Dollywood To Celebrate 40th Season In 2025
Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park will celebrate its 40th season next year. Although the park has changed since its opening on May 3, 1986, it has sought to stay true to its mission of creating a welcoming environment where families can enjoy making memories together.
“I can’t believe that we’ve been making memories for folks here at my Dollywood for 40 years,” expresses Parton. “That’s a lot of laughter, hugs and smiles, and I’m glad that we’ve been able to be part of it for so many years. When we opened Dollywood, the main thing I wanted to do was to give families a fun place where they could enjoy time spent together. I’m so proud of all the people who have worked to make Dollywood what it is today, and I want to thank all the guests who have supported us and trusted us to help them create those days they’ll never forget.
“And just think, I spent opening day watching the parking lot because I was worried that people might not show up,” she adds with a laugh. “But look at how far we’ve come since then—and we’re just getting started!”
Dollywood has special events, new celebrations and several returning favorites planned to commemorate the milestone season, starting with Season Passholder Preview Day on March 14. The I Will Always Love You Music Festival will follow March 15–April 13, with the return of From the Heart—The Life & Music of Dolly Parton, which details the story of Parton leaving everything she knew in Sevier County to move to Nashville in pursuit of her dreams. Taking place in Celebrity Theater, the show will run through the Flower & Food Festival, set for April 18–June 8, which aims to create an immersive atmosphere for with more than half-a-million flowers and Smoky Mountain delicacies.
Additionally, a new 40th anniversary show will debut during Memorial Day weekend and run through the end of summer, highlighting moments from guest-favorite shows during the park’s history of entertainment offerings. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, presented by Food City, will then take place June 14–Aug. 3 and feature a new drone and fireworks spectacle as well as a new opening ceremony that will occur at the beginning of each operating day.
The Imagination Playhouse, which features plays based on books from Parton’s Imagination Library, will offer a rotation of favorites that guests have enjoyed throughout the years from March through September. During the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, new storytime and character meet-and-greets will join the Imagination Playhouse experience. Also to commemorate the landmark anniversary, Heartsong: The Movie will be remastered and moved to Dreamsong Theater as part of “The Dolly Parton Experience,” running in conjunction with “Heidi Parton’s Kin & Friends.”
Additionally, the Country Fair area of the park will be refreshed during the 2025 season, and will transform to Candy Corn Country during the Harvest Festival and Peppermint Valley during Smoky Mountain Christmas, which will conclude Dollywood’s 40th season with six million lights and festive holiday shows.
“I’m excited to welcome guests to celebrate our 40th-anniversary season with us in 2025,” says Eugene Naughton, Dollywood Parks & Resorts President. “We’re thrilled to have earned the Tripadvisor #1 U.S. Theme Park designation last year, along with being the highest-ranked U.S. park in Golden Ticket Award voting for Best Park. We’ve worked hard for 40 seasons to make the Dollywood experience the best theme park experience in the country, and our guests are telling us we’ve done just that through these awards. And remember what Dolly said, ‘We’re just getting started!'”
Season Passes are now available to current 2024 passholders, and will go on sale to the general public this coming Monday (Oct. 28). For more information, click here.
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