Can I Still Visit Dollywood in the Fall?

By Jennifer Jeffcoat

Jennifer writes for Venture Smoky Mountains, sharing vacation planning tips, travel insights, and property highlights to help guests make the most of their time in East Tennessee.

A Smoky Mountain getaway in the fall is only made better with a trip to Dollywood. And with the Harvest Festival right around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning. We’ve got the latest theme park and festival details to help you make the most of your time, plus local tips for finding an exceptional home base near all the fun. Check it all out in this month’s blog and get ready for an incredible escape to East Tennessee this fall.

In This Article:

• What is the Dollywood Harvest Festival?
• What Are Some Events During the Dollywood Harvest Festival?
• What Rides are Open During the Harvest Festival?
• Where to Stay Near Dollywood?

What is the Dollywood Harvest Festival?

The Harvest Festival is one of Dollywood’s most popular annual events, bringing in thousands of visitors each day. While some things remain the same: thrilling rides, world-class entertainment, character-filled parades, and delicious treats, Harvest Festival’s seasonal decorations, larger-than-life displays, and special after-dark events are what set this season apart from the rest.

Spend the day riding Big Bear Mountain and the Dragonflier, and your nights exploring Hoot Owl Hollow, attending Harvey’s Boo Bash, and marveling at massive, illuminated pumpkin sculptures. 

Dollywood Fall Festival 2026 Details:

• When: September 13 – October 31, 2026
• Hours: 10 AM – 9 PM (special events 9 PM – Midnight on select dates)
• Tickets: One-Day “Pick-A-Day” tickets start at $94.99 | 1-Day pass + Nighttime event tickets bundles start at $224.99 for adults and $214.99 for children ages 4-9
• Visiting with kids 5 years old or younger? Get free entry with the Pre-K Imagination Season Pass

What are Some Events During the Dollywood Harvest Festival?

Harvest Festival at Dollywood invites folks of all ages to enjoy thrilling events and activities during their park visit, and this year, there are some new additions to the lineup.

Harvey’s Boo Bash

This brand-new, limited-capacity event will be filled with costume-clad guests, treat trails, dance parties, specialty snacks, and some of the most popular rides, all guaranteed to deliver an unforgettable night of fun! For a limited time, ticket purchasers will receive a free Boo Bash popcorn bucket keepsake to remember their Dollywood fall festival trip.

Boo Bash Details:

• October 16, 23, and 30
• 9 PM – Midnight
• Special Tickets required
• Admission Includes: Candy bag to fill with treats, commemorative cup, free soda refills, themed kettle korn, access to treat trails, character experiences, access to select rides and attractions

Candy Corn Country

A little imagination and a whole lot of fun have transformed a local farmer’s crops into candy-laden vines and towering stalks. In Candy Corn Country, you’ll meet life-sized candy characters – each with their own personalities – and will have the chance to sample tasty fall refreshments like candy corn punch, funnel cakes, and more as you explore the County Fair area of Dollywood.

Great Pumpkin LumiNights

As the sun sets, thousands of ornately carved pumpkins light up the grounds as part of the Great Pumpkin LumiNights. This award-winning display is the highlight of the Harvest Festival and features a huge guitar sculpture and music tribute, wildlife scenes, and the centerpiece: Hoot Owl Hollow, where a giant pumpkin owl lights up the trail. Keep your eyes out for dozens of the owl’s friends hiding in trees, on rooftops, and along the hills. 

What Rides Are Open During the Harvest Festival?

Barring any bad weather or exceptionally cold nights, all the rides will be operating during the Dollywood fall festival. So, whether you’re chasing the loops of Mystery Mine or the steep drops of the Lightning Rod coaster, you’ll be in for plenty of excitement.

Over at Wildwood Grove, don’t miss the all-new NightFlight Expedition, a first-of-its-kind coaster that takes place completely indoors, offering an immersive experience as you soar over classic Smoky Mountain scenes.

Read More: Insider’s Guide to the Best Rides at Dollywood

Where to Stay Near Dollywood

Featured Property: Dolly's Guesthouse

Since we lost the matriarch of the Smoky Mountains, Mrs. Dolly Parton, the outpouring of love has been felt worldwide, but perhaps nowhere quite as strongly as here in her beloved Tennessee. If you’re planning a fall visit to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, be sure to add Dollywood to your list. We promise it’ll be one of the biggest highlights of your stay, especially during the Harvest Festival. 

For a vacation home near the park, Venture Smoky Mountains has you covered with exceptional Pigeon Forge cabins and vacation homes that put you minutes from Dollywood. Explore our inventory and book your fall vacation directly with us today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What days is Dollywood open during the fall festival?

Dollywood is open seven days a week during the Harvest Festival, giving visitors plenty of flexibility when planning their stay. The festival runs September 13th through October 31st. 

What new features are coming to Wildwood Grove at Dollywood?

In 2027, Wildwood Grove will unveil a new character, “Dream Maker,” inspired by Dolly’s cherished Imagination Library. The area will also feature memory kiosks where visitors can digitally share their favorite memories of or with Dolly.

Other updates celebrating the life of Dolly Parton will include a mountain waterfall with a reflection area and guitar sculpture located beside the Robert F. Thomas chapel. The chapel will also get brand-new stained glass windows depicting Dolly’s favorite Bible verse: Ecclesiastes 3:1: “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.”