Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas to be bigger than ever in 2022

Smoky Mountain Christmas will return to Dollywood from Nov. 5, 2022-Jan. 1, 2023. New lighting displays will enhance the park’s already impressive display of over five million lights. With the new display additions, Dollywood will boast over six million lights.

New for 2022 are additional lighting elements being added to the Dollywood Express train loop. Visitors will see a special light show draped across the field located inside the train’s upper turning loop. Village Pass will feature a 130-foot light curtain wall that includes programmed movement.

Dollywood will feature eight unique light zones throughout the park, including the popular Glacier Ridge area that covers Timber Canyon, Wilderness Pass, Wildwood Grove, and Upper Craftsman’s Valley. “Dolly’s Christmas” will feature 60 LED butterflies and a new 20-foot tall Christmas tree. In addition, “Adventures in Imagination” in The Village will be covered in pink, platinum, and gold decorations.

On Friday and Saturday nights, “Merry and Bright” fireworks will once again light the skies above Dollywood with upbeat holiday tunes. After Christmas, the fireworks show will change the music to help guests ring in the new year. The New Year’s version of the show will take place from Dec. 26, 2022-Jan. 1, 2023

Old Saint Nick will also be back at his cabin for guests to see him hard at work making his list and checking it twice. Santa will be in his cabin workshop until Christmas Day.

Dollywood is well known for its Christmas shows, and many favorites will be back for the 2022 holiday season. “Christmas in the Smokies,” “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “Heart of the Holidays,” and “Candlelight Carolers” are just some of the shows that visitors can see during Smoky Mountain Christmas.

Finally, Dollywood’s team of chefs are cooking up holiday delights for guests looking to enjoy treats or a full Christmas meal. Savory items include citrus-glazed carved ham, chicken pot pie in a bread cone, and herb-roasted turkey. For those with a sweet tooth, eggnog cupcakes, gingerbread-dusted funnel cake, holiday limeade, and more will be available to try.

“Christmas is a time for new memories to be created, cherished family traditions to be celebrated and the love of the holidays to warm us all,” shared Dolly Parton. “It is my wish that our guests celebrate the light of the Christmas season while they are here with us at Dollywood.”