Dollywood Smoky Mountain Christmas 2026: dates, hours and what's on
Dollywood is open every day for Smoky Mountain Christmas from Nov. 6 to Jan. 3, except Nov. 26, Dec. 24 and Dec. 25. Here's every date with hours, what tickets and passes cover, and the details Dollywood hasn't posted yet.
The short version
Dates and hours
Smoky Mountain Christmas 2026 dates and hours
Open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, with longer hours on Nov. 27 and 28 and from Dec. 26 on.
| Dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| Nov. 6 to 25 (every day) | 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving) | Closed |
| Nov. 27 and 28 (Fri and Sat) | 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Nov. 29 to Dec. 23 (every day) | 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Dec. 24 and 25 | Closed |
| Dec. 26 to Jan. 3 (every day) | 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
What's there
What's at Smoky Mountain Christmas
Here's what Dollywood's 2026 event page lists. Peppermint Valley and Snow in the Grove are back from last year.
- Over 6 million lights, themed by area: red and green in Santa's Village, blue and white in Glacier Ridge, candlelight glow in Craftsman's Valley
- Dozens of Christmas trees, and a 50-foot tree the resort offer page mentions
- Snow in the Grove, nightly in Wildwood Grove
- Peppermint Valley in Country Fair
- Holiday shows: Christmas in the Smokies, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, Appalachian Christmas and O Holy Night
- Santa visits (2026 dates aren't posted)
Rides
Which rides are open during Smoky Mountain Christmas
Dollywood's 2026 event page doesn't list the rides that run. Its resort offer page names Big Bear Mountain as a ride guests can take during the festival.
Dollywood's rides page says some rides only run above certain temperatures when it's cold, so check it the day you go.
Tickets and costs
Tickets, passes and extras
As of Oct. 11, Dollywood hasn't listed a separate Smoky Mountain Christmas ticket or price. The ticket page sells Pick-A-Day tickets, used on the date you choose, and Good-Any-Day tickets, valid any operating day in the 2026 season, which the festival finishes. 2026 season passes include the festival with one catch: adult and senior Silver passes aren't valid Dec. 13, 2026 to Jan. 3, 2027. Child Silver passes have no blackout dates, and Gold passes cover visits through Jan. 3.
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| Christmas Tasting Pass (up to 5 festival foods) | 2026 pass listed as coming soon |
| Smoky Mountain Christmas Guided Tour | Price not posted |
| Parking | $25 a day |
The Guided Tour includes reserved Dollywood Express seating, a collectible lanyard, character visits, a treat and a hot drink. The parking price comes from Dollywood's resort offer page.
Plan your visit
How to plan a Smoky Mountain Christmas day
- Nov. 27 and 28 and every day from Dec. 26 to Jan. 3 run 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. All other open days are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Three days are closed: Thanksgiving (Nov. 26), Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The park is also closed Nov. 1 to 5, so Nov. 6 is the first day.
- Adult or senior Silver pass? It isn't valid from Dec. 13 to Jan. 3, so go earlier in the season or buy a day ticket for those dates.
- Check Dollywood's site the week you go. Fireworks and Santa dates aren't posted for 2026, and cold weather can stop some rides.
- Jan. 3 is the last open day on Dollywood's calendar, and a 2027 opening day isn't posted yet.
- Look at the crowd calendar before you pick a date.
Waits at Smoky Mountain Christmas
When Dollywood posts waits for the rides that are running, Ride Ready shows them live, free, and pings you when a line drops.
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Smoky Mountain Christmas 2026 FAQ
When does Smoky Mountain Christmas 2026 start at Dollywood?
Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. It runs through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027, and Dollywood is open every day in between except Nov. 26, Dec. 24 and Dec. 25.
What are Dollywood's hours during Smoky Mountain Christmas?
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on most days. Nov. 27 and 28 and every day from Dec. 26 to Jan. 3 run 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Is Smoky Mountain Christmas included with a Dollywood ticket or season pass?
Dollywood doesn't list a separate festival ticket, so a regular Pick-A-Day or Good-Any-Day ticket covers it. 2026 season passes include it too, except that adult and senior Silver passes aren't valid Dec. 13, 2026 to Jan. 3, 2027. Child Silver passes have no blackout dates, and Gold passes cover visits through Jan. 3.
Which rides are open during Smoky Mountain Christmas?
Dollywood's 2026 event page doesn't list rides. Its resort offer page names Big Bear Mountain as a ride guests can take during the festival, and its rides page says some rides only run above certain temperatures when it's cold.
Is Dollywood open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
No. Dollywood's calendar shows Dec. 24 and 25 closed, along with Thanksgiving, Nov. 26. It reopens Saturday, Dec. 26 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Does Smoky Mountain Christmas have fireworks or Santa in 2026?
Santa visits are on Dollywood's 2026 event page, but no dates are posted. As of Oct. 11, no 2026 fireworks dates are posted either.
Sources
- Dollywood: Smoky Mountain Christmas
- Dollywood: festivals
- Dollywood: operating calendar
- Dollywood: tickets
- Dollywood: 2026 season announcement
- Dollywood: resort Stay & Play offer
- Dollywood: rides
- Dollywood: 2025 Smoky Mountain Christmas release
- Dollywood: March 2026 season release
- Dollywood: season passholder hub (blackout dates)
Checked against Dollywood's official pages on Oct. 11, 2026. Parks change hours and details during the season, so check their calendar the week you go.