Fall is a magical season, capturing the imagination of many children with its colorful leaves, bonfires, and tasty harvest treats. One event tailor-made for families making memories this fall is Dollywood’s Harvest Festival, presented by Humana.
This month-long celebration is the premier fall attraction in Pigeon Forge and one of the all-around best Tennessee festivals. This year, it runs from September 20th through October 30th of 2023, offering over a month of fall fun for the whole family.
The yearly Harvest Festival at Dollywood offers the highest caliber of imagination, entertainment, and fall fun. All the creativity and planning required to decorate the park make it a visit you’ll never forget. It’s not surprising that Dollywood ranks 15th on Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards list of the best amusement parks in the world! Fall is the most beautiful time of the year to visit Pigeon Forge and the perfect time to book a rafting and fall festival combo trip.
HARVEST FESTIVAL ATTRACTIONS AND FESTIVAL GUIDE
Great Pumpkin LumiNights in the Park
The festival’s star attraction is, hands down, the Great Pumpkin LumiNights, presented by Covenant Health. This spectacular display of illuminated decorations impresses visitors year after year.
LumiNights offers a brightly-lit display sure to fit the interests of every guest, from the country music lover to the wide-eyed three-year-old!
Embrace the spooky season with the giant pumpkin spider, and look for his smaller spider friends. The Frogs at Drop Line Pond are also popular with park visitors…find them in Timber Canyon! You won’t want to miss the Wildwood Tree either, which features narration on the changing seasons from Dolly herself.
Speaking of the country music legend, make sure to check out Dolly’s Guitar, which plays Tennessee Mountain Home in tribute to the beloved singer. Last but not least, be sure to make time for the Pumpkin Tree: 40 feet of illuminated gourds that awe guests each year. Regardless of your interests, the Great Pumpkin LumiNights offers a display for everyone.
Colossal Pumpkins at Dollywood
Get ready to be amazed by the sheer size of these pumpkins! Growers from around the country shared their best gourds to create a truly unforgettable collection at Dollywood. Each pumpkin weighs 800 to 1500 lbs. and makes an impressive backdrop for a family photo. Once you’ve appreciated the massive gourds, check out the pumpkin carving demonstrations in the park. You’ll love the displays by talented carvers who demonstrate how the many carved pumpkin displays throughout the park were created.
Sunflower Totems
The sunflower totems are right next to Sweets and Treats. These magnificent totems are all hand-carved and constructed of multiple pumpkins stacked on top of each other. Each totem ranges from 6 to 9 feet tall. There are 48 totems altogether, arranged side by side to resemble a glowing sunflower field nestled in the center of Dollywood.
Artisans
The harvest festival wouldn’t be the same without the many artisans who come to demonstrate their unique talents each year. You’ll experience live demonstrations from master craftsmen working with leather, glass, wood, and many more traditional mediums.
Great Hoot Owl Hollow at Dollywood
The Great Hoot Owl Hollow is a relatively recent addition to the Harvest Fest fun, opening at the 2022 Festival. Located in the park’s Craftsman’s Valley, the hollow celebrates the owl with hundreds of pumpkins and a massive illuminated owl-themed carving done with white pumpkins. It’s a family-friendly experience that’s sure to delight even the youngest in your group!
Live Performances at Dollywood
This year’s live entertainment is a mix of southern, bluegrass, and gospel. Throughout the month, numerous concerts will occur at the park, featuring musicians like Mike Snodgrass, the Collingsworth Family, Gloryway, and many more.
Performances take place throughout the park at the Back Porch Theater, Celebrity Theater, and Robert F. Thomas Chapel. Be sure to check out the musicians at Showstreet Palace Theater and the Stump Stage as well! To see a complete list of performers and for more information about events at the park, visit the official festival page. Plus, to keep up with showtimes as you stroll through the park, download the official Dollywood app to check the daily show schedule.
DOLLYWOOD HARVEST FALL FESTIVAL PRICING AND ADMISSION
The park offers many pricing options for your visit to Dollywood’s harvest festival. The most popular choices are one, two, and three-day passes. Each pass costs $89, $109, and $119, respectively. A visit during the harvest festival offers more value for your money, as you get to play and explore each ride amidst the colorful displays of pumpkins and other fall-themed events.
The multi-day passes are an excellent choice for families visiting Pigeon Forge over a weekend. With a multi-day pass, you can take your time and experience all the attractions the park has to offer at a leisurely pace.
If you have a child in Pre-K, children born in 2018 and 2019, qualify for a FREE Imagination Season Pass! This pass includes a year of FREE fun at Dollywood and Splash Country.
If you’re looking for a spectacular weekend full of fun for the entire family, look no further than Dollywood’s Annual Harvest Festival and Rafting in the Smokies.
Dollywood’s Harvest Festival is the perfect way to kick off your fall festivities, spend time with loved ones, and create special memories.
Take your fall vacation to the next level by booking a rafting trip with Rafting in the Smokies while you’re in town for the Harvest Festival. You’ll get to experience the changing colors of the Smokies up close, plus get some thrills in while rafting on the river. A RITS trip and a day at Dollywood are the perfect fall combo! Book your combo package today!
