In addition to all the year round shows and thrill rides, Dollywood also puts on special events throughout the year. If you plan on taking a summer vacation to the Smokies, you will not want to miss this year’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration. It is jam packed with action once again, including fireworks, drone spectacles, shows for kids, and so much more! Here is a complete guide to the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration event at Dollywood:
Overview of the Festival
You will have plenty of time to check out the summer fun in the Smokies, as this event runs from June until early August! This special event also will not cost you any extra money, as it is included with the price of your admission ticket. During your visit, be on the lookout for surprises around every corner, including activities for kids, displays of bright summer colors, and returning family favorite activities. Be sure to hang out after the sun goes down for an amazing performance that will blow your mind!
Sweet Summer Nights Dance Party
As the sun goes down at Dollywood Theme Park, get ready to dance! Right before the drone and fireworks show, a DJ and dancers bring fun to Wildwood Grove. Visit this section of the park to enjoy this 30-minute dance party that is sure to have everyone up on their feet!
Drone & Fireworks Show
One of the highlights of the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration at Dollywood is the Sweet Summer Nights drone and fireworks show! While this is a returning event, this year it is going to be bigger and brighter in celebration of America's 250th birthday. With the use of bigger drones and LED lights, you will get to experience hundreds of drones dance across the nighttime summer sky. While it is cool to see the colors alone, watch closely because they are actually telling the unique story of the amusement park with the help of 3D animations. This is the perfect way to cap off your exciting summer day in the Smoky Mountains!
Cool Off in the Summer Sun
During the summer afternoons, you may get a little warm making your way through the park. Luckily, the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration offers plenty of ways to stay cool! You can play in the colorful fountain made of water hoses, or stand next to the spraying fire hydrant for some much needed water relief! If you don’t want to get completely drenched, take a trip to Rivertown Junction and walk across one of the jumping water jets. Don’t forget to check out some of the fun water rides at Dollywood as well, including Daredevil Falls and the Smoky Mountain River Rampage!
Gazillion Bubble Show
Back by popular demand, the Gazillion Bubble Show will keep everyone entertained in Dolly Parton’s Celebrity Theater! Your kids will have a blast seeing the bubbles make their way into the crowd, trying to pop them with every chance they get. Plus, we guarantee parents will find their inner child during this spectacular event. It also features incredible dog tricks, big air stunts, and comedy from The Perondi's Stunt Dog Experience!
Summer Treats
You’re bound to work up an appetite during your day in the park! At this year’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration at Dollywood, you can purchase a tasting pass to try exclusive mouthwatering seasonal flavors. There's everything from a large variety of types of tasty lemonades to the Cuban Sandwich, Gouda & Bacon Loaded Tots, Watermelon Cucumber Salad, Smoked Chicken & Chorizo Nachos, Smoked Bologna Burnt Ends, and so much more. As far as sweets go, you’ll have plenty of options, like the Deep Fried S'mores, Banana Pudding Cupcake, Orange Creamsicle Milkshake, and more. We recommend getting a tasting pass so you can try up to 5 festival foods for one low price!
More Things to Do
In addition to the special activities of the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, Dollywood also features plenty of other things to do! If you enjoy thrill rides, you don’t want to miss checking out some of the incredible roller coasters at the park, including Lightning Rod and the Tennessee Tornado! For those who are looking to escape the summer heat, head to the Dolly Parton Experience and explore the exhibits and watch one of the incredible shows. As you make your way through the theme park, be sure to stop in one of the many delicious restaurants, like the Wilderness Pass Restaurant, for some fantastic food and a refreshing drink. Some of the most popular places to eat at Dollywood include Aunt Granny’s Restaurant, Red’s Drive-in, and Granny Ogle’s Ham ‘n’ Beans.
Now that you know about the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration event at Dollywood, be sure to check out some of the other Smoky Mountain attractions to add to your summer vacation itinerary. We look forward to seeing you soon in the Smokies!
