Here are the seasonal events you can experience at Dollywood this spring.
Updated By Chris Murphy / Images from Dollywood
As the Great Smoky Mountains shake off the winter chill, Dollywood is preparing for what officials call a “game-changing” 2026 season. From a groundbreaking new attraction to the debut of an inaugural race weekend, spring 2026 at Dollywood offers a vibrant mix of music, blooms, and high-octane adventure.
Here are the seasonal events you can experience at Dollywood this spring.
March 13-April 11, 2026: I Will Always Love You Music Festival
The season kicks off with the I Will Always Love You Music Festival, a soulful tribute to the art of songwriting and Dolly Parton’s enduring musical legacy. The highlight of the festival is the return of “From the Heart: The Life & Music of Dolly Parton,” a production that earned the 2024 Golden Ticket Award for Best New Show. Guests can enjoy a diverse lineup of live performances across the park, spanning various genres that celebrate the stories behind the songs. New festival-exclusive dining and merchandise are also slated to debut, giving guests a fresh taste of the Smokies.
Click here to read more about Dollywood’s I Will Always Love You Festival.
April 18-June 7, 2026: Flower & Food Festival
Following the music celebration, the park transforms into a botanical wonderland for the Flower & Food Festival. In 2026, the event will feature more than 500,000 fresh blooms and the park’s iconic “Mosaicultures”—larger-than-life plant sculptures. New for 2026, these floral masterpieces will extend into the Dolly Parton Experience, adding a new layer of immersion. Foodies can purchase a Tasting Pass to sample spring-inspired culinary creations that highlight seasonal flavors like lemon, lavender, and local honey.
Click here to read more about Dollywood’s Flower and Food Festival.
May 23-Sept. 20, 2026: Visit Dollywood’s Splash Country
If you’re looking to beat the heat, visit Dollywood’s Splash Country, which opens for the 2026 season on May 23rd. Cool down at this mountain water park with exciting water rides, slides and attractions. Splash Country has something for all ages, including a water play area for toddlers and loungers for parents.
Click here to read more about Dollywood’s Splash Country.
Click here to read more about Dollywood.
The Dolly Parton Experience
NOW OPEN! The Dolly Parton Experience is slated to open this spring with a number of interactive elements to make guests feel as if they were alongside Dolly as she journeyed from Locust Ridge to stages around the world. Housed in multiple buildings, the multi-faceted Dolly Parton Experience includes exhibits which span her iconic career, the inspiration and results of her biggest dreams, the importance of her family, and even a curated exhibit that highlights Dolly’s signature style through the years. The Dolly Parton Experience provides guests more Dolly than ever, as it is three times the size of the former Chasing Rainbows Museum. The entire Adventures in Imagination area transforms to create the Dolly Parton Experience.
Click here to read more about the Dolly Parton Experience.
