8 Dollywood Christmas Traditions Tennesseans Plan Their Whole Season Around

Christmas in the Smokies has headlined Dollywood’s holiday festival every year since 1990.

Tennesseans who make the trip every year build their whole season around shows like that.

Here are the Dollywood Christmas traditions Tennesseans plan their holiday around.

1. Millions of Lights

Dollywood says Smoky Mountain Christmas has over six million lights in Pigeon Forge, and the festival runs through Jan. 3, 2027.

Dozens of trees join them.

The six million mark dates to 2022, when new displays added 1 million lights to the park’s total.

That year also brought a 130-foot light curtain wall on the Village Pass, which leads from lower Craftsman’s Valley to The Village.

Each land gets a different color scheme: Santa’s Village in classic red and green, and Craftsman’s Valley in a candlelight glow.

Many locals plan a visit around the evening, when the lights come on.

Dollywood says most attractions are operational during the Christmas season, and from those rides, you can take in the lights shining down below.

2. Christmas in the Smokies

Christmas in the Smokies has headlined Dollywood’s festival every year since 1990, the park says.

Last year, Celebrity Theater hosted it.

Visitors rank it as their favorite show, and many families have watched it for generations.

In 2020, it was already a tradition families had enjoyed for 30 years.

It’s one of the indoor stage shows, so you can step inside for it between rides and lights.

Grab your seat early.

3. Merry & Bright Fireworks

Fireworks gave Dollywood’s Christmas days a finale last year, and the Merry & Bright! show debuted in 2020.

It was back on Friday and Saturday evenings in 2022.

Last year’s run covered Fridays and Saturdays from Nov. 28 through Dec. 27, with extra nights after Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Last year, Dollywood invited guests to sing along.

In 2022, a New Year’s version of the show ran nightly from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1.

The Dollywood app lists show schedules, so check it for this year’s fireworks nights before you pick a date, since the 2026 festival page doesn’t mention them.

Find your spot.

4. Glacier Ridge

Glacier Ridge has turned part of Dollywood into an arctic scene, and the 2020, 2022 and 2025 festivals all had it.

In 2025, it spanned four areas.

Those are Timber Canyon, Wildwood Grove, Wilderness Pass and Upper Craftsman’s Valley.

In 2020, Goo Goo Cluster presented Glacier Ridge.

Dollywood describes its lights as the crisp blues and whites of winter.

In 2022, a 50-foot animated tree in Wilderness Pass put on a synchronized light show each evening, capped by a snow finale.

If you’re there after dark, you can stroll through it slowly.

Take your time.

5. Santa’s Cabin

Last year, Santa’s cabin at Dollywood let you peek inside to see him at work on the naughty and nice list.

Look for your name.

The cabin was set up in the Imagination Playhouse in The Village.

The cabin debuted in 2020 and was back in 2022 and 2025.

In 2022, kids might even have their photo made as they peered through the cabin window.

In 2020, Dollywood described the cabin as Santa’s home away from home in East Tennessee.

Santa’s final day at the list was Dec. 23 last year, so check this year’s dates before you plan the trip.

6. Candlelight Carolers

Last year, the Candlelight Carolers sang traditional Christmas hymns on the steps of the Robert F. Thomas Chapel at Dollywood.

The choral group debuted in 2020 and was back in 2022 and 2025.

In 2020, the park scheduled more than 40 holiday performances each operating day.

In 2025, Dollywood encouraged guests to join in on the hymns.

Check the app to see if they’re back this year.

Bring your voice.

7. O Holy Night

Last year, O Holy Night was Dollywood’s Nativity presentation, staged at The Valley Theater.

The story was told as you’d see it through a child’s eyes.

It was on the festival lineup in 2020, 2022 and 2025, and Dollywood lists it again for 2026 among its outdoor performances.

Dress for the weather.

8. Appalachian Christmas

At the Back Porch Theater, the Smoky Mountain String Band plays traditional Christmas songs with an Appalachian bluegrass sound.

The show, Appalachian Christmas, has been on Dollywood’s lineup in 2020, 2022, 2025 and 2026.

It’s an outdoor show.

Dollywood says the band takes visitors back to a much simpler time.

Showtimes are in the Dollywood app, so you can plan your evening around the set.

Festival Food and the Tasting Pass

Last year’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Tasting Pass at Dollywood let you pick five Christmas treats for one price.

That pass cost $42.99 plus tax, or $39.99 plus tax for Gold and Diamond Season Pass holders.

Last year you could buy the pass online at least 24 hours before your visit, or at the Front Gate.

Dollywood’s festival page listed a 2026 pass as coming soon, so check whether it’s on sale before your visit.

Last year’s savory picks included Santa’s Skillet Potatoes, a Stuffing Stacker and a Pork Belly Skillet.

The sweet side included a Mint Chocolate Brownie Sundae and Red Velvet Hot Chocolate.

Come hungry.

Guided Tour on the Dollywood Express

Dollywood’s Guided Tour takes you aboard the Dollywood Express during the festival.

Reserved seating comes with it.

You’ll get a collectible Smoky Mountain Christmas lanyard, plus a special culinary treat and a holiday hot beverage.

In 2022, the Dollywood Express also got a light show across the field inside its upper turning loop.