What's New at Dollywood in 2026
Dollywood is calling 2026 a "game-changing" season — and between a record-setting new ride, a brand-new pass tier, and a packed festival lineup, there's a lot to keep track of. Here's everything that's new this year, with links to dig deeper on the parts that affect your budget.
Season Dates
The 2026 season opened March 13, 2026 and runs through January 3, 2027, with the park closed during most of January and February. Spring brought extended operating hours alongside the new attractions and festivals below.
New Ride: NightFlight Expedition
The headline addition is NightFlight Expedition, a $50 million-plus attraction in Wildwood Grove — the largest single-attraction investment in Dollywood's history. It's billed as the world's first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride, packing four experiences into one roughly 5½-minute journey, and is anticipated to open in Spring 2026.
Want the full breakdown? Read our complete NightFlight Expedition guide.
New Pass: The Summer Fun Pass
For the first time, Dollywood added a budget tier below Silver: the Summer Fun Pass, good for unlimited visits from mid-April through mid-September. It's cheaper than Silver but drops Bring-A-Friend tickets, in-park discounts, and off-season access.
Whether it actually saves you money depends on when and how often you visit — we run the numbers in Is the Summer Fun Pass worth it? If you're weighing the year-round tiers instead, see our Silver vs Gold vs Diamond comparison.
New & Notable Events
- Run Dollywood (April 25–26): The park's inaugural race weekend.
- Neon Nights at Splash Country: A new glow-themed event with a live DJ and after-dark access to select attractions — a fresh reason to weigh Splash Country.
- Thrills in the Hills (Sept 26–27): A returning event for coaster enthusiasts.
- Harvey's Boo Bash (Oct 16, 23 & 30): A brand-new, separately ticketed Halloween event from 9pm–midnight with candy stations and access to many attractions.
Returning Seasonal Festivals
The familiar festival calendar anchors the rest of the year — and it's a big factor in when you should visit:
- I Will Always Love You Celebration (Mar 13 – Apr 12): A music-and-songwriting tribute to open the season.
- Spring Flower & Food Festival: A million blooms, larger-than-life mosaicultures, and seasonal eats.
- Summer Celebration: Family shows and warm-weather fun.
- Harvest Festival & Great Pumpkin LumiNights: Fall colors, a gospel jubilee, and the park's signature pumpkin displays.
- Smoky Mountain Christmas (Nov 6 – Jan 3): Around 6 million lights and holiday shows to close out the season.
What This Means for Your Budget
More to do usually means more reasons to return — which tilts the math toward season passes. A few starting points:
- Going 2+ times? See when a season pass is worth it.
- Bringing a group? Maximize your Bring-A-Friend tickets.
- Driving in often? Don't overlook parking costs.
- Watching every dollar? Start with our budget-friendly vacation guide.
The Bottom Line
Between NightFlight Expedition, the new Summer Fun Pass, and added events like Harvey's Boo Bash and Neon Nights, 2026 gives Dollywood fans plenty of new reasons to visit. The smartest way to enjoy it is to plan your trips first, then let the math tell you whether day tickets or a pass will save you the most.
Plan Your 2026 Visit
Use our free calculator to find the cheapest tickets and passes for everything new this season.
Calculate Your Savings