Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana returns from Sept. 14 through Oct. 31, bringing autumn decor and evening illuminations to the Great Smoky Mountains. The festival features thousands of carved pumpkins, regional entertainment, and seasonal food offerings across the park.
New additions to this year’s lineup include nightly LumiNights Dance Parties and an Apple Market at the Dollywood Express train depot. The Apple Market serves seasonal treats such as fried apple pies, warm apple dumplings, sliced apples with caramel, apple fritters, skillet-cooked apples with granola, and an apple cider flight.
The festival also debuts Harvey’s Boo Bash, Dollywood’s first separately ticketed after-hours event, held on Oct. 16, 23, and 30. Taking place from 9 p.m. until midnight after the park closes to regular guests, the event features trick-or-treating stations, dance parties, and access to attractions including NightFlight Expedition. Boo Bash ticket holders receive early entry to the park starting at 4 p.m.
Each evening, the Great Pumpkin LumiNights display illuminates areas including Timber Canyon, Wilderness Pass, Wildwood Grove, and Craftsman’s Valley. The pumpkin displays include representations of park rides such as Big Bear Mountain, Wild Eagle, and Lightning Rod. Character meet-and-greets feature Harvey, the Pumpkin Master, and returning attractions in Candy Corn Country.
Live musical acts across country, gospel, bluegrass, and Americana genres will give more than 700 performances on indoor and outdoor stages during the six-week festival. Headliners include American Idol winner Hannah Harper, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Emily Ann Roberts, The Isaacs, The Grascals, John Foster, Drake Milligan, and Gold City. All concerts are included with general park admission.
Dollywood’s culinary team has expanded the fall menu with items such as barbecue chicken sweet potato fries, sausage and cabbage skillets, smoked pork flatbread, stuffed acorn squash, caramel apple milkshakes, and harvest croissant praline bread pudding. A Harvest Festival tasting pass is available for $44.99 plus tax, or $41.99 for gold and diamond season passholders, allowing guests to select five menu items.
The park displays colossal pumpkins weighing several hundred to over 1,000 pounds from East Coast growers, alongside demonstrations by visiting artisans. Dollywood operates until 9 p.m. nightly during the festival, with extended hours from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. scheduled from Oct. 3 through Oct. 15.
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