary experience.
If you’re planning a trip to Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, getting several tasting passes for the family is a great way to go. Then you can try all kinds of different things and decide what your favorites are. You can get them on our website or at many food locations when you arrive at the theme park; it comes on a lanyard to wear around your neck, so it’s easy to use and is a fun souvenir!
Now back to one of the hardest parts of my Christmas to-do list this year – figuring out which five items I’m going to try on my holiday Tasting Pass. Wonder if I can buy one for my husband and get to choose 10? Wish me luck with that idea – and happy holiday dining, y’all!
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Two Three Bonus Articles from the Dollywood Blog!!
Thanks for Reading! What are you most excited about with the Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival? The food, the atmosphere, the shows, the night rides, the Christmas lights? Let me know in the comments. Until next time!
