Dollywood Unveils Plans for 40th Anniversary Celebration in 2025
Dollywood’s 40th anniversary logo (Image: Dollywood)
Dollywood will celebrate its 40th anniversary season in 2025 with special events, new shows, and returning favorites. The park opened on May 3, 1986, when Dolly Parton bought a significant interest in what was then called “Silver Dollar City Tennessee.”
“I can’t believe that we’ve been making memories for folks here at my Dollywood for 40 years,” Dolly explained. “That’s a lot of laughter, hugs and smiles, and I’m glad that we’ve been able to be part of it for so many years. When we opened Dollywood, the main thing I wanted to do was to give families a fun place where they could enjoy time spent together. I’m so proud of all the people who have worked to make Dollywood what it is today, and I want to thank all the guests who have supported us and trusted us to help them create those days they’ll never forget.
“And just think, I spent opening day watching the parking lot because I was worried that people might not show up,” she added with a laugh. “But look at how far we’ve come since then—and we’re just getting started!”
40th Anniversary Celebrations
As part of the 40th anniversary, Dollywood has new shows and celebrations.
A new 40th anniversary show debuts Memorial Day weekend and runs through the end of summer. It will feature moments from guest-favorite shows.
A new drone and fireworks show will honor the 40th anniversary season. It will be featured as part of Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City.
A new opening ceremony will occur at the beginning of each operating day during the 2025 season.
The Imagination Playhouse, which features plays based on books from Dolly’s Imagination Library, will be open all season long, with shows for younger guests from March through September. During the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, the experience will include new story time and character meet-and-greets.
“Heartsong: The Movie” will be remastered and moved to Dreamsong Theater as part of The Dolly Parton Experience. It will run in conjunction with “Heidi Parton’s Kin & Friends.”
The Country Fair area will receive a bright refresh for the 2025 season. In addition, during the Harvest Festival, the area transforms into Candy Corn Country with decorations and theming. Peppermint Valley will return during Smoky Mountain Christmas with a bright red and white lighting scheme in the Country Fair.
“I’m excited to welcome guests to celebrate our 40th anniversary season with us in 2025,” said Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton. “We are thrilled to have earned the Tripadvisor #1 US theme park designation last year along with being the highest ranked US park in Golden Ticket Award voting for Best Park last year. We’ve worked hard for 40 seasons to make the Dollywood experience the best theme park experience in the country, and our guests are telling us we’ve done just that through these awards. And remember what Dolly said, ‘We’re just getting started!’”
2025 Events
Dollywood has also announced that season passes are available for 2025 on Dollywood.com and released its lineup of events for that year.
I Will Always Love You Music Festival – March 15th-April 13th.
Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival – April 18th-June 8th
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City – June 14th-August 3rd
Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana – September 12th-October 27th
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana – November 1st-January 4th
