5 Reasons to Visit Dollywood’s Harvest Festival This Fall

One of the most popular fall activities in Pigeon Forge is visiting Dollywood’s Harvest Festival. This festival has so much fun to offer, both during the day and after dark. Here’s a list of some of the biggest reasons why you should visit Dollywood’s Harvest Festival when you’re in town this fall.

1. Great Pumpkin LumiNights

One of the biggest highlights of Dollywood’s Harvest Festival is award-winning Great Pumpkin LumiNights. When the sun goes down, the theme park comes alive with the glow of over 12,000 pumpkins. The pumpkins are creatively carved to form larger-than-life structures and enchanting scenes. You’ll find glowing pumpkins on the ground, in the trees, on top of buildings, and even floating on water. This is a not-so-spooky nighttime event that is fun for all ages. Get a family photo in front of the Pumpkin Tree, and see if you can find all the pumpkin owls in Hoot Owl Hollow. There are so many mystical pumpkin creatures to see like a butterfly, giant spider, frogs, bats, and more!

2. Thrilling Rides

Another great reason to visit Dollywood’s Harvest Festival this fall is the chance to ride all sorts of thrilling rides. You can soar through the crisp fall air on roller coasters like Wild Eagle, Thunderhead, Mystery Mine, and the new Big Bear Mountain. Tall rides like Drop Line and Barnstormer give you a great vantage point to see the fall colors of the Smoky Mountains and decorations across the theme park. During this festival, Dollywood stays open late, which means you’ll also have the opportunity to experience these rides after dark. Zooming through the night on a fast roller coaster is an especially thrilling experience!

3. World-Class Artisans

During Dollywood’s Harvest Festival, skilled craftsmen from all across the country make their way to the theme park to share their handmade creations with guests. You’ll have the chance to see these world-class artisans at work as they carve pumpkins, work leather, blow glass, carve wood, and demonstrate other amazing skills. If you find a handmade craft that you like, you can purchase it to bring home with you as a reminder of your time spent in the Smoky Mountains. This is also a great opportunity to shop for that special someone to find the perfect, one-of-a-kind gift for the upcoming holiday season.

4. Tasty Fall Treats

One of the most popular reasons to visit Dollywood’s Harvest Festival is the opportunity to taste all sorts of fall flavors. Culinary locations offer fresh flavors and hearty meals throughout the theme park. You can savor a seasonal favorite like the Harvest Pulled Pork Sandwich, Three Bean Pumpkin Chili, and Chicken & Smoked Sausage Gumbo to keep you warm on a crisp autumn night. Sweet fall treats include drinks like Pumpkin Pie Punch and Autumn Apple Palmer as well as desserts like Pumpkin Pie Funnel Cake and Pumpkin Spice Milkshake that are sure to satisfy your craving for fall flavors this season.

5. Live Music Performances

During Dollywood’s Harvest Festival, special entertainment can be found all across the theme park. Dozens of talented artists perform Southern favorites from bluegrass, country, and southern gospel genres. You can enjoy these sounds of the mountains filling the air to complement the beautiful fall foliage and crisp breezes. You can hear performances from artists such as The Young Fables, Fair Haven, Run Katie Run, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, Triumphant Quartet, Rockland Road, and many more. Make sure you check the show schedule so you don’t miss your favorite performances when you visit!

More Things to Do in Pigeon Forge This Fall

These are some of the biggest reasons to visit Dollywood’s Harvest Festival this fall. If you’re looking for more things to do in the area to celebrate fall, take a look at this list of nighttime fall activities in Pigeon Forge.There are so many fun activities to do in the Smokies this fall!