If you haven’t been to Dollywood during the Christmas season, let me share with you what you are missing. The good folks at Dollywood have incorporated all the festive feels into one spot for us.
Christmas at Dollywood is affectionately known as Smoky Mountain Christmas. The warmth of the experience begins with everything that name implies. A cozy, festive, fun, memorable experience that will bring a smile to your face each time you reflect on it.
Immerse yourself in an experience that includes millions of glowing Christmas lights, dozens of twinkling Christmas trees lining the streets, festive food flavors special for the holiday season, live holiday performances in the theaters, and, of course, seasonal shopping in the unique boutiques.
Smoky Mountain Christmas coincides with Winterfest at Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Winterfest showcases more than six million lights. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountains Christmas experience showcases more than six million lights. You will feel like you are living your own Hallmark Christmas.
What truly makes us never want to leave is the enchanting glow of Christmas lights that transform the entire park into a winter wonderland. Every building shimmers with festive brilliance. Lights twinkle across the streets, and the trees sparkle with a rainbow of holiday colors.
Every different section of the park is decorated with a different theme. Santa’s Village is classic red and green, Glacier Ridge is blue and white, and Craftsman’s Valley shines with the soft glow of white lights. Main Streets are lit in a rainbow of bright colors on the trees and buildings. There are even vintage blow mold decorations that remind me of my childhood.
Walking beneath garlands of glowing red bells and twinkling lights, with trees sparkling in festive cheer and buildings glowing in every color, fills you with that warm, happy feeling that makes you want to pause, take it all in, and enjoy the magic of the season together.
Tips for Visiting Dollywood at Christmas
These tips are good for your visit to Dollywood Theme Park during the Christmas season. Use some of these tips any time of the year that you visit Dollywood. You won’t need to dress in layers in the warmer seasons~wink.
Dress Warm and Wear Comfortable Shoes
The weather is chilly and sometimes even downright cold. We have visited Dollywood when it was sleeting and snowing. On one such cold visit, I darted into one of the boutiques and bought myself a scarf and hat set, which I still have.
I know you want to look cute in all of your pictures, so get comfy, warm boots, and a pretty coat. Dress in layers. I am here to tell you, it is good and cold in December at Dollywood. As previously mentioned, we have been there when it was sleeting and snowing. It is one of our most fond memories of going.
Download and use the App
- You can buy your tickets and pay for parking on the app, which is a huge timesaver.
- Locate the theatres for live performances and see the showtimes.
- Find the Rides you are looking for and see the current wait times.
- Find all of the dining options and see the current wait times.
- Get interactive directions from where you are to where you want to go. It is like Google Maps for Dollywood.
- Locate a restroom near you
- Find where to buy Cinnamon Bread
- You can create lists to plan your day so you can maximize your experience.
- The App includes the Theme Park, Water Park, DreamMore Resort, and HeartSong Lodge.
- The App will have exclusive offers available only to app users! Bingo!
Plan Your Day
Sometimes planning your day isn’t what you really want to do, but in this case, it is highly recommended. You will want to do all of these things:
- Ride the rides
- Take in more than one of the live performances
- Visit Craftsman Valley and watch the craftsman work
- Stay until after dark to enjoy the more than six million Christmas lights
- Have a meal at one of the Dollywood restaurants
- Ride the Dollywood Express Train. It’s a 20-minute excursion
- Shop at one of Dollywood’s boutiques and gift stores, like the Emporium
- Visit Wildwood Grove when it is snowing, yes, they make it snow!
- Watch the Raptor show at Craftsman’s Valley
- Visit Dolly’s Tennessee Mountain Home at Rivertown Junction
- See the light show at the giant Christmas tree after dark
- Visit all of the 11 different sections of the park
- Watch the parade
- Watch the fireworks show before leaving
- Buy Cinnamon bread to take home with you
- and a few more things
So, as you can see, planning your day might be a good idea to be sure you check off the must-do boxes for your family.
Focus on Shows, Shops, and Lights at Christmas
If you want to capitalize on taking in all of the seasonal feels Dollywood creates, focus on Shows, Shops, and Lights after dark. Plan your day around the show schedule, which you can find on the App. The Christmas shows are extra special.
If you have children with you, you will definitely want to fit in some rides. Use the app to help you choose rides with shorter wait times. Maybe pick only a couple of shows to watch. It’s a great time to warm up and have a rest.
Lights
Plan to stroll around and see all of the lights. Use the App for a map of the park to plan your stroll so you don’t miss anything. I want to say, ‘don’t miss this and don’t miss that!’ but I really don’t want you to miss anything. Dollywood decks all the halls for Christmas. They don’t miss anything while adding Christmas cheer.
The giant Christmas tree does a spectacular musical light show that doesn’t last long. It is located in the Plaza at Wilderness Pass. Santa’s Village is lit in traditional red and green. Glacier Ridge is dripping in blue and white lights. You will find fun photo spots everywhere, but Glacier Ridge is a great place for Instagram shots.
Shows
The live stage show performances are just awesome during the Smoky Mountain Christmas. The costumes and sets transform you into a festive spirit. Enjoy as many of them as you can fit into your schedule. Use the app or the website to book your reservation in advance so you will be sure to get a seat.
Use the app to find out which shows offer time-saver options so you won’t have to stand in a long line.
Food at Dollywood
There are dozens of places to eat at Dollywood. Take your pick for everything from country cooking to BBQ, pizza, or hot dogs. Lots of sweet treats are available, including Dolly’s famous Cinnamon Bread, funnel cakes, and I recommend a Gingerbread cookie! Check the App for wait times at restaurants.
You can buy a Tasting Pass that allows you to try up to five foods at one discounted price. There are Tasting passes available all year long, including one called, Christmas Tasting Pass during the Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration.
Dolly’s Cinnamon bread is legendary for good reason. The Bakery has much more than just Cinnamon Bread. I highly recommend the Gingerbread cookies. The Cinnamon bread is also available at the Grist Mill.
Shopping
There are shops in every section of Dollywood. You can find anything from t-shirts to home decor and everything in between. I love the candle shop in Craftsman’s Alley.
Use the package pick-up service when shopping. Purchases of $25 or more can be sent to the Emporium for you to pick up on your way out. Everyone exits through the Emporium. Ask about package pick up when you make your purchases in the shops.
Need to know
These are just a few common facts. See the Dollywood website for a full list of FAQ’s.
- Smoky Mountain Christmas begins early November and ends early January.
- You can book a Smoky Mountain Christmas Guided tour! More info here.
- Your entrance to Dollywood ticket covers all the rides, shows, and activities
- Dollywood does offer Military discounts
- You can leave the park and return on the same day. Have your hand stamped before you go, and have your parking receipt handy when you return.
- Weekdays are less crowded than weekends during Smoky Mountain Christmas
- Should you discover that you have a flat tire or a dead battery, or such, Dollywood’s Courtesy Vehicle Assistance will help you out at the end of your day.
- Guests are allowed to bring one unopened bottle of water per person. There are water stations around the park so you can refill your bottle. You can also get complimentary water at the restaurants with your meal.
- There is a Doggywood! See the Dollywood site for more information.
Every time we reflect on our trips to Dollywood at Christmas, we smile and enjoy the memories. Then we make plans to go again.
See my list of 16 things To Do In The Smoky Mountains
More Southeastern Places To Visit
