Dollywood Hours and Schedule (2023)
Are you looking for an updated Dollywood calendar for your next visit?
Since the Dollywood parks are not open year round, park guests often wonder when Dollywood will open for the season. If you’re eager to plan your next trip to the Dollywood Theme Park, you’ll want to know the schedule and hours for this year (2023).
Luckily, Dollywood has released its updated calendar to the general public, so Dollywood guests can get a head start on their big plans!
If you’re planning a vacation to the Tennessee Smoky Mountains or the Pigeon Forge area, you’ll want to organize your schedule around this year’s fun-filled Dollywood calendar.
So, continue reading our article below for everything you need to know on the Dollywood park hours, monthly schedule, and seasonal events you can expect to find this year!
(This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy at the bottom of this page for more details.)
When does Dollywood open?
Visitors to the Smoky Mountains may not realize that Dollywood Theme Park is not open year-round. Instead, this family friendly vacation destination tends to close in early January through February and part of March.
The park then reopens for the start of the spring break season with modified hours. In 2023, Dollywood’s opening date is Saturday, March 11. Dollywood is scheduled to be open from 10:00 am through 8:00 pm on this date.
The Dollywood Park will then remain open through the end of the year (and until January 6, 2024). Although, the hours of operation and daily schedule change quite a bit.
If you’re hoping to stay at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort during your visit to Pigeon Forge, rest assured that this beautiful hotel is open year round. So, even if the theme park is closed for the season, you can still enjoy a luxurious stay at the DreamMore Resort and Spa.
Dollywood Schedule and Hours of Operation
During the 2023 season, Dollywood is open on select days of the week with various operating hours. We will break down the Dollywood schedule and calendar below:
March
Beginning on Saturday, March 11, Dollywood Theme Park is open on weekends in March from 10AM-8PM. Starting March 13, it is open on weekdays from 10AM-7PM except for the following dates when Dollywood is closed: March 21, 23, 28, and 30.
April
During the month of April, Dollywood is open every weekend from 10AM-8PM. Although, it’s important to note that the park will be closed on Sunday, April 9 in observance of the Easter holiday.
Additionally, Dollywood is open on weekdays in April from 10AM-7PM with the exception of the following dates: Tuesday, April 18 and Tuesday, 25.
May
Dollywood is open every weekend in May from 10AM-8PM. It is also open on weekdays (except Tuesdays) from 10AM-7PM. It’s important to note that Dollywood is closed every Tuesday in May.
Beginning on Wednesday, May 31, Dollywood extends its weekday hours to 10AM-8PM.
June
Dollywood guests can enjoy extended hours throughout the month of June. The park is open every day this month with June 1-16 featuring operating hours of 10AM-8PM.
Beginning on Saturday, June 17 and running through June 30, Dollywood’s hours of operation are 10:00 am through 9:30 pm.
July
The month of July offers the most time at the Dollywood Theme Park with operating hours of 10AM-9:30PM every single day.
August
In August, Dollywood’s hours begin to change due to Back to School season. The dates of August 1-6 feature operating times of 10:00 am through 9:30 pm. The Dollywood hours on August 7-13 then change to 10AM-8PM.
After August 13, Dollywood is closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the remainder of the month. The operating hours for the rest of the dates in August are as follows:
- 10AM-7PM on August 14, 16, 18-20, 26, and 27
- 10AM-6PM on August 21, 23, 25, 28, and 30
September
During the beginning of September, Dollywood reduces its hours as it prepares for its fall festival and fall break travel. The park is open on weekends from 10AM-7PM through mid-September.
It’s also open on the following weekdays from 10AM-6PM: September 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 15, 18. Dollywood is closed every Tuesday in September as well as on Thursday, September 7 and Thursday, September 14.
Beginning on Wednesday, September 20, Dollywood increases its hours for its fall festival. Dollywood is then open from 10AM-9PM from September 20 through September 30. Although, it’s still important to note that the park is closed on Tuesday, September 26.
October
During the month of October, Dollywood continues to celebrate the Harvest Festival featuring Great Pumpkin Luminights. The park is open from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm every day except Tuesdays during the month of October.
It’s important to note that Dollywood is closed on Halloween (Tuesday, October 31).
November
In preparation for Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas event, the park is closed on November 1-3. Dollywood Theme Park is open for most of the month of November from 11:00 am through 9:00 pm.
However, the park is scheduled to be closed on Tuesdays during November and on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 23).
December
With the exception of Christmas Eve (December 24) and Christmas Day (December 25), Dollywood is open every day in December from 11:00 am through 9:00 pm.
These hours continue through January 6, 2024 before the park closes again until March 2024.
Dollywood Festivals and Events
As mentioned above, Dollywood hosts several special events and festivals throughout the year. The current dates for 2023 festivals are as follows:
- I Will Always Love You Celebration: March 11- April 1, 2023
- Dollywood’s Flower and Food Festival: April 21 – June 11, 2023
- Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration: June 17 – August 6, 2023
- Harvest Festival: September 20 – October 30, 2023
- Smoky Mountain Christmas: November 4 – January 6, 2023
For additional information on enjoying Dollywood during the holiday season, we recommend checking out our Dollywood in December Christmas Guide. We find the month of December to be the best time to visit Dollywood as they host the best Christmas event in the area.
Dollywood’s Splash Country
In addition to the theme park we discussed above, Dollywood is also home to a water park known as Dollywood’s Splash Country. This super fun waterpark is open on select dates in May-September.
If you’re planning a visit to Dollywood’s Splash Country, these are the updated hours of operation for 2023:
- May – open 10AM-6PM on the following dates: 13, 14, 20-31
- June – open 10AM-6PM on 1-9 and 10AM-7PM on 10-30
- July – open 10AM-7PM every day
- August – open 10AM-7PM on 1-6 and 10AM-6PM on the following dates: 8, 10, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27
- September – open 10AM-6PM on the following dates: 2-4, 9-10
Dollywood Season Passes
Overall, Dollywood is a great place to visit during each season it’s open. In addition to the fun rides at Dollywood and the live entertainment, the park offers incredible annual events. It you’re planning to visit the Dollywood Theme Park on multiple days, we highly recommend considering purchasing season passes.
The Dollywood Season Pass pays for itself after just a few visits to the park. Depending on what type of season passholder you are (gold pass or silver pass), you may also receive additional perks during your visit, including:
- unlimited visits to the park
- unlimited access to festivals
- two free tickets for friends
- discounts on tickets for friends and family
- discounts on lodging
- discounts on dining and merchandise
- free parking
- Saturday early ride time
- TimeSaver line access during the first hour of each operating day
Final Thoughts on the Dollywood Schedule and Hours
The Dollywood parks provide plenty of fun for the whole family during most of the months of the year. Although the parks are closed for most of January and all of February, you can make a lot of memories during the months of March through December!
For some extra special experiences, we highly recommend planning your trip during one of the many seasonal festivals held at Dollywood.
If you’re planning to visit during the 2023 season, you’ll also want to check out Dollywood’s new attraction, Big Bear Mountain. When it opens in the Spring of 2023, this new ride will be the longest roller coaster at Dollywood.
Additionally, Dollywood enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the opening of HeartSong Lodge and Resort in the Fall of 2023. With the expansion of Dollywood Theme Park and these accommodations in 2023, the guest experience at Dollywood has never been better!
When do you think is the best month to visit Dollywood?
Comment below to share your thoughts!
