Christmas decorations light up the night sky at Dollywood.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF TARA HAIMER Christmas lights glow at Dollywood.
Christmas lights are on display at Dollywood.
“ best of” wins. Indeed, there’ s something festive in store for every member of the family. Likewise, it’ s little wonder that USA Today 10Best has once again nominated it as Best Theme Park Holiday Event, and Dollywood fans are encouraged to cast their vote to help it earn the top spot. A page with a link to the voting can be found at: www. dollywood. com / vote.
Of course, it’ s no small feat when it comes to ensuring that everything is in the proper place year after year. According to Dollywood Public Relations Manager Ellen Liston, preparations actually began in mid-July, accelerated in September, and then the park was transformed after being closed for a few days on October 27th to allow the staff to work around the clock to have everything in place by the time it reopened on Saturday, November 1st.
“ When we decorate, there are things that have been seen before, but there are also new additions as well,” Liston said. She noted that the falling snow now provides a more expansive display in Wildwood Grove.
“ We do the things people love and come back year after year,” Liston continued.“ This is our 35th year of Smoky Mountain Christmas. As always, it’ s all about creating memories for each generation and new traditions for families as well. People come here to be reminded of the things they did when they were little, so it never gets old. It brings a certain child-like wonder and a true feeling of coming home.”
30 | BLOUNT COUNTY QUARTERLY • WINTER 2025-26