Dollywood Harvest Festival Begins Today Through October 30th
With the evening air of the Smokies developing a refreshingly crisp coolness, the time is perfect for Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana (Sept. 20- Oct. 30). A longstanding tradition for many, the Harvest Festival greets guests with an amazing autumn atmosphere, thanks to stunning park décor and the surrounding beauty of the mountainsides draped in vibrant fall colors.
Related – Dollywood’s Great Pumpkin Luminights Nominated For USA Today 10BEST Award
“I wrote a song several years ago called ‘God’s Coloring Book,’” Dolly said, “and there’s no doubt that the Smokies—especially in the fall—display so many of those beautiful pages for everyone to admire. The mountains transform and just become so alive with all the different colors that you want to be outside enjoying the power and beauty of nature. I’m so glad we’re able to share that with all of the guests who come visit Dollywood during this special time of year. I truly believe Dollywood is the most beautiful theme park in the whole world because it’s built right here in the middle of God’s Coloring Book.”
During the day, guests can experience immersive live music, rich harvest-themed culinary creations, and picture-perfect photo ops with more than 12,000 pumpkins throughout the park. By night, the pumpkins come to life thanks to Great Pumpkin LumiNights presented by Covenant Health. A family favorite since its inception, the event grows again this year with a “bee-utiful” new display located in Craftsman’s Valley. Guests will be buzzing for the new display located near Hug-a-Bee Honey, the interactive honey bee exhibit that debuted during this season’s Flower & Food Festival.
The bees are not the only ones creating something sweet during the Harvest Festival. Guests are greeted by the comforting smells of sweet pumpkin treats and warm apple cider created by the park’s award-winning culinary team. Delicious fall favorites include a pulled pork sandwich with pumpkin spice BBQ sauce, three-bean pumpkin chili, salted maple potato tornado, toasted pumpkin sausage and ricotta flatbread, and spiced pumpkin bisque with toasted pepitas.
A deep-seated tradition in the Great Smoky Mountains, live music is at the heart and soul of fall at Dollywood with Southern gospel, bluegrass, and country artists found performing throughout the park. Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, Jeannie Seely, Emily Ann Roberts, Dailey and Vincent, Triumphant Quartet, Hannah Dasher, and The Isaacs are just a few of the performers set to take the stage at Dollywood.
Performances take place on indoor and outdoor stages throughout the park, allowing the beautiful sounds to echo through the surrounding hillsides and create a highly engaging entertainment offering. More than 1700 individual performances take place during the festival. A complete schedule can be found on Dollywood.com.
Also new this year, guests will find thousands of vibrant, shimmering leaves swaying in the breeze along Showstreet. Harvest Sky serves as a striking photo backdrop as soon as people step into the park. Hoot Owl Hollow—which debuted last season—returns this year, while other displays have been refreshed or relocated within new areas of the park, extending the footprint of Great Pumpkin LumiNights.
Several other guest favorites return to the Harvest Festival, including the colossal pumpkins—last year’s pumpkins ranged in weight from 800 to 1500 lbs. each—which come from growers across the East Coast. The combined weight of all the colossal pumpkins totals more than 19,200 lbs.! Visiting artisans and makers display their handmade wares at locations throughout Dollywood, with many demonstrating the talented skills and techniques used to create their one-of-a-kind treasures.
The Harvest Festival fun also is celebrated at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa with themed activities and harvest décor planned throughout the resort’s property.
Guests can enjoy live entertainment in the resort’s atrium every Tuesday and Thursday night including performances by Maggie & Owen, Lonesome Roses, Tommy Cox and more. Daily roaming performers also can be found throughout the resort.
The resort’s culinary team is cooking up seasonal dining experiences. In The Lounge, guests can feast upon delicious Harvest-themed food and beverage options with a special Harvest Festival Menu. In The Spa at DreamMore Resort, guests can relax with special treatments infused with honey, pumpkin and vanilla that are reminiscent of harvest in the Smoky Mountains.
With so many opportunities for creating vibrant new family traditions, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival is a must-see experience this season.
Dollywood is open 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. each day of operation (Sept. 20- Oct. 30) during the Harvest Festival. The park is closed on Tuesdays throughout the festival. For more information and the park operating calendar, visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.
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