Danielle Jeanjaquet
This Christmas at Dollywood guide features all the tips and tricks you need to enjoy your first trip to Smoky Mountain Christmas (or your second or third visit – you can never get enough!).
From the beginning of November through the first few days of January, Dollywood is decked out in Christmas lights, shows, holiday shopping, and special celebrations!
It’s truly magical, and if you love Christmas, the holiday season is certainly the best time for you to visit Dollywood.
So, buckle up and hold on tight, because we are about to coast through all the best highlights of Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas. Here’s a comprehensive guide of all the best attractions, food, shopping, and special Christmas events.
When To Go
Before you arrive at Dollywood, you’ll have to decide when is the best time for you to go!
I went to Smoky Mountain Christmas the first weekend it was open, right at the beginning of November.
In my opinion, those 2-3 weeks before Thanksgiving are the best time to go! Kids aren’t out of school yet, and a lot of people still haven’t gotten into the Christmas spirit. We never waited longer than 30 minutes for any ride, though most of our waits were about 10-15 minutes. Restaurant wait times were short as well, and it was easy to get seats for all the shows we wanted to see.
We visited the park on a Sunday, which I also think was a good move. There were more tickets sold on the Saturday before, so try to avoid that busy day if you can!
Another good time to visit is the first few weeks of December, in between Thanksgiving and Christmas. School and work will keep the crowds away, and you can make the most of your time there.
If you do end up in Dollywood the week of Thanksgiving or Christmas, that’s okay! Get to the park early and stay late to beat the crowds, and try to visit on weekdays if you can.
Shows to See
One of the most wonderful reasons to visit Dollywood during Christmas is all the festive shows.
There were so many Christmas productions to see that we couldn’t review all of them, but here are some favorites:
Christmas in the Smokies
This show is an absolute must-see. Christmas in the Smokies is a tradition they have every year, and it’s certainly a guest favorite! A lovely cast of singers and dancers, along with a live band, perform some fun Christmas classics, as well as some holiday tunes I’ve never heard before. The sets and technical elements of the show are also really well-done!
Candlelight Carolers
In the evenings at the Robert F. Thomas Chapel, an acapella group of carolers put on a short, but lovely, performance of some recognizable Christmas hymns and carols. They also handed out candles to the audience for us to join in with some of the singing. This show really got me in the Christmas spirit!
Merry & Bright
At the very end of the day, Dollywood presents Merry & Bright, their spectacular Christmas fireworks display. You can view the fireworks from many different areas around the park. They typically only present the show on Friday and Saturday nights, but they often add additional days, so be sure to ask a Dollywood employee about the fireworks on the day you are there!
Food to Eat
Dollywood is known for their delicious food, with some amazing dining options all across the park.
For Christmastime, they set up Hot Chocolate stations all over the park, so be sure to look out for those, or check out the locations on the park map. They also offer Seasonal Food Booths in Rivertown Junction!
And, here are some other dining locations that you are sure to love:
Front Porch Cafe
A lovely place to enjoy for a relaxing lunch at Dollywood is the Front Porch Cafe! Their menu offers a bunch of classic Southern dishes, as well as some seasonal favorites.
I really loved the Roasted Chicken with the mashed potatoes, green beans, and an amazing chicken biscuit for sides! The Onion Rings here are also a big hit, and my husband enjoyed the Meatloaf.
Their sweet tea is also delicious, and perfectly relaxing after a busy morning riding all the coasters!
Aunt Granny’s Restaurant
Named by USA Today as one of the top 10 best theme park restaurants in America, Aunt Granny’s is a must-eat.
While it used to be a Southern buffet, because of the pandemic, food is now served family style. Not to worry, though – once you choose your dishes, everything is still all-you-can-eat!
And boy, did we eat a lot! Their tender pot roast is so delicious, as well as the fried turkey with cajun gravy. Their sides were all amazing as well – I was a big fan of the mac & cheese, and mashed potatoes & gravy. And, we had a yummy Christmas cookie and blackberry cobbler for dessert. I was beyond stuffed!
Spotlight Bakery
If you are looking for some delicious desserts and baked goods, look no further than the Spotlight Bakery. For the holidays, they offer Christmas cookies, gingerbreads, cupcakes, and more!
Don’t forget to try some of their Cinnamon Rolls. They will even pack you some rolls to-go that you can pick up on your way out of the park at the Package Pick-up station. Dolly’s famous 25-pound apple pie is also offered here (a single serving weighs 3 whole pounds). It smells and tastes just amazing!
Attractions to Ride
As far as rides and roller coasters go, these attractions stay mostly the same as they do all year round, with the water rides closing because of the colder weather.
All the coasters are just as fun as they usually are – I recommend riding your favorite coasters first thing in the morning, so that you can avoid the longer wait times that come later in the day.
If you are a bit of an adrenaline junkie (like me), then you’ve got to check out Wild Eagle and FireChaser Express. Mystery Mine is also a super fun ride, but I wouldn’t recommend riding it twice in a row – it’s a bit jerky.
And, if you’re looking for kid-friendly rides, make your way to the Country Fair! They have tons of cute fair rides and games down there that are fun for the whole family.
Lastly, you might take a ride on the Dollywood Express. It’s a relaxing, 20-minute ride through the foothills of the Smoky Mountains with some great views of the park. During the holidays, they also play Christmas music and Dolly shares a Christmas story! Try your best to go get your departure tickets ahead of time – spots fill up quickly.
Places to Shop
One of the most incredible things about Christmas at Dollywood is all the unique shops and specialty goods you can find around the park. While you can literally shop ‘til you drop all day long, here are some key stores you might check out.
Craftsman’s Valley
For some amazing home goods and decor, you have got to shop around Craftsman’s Valley!
Check out the Blacksmith & Foundry, where you can find craftsmen hand-forging steel items, gifts, and decor. I also really enjoyed Old Flames Candles, where we were able to dip a Christmas tree candle into our choice of wax colors.
You might also check out Valley Wood Carvers and Custom Glassworks for some more amazing handmade creations!
Rivertown Christmas Cottage
For some festive shopping, head over to the Christmas Cottage in Rivertown Junction!
This quaint little shop hosts a variety of ornaments, Christmas decor, and sweet gift ideas. The store is also open year-round, so you can get your shopping done early (or late).
Dollywood Emporium
If you’re looking for the perfect souvenir or Dollywood accessories and apparel, the Dollywood Emporium is the place to be! This shop is especially magical at Christmastime, with all the holiday-themed gift options and savory and sweet treats.
If you only have time for one store, this is the place I would pick. It offers the widest variety of items, with something for everyone in the family!
Where to See the Lights
Of course, if you are visiting Dollywood at Christmas, you have to enjoy all the amazing light displays! The entire park is decked out with over 5 million holidays lights, so be sure to take your time strolling between destinations to take in all the amazing Christmas decor and displays.
And, here are the must-see places to enjoy the Smoky Mountain Christmas lights:
The Plaza at Wilderness Pass
One of the most magical moments of the day was watching the Wonderful Christmas! show at The Plaza, where an incredible light show is projected onto a 50-foot Christmas tree. The whole plaza is decked out with lights and music – and, they even make it snow!
Parade of Many Colors
At 8 o’clock every night, this parade of light-up floats and holiday characters rolls through the park. The floats are beautifully designed with music to match. Don’t forget to look out for Santa and Mrs. Claus!
Upper Craftsman’s Valley
I really loved the light displays in the upper part of Craftsman’s Valley. There’s an area where they hang twinkling string lights from the trees, making a whimsical pathway through the forest for you to walk through.
The rest of Glacier Ridge, as Dolly calls it, is also made up of beautiful blue light displays, and the most adorable light-up polar bears!
Final Tips and Tricks
Here are a few final tips to ensure that you have a Holly Dolly Christmas!
The weather in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee this time of year is always a bit unpredictable. The day that we were there, we practically experienced three different seasons in one day!
For this reason, I definitely recommend wearing or packing layers to bring with you, so that you can cool down during the sunny parts of the day, and bundle up when it gets cold at night.
And, don’t forget about Dollywood’s package pick-up system, where most items you buy at the shops can be transported for free to the Pick-up Station at Dollywood Emporium. That way, you don’t have to carry around all your souvenirs – they’re ready to go on your way out of the park!
Remember to pick up these items though if you do utilize the package system. I definitely recommend setting a reminder on your phone so you don’t forget.
Finally, don’t be afraid to talk to any of the Dollywood greeters or employees you will find all over the park if you have any questions or concerns! Dollywood has excellent customer service, and their workers are always happy to extend a helping hand or give you directions.
And that’s all for my Christmas at Dollywood guide!
What are you most excited to see or do at Dollywood this Christmas?
And, if you’ve been to Smoky Mountain Christmas before, what was your favorite part?
I’d love to hear all about it in the comments below!
[…] Christmas at Dollywood: Ultimate Guide for First-Timers! […]
This is very helpful!! Thank you. Going for first time this December
This was extremely helpful! Planning to go next month (December 2024) and have never been there. I wonder, since some things are best to be there early in the day but then to see the lights at dark and other things. maybe the shows, can you leave the park for a bit and rest and come back in the same day later early evening? Also, is it best to stay at one of the Dollywood resorts? I thought the package pick up thing was only for those staying in one of the Dollywood resorts. Thanks so much!