Dollywood unwraps a bigger, safer Christmas festival
The Dolly Days have begun at Dollywood Parks and Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Families can celebrate the season safely during Smoky Mountain Christmas until Jan. 3.
Although this Christmas is unlike any other, Dolly Parton and her Tennessee elves are hoping to shine a familiar light on the holiday tradition of togetherness. “Some Christmases are more memorable than others, and I think this year is certainly one we won’t forget,” Parton said in a release. “I want families to feel the warmth and comfort of all the great things they remember about Dollywood at Christmas.”
Dazzling displays light up season
The elves have worked overtime to bring holiday magic to the mountains.
Five million lights line buildings throughout the park, and there are more lit Christmas trees this year than in any previous festival. Icicle blue lights are strung in Timber Canyon, Wildwood Grove, Wilderness Pass and Craftsman’s Valley to create “Glacier Ridge.”
Some of the festival’s most impressive features are a 50-foot animated tree in Wilderness Pass Plaza and Wildwood Grove’s Wildwood Tree.
See Santa in the Smokies
Did you know Santa spends his days off in the Smoky Mountains? Dollywood is giving guests a glimpse of old Saint Nick at his home away from home.
Visitors can stop by Heartsong Theater to see Santa inside his cabin, checking his list. Santa’s best elves have traveled with him to help greet Dollywood guests, play reindeer games and handdeliver wish lists to the big man himself.
Santa is staying safe like everyone else, so children won’t be able to sit on his lap this year. Kids can find out if their name is on the naughty or nice list and snap a photo as they peer through the window to watch Santa work.
“With everything going on this year, we still wanted to give people an opportunity to see Santa,” said Wes Ramey, a Dollywood spokesperson. “This is just such a different experience to actually see your name on his list.”
Shows return and new ones debut
The coronavirus pandemic has caused cancellations of indoor entertainment at Dollywood, but seasonal shows including “Christmas in the Smokies,” “Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs” and “Heart of the Holidays” are returning to park venues for the festival.
Shows will be slightly shorter than in previous years to allow deep cleaning between performances. Every other row will be seated inside venues. More showtimes are scheduled and outdoor performances have been added.
Dollywood guests will get to enjoy an all-new holiday tradition at the park this year, too. “Merry & Bright, Holiday Light!” fireworks will fill the sky with light. The show will be held on Fridays and Saturdays until Dec. 18 and nightly for the remainder of the festival.
Take Dollywood home
Dollywood’s world-class chefs are cooking up something for everyone.
The park isn’t hosting gingerbread house and cookie decorating workshops this year because of COVID-19, but families can take the holiday fun home with do-it-yourself kits. Gingerbread houses and family-size cookie kits, complete with icing and decorations, are for sale. Savory surprises like beef tenderloin medallions with a cabernet demi reduction, seared trout with sweet Cajun glaze and a glazed ham steak with pineapple chutney are on the menu at Front Porch Café.
Grab a hearty sandwich with soup at Market Square. Spotlight Bakery is bringing back traditional treats like holiday cookies, gingerbread men, cupcakes and hot chocolate.
Holiday deals
Visitors can save some cash during their stay at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa or Smoky Mountain Cabins or on tickets to the park.
Through Nov. 20, one-day park tickets are $69 plus tax to see Smoky Mountain Christmas. The $10 discount is available only online.
Dollywood encourages guests to pay a visit the next time they’re in eastern Tennessee. Every season pass purchased through Dec. 6 is good for the holiday season and all of next year.