There are big things coming to the Smoky Mountains just in time for the Holidays. Don’t miss out on all these great Dollywood Christmas Events!
If you live in the Southeast or are planning a trip to the Smoky Mountains in the next couple of months, you’re in luck. While I love warmer months, the beautiful decorations, lights, and sounds of the season make November and December one of the best times to visit the area. Here are all the great things that are happening, thanks to Dollywood Christmas festivities!
Light the Way 5K
Whether you run or walk, you HAVE to do the Light the Way 5K at least once. My husband and I did it a couple of years ago and had fun, even though it was only 18 degrees! Brrr! You’ll run or walk amidst the park’s 4 million Christmas lights. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind event!
In addition to the beauty of the event, proceeds go for a great cause. The event benefits Keep Sevier Beautiful (KSB) and the Share It Forward (SIF) program at Dollywood. KSB, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, is a volunteer-based organization which focuses on waste reduction/recycling, litter prevention and beautifying public spaces through education and community based programs. KSB’s goal is to protect the natural beauty of the area that millions of visitors come to see each year. SIF is a non-profit charity established for the purpose of raising and using funds to assist The Dollywood Company employees and their families in times of need. The program is funded through employee donations which are matched dollar for dollar by The Dollywood Company and, up to specified limits, by the shareholders of Herschend Family Entertainment, the park’s operating partner.
The race will be held on Friday, November 11th. Registration and race day fee is $35. You can register in advance here or register on the race day from 11 a.m. -9 p.m. at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort.
Movie Premiere: Christmas of Many Colors
One that I’m extremely excited about is the Dollywood goes Hollywood Movie Premiere of Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love. Last year’s Coat of Many Colors was a huge success and so good so I cannot wait to see this movie. I’ll be at the premiere and you can too! Join Dolly Parton and the cast of the movie as they walk the red carpet then get the first look at the new movie with the world-wide premiere!
November 22nd from 2-9pm.
Dixie Stampede and Lumberjack Adventure
Of course, Dolly’s dinner theater shows wouldn’t miss out on a Dollywood Christmas. Both Dixie Stampede and Dolly Parton’s Lumberjack Adventure are both offering audiences a Holiday twist on their nightly shows.
“Christmas is a very special time of year at Dixie Stampede,” said David Swangel, General Manager of Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge. “While our thrilling high-spirited adventure provides fun for our guests thanks to the friendly rivalry between the North and South Poles, we also take time to celebrate the meaning of Christmas thanks to a full-scale, living Nativity. Families always take the time to let us know this show has become a treasured part of their yearly traditions.”
The Christmas festivities at Dixie Stampede are already in full swing. Get your tickets in advance [as the shows sell out nightly!] here: www.dixiestampede.com.
The Wheelers and McGregors, both known for helping supply the Great Smoky Mountains with Christmas trees during this special time of year, display amazing lumberjack skills, incredible acts of acrobatic agility and breathtaking aerial performances as they explore the hillsides and—at the same time—the true meaning of Christmas.
I have yet to make it to see the full show at Lumberjack Adventure, but we will for sure be visiting before the Holidays are over! I cannot wait to see this show and if you can’t either, be sure to get your tickets in advance here: www.lumberjackadventure.com. The Holiday show starts on Nov. 4th!
New Shows for Dollywood Christmas
Last but not least are the amazing shows and our family’s favorite the Dollywood Christmas parade, Parade of Many Colors!
One of the biggest tips I could ever give you is if you don’t already have a Dollywood Season Pass, buy it now. You’ll not only get to visit as many times as you want in 2017, but you get the remainder of this year free too!
New for 2016 is the show, It’s A Wonderful Life! Watch as Dollywood’s amazing actors bring this classic to life. Your kiddos can meet Santa, Rudolph, and be mesmerized by 4 million Christmas lights including the parade at the end of the day featuring rolling lights! It really is the greatest time of the year!
Check out the full line-up of Dollywood Christmas events here and be sure to get this season free when you purchase your 2017 Season Pass [which you can do online to skip the lines at the park]!
What’s your favorite Dollywood Christmas Event?
Deborah D says
I want to go to Dollywood so bad. My cousin went and loved it.
Bryan Vice says
Never been to Dollywood at Christmas but would love to take my family sometime
Sarah says
I love love love Dollywood at Christmastime!! I can’t wait to get see it all lit up! I want to go to the Christmas of Many Colors premiere but hubby is having back surgery that day. :o( Jokingly told him I was gonna drug him up and then take the girls. He was totally on board!
My girls have done Dixie Stampede & Lumberjack Adventure but I haven’t had a chance yet. Hopefully we can go soon!!