What’s New and Exciting in 2025 at Pigeon Forge’s Premier Theme Park
The park is regularly adding new attractions, updating old events and keeping its homey Southern character. Dollywood keeps attracting visitors from all over the world thanks to its ongoing variety of new things to see and do.
We’ve summarized the major Dollywood news of 2025 to help you get ready for your trip.
New Ride Announcement: 2025 Thrill Arrives
Dollywood is about to reveal its new Firefly coaster which is believed to be the first one with night-themed effects and glowing lighting. Expect to see updates and interesting looks at the project all through early spring and the official opening will occur in summer 2025.
Festival Updates: More Magic, More Music
Festival of Nations
Next year, the Festival of Nations will return with even more performers, each representing more than twenty different nations. There will be plenty of exciting dance, world music performances and food from around the world.
Harvest Festival & Great Pumpkin LumiNights
Pumpkin LumiNights at Dollywood’s trail will be twice as big this fall with added glowing highlights and fun spots for young visitors. You’ll also see zones designed for the season, for instance, “Haunted Harvest Hollow” and “The Pumpkin Galaxy.”
Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort Expansion
The DreamMore Resort & Spa is growing through 2025, adding new luxury suites and a rooftop garden lounge, as well as exclusive evening events for guests. Guests won’t lose benefits such as TimeSaver passes and free shuttle service to the park.
Behind the Scenes: Sustainability & Technology
Dollywood is going green in a few big ways this year:
- Introducing a new waste functional area with compostable dining items.
- Add more solar-powered lights in multiple parklands.
- Bringing advanced trip planning, preorders for food and accessibility tools to the Dollywood app with AI.
Behind the Scenes: Sustainability and Technology
- Dollywood is making some major strides in sustainability this year:
- Introducing a brand-new waste reduction plan with compostable dining items.
- Increasing solar-powered lighting in some parks.
- Enriching the Dollywood app with AI-powered trip planning, in-app food orders and accessibility aids.
Today’s Headlines & Park Highlights
- Dollywood’s Splash Country opens early this year with a lazy river redesign.
- Uphill to the left, you’ll pass the engines ready for service, puffing and wheezing as they’re made ready to haul the next load to the top of the line.Span those tracks out in one direction or another, and depending on which, you might soon catch the familiar sound of the Dollywood Express rolling in for a station stop — now narrated by Doralee’s co-worker and friend, the one and only Dolly Parton herself!
- Increased GF & plant based items at primary dining locations.
- A new artisan show focused on traditional Appalachian blacksmithing and woodcarving.
Coming Soon in 2026: Dolly Parton Museum Expansion
While still in early planning, Dollywood has confirmed the Dolly Parton Museum will be expanded in 2026, adding personal memorabilia, unreleased music, and behind-the-scenes looks into her philanthropic work. More details to come later this year!
Plan Your Visit Around the News
With so much happening in 2025, there’s never been a better time to visit Dollywood. Whether you’re booking a family trip or a romantic mountain escape, stay ahead of the game by keeping an eye on the latest park updates.
Stay tuned here every month for the newest headlines from the heart of the Smokies.
