Dolly Parton Unveils Plans To Celebrate Dollywood’s 40th Season

(Left) Press Photo via Business Wire / (Right) Ron Davis / Getty Images

Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Theme Park Celebrates Its 40th Season In 2025

Dollywood marks its 40th anniversary next year, and plans are already underway for the milestone celebration.

The Pigeon Forge theme park, now known as Dollywood, opened as Rebel Railroad in 1961. It was operating as Silver Dollar City when Dolly Parton bought an interest in it. 1986 was the first year the park opened under the Dollywood name.

 

Since then, Parton has completely revitalized the park, making it the perfect destination for families and thrill-seekers alike. In fact, this year (2024), Dollywood was voted as America’s favorite theme park.

Parton and the Dollywood team recently unveiled huge plans to celebrate the park’s 40th season in 2025. According to Music Row, a new 40th-anniversary show will debut in the park over Memorial Day weekend.

New storytime and character meet-and-greets will be held at the Imagination Playhouse experience. Parton’s film, Heartsong: The Movie, will be remastered and shown in the park’s Dreamsong Theater.

Music Row also shared a list of festivals Dollywood has planned for 2025, including:

I Will Always Love You Music Festival – March 15 to April 13
Flower & Food Festival – April 18 to June 8
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration – June 14 to August 3

The County Fair section of Dollywood will also be refreshed. The area will receive overlays for the fall and holiday seasons, becoming Candy Corn Country and Peppermint Valley.

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration will conclude the park’s 40th season. During their holiday visit, guests can view over six million Christmas lights on display.

 

Dolly Parton Is “So Proud” Of Where Dollywood Is Today

After 40 years in operation, Parton is thrilled to see how far Dollywood has come. She shared a statement about the park’s milestone anniversary, saying:

“I can’t believe that we’ve been making memories for folks here at my Dollywood for 40 years. 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.”

 
Ron Davis / Getty Images
Parton recalled watching the cars pull into the parking lot during Dollywood’s opening season, worried that no one would show up. “But look at how far we’ve come since then—and we’re just getting started!” she said.

Season passes are already available for current pass holders to purchase. The general public can purchase season passes on Monday (October 28).