Watch: Dollywood reveals details of new ride, opening in 2026
NightFlight Expedition is an indoor experience that will take riders on a unique and thrilling expedition through the Great Smoky Mountains.
Dollywood is gearing up for its 41st season! Dolly Parton’s theme park has lots planned for 2026, including special events and the debut of its innovative new ride, NightFlight Expedition.
Dollywood opens in March with the I Will Always Love You Music Festival. The official start of the season will be open for all guests with a ticket.
The first day of the season has typically been reserved for season passholders. But for 2026, anyone can attend opening day, and passholders will be able to attend special ride preview days in advance of the official opening of NightFlight later in the spring.
Here’s what every Dollywood fan needs to know about tickets, NightFlight, festivals and more!
When does Dollywood open in 2026?
Dollywood opens at 10 a.m. March 13 for all guests.
But in a change from the original 2026 schedule announced, a special “dry rehearsal” has been added on March 12 for season passholders.
“It’s one easy way for us to not only say thank you to our core consumers of season passholders but it’ll give our hosts a great chance to kick the dirt off the tires and get this place ready for operation,” Naughton explained during a season preview on Feb. 24.
There will be 280 operational days throughout the year packed with festivals, new celebrations, shows, food and fun.
How much are Dollywood tickets?
One-day Dollywood tickets are $94.99 for adults and $84.99 for kids 4-9 and seniors 62 and over. Tickets can be purchased at Dollywood.com.
The park has gold and silver season passes available. Season passes for 2026 cost $170- $250 and can be purchased online at dollywood.com. Summer passes that are valid April 18-Sept. 13 are $135.
What is Dollywood’s new ride?
NightFlight Expedition is a unique indoor ride experience that combines four ride elements into one attraction. The custom immersive hybrid ride is inspired by Parton’s love for the Smoky Mountains at nighttime and will take riders up in the air and down into more than 500,000 gallons of water.
The ride is still under construction and scheduled to open later in the spring.
What’s new at Dollywood for 2026?
In addition to the new NightFlight Expedition ride, Dollywood’s 41st season will feature three major new events for Halloween, runners and event swimmers.
Run Dollywood race
The inaugural Run Dollywood race weekend is April 25-26. The course will take runners through Wildwood Grove, Craftsman’s Valley, Timber Canyon and other scenic routes.
The main event is a half-marathon on the morning of April 26. Companion events including 5K and 10K races and 1-mile race for kids are on the morning of April 25.
Registration is open now at dollywood.com. Fees for available events range from $27.50 to $197.10 as of Feb. 19.
Neon Nights at Dollywood’s Splash Country
Dollywood’s waterpark is adding Neon Nights. The separately ticketed nighttime event features a live DJ and unlimited access to select attractions.
Splash Country starts its season May 16 and 17 and will be open daily May 23 through Aug. 11. It then will shift to a limited schedule through Sept. 20.
Harvey’s Boo Bash
Harvey’s Boo Bash is a new nighttime event set for Oct. 16, 23 and 30. It is a separately ticketed event that happens after Dollywood closes for the day. Hosted by pumpkin character Harvey, the bash features candy-collection stations, unique event-only food and merchandise, Great Pumpkin LumiNights and access to many attractions.
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 closed?
Dollywood is open daily throughout its season, except for:
- April 5, 21, 23, 28 and 30
- Aug. 25 and 27
- Sept. 1 and 3
- Nov. 1-5 and Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving)
- Dec. 24-25 (Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
Jan. 3, 2027, is the last day of Dollywood’s 41st season.
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email [email protected].
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