Voted as Tripadvisor’s #1 U.S. theme park, Dollywood is gearing up for one of their most exciting seasons yet as 2026 is looking otherwise be a very special year for the park with the introduction of their most expensive ride, EVER!
Named NightFlight Expedition, this indoor Mack Rocking Boat ride will be the park’s largest attraction ever, and season passes for this landmark year will be going on sale this Saturday (November 1st).
The 41st season will open on Friday, March 13, with special ride preview days for season pass holders in advance of the new ride opening.
Costing more than $50 million, it’s the largest attraction investment in the history of Dollywood Parks & Resorts and is scheduled to open in Spring, 2026.
“I’m often asked if there’s anything I would do differently when it comes to what we’ve accomplished at Dollywood, and I can safely say I wouldn’t change a thing,” Dolly explained. “I’m so proud of what the park has become in its first 40 years, and with what we have in store for our guests this year, it’s safe to say we’re just getting started!
“When we opened the park in 1986, it was hard to imagine that we would be able to open attractions like NightFlight Expedition. It’s so big and so different from anything else we had at that time, that even with all my dreaming, I don’t think any of us dreamed of something like this back when we first opened. I’m just honored that so many people have come to visit and support us through the years. It’s because of that support that we’re able to come up with something like this now!”
The ride will be the world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride with the first Mack Rocking Boat opening at Futuroscope in France earlier this year (see POV of that ride at the bottom of this article) but what will set Dollywood’s ride apart is the immersive theming and the entirety of the ride being indoors in this 5 and a half minute experience.
Guests will embark on an unforgettable journey through the Smoky Mountains to search for bioluminescence in the nation’s most-visited national park. Guests soar on a nighttime flight over the scenic Smokies, enjoy a thrilling whitewater rafting excursion through more than 500,000 gallons of surging water, traverse a mountain ridge on a roller coaster, and navigate a mysterious, shimmering lake by boat.
The combination of all of these elements will be a huge headline for Dollywood during the 2026 season, but it’s not just this new addition that makes it a special year for the Tennessee park.
Introducing the inaugural Run Dollywood race weekend set for April 25-26, 2026.
Race participants can enjoy the beauty of spring in the Smokies, as well as the unique atmosphere of Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival, as they race the fun-filled course that winds its way through the park and the surrounding area. A full calendar of races is planned for the inaugural event weekend, including the marquee half-marathon slated for Sunday morning. Companion races—a 1-mile kids fun run (ages 4-12), a 5k, a 10k —are scheduled for Saturday morning. Registration takes place on the Run Dollywood page: Dollywood.com/RunDollywood.
Those ready for even more family-friendly fall fun in the Smokies should look no further than Dollywood’s exclusive new nighttime event, Harvey’s Boo Bash, set for Oct. 16, 23 and 30. The Boo Bash—hosted by Dollywood’s loveable pumpkin character, Harvey—is an immersive, limited-capacity celebration featuring one-of-a-kind entertainment, treats and fun.
A separately ticketed event, Harvey’s Boo Bash begins after Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana closes to regular park guests on the selected nights. The Boo Bash begins at 9 p.m. and runs through midnight, offering guests an evening to enjoy Great Pumpkin LumiNights as well as several exclusive activities and offerings just for them, including a number of candy collecting stations and access to many of Dollywood’s award-winning attractions. Guests can also enjoy unique, event-only food and merchandise offerings, providing visitors with a chance to try new flavors and find exclusive souvenirs available only at Harvey’s Boo Bash.
Great Pumpkin LumiNights glows even brighter every evening during the Harvest Festival (Sept. 14-Oct. 31) thanks to another debut, a new dance party that is sure to light up the night! With upbeat music, dazzling lights and a festive autumn atmosphere, it’s the perfect way to keep the fabulous fall fun going after the sun goes down! Additionally, the Rivertown and Market Square areas of the park will transform into Apple Jack’s Market, with special culinary offerings and décor celebrating the prized harvest treat, the apple. Meanwhile in The Village, Tassletop Junction features grilled corn and area theming in honor of the mighty maize marvel.
For more information about Dollywood’s 2026 season or season passes, please visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.
