Know Before You Go: Harvest Festival at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge

Are you ready to kick off the fall season with cooler temperatures, warm sweaters and pumpkin-flavored everything? Don’t worry, we’re ready, too! The fall temperatures have finally made their way to the Smoky Mountains and Dollywood is helping kick off the season with their annual National Southern Gospel and Harvest Celebration.

At the National Southern Gospel and Harvest Celebration this year, guests will get to experience the true fall atmosphere while on vacation.

(See Related: Here’s What the Smoky Mountains Fall Forecast Looks Like for 2014)

The harvest festival began on September 22 and runs through November 1, giving visitors plenty of time to make their way to the Smoky Mountains for the fun.

Concert Series

There will be over 350 concerts to see during the harvest festival at Dollywood this year! And what makes it even better? They’re all free with admission to the park, so make sure to pick up a showtimes brochure at the main gate (or anywhere throughout the park). Showtimes vary daily.

There are very popular gospel music artists who will be performing throughout the festival. If you’re familiar with gospel music, you may recognize a few of these names:

• The Perrys

• The Talleys

• Three Part Grace

• The Triumphant Quartet

• Karen Peck & New River

• The Isaacs

• Guy Penrod

Fall Menus

It’s fall, and in the Smoky Mountains that means pumpkin spice lattes, apple stack cakes, hot apple cider and kettle corn. At each of the restaurants, you can stop in and see their seasonal menus, filled with fall-flavored snacks and meals that will absolutely make your mouth water.

Everywhere you turn in the park, you will find new fall foods, as well as the traditional Southern favorites like funnel cakes, freshly squeezed lemonade and more. There’s a little bit of everything at Dollywood, so everyone can enjoy the sights, sounds and flavors of fall in the Smokies.

Fall Sights and Sounds

Who said hiking in the Smoky Mountains was the only way to see the beauty of the fall colors? There’s so many ways to see the fall colors, and Dollywood has one of the most unique ways: roller coasters. The fall colors can be seen from all over the theme park, but when you catch a ride on a roller coaster, you will have the best experience. From rides like Tennessee Tornado, you will be soaring through the mountains, seeing all of the fall colors.

As you walk through the park, you will probably notice some fall leaves starting to blanket the ground. You can hear the crunch of the leaves beneath your feet as you rustle through them to arrive at the ride or show!

So, it’s time to start packing. Break out the suitcases, toss in some fall clothes, grab your camera and head to the Smoky Mountains for the harvest festival at Dollywood. Take a look at all of Stony Brook’s cabins for rent in Gatlinburg for a great place to stay, only a couple of minutes from all of the fun at Dollywood!