Just ahead of the opening of its 41st season, Dollywood has had one of its annual events named a top flower festival in the United States.
Voters named Dollywood’s Flower and Food Festival the No. 6 best flower festival in the 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Reader’s Choice Awards.
The Flower and Food Festival is the second seasonal celebration that Dolly Parton’s Pigeon Forge theme park will host in 2026. It is scheduled to run from April 18 to June 7, according to Dollywood. Guests during that time can see larger-than-life mosaicultures and half a million blooms.
Dollywood introduces new food and flavors for the seasonal period. To try all the new dishes, guests can buy a “tasting pass” to try a select number of offerings, paid upfront. Additionally, Dollywood will offer fresh shows and entertainment for the festival.
Perhaps the most iconic part of the Flower and Food Festival is the massive display of colorful umbrellas hanging over the park walkway. This beloved picture stop is a symbol of the vibrant festival.
Dollywood’s festival was not the No. 1 favorite flower festival. Instead, Daffodil Festival at Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground, Georgia, took the top spot in the USA TODAY poll.
When are Dollywood’s 2026 seasonal festivals?
The I Will Always Love You Music Festival will kick off the park’s series of annual festivals on March 13. It will run until April 12.
The dates for the other seasonal festivals are:
- Flower and Food Festival | April 18-June 7
- Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration | June 15-Aug. 2
- Harvest Festival | Sept. 14-Oct. 31
- Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival | Nov. 6-Jan. 3
When is Dollywood’s opening day in 2026?
Dollywood will open to season passholders and guests with single-day tickets alike on March 13, according to the park calendar.
How much are Dollywood tickets per person?
Dollywood sells a variety of tickets, including date-specific one-day tickets, any-day tickets and two-day options. Of course, Parton’s park also sells season passes, and multi-park passes that allow guests to visit Dollywood and Splash Country water park.
Here’s a price breakdown of the adult ticket costs. Senior and kids discounts are available.
- One-day Dollywood ticket: Starts at $94.99
- Two-day Dollywood ticket: Starts at $124.99
- One-day multi-park ticket: Starts at $104.99
- Two-day multi-park ticket: Starts at $134.99
- Dollywood Summer Fun Pass: Starts at $134.99 (For visits from April 18 to Sept. 13, does not include water park entry)
- Dollywood Silver Season Pass: Starts at $169.99 (Does not include water park entry)
- Dollywood Gold Season Pass: Starts at $244.99 (Does not include water park entry)
What are the 10 best flower festivals in the US?
- Daffodil Festival at Gibbs Gardens (Ball Ground, Georgia)
- Rochester Lilac Festival (Rochester, New York)
- Zoo Blooms at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (Cincinnati, Ohio)
- Northwest Flower & Garden Festival (Seattle, Washington)
- Mackinac Island Lilac Festival (Mackinac Island, Michigan)
- Dollywood’s Flower and Food Festival (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)
- North Carolina Azalea Festival (Wilmington, North Carolina)
- Tulip Time (Holland, Michigan)
- Colorado Lavender Festival (Palisade, Colorado)
- Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival (Nashville, Tennessee)
Knox News reporter Devarrick Turner contributed to this report.
Allison Kiehl covers trending and breaking news from Knoxville for the Tennessee Connect Team. Email: [email protected]
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