Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge runs Nov 6, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027, with more than 6 million lights, indoor and outdoor holiday shows and a festival food tasting pass. Everything below was read on Dollywood’s own festival page on 2026-10-19; ticket prices and daily hours are not shown there.
At a glance
| Detail | What Dollywood says |
|---|---|
| Dates | Nov 6, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027 |
| Where | Dollywood theme park, Pigeon Forge |
| Lights | More than 6 million, with each land lit in its own colors (Santa’s Village in red and green, Glacier Ridge in blues and whites, Craftsman’s Valley in candlelight) |
| Shows | “Christmas in the Smokies” and “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” indoors; “Appalachian Christmas” and “O Holy Night” outdoors |
| Snow in the Grove | A nightly light, music and snow show at Wildwood Grove with the Roly Poly characters and The Wildwood Tree |
| Food | A Smoky Mountain Christmas Tasting Pass covers up to five festival foods for one price; the 2026 pass is listed as coming soon |
| Extras | A guided Smoky Mountain Christmas tour on the Dollywood Express with reserved seating, a lanyard, character visits and a treat (price not shown) |
| Tickets | Day tickets for one, two or three days, season passes and resort packages; prices are not shown on the festival page |
| Hours and parking | Not on the festival page; Dollywood points to its calendar and app for show schedules |
What to know before you go
- App: the official Dollywood app has show schedules, menus and directions.
- Stay on site: DreamMore Resort and HeartSong Lodge both offer packages that bundle park tickets with a room.
- Getting there: Dollywood is in Pigeon Forge at the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park; McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville is less than an hour away, per Dollywood.
- Dogs and strollers: not stated on the pages we read.
Still unconfirmed
- Ticket prices and the 2026 Tasting Pass price.
- Daily park hours and show times.
- Parking fee and stroller rules.
We check Dollywood’s pages weekly and update this guide when anything changes.
Frequently asked questions
When is Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood?
Nov 6, 2026 through Jan 3, 2027.
How many lights are there?
Dollywood says more than 6 million.
Is Smoky Mountain Christmas a separate ticket?
Dollywood sells day tickets, season passes and resort packages for the festival; the festival page does not list a separate admission price, and we have not confirmed one.
Is there a food pass?
Yes. The Smoky Mountain Christmas Tasting Pass covers up to five festival foods for one price. The 2026 pass is listed as coming soon.
Sources
- Dollywood, Smoky Mountain Christmas, checked 2026-10-19
- Dollywood, Plan Your Christmas Visit, checked 2026-10-19
More winter events in the area: see Pigeon Forge Winterfest (free Riverwalk light trail), Smoky Mountains events and all Tennessee events.
Cite this page: It's Tennessee, “Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood: Dates and What to Know”, itstennessee.com/dollywood-smoky-mountain-christmas/ (updated ). By the It's Tennessee editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.