March 12, 2025

Dollywood 2025 Season: What to Expect for Dollywood’s 40th Anniversary Season

In 2025, Dollywood is going all out for its 40th anniversary! To celebrate this milestone, the beloved theme park has a fantastic lineup of new additions and upgrades rolling out this year! Keep reading to find out what you can expect during the Dollywood 2025 season.

1. New Restaurant

One of the most notable things to look forward to during the Dollywood 2025 season is the addition of a brand new restaurant! Wilderness Pass Restaurant will bring an all-new menu to the theme park with offerings such as rotisserie chicken, smoked meats, braised beef, and classic sides like mac & cheese and hush puppies. This new restaurant is located in the Wilderness Pass area toward the back of the park, between Mystery Mine and FireChaser Express. When it opens, this restaurant will be able to seat 400 people with the option to dine inside or outside on a patio.

2. Country Fair Upgrades

Country Fair is one of the two areas at Dollywood that are specifically dedicated to families with young children. For the Dollywood 2025 season, this area is getting a refresh! Bright colors bring new life to the area. Additionally, a brand-new splash pad is available for kids to play and cool off. There is also an expanded seating area for families to sit and take a break, allowing adults to relax and watch their kids play. Country Fair will also be participating in some of Dollywood’s festivals this year! During the Harvest Festival, the area will transform into “Candy Corn Country” with corn-themed decorations. During Smoky Mountain Christmas, the area will become “Peppermint Valley” with bright red and white lights.

3. Imagination Playhouse

If you have kids, you’ll be happy to learn that the Dollywood 2025 season will feature the Imagination Playhouse as a permanent fixture. The Imagination Playhouse is taking over the former Heartsong Theater near the Dollywood Express Train Depot. The theater has a new stage and other upgrades. The Imagination Playhouse will feature plays based on books from Dolly’s Imagination Library from March through September. During the summer festival, families will also be able to participate in character meet-and-greets with favorite characters from the plays! In addition to the Imagination Playhouse, other fan-favorite shows will be returning to Dollywood this summer, including the Gazillion Bubble Show and Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience.

4. Ride Improvements

A few fan-favorite rides are receiving updates for the Dollywood 2025 season! Blazing Fury is getting a newly updated track, and the waterfall feature is returning to the ride. The Tennessee Tornado roller coaster also has a fresh coat of paint. During your visit, you may also notice construction for a new attraction that is coming to Dollywood in 2026! Details of this new attraction have not yet been announced, however.

5. Parking Lot Expansion

If you’ve ever been to Dollywood on a busy day, you know that the parking lot can fill up quickly. To remedy this, the parking lot is getting an update during the Dollywood 2025 season! The theme park is currently working on adding an additional parking lot with 750 new spaces, and it is expected to open this year.

6. Seasonal Festivals

During the Dollywood 2025 season, you’ll be able to experience a variety of seasonal festivals throughout the year. The season begins with the I Will Always Love You Music Festival, which will run from March 15 to April 13. The Flower & Food Festival will follow to celebrate the spring season, running from April 18 to June 8. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration can be experienced from June 14 to August 3 with expanded park hours. The popular Harvest Festival will return September 12 until October 27 and will include the fan-favorite Great Pumpkin LumiNights. The season will end with the award-winning Smoky Mountain Christmas, which will run from November 1 until January 4. Keep in mind that operating dates and hours are subject to change, so check the Dollywood Operating Calendar before planning your visit.

7. 40th Anniversary Merchandise

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Dollywood will be selling limited-edition merchandise throughout the 2025 season. You can commemorate the milestone with a piece of history that’s only available during this season. Take home 40th anniversary apparel, collectibles, and other souvenirs that celebrate the theme park’s history. In addition to merchandise, Dollywood will also celebrate its 40th anniversary with a new drone and fireworks show during the summer festival and a new opening ceremony that will occur at the beginning of each operating day.

Where to Stay Near Dollywood

There’s so much to look forward to during the Dollywood 2025 season! To make the most of your visit, you’ll want to stay close by so you can experience everything the theme park has to offer with minimal travel. Check out our closest cabins for rent near Dollywood and book the perfect place to stay near the theme park and all the other fun things to do in the area!