What You Need to Know About Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas

Are you looking for a fun way to celebrate Christmas in the Smokies? You won’t want to miss Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas! During this holiday festival, Dollywood transforms into a winter wonderland with the sights, sounds, and smells of the season blanketing the theme park. Attending this seasonal event is the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit and spend time with loved ones. Keep reading to learn more about Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas and why you should visit this year.

1. Festival Dates and Hours

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas is open from November through the beginning of January to give you plenty of time to visit this holiday season. During the festival, the theme park is open from 11:00 AM until 9:00 PM. These long hours give you the chance to explore the rides, shops, and shows during the day and then experience the beautiful Christmas lights and displays after dark! Dollywood is only scheduled to be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day during the festival. However, operating hours and dates are subject to change and could be affected by weather conditions.

2. More than 6 Million Lights

During Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, the theme park shines bright with the glow of more than 6 million twinkling lights, dozens of Christmas trees, and other festive decor. Everywhere you turn you’ll see colorful light displays and cheerful decorations that are sure to fill you with the holiday spirit! Every member of the family, from the youngest to the oldest, will be awed by the breathtaking holiday displays you’ll encounter throughout the theme park.

3. Santa’s List…Naughty or Nice

A popular thing to do during Dollywood’s Christmas in the Smokies is visit Santa Claus in his Smoky Mountain cabin! Santa’s List…Naughty or Nice is a favorite holiday attraction that gives you and your family the one-in-a-lifetime chance to see Santa at work as he reviews his famous list. Get a sneak peek at the list to find out if your or your child’s name is on it, and capture a photo with Santa through the window of his workshop.

4. Heartwarming Shows

Festive music is the best way to spread Christmas cheer! During Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, you’ll find musical performances throughout the theme park where you can sing along and tap your foot to classic Christmas tunes and new holiday favorites. Heartwarming shows like “Christmas in the Smokies” and “Twas the Night Before Christmas” have become a holiday tradition for many families each year. Other can’t-miss performances include “O Holy Night,” “Appalachian Christmas,” and others. On weekend nights, stick around after dark to see a festive fireworks display light up the night in time to your favorite holiday classics!

5. Seasonal Foods

You can’t visit Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas without tasting seasonal foods and sweet treats! There are a number of hearty holiday dishes to choose from, such as Santa’s Skillet Potatoes, Oven Roasted Turkey Breast, Loaded Smoked Turkey Nachos, Jambalaya, and Tomato Florentine Soup. You’ll want to save room for dessert so you can enjoy sweet confections like holiday-themed cupcakes, cookies, milkshakes, funnel cakes, and more. These festive flavors are sure to fill you with Christmas cheer!

More Things to Do in the Smokies This Christmas

You won’t want to miss your chance to visit Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas this year! Are you looking for more ways to celebrate the holiday season in the Smokies? Make sure you check out these awesome things to do when you spend Christmas in Gatlinburg, TN!