Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas returns for the holiday season
Smoky Mountain Christmas has officially begun at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., kicking off the season with its signature light displays, shows, food and Christmas spirit.
The “Parade of Many Colors” makes its second appearance this season, alongside shows like “Christmas in the Smokies” and “It’s a Wonderful Life,” as well as four million festive lights – all to delight guests during the festival.
“There is no time of the year that is more special to me than Christmas, said Dolly Parton. “Some of the best memories of my life are from my time spent with family and friends celebrating Christmas together. it’s when we all come together to enjoy sweet traditions and the warm love of family and to have those special experiences we’ll always remember.”
Dollywood’s holiday show offerings bring timeless holiday stories to life. With “It’s a Wonderful Life,” guests follow small-town businessman George Bailey as he discovers the true meaning of life, family and friends with help from Clarence, his guardian angel.
“Christmas in the Smokies” makes its return to D.P.”s Celebrity Theater as the headline for this year’s festival. Guests can celebrate the season and enjoy a cast of singers and dancers performing holiday favorites to a live band.
After its original debut in 2016, the “Parade of Many Colors” returns to celebrate the fun, faith, family and harmony of the Christmas season. The parade features themed floats, interactive characters and a heartwarming message for Dollywood guests. Other shows this season include “An Appalachian Christmas,” “O’ Holy Night,” “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” and “Christmas with The Kingdom Heirs.”
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” the classic Christmas television special, comes to life again at Dollywood this holiday. Guests can meet Rudolph and his friends, including Clarice, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster and Yukon Cornelius in Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Junction. After meeting the festive friends, guests can head to Clarice’s kitchen to decorate Christmas cookies or even play a few reindeer games.
Guests can also experience Santa Land, a fun workshop where smaller guests can visit with Santa and share their wish lists.
To top off their visit, families can take in a traditional Christmas meal with Dollywood’s many holiday-themed menu items. Among those offerings this year is the Thanksgiving Feast sandwich – a ciabatta roll filled with cornbread dressing, slices of oven-roasted turkey breast, cranberry sauce and served with sweet potato tater tots.
Returning holiday favorites include turkey and dressing, chicken and dumplings, Christmas ham, Cornish hens, center cut pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, hot flavored drinks like wassail, Mayfield hot chocolate and cider, and more. Holiday desserts available throughout the park include red velvet and pumpkin spice funnel cakes, and gingerbread man cookies.
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas runs now through Jan. 1, 2018. For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit dollywood.com. Check out our video of the “Parade of Many Colors” below:
