It’s Harvest Festival Time at Dollywood Parks & Resorts!

• Guest Author

This blog was written by Dollywood Publicist Eve Thompson.

With the changing colors of the leaves and cooler temperatures, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana is here to welcome in the fall season from Sept. 9 - Oct. 28, 2024. Guests walking into the park will be greeted by the colorful ingredients for a perfect autumn day, including all of the fall sights, sounds and tastes. And of course, there will be no shortage of pumpkins; more than 12,000 pumpkins of every shape, size and color offer a fun and picturesque visit for Dollywood guests as they journey through the colorful autumn landscape.

Returning this year to light up the park with a festive fall glow is the award-winning Great Pumpkin LumiNights. Last year’s new family favorite Hoot Owl Hollow, a forest of shimmering sunflowers, glowing frogs and the towering Pumpkin Tree await guests who are eager to experience the fun of a fall night at Dollywood. Other sights to enjoy are the multitude of creatively carved pumpkins, larger-than-life icons and 10 ride-themed pumpkin displays, including the family coaster Big Bear Mountain and the thrilling Wild Eagle. There also will be fun characters roaming around the park that guests can meet and interact with, including Harvey and the Pumpkin Master.

Entertainment will be abundant at the festival with talented Southern gospel, bluegrass, jazz and country artists to fill the Smoky Mountains with music and joy. A few of the many entertainers sharing their talents are Jeff and Sheri Easter, Mandy Barnett and Suzy Bogguss, who got her start as a Dollywood performer. The Pines Theater and “NightTime at the Back Porch” will host a variety of artists including The String Revolution and Ruby Leigh from The Voice. The complete entertainment schedule for the more than 1100 individual performances can be found here.

With all of the sights and sounds going on, tasty food is a must to stay fueled up for fun. Luckily for Dollywood’s guests, the Culinary Team has been hard at work creating the perfect fall menu. From sweet to savory, there is no shortage of deliciousness to warm the stomachs and hearts of all. For the pumpkin lovers, there is a variety of pumpkin themed food, including Pumpkin-Spiced Smoked Ribs and Spiced Pumpkin Bisque. If guests are looking for a sweet pumpkin treat to satisfy their tastebuds, options include a Pumpkin Spiced Milkshake, Pumpkin Sugar Cookies and Pumpkin Sugar Whoopie Pie. For those who want something besides pumpkin items, Dollywood offers plenty of savory and sweet options; some favorites include the Maple Pork Belly Sweet Potato Skillet, Autumn Marshmallow Treats, Harvest Succotash, Caramel Apple Funnel Cakes, Cinnamon Sugar Hushpuppies with Hazelnut Dip, Smoky Mountain Brunswick Stew and Carrot Cake. The Harvest Festival Tasting Pass allows guests to try five different food items for $39.99 plus tax or for $36.99 plus tax for Gold and Diamond Passholders. Passes can be purchased at Dollywood.com or while guests are on Park.

Festive themed souvenirs can be purchased from the variety of talented craftspeople and artisans at Dollywood for the harvest season. From fall-scented candles to pumpkin-flavored jams, there are plenty of options to choose from for a keepsake to take back home.

The fall fun doesn’t stop at the theme park. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort continue the celebration with fun activities, delicious fall-inspired culinary options and live music performances.

The Lounge at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort has multiple new seasonal bites including smoked bratwurst and potato pancakes with pumpkin-cranberry creme fraiche. Visitors also can enjoy the brand-new offerings at Ember & Elm: Tastes Rooted In The Smokies at Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge, such as spiced strawberry grilled salmon.

Camp DW at both resorts continues to create family memories with new arts and crafts. Parents and kids of all ages can decorate pumpkin jars that light up and paint bumblebees on their “hives.” To top it off, guests can warm up with a festive caramel hot apple cider at Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge or traditional hot apple cider at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort.

Dollywood’s Harvest Festival is the perfect way for everyone to experience the beauty of fall in the Great Smoky Mountains. With picture-perfect pumpkins, delicious fall tastes, and inspiring entertainment, Dollywood is the place to be for the very best in fall fun.