We're passionate about all things Dollywood and Sevier County, and we want to share that passion with you. Come along as we explore all that this beautiful area has to offer. From Dollywood and Splash Country to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove, there's something for everyone in Sevier County.
We're also big fans of Dolly Parton, and we'll be sure to keep you up-to-date on her latest news and projects. We're sure you'll find something to love here.
As I write this we are in peak-Christmas season, just a few days out from the big day and I am wrapping up my videos from Dollywood's Harvest Festival. I had several videos from this festival and it's nice to have them all in one place to easily share them with you all. Of course they are all on my Dollywood Playlist on YouTube, but here they are all bundled up together.
Smoky Creek Leather & Hat Co, in Craftsman's Valley
Blown Glass Shop - Harvest Highlights
Emporium - Harvest Highlights
Dolly's Fan Shop
🔵Blog Posts with other Helpful Trip Planning information
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.
Tons of YouTube videos - I have so many YouTube videos of Dollywood including every festival and lots of general park updates as well as many Big Bear Mountain footage.
I hope you enjoy this Dolly at Dollywood Thanksgiving Special from 1987, as much as I do every year. Feels like a wayback machine trip.
I hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving! Thank you all for your continued support with What's Up At Dollywood as it continues to grow.
Dolly, as far as I know, is not going to be at the Dallas Cowboys football game this year, sadly. But you can re-live that show in its full glory below, through Youtube.
You may have to click a link to watch on YT itself, due to the NFL media rules.
Here's Dolly all the way back in March of this year, 2024 in the Opening Day Dolly Parade at Dollywood.
I have been doing some research for all things Thanksgiving in Sevier County for 2024. What's Open for Meals, Fun Stuff to Do, etc. Dollywood is closed on Thanksgiving Thursday, reopening at 11am on Friday. As of this writing, Friday November 29th says the Crowd Calendar for Dollywood attendance will be at 40%, which makes it a great day to go if that number holds. It will likely change as the date draws closer and the weather is good. Dollywood's two resorts and restaurants will be open for Thanksgiving Day.
What is in this article?
🟣Restaurants that are open. I've found a few lists of restaurants that are open on Thanksgiving Day.
🟣I've listed some catering type options for those of you who want to retreat to a cozy cabin and not cook, or cook very little. Note that some advance ordering will need to happen.
🟣Other entertainment options that are open on Thanksgiving Day, like Snow Tubing, Ripley's, Mountain Coasters and more!
🦃Let's Get Started 🦃
🟣Restaurants Open On Thanksgiving Thursday
Visit East Tennessee's Facebook page has this great list of Restaurants that are open on Thanksgiving Day...3 Pages worth!
I have a couple Restaurant Related blog posts that might be of interest to you...
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.
There are several restaurants that offer these Takeaway Feasts. Perfect if you're wanting to have all your fun in a cabin! Make sure you order in advance.
Applewood Farmhouse Grill
Applewood Farmhouse Grill has a special Thanksgiving-To-Go special menu with Two Offerings - Mini Feast $75, or Family Feast for $135, details Below. Applewood Farmhouse Grill also has 'Cabin Packs' year-round, which is another option for you from Applewood Farmhouse Grill.
Link to Applewood Farmhouse Grill Thanksgiving Website - Click Here
Thanksgiving-To-Go Meal - Two Options Available
Here's what's included in the 'Mini Feast' for $74.99, above. LINK
Here's what's included in the 'Family Feast' for $134.99, above. LINK
Cabin Packs - Dinner and Breakfast Options
Year-Round Offerings
Calhoun's Restaurants - They will cook an entire Thanksgiving Dinner for you. They have Two Sevier County Locations, as well as in Knoxville, Lenoir City, Maryville, Oak Ridge. See all Locations Here.
Calhoun's' Sells "Holiday Packs" of either Smoked Turkey or Prime Rib, with sides, as well as their own Beers! Be sure to order in advance, 48 to 72 hours. Check out the details and pricing HERE.
They also sell "Family Packs'' with other options like BBQ Pork, Brisket and Rib, with sides. You can order online the day-of for Family Packs. Check out the details, pricing and Order Online HERE.
You can read more about their beer offerings on this drink menu from the Pigeon Forge location...on Page 5...Click Here for PDF.
Guide To Mountain Coasters - Every Single Coaster, how they do pricing, LOTS OF INFO. Take a look at all the types of mountain coasters in Sevier County. All of them should be open on Thanksgiving...and they may be busy.
Helene swept through our region, causing minor damage around Dollywood, but the impact was significantly less severe than what we witnessed in far east Tennessee, such as Greeneville and Unicoi County. The damage was even more extreme in western North Carolina, including Asheville and numerous smaller mountain communities.
Several people are reported missing, though many are likely out of communication due to widespread power outages and disrupted cell service. Wi-Fi has been a lifeline for those fortunate enough to have restored power, allowing them to stay connected with loved ones.
Dollywood has released information related to the Harvest Festival, including the Tasting Pass and their festival menu. The Harvest Festival starts on Monday, September 9th and runs thru October 28th.
Dollywood remains open daily throughout the Harvest Festival, operating from 10am to 9pm. The planned closures following the festival strongly suggest that the park is gearing up for the transition to Smoky Mountain Christmas, which begins on November 1st.
🟠Harvest Festival Menu Items - Beverages, Savory Bites & Desserts
🟡Beverages
🟡Savory Bites
🟡Desserts, mmmm desserts.
Click on any picture to enlarge - These are from the Dollywood Website, Check it out HERE.
🟠Country Fair Buffet Menu
🟠Tasting Pass Options
Don't forget to use your Gold & Diamond Pass for a discount.
This tasting pass is the same as all the other passes before it. You get to chose any five items from the Harvest Festival Menu. You don't have to use them all in one visit. You can share a pass - they could make for a great date night meal!
🟠What's Up Around The Park? Artisans, Craftspeople, Music, Food, Photo Spots, Pumpkin Spice and everything nice!
Relive the magic of last year's harvest festival through these photos of our fun activities. Get excited for what we have in store for 2024!
🟠Rides - All of the rides should be in operation. Daredevil Falls usually closes at dusk, while Smoky Mountain Rampage usually closes with the park. The last day of the season for the two water rides, in the recent past, has been the end of the Harvest Festival, So, October 28, 2024.
Dollywood does have Weather Guidelines that they follow for inclement weather and temperatures, and Smoky Mountain Weather can throw some curveballs. Read my blog post about Dollywood's Weather Guidelines HERE.
This was written and published by Wes Ramey for the dollywood blog in 2023, but it looks as though it was removed perhaps. Anyhow, it's still great info in my opinion, for photo opps for your socials.
My family loves to take photos when we visit, and there’s a colorful photo op right when we enter the park called Harvest Sky. We can’t wait to stand beneath the thousands of vibrant, shimmering leaves swaying in the breeze along Showstreet. Then we’ll definitely have to stand in front of the colossal pumpkins—last year’s pumpkins ranged in weight from 800 to 1500 lbs. each and came from growers across the East Coast. We also love stopping by and seeing all the visiting artisans to see what amazing handmade wares they have brought with them, with many of them demonstrating their skills and techniques while creating one-of-a-kind treasures that we can purchase to take home with us to relive our time at Dollywood this fall whenever we want.
🟠Music
According to dollywood.com....
Music fills the fall air as dozens of talented artists perform daily across the streets and stages of Dollywood. Listen for bluegrass, country and southern gospel acts paired with the Smokies' spectacular fall foliage and crisp autumn breezes for an engaging and enchanting way to experience an authentic mountain fall. Don't miss a minute of the music—download the Dollywood app to see the latest showtimes.
Here are Some of the many names I see and recognize immediately:
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.
Tons of YouTube videos - I have so many YouTube videos of Dollywood including every festival and lots of general park updates as well as many Big Bear Mountain footage.
Good luck with the planning process and ask any questions you may have in the comments below. I'll do my best to answer or point you in the right direction.
Dollywood is currently running a ticket promotion for the rest of the Harvest Festival/LumiNights and two days into the Smoky Mountain Christmas festival. So, if planning is your thing, go ahead and purchase your Christmas tickets now for Christmas, in case they sell out, as they might as that date approaches. As you see below, the promotion ends November 5th.
find this deal here: dollywood.com/tickets
That's TWO opportunities to see Smoky Mountain Christmas at a discounted rate. Enjoy if you're able to take advantage of this opportunity.
🔵Blog Posts with other Helpful Trip Planning information
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.
Tons of YouTube videos - I have so many YouTube videos of Dollywood including every festival and lots of general park updates as well as many Big Bear Mountain construction updates from all of 2022. Check out my 2022 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2022.
Mountain Coasters! - your complete guide to all of the mountain coasters near Dollywood - there's 13!
Pigeon Forge Restaurants open past 2pm! - Here's a ranking of some of the best restaurants - decided by YOU - In Pigeon Forge that are open past 2pm....click here for that blog article.
Good luck with the planning process and ask any questions you may have in the comments below. I'll do my best to answer or point you in the right direction.
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