By Sinaiyouth 
Those who have what I’d like to describe as an “insider baseball brain” (like me) when it comes to theme parks know that planning happens months, or even a full year, in advance. The 2026 calendar is starting to fill up with exciting new rides opening across the country as well as preparations underway for America 250 has Walt Disney World, Disneyland, And Silver Dollar City.
Dollywood’s Historic 2026 Season Begins March 13and it’s safe to say that this will be the one to enter the record books. With Season Passes for the 2026 season will go on sale to the general public this Saturday, November 1let’s review what’s coming up for the resort destination of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Night Flight Expedition
The milestone event taking place at Dollywood in 2026 is the opening of Night Flight ExpeditionA a unique attraction of its kind. Launch in the spring 2026Passholders will be able to preview the attraction in the days leading up to the official opening.
At $50 million, NightFlight Expedition is the largest attraction investment in Dollywood Parks & Resorts history. The five and a half minute journey is the world’s first hybrid indoor roller coaster and whitewater raft ride. Night Flight Expedition celebrates the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains as runners search for bioluminescence in the most visited national park in the country. This attraction, hosted by Mack Rideswill not fail to surprise when it opens next spring.
WORLD’S FIRST HYBRID COASTER AND RAFT RIDE COMES TO DOLLYWOOD IN 2026
Inaugural Run Dollywood Race Weekend
Another new addition to Dollywood for the 2026 season is the premiere Run the Dollywood Race Weekend. Runners can lace up their shoes and take part in an event-packed weekend at April 25 and 26, 2026. Saturday morning events include a 1 mile fun run for kids ages 4-12, a 5k and a 10k. The marquee half marathon will take place Sunday morning. All routes will crisscross the park and its surroundings.
New after-hours Halloween event
After-hours Halloween events have exploded in popularity in recent years, with Disney’s Oogie Boogie Bash and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party attracting guests of all ages, while Universal turns the thrill factor up to 11 with Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando and Hollywood. Dollywood is taking the Disney approach to Halloween in 2026 with a a brand new after-hours event called Harvey’s Boo Bash.
The Halloween family event will take place over three evenings next fall: October 16, 23 and 30 from 9:00 p.m. to midnight after the park closes to day visitors. This limited capacity, separately ticketed event will include entertainment, candy collection stations, event-exclusive food and merchandise, and more time to enjoy Dollywood at night and explore areas like Great Pumpkin LumiNights.
Dollywood celebrates America 250
America’s 250th birthday will be in 2026, and theme parks, including Dollywood, deploy red, white and blue decorations to celebrate. Dollywood will feature special decoration in recognition of the anniversary throughout the park from March to August. Furthermore, the Sweet Summer Nights drone show which takes place every evening during the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration will feature a special patriotic salute.
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Other returning seasonal events
In addition to the new offers listed above, Dollywood’s seasonal events will return during the 2026 season. These organized events reflect the season and time of year in which they take place with limited-time food and merchandise, decorations and more.
The full schedule of events for the 2026 season is as follows:
- I Will Always Love You Music Festival: March 13 – April 12
- Festival of flowers and gastronomy: April 18 – June 7
- Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration: June 15 – August 2
- Harvest Festival: September 14 – October 31
- Smoky Mountain Christmas: November 6 – January 3
The Dollywood water park, Land of splashes, will launches its 2026 season on May 23 and will be open every day until August 9. The water park will then move to a weekend-only schedule via the conclusion of its season on September 20.
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Coming to Dollywood in 2026: A Revolutionary Ride and a New After-Hours Halloween Party was originally published on The World of Spark.