Pigeon Forge, October 2, 2025
News Summary
Dollywood’s annual Harvest Festival has been recognized as one of the best in the U.S., ranking No. 5 in national readers’ choice awards. Running from September 12 to October 27, the festival features fall treats, new characters, artisan craftsmanship, and seasonal entertainment. Highlights include the Great Pumpkin LumiNights and various attractions that can be enjoyed alongside themed activities, ensuring fun for the whole family. Dollywood continues to attract visitors with its festive offerings and beautiful autumn decorations.
Pigeon Forge
Dollywood Harvest Festival ranks among the nation’s best as fall season begins
Dollywood’s annual Harvest Festival has been recognized as one of the best in the United States by a national readers’ choice award, ranking No. 5 in the country, ahead of Hersheypark Halloween but behind Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando. The event runs from September 12 through October 27 and highlights fall treats, new characters, fresh performances, artisan craftsmanship focused on Halloween, and seasonal entertainment for families.
What visitors can expect
The festival’s highlighted attraction is the Great Pumpkin LumiNights, a themed evening feature that complements the park’s daytime offerings. Guests at Dollywood can enjoy rollercoasters and family attractions even during the Harvest Festival. The park maintains regular rides and shows, allowing visitors to combine seasonal activities with the park’s core attractions.
Dollywood is known for its beautiful seasonal decorations and offerings during its themed festivals, and the Harvest Festival continues that tradition with a mix of food, crafts, and entertainment aimed at celebrating the fall and Halloween season. In 2024, Dollywood was ranked No. 2 for the best Halloween theme park event by a national readers’ choice poll, reflecting continued recognition for its seasonal programming.
Park operations and attractions
The theme park will close for a few months in winter, with the last day of its 40th season scheduled for January 4, 2026. Among the park’s headline attractions is Big Bear Mountain, which is the longest coaster at the park, featuring a 3,990-foot track and a ride time lasting 1 minute and 40 seconds. Riders can combine coaster time with seasonal experiences when visiting during the Harvest Festival dates.
Getting there and visitor logistics
The nearest commercial airport to Dollywood is McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), over 35 miles away in Knoxville. That airport serves various airlines including American Airlines, Delta, United, Allegiant, Avelo, and Frontier. Dollywood does not provide shuttle services from McGhee Tyson Airport, but rental cars, taxis, and ride-sharing services are available for travelers arriving by air.
Regional fall events and new attractions
Beyond Dollywood, Pigeon Forge is a tourism hub with numerous fall and Halloween events. The Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival runs from mid-September to late November, offering additional seasonal programming across the area. Other nearby events and attractions this fall include:
- Cheekwood in Nashville hosts a popular pumpkin celebration from September 13 to October 30, featuring live music and seasonal treats.
- Lucky Ladd Farms offers fall attractions from September 18 to October 31, including a petting zoo and corn maze.
- The Unicoi County Apple Festival in Erwin takes place on October 3-4, featuring craft vendors and entertainment.
- The Gatlinburg Smoke-Off, a barbecue event scheduled for September 27, supports local communities.
- New attractions being introduced include the Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster, the first racing mountain coaster in the U.S.
- Outdoor adventures available this fall include whitewater rafting at Ocoee River State Park.
- Loudon offers ghost tours exploring the town’s historic areas and cemeteries for spooky seasonal fun.
- The Museum of Christian & Gospel Music will open in Nashville on October 3.
- A bronze statue of Tina Turner will be unveiled in Brownsville on September 27 as part of Tina Turner Days festivities.
Why this matters
Regional events and new attractions help extend the tourism season in East Tennessee and nearby areas, offering a mix of themed entertainment, outdoor recreation, and community festivals through the fall months. The Harvest Festival’s national ranking underscores the park’s role in drawing visitors to Pigeon Forge each autumn.
Background
Dollywood has a history of seasonal festivals and themed offerings that highlight local crafts, music, and family entertainment. The Harvest Festival joins other park events that change across the year, and the combination of rides, seasonal shows, and special evening features like the Great Pumpkin LumiNights represents the park’s approach to fall programming.
FAQ
When does the Harvest Festival run?
The Harvest Festival runs from September 12 through October 27.
What does the festival showcase?
The festival is celebrated for showcasing fall treats, new characters, fresh performances, and artisan craftsmanship focused on Halloween.
How was Dollywood ranked nationally for its Harvest Festival?
Dollywood’s annual Harvest Festival has been recognized as one of the best in the United States by a national readers’ choice award, ranking No. 5 in the country, ahead of Hersheypark Halloween but behind Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando.
Was Dollywood recognized for Halloween events in 2024?
In 2024, Dollywood was ranked No. 2 for the best Halloween theme park event by a national readers’ choice poll.
What is a highlighted feature of the Harvest Festival?
The Great Pumpkin LumiNights is a highlighted feature of the Harvest Festival.
Can visitors still ride coasters during the Harvest Festival?
Guests at Dollywood can enjoy rollercoasters and family attractions even during the Harvest Festival.
What is Dollywood known for during themed festivals?
Dollywood is known for its beautiful seasonal decorations and offerings during its themed festivals.
When does the park close for winter?
The theme park will close for a few months in winter, with the last day of its 40th season scheduled for January 4, 2026.
What are the details of Big Bear Mountain?
Dollywood’s Big Bear Mountain is the longest coaster at the park, featuring a 3,990-foot track and lasting 1 minute and 40 seconds.
What airport is nearest to Dollywood and what transport options exist?
The nearest commercial airport to Dollywood is McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), over 35 miles away in Knoxville, serving various airlines including American Airlines, Delta, United, Allegiant, Avelo, and Frontier.
Does Dollywood provide a shuttle from the airport?
Dollywood does not provide shuttle services from McGhee Tyson Airport, but rental cars, taxis, and ride-sharing services are available.
What other fall events are in the region?
Beyond Dollywood, Pigeon Forge is a tourism hub with numerous fall and Halloween events.
When does the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival run?
The Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival runs from mid-September to late November.
When is the Cheekwood pumpkin celebration?
Cheekwood in Nashville hosts a popular pumpkin celebration from September 13 to October 30, featuring live music and seasonal treats.
What are Lucky Ladd Farms fall dates?
Lucky Ladd Farms offers fall attractions from September 18 to October 31, including a petting zoo and corn maze.
When is the Unicoi County Apple Festival?
The Unicoi County Apple Festival in Erwin takes place on October 3-4, featuring craft vendors and entertainment.
When is the Gatlinburg Smoke-Off?
The Gatlinburg Smoke-Off, a barbecue event scheduled for September 27, supports local communities.
What new coaster is being introduced in the area?
New attractions being introduced include the Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster, the first racing mountain coaster in the U.S.
What outdoor adventures are available this fall?
Outdoor adventures available this fall include whitewater rafting at Ocoee River State Park.
What seasonal ghost activities exist nearby?
Loudon offers ghost tours exploring the town’s historic areas and cemeteries for spooky seasonal fun.
When will the Museum of Christian & Gospel Music open?
The Museum of Christian & Gospel Music will open in Nashville on October 3.
When and where will a Tina Turner statue be unveiled?
A bronze statue of Tina Turner will be unveiled in Brownsville on September 27 as part of Tina Turner Days festivities.
Key features chart
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Harvest Festival dates | September 12 through October 27 |
| National ranking | No. 5 in the country (national readers’ choice award) |
| Highlighted feature | Great Pumpkin LumiNights |
| Big Bear Mountain | 3,990-foot track; 1 minute and 40 seconds |
| Nearest airport | McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), over 35 miles away in Knoxville |
| Seasonal closure | Last day of 40th season scheduled for January 4, 2026 |
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Knox News
- Travel and Tour World
- AOL Lifestyle
- Time Out
- World Atlas
- Wikipedia: Dollywood
- Google Search: Dollywood Harvest Festival
- Google Scholar: Dollywood Harvest Festival
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dollywood
- Google News: Dollywood events
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