Dolly Parton passed away on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80. The park she created will continue to welcome guests this fall during the Dollywood Harvest Festival, which is filled with the Smoky Mountain warmth she spent her life sharing with the world. Visitors can enjoy thousands of carved pumpkins glowing in the dark, theme park rides, and a towering 40-foot pumpkin tree.
For guests staying with Eden Crest Vacation Rentals, our Pigeon Forge vacation rentals sit just minutes from the park, along with cabins in Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and Wears Valley. Your stay also unlocks our Passport to Paradise program, with up to $600 per night in complimentary activity tickets (please review the current program guidelines before you plan).
What to Know About the Dollywood Harvest Festival
Presented by Humana, the Harvest Festival runs each fall at Dollywood Theme Park. Days fill with Southern gospel, country, and bluegrass performers while the scent of fall treats drifts through the streets. After sunset, the park glows with one of the most photographed light displays in the South.
Great Pumpkin LumiNights After Dark
The award-winning Great Pumpkin LumiNights is the heart of the Dollywood Harvest Festival, lighting the night with thousands of creatively carved pumpkins and larger-than-life pumpkin icons. Look for these highlights:
- Hoot Owl Hollow: A gigantic glowing owl and dozens of its friends roosting in the trees, atop buildings, and across the hillside.
- The Pumpkin Tree: A towering 40-foot centerpiece stacked with glowing pumpkins, and one of the best photo stops in the park.
- Dolly’s Glowing Guitar: A giant illuminated guitar with a melody of its own, and a fitting tribute to the woman who started it all.
- Behind the Glow Tour: A guided walk through Great Pumpkin LumiNights for visitors who want the stories behind the displays.
Daytime Fun at the Dollywood Fall Festival
There is just as much to love before the lights come on. The Dollywood Harvest Festival fills the daylight hours with music, rides, and mountain-fresh flavors:
- Live Performances: Dozens of artists perform daily across the park’s streets and stages, from bluegrass and country to Southern gospel.
- Candy Corn Country: The Country Fair area transforms into a sweet fall playground with characters to meet and surprises around every corner.
- Rides and Attractions: Ride Big Bear Mountain, race through Mystery Mine as the foliage rushes past, or take the classic Dollywood Express for a relaxing look at the color.
- Harvest Tasting Pass: Sample up to five festival foods for one price, from hearty harvest plates to spiced seasonal sips.
New This Year: Harvey’s Boo Bash
The Dollywood Harvest Festival adds its first exclusive nighttime celebration this season. Harvey’s Boo Bash is a separately ticketed, limited-capacity party held on three Friday nights in October, with candy stations, dance parties, and late-night rides beneath the glowing pumpkins.
Where to Stay Near Dollywood Theme Park
A cabin just minutes from the gates means you can head back for the evening lights without a long drive. Eden Crest Vacation Rentals offers everything from cozy hideaways to luxury vacation rentals in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains, with hot tubs, fireplaces, game rooms, and mountain views made for October mornings.
The Southern gospel lineup also makes this a favorite season for group travel, and we offer large cabins near Pigeon Forge for church or youth groups who want to stay together under one roof. Call our team at 850-424-7570 to find the right fit.