February 21, 2024
Dollywood 2024 Season: What to Expect
The Dollywood 2024 season officially begins on March 9, with Passholder Preview Day taking place on March 8. There are a lot of great things to look forward to this season! You can expect to see new experiences, some changes to existing attractions, and the return of some of your favorites! Keep reading to find out what to expect when you visit Dollywood during the 2024 season.
1. Dollywood’s I Will Always Love You Music Festival
The Dollywood 2024 season will kick off with the new I Will Always Love You Music Festival. From March 9 to April 14, you can experience larger-than-life performances, colorful decor, and vibrant music filling the mountain air. Snap a photo under the glittering pink Celebration Sky, and pose with the giant LOVE sign. Three new Dolly Parton-inspired shows honor the singer and her love for songwriting. Watch a reimagined production of the beloved Paradise Road as the show pays tribute to the art of songwriting. Stomp your feet and clap your hands to Dolly’s biggest hits in the spectacular all-new sing-along show. There will also be a tribute show to the album “Trio” that featured Dolly, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt. This music festival will also feature savory and sweet flavors that are sure to make your taste buds sing!
2. The Dolly Parton Experience
The all-new Dolly Parton Experience is set to open this spring during the Dollywood 2024 season. This experience features three distinct attractions that each uniquely tell Dolly Parton’s story as she journeyed from her small-town roots to stages around the world. Songteller is a walkthrough experience that takes you through exhibits that showcase Dolly’s life and career. Behind The Seams lets you explore a curated selection of Dolly’s signature style with a behind-the-scenes look at the design process. Discover the importance of faith and family in Dolly’s life in the brand-new exhibit in the DreamSong theater queue. This new section of the theme park is sure to make you feel more connected to the legendary singer!
3. New Food
Dollywood is well-known for its delicious culinary delights. You can expect to see your favorite food items in the Dollywood 2024 season, such as pizzas, barbecue dishes, Southern cuisine, and of course the famous cinnamon bread! There will also be a number of new sweet and savory items to look forward to this season, including festival-specific offerings. Some foods you may get the chance to try during the season could include a Mason Jar Goo Goo Cluster cheesecake, pickled deviled eggs, fried green tomato and mozzarella, spicy BBQ pork rinds, smoked Memphis BBQ ribs, and white chocolate cranberry bread pudding. There’s always something tasty to enjoy at Dollywood, so make sure you arrive hungry and save room for dessert!
4. Update to Lightning Rod
You can expect to see some changes to the fan-favorite roller coaster Lightning Rod in the Dollywood 2024 season. This wooden roller coaster has been rated one of the nation’s top roller coasters, providing guests a truly unique ride experience. When the ride opened in 2016, it had a launch system that was never before seen on a wooden coaster. To make the lift more reliable and to increase ride uptime, the launch system is being replaced with a more traditional chain lift. This change may slightly slow the ascent, but you will experience the same thrill and speed once you reach the first drop! Lightning Rod will also feature new trains this season, giving the ride another great update. The roller coaster is set to open this spring so you can enjoy its new features!
5. Seasonal Festivals
In addition to the new I Will Always Love You Music Festival, you will be able to enjoy all your favorite seasonal festivals throughout the Dollywood 2024 season! The Flower & Food Festival will take place April 19 to June 9, showcasing Umbrella Sky, blooming sculptures, fresh flavors, and all-new entertainment. Starting June 15 to August 11, you can celebrate the warm days of summer at Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, with extended hours, live entertainment, and a nightly drone and fireworks show. The fan-favorite Harvest Festival will return September 9 through October 28 with larger-than-life pumpkin sculptures, delicious fall flavors, and handmade crafts. Don’t forget the award-winning Smoky Mountain Christmas that will run November 1 through January 5, giving you the chance to experience millions of twinkling lights, heartwarming shows, festive treats, and plenty of holiday cheer!
Where to Stay Near Dollywood
There are so many great things to see and do during the Dollywood 2024 season! You’ll want to stay close by so you can experience all the fun of Dollywood from open to close with minimal travel time. Take a look at our closest cabins for rent near Dollywood to find the perfect place to stay that’s convenient to Dollywood and all the other fun things to do in Pigeon Forge!
