Dollywood Harvest Festival
& LumiNights 2026

Dollywood Harvest Festival and LumiNights 2026

The annual Dollywood Harvest Festival is a must-see experience during the fall season. Days full of play extend to nights all aglow at Harvest Festival featuring Great Pumpkin LumiNights.

• Stay at the luxurious DreamMore Resort Hotel, a country-style lodge to fit with the park’s theme. The DreamMore features indoor and outdoor pools, a kids’ center, fire pits, a Jacuzzi and plenty of Ms. Parton’s memorabilia on display.

The Harvest Festival

• Next Edition: Monday, September 14, 2026 To Saturday, October 31, 2026..
• The Dollywood Harvest Festival takes place in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
• Enjoy six weeks of Southern Gospel, Country and Bluegrass performances, seasonal food, autumn decorations and the park’s famous roller coasters.
• After sunset, Great Pumpkin LumiNights transforms several areas of the park with glowing pumpkin sculptures, illuminated trails and special effects.
• New for 2026 are nightly LumiNights dance parties, the Apple Market and Harvey’s Boo Bash, an exclusive after-hours Halloween celebration.
• The Harvest Festival and Great Pumpkin LumiNights are included with regular Dollywood admission. Harvey’s Boo Bash requires a separate ticket.
• Book tickets and check the park calendar.

Great Pumpkin LumiNights

• The highlight of the festival begins after dark, when more than 12,000 pumpkins illuminate the park.
• Discover elaborate carved displays, giant illuminated sculptures and colourful installations throughout Timber Canyon, Wilderness Pass, Wildwood Grove and Craftsman’s Valley.
• Visit Hoot Owl Hollow, home to illuminated owls, woodland scenes and playful Halloween characters.
• Don’t miss the 40-foot pumpkin tree, one of the festival’s most photographed attractions.
• Dolly’s giant illuminated guitar provides another distinctive photo opportunity.
• Candy Corn Country returns with themed decorations in orange, yellow and white.
• The displays are designed to be fun rather than frightening, making LumiNights suitable for visitors of all ages.
• Plan to explore the illuminated areas after sunset, allowing plenty of time for photographs and evening rides.

What’s New for 2026

• LumiNights Dance Parties – Two nightly party experiences bring music and entertainment to the illuminated park, including a celebration in Wildwood Grove.
• Apple Market – Located near the Dollywood Express train depot, serving apple pies, fritters, dumplings, caramel apples and cider.
• Harvey’s Boo Bash – A separately ticketed late-night Halloween event featuring candy stations, special entertainment and access to selected attractions.
• New seasonal dishes join the Harvest Festival’s traditional Southern food offerings.
• Explore the official 2026 festival programme.

Harvey’s Boo Bash 2026

• Friday 16th October 2026.
• Friday 23rd October 2026.
• Friday 30th October 2026.
• The special after-hours event runs from 9 pm to midnight, after the park closes to regular visitors.
• Guests with Boo Bash tickets can enter Dollywood from 4 pm to enjoy the Harvest Festival before the exclusive evening begins.
• Expect candy collecting stations, themed entertainment, special dance parties and nighttime access to selected rides, including NightFlight Expedition.
• Capacity is limited and tickets are sold separately from regular park admission.
• View Harvey’s Boo Bash tickets and details.

Festival Food and Drink

• The Harvest Festival celebrates traditional Southern cooking, with seasonal dishes served throughout the park.
• Try smoked meats, hearty skillet dishes, sweet potato specialities and freshly baked desserts.
• The 2026 menu includes BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Fries, Sausage and Cabbage Skillet and Sweet Potato Cornbread Stack.
• Save room for Apple Pie Overload, Pecan Pie Brownies and the seasonal treats at the new Apple Market.
• The Harvest Festival Tasting Pass costs $44.99 plus tax, or $41.99 for eligible season passholders, and includes five food selections.
• Explore Dollywood’s 2026 food guide.

Live Music and Entertainment

• Dollywood presents a changing programme of Southern Gospel, Country and Bluegrass music throughout the Harvest Festival.
• Performances take place at several theatres and outdoor stages, with artists appearing on selected dates.
• Expect traditional Appalachian music, vocal harmonies, acoustic instruments and seasonal entertainment.
• The park also features roaming performers, character appearances and family-friendly activities.
• Check the official entertainment schedule before your visit, as performances and artists change throughout the festival.

Rides and Attractions

• Combine the festival with Dollywood’s major rides, including Big Bear Mountain, Wild Eagle, Lightning Rod and Mystery Mine.
• The park’s wooded setting offers impressive autumn views, particularly from its larger roller coasters.
• Enjoy the Dollywood Express steam train, a popular attraction for visitors wanting to experience the surrounding mountain scenery.
• Selected rides operate after dark, offering a different experience once the pumpkin displays are illuminated.
• Ride availability depends on weather, maintenance and the park’s daily operating schedule.

The Venue – Dollywood

• Dollywood is located at 2700 Dollywood Parks Boulevard, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
• The theme park combines major roller coasters with Appalachian crafts, live entertainment, traditional Southern food and mountain scenery.
• Its themed areas are connected by landscaped pathways, wooded hillsides and outdoor performance spaces.
• During the Harvest Festival, the park is decorated with thousands of pumpkins, autumn flowers and seasonal displays.
• The setting becomes particularly impressive after sunset, when Great Pumpkin LumiNights illuminates the pathways and attractions.
• Allow a full day to enjoy the rides, entertainment and food before exploring the evening displays.

Exploring Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains

• Pigeon Forge is a popular mountain resort town with restaurants, entertainment venues, attractions and easy access to Dollywood.
• Visit The Island in Pigeon Forge for restaurants, shopping, entertainment and the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel.
• Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park, famous for its scenic drives, mountain trails and autumn foliage.
• Nearby Gatlinburg offers mountain restaurants, shops and access to some of the park’s best-known hiking routes.
• For gay nightlife, Knoxville has a more established LGBTQ+ bar scene, although it is better suited to a separate evening or overnight visit.

Where to Stay

Stay in Pigeon Forge for convenient access to Dollywood, restaurants and the surrounding attractions. The park’s own resorts offer the easiest visits, while accommodation around the Parkway provides more dining and entertainment options.

• Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa – Elegant resort close to the theme park, featuring spacious rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, a full-service spa and complimentary park transportation. Ideal for a relaxed festival weekend.
• Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort – Contemporary mountain-inspired resort with stylish rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, a restaurant and landscaped outdoor spaces. An excellent choice for combining Dollywood with a comfortable resort stay.
• RiverStone Condo Resort & Spa – Upscale apartment-style accommodation on Dollywood Lane, offering spacious condos with kitchens, balconies, a spa, indoor pool and lazy river. Ideal for longer stays or groups.
• Margaritaville Island Hotel – Contemporary hotel at The Island in Pigeon Forge, featuring stylish rooms, a rooftop pool and easy access to restaurants, bars and entertainment. A good choice for guests wanting more to do after leaving Dollywood.

Plan Your Visit

• Visit during the week for a potentially quieter experience, particularly during October when autumn tourism is at its peak.
• Arrive during the afternoon to enjoy the rides and live entertainment before the evening pumpkin displays.
• Check the official Dollywood operating calendar before booking, as the park does not open every day and closing times vary.
• The Harvest Festival and Great Pumpkin LumiNights are included with regular admission; Harvey’s Boo Bash and food tasting passes cost extra.
• Bring comfortable shoes and a light jacket, as temperatures can drop quickly after sunset in the mountains.
• McGhee Tyson Airport near Knoxville is the main airport serving Pigeon Forge. Renting a car is useful for exploring the surrounding Smoky Mountains.