Dollywood is a fun place to go any time of the year thanks to its many attractions, friendly people, and gorgeous environment. However, if there is one time of the year that we think everyone should go at least once in their lifetimes (at least if you love Christmas), that time is December. Dollywood is a place that goes all out for Christmas. Think lights and tons of holiday decorations and, of course, winter festivities. Just take a look at the following Dollywood list of events for December 2021:
Upcoming Events at Dollywood: December 2021
Pigeon Forge Christmas Tour | December 1 to December 3
This is an annual event hosted by Cross Tours & Motor Coach that includes activities in Dollywood as well as the greater Pigeon Forge area. This Pigeon Forge Christmas Tour is seen by many as the official beginning of Christmas as it is when all the shops, restaurants, and parks put out their holiday displays and really get into the spirit. Dollywood alone will have more than five million bright and colorful lights hearkening in the Christmas season. Live music and entertainment are also a given during this special weekend, as well as special pop-up shops.
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Presented by Humana | November 6 to January 2
As we said, Dollywood takes Christmas seriously, From that first weekend of November all the way through the New Year, Dollywood will host their annual Smoky Mountain Christmas Presented by Humana. During this two-month-long celebration of the winter holiday, visitors can enjoy all manner of Christmas cheer. This includes an astounding five million Christmas lights and the sounds of Christmas carols and holiday songs intermixed with the cheers and mechanical noises of the park’s award-winning rides.
In addition to those general lights and music, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Presented by Humana also incorporates its own unique Christmas-themed areas of the park. Take the family to stroll through their Santa’s Village where you’ll find massive Christmas trees and tons of moving light displays. On select nights through the month of December, generally weekends, this is also the best place to view Dollywood’s Christmas fireworks display. They call this the “Merry and Bright” fireworks display and it certainly leaves up to the name.
Throughout the entirety of this Christmas event at Dollywood, daily and weekly Christmas-oriented performances can be expected. For example, Candlelight Carolers are a nightly event in which live carolers will grace the steps of the Valley’s chapel to perform Christmas hymns within a candlelit setting. On the weekends, the Back Porch Theater boasts regular acoustic Christmas performances.
Dollywood will also be hosting other unique holiday performances, including a show called Heart of the Holidays at the Dreamsong Theater in which Dolly’s next generation of kinsfolk will showcase songs from her latest Christmas album as well as other Christmas and general holiday hits. However, the exact times of these performances have yet to be determined. Check the Dollywood official website closer to your vacation date to learn more.
Smoky Mountain Christmas at the Museum | December 18
This holiday event is located just outside of Dollywood in Townsend but is well worth the trip. The Smoky Mountain Christmas at the Museum will take place at the Little River Railroad & Lumber Company Museum between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m. Admission to this outdoor family-friendly event is free but will depend upon good weather. During those hours, the museum will boast a massive outdoor Garden Railroad display which will include a fully sized Shay locomotive boasting holiday decorations. Staff members will also be hosting a model railroad scavenger hunt that will be open to all ages. For the children, Santa will make an appearance (as well as some of his elves) while adults may enjoy browsing the table displays of local artisans showcasing handmade arts and crafts for sale.
Titanic Christmas & Winter Celebration | November 30 to December 30
This is another museum event, but it will happen daily throughout the month of December, and it will also require admission into the museum. The Titanic Museum Pigeon Forge might not be a place you’d expect would go all out for the holidays, but the truth is they are one of the most festive places to be during the Christmas season. Museum staff decorates the place so as to emulate Edwardian Christmas charm. You will enter the museum at the White Star Line boarding station and from that very moment on, you are apt to feel completely transported to another time and place. This location gets decked with over $100,000 in Christmas trimming and lively crew members costumed up in period festive gear.
Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Christmas Show | Daily During December
This is a daily event that the attraction adds to their lumber show. During the month of December and for the advertised shows, the attraction will add unique holiday twists to their general competitions, including the log rolling and speed climbing competitions, plus the full theme of the event is seeing who between the Dawsons and McGraws will win and spend Christmas at Santa’s logging camp. They also boast on-site hot chocolate and include original Christmas and winter holiday songs. Paula Deen’s Lumber Show is already something every family who loves folktales and athletic competitions should check out no matter the season, but these winter festivities truly take the experience to the next level.
Check Back in Closer to December
As noted above, it still is a touch too early to know the exact times and dates of certain December events, such as those performances happening at Dollywoods’ various stages. Check back here or look to Dollywood’s own website closer to your vacation in order to better line up your plans with the exciting holiday events happening there and elsewhere. Also, don’t forget to visit other parts of our website to learn more about the restaurants, shops, attractions, and events of Pigeon Forge.
