- Dollywood’s Harvest Festival runs mid-September through the end of October, with nightly Great Pumpkin LumiNights and 700+ live music performances.
- Harvey’s Boo Bash is a separately ticketed, after-hours event on select October nights with treat trails, dance parties, and exclusive ride access.
- Great Pumpkin LumiNights features 12,000+ glowing pumpkins, a 40-foot pumpkin tree, Hoot Owl Hollow, and a VIP guided tour.
- Candy Corn Country transforms the Country Fair area for families, with kiddie rides and Imagination Playhouse shows.
- Aunt Bug’s Cabin Rentals offers the closest, most amenity-rich cabins near Dollywood: hot tubs, game rooms, pools, pet-friendly, and more.
Picture yourself strolling beneath a canopy of glowing pumpkins, the air filled with bluegrass music and the scent of cinnamon bread. Kids giggle as they fill their treat bags at Harvey’s Boo Bash, while you sip hot cider and plan your next ride on Dollywood’s newest coaster.
After a magical evening, you retreat to your private cabin: hot tub bubbling, mountain views glowing in the moonlight, and your family cozy by the fire pit. This is Dollywood’s Harvest Festival and Aunt Bug’s Cabin Rentals creating unforgettable moments during fall in Pigeon Forge Tennessee.
Dollywood Harvest Festival: Dates, Tickets & What’s New
Festival Dates: mid-September to the end of October
Park Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (check calendar for daily times)
What’s New in 2026?
- Harvey’s Boo Bash: After-hours event on select nights in Oct.
- Expanded Great Pumpkin LumiNights displays
- New fall food creations and tasting pass options
The Harvest Festival celebration is the Smokies’ signature fall event and one of the best Dollywood festivals, blending family fun, music, food, and dazzling nighttime displays. Plan ahead; October weekends and Boo Bash nights sell out fast!
Harvey’s Boo Bash: After-Hours Halloween Fun
Hours: 4:00 p.m. – midnight
Tickets: Sold separately; limited capacity
What’s Included:
- Entry from 4:00 p.m. (enjoy regular Harvest Festival before Boo Bash begins at 9:00 p.m.)
- Treat trails with complimentary candy bags
- Dance parties and character encounters with Harvey & friends
- Free soda refills, themed snacks, commemorative cup, and popcorn bucket
- Access to select rides, including the new NightFlight Expedition coaster
- Family-friendly costumes encouraged
Mini-Summary: Harvey’s Boo Bash is a can’t-miss Halloween event at Dollyood, perfect for families who want extra treats, exclusive rides, and a festive nighttime vibe.
Great Pumpkin LumiNights: Nighttime Magic & VIP Tours
Every Night, Included with Admission
- 12,000+ glowing pumpkins and larger-than-life icons
- 40-foot pumpkin tree in Market Square, festival centerpiece
- Hoot Owl Hollow: A glowing owl hideaway in Craftsman’s Valley, with dozens of friendly owl displays
- Other displays: Pumpkin frogs, bats, sunflowers, butterflies, and a pumpkin guitar that strums Dolly’s “My Tennessee Mountain Home”
Behind the Glow: VIP Guided Tour
- 2-hour walking tour
- Collectible lanyard, dip-your-own candle, seasonal snacks, exclusive character meet-and-greet, and one-time front-of-line access to Mystery Mine & Blazing Fury
Mini-Summary: Great Pumpkin LumiNights transforms Dollywood into a glowing wonderland; don’t miss the VIP tour for the ultimate pumpkin experience!
Candy Corn Country: Family Fun for Little Ones
Location: Country Fair section
Features:
- Kiddie rides and gentle attractions for younger children
- Imagination Playhouse: 20-minute sing-along musicals based on children’s books, featuring Dolly Parton via video
- Candy corn “growing on vines,” playful fall décor, and sweet character meet-and-greets
Mini-Summary: Candy Corn Country is a must for families with small kids: safe rides, interactive shows, and a whimsical fall atmosphere.
Live Music: 700+ Performances Across the Park
Genres: Bluegrass, country, Southern Gospel, Americana
Stages & Theaters:
- Celebrity Theater
- Pines Theater
- Back Porch Theater
- Robert F. Thomas Chapel
- Valley Theater
- Stump Stage
- Showstreet Palace
- And more!
How to See the Schedule: Check the official entertainment schedule for daily showtimes.
Mini-Summary: With over 700 performances, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival is a music lover’s dream; plan your day around your favorite acts!
Harvest Tasting Pass & Fall Foodie Favorite
Tasting Pass: Up to 5 festival foods (admission required)
Signature Fall Foods:
- 25 lb. Apple Pie (Spotlight Bakery)
- Cinnamon Bread (Grist Mill)
- Pumpkin Spice Funnel Cake, Pumpkin Spiced Milkshake, Pumpkin Whoopie Pie
- Caramel Apple Milkshake, Apple Donut á la Mode, Apple Dumplings, Apple Cider Flight
- Butternut Squash Soup, Chili Bread Bowl, Turkey Pumpkin Chili, Roasted Harvest Vegetables, Stuffed Acorn Squash, Pecan Pie Brownies
Mini-Summary: The Harvest Tasting Pass is your ticket to Dollywood’s best fall flavors—don’t leave without trying the cinnamon bread and apple pie!
Where to Stay: Why Aunt Bug’s Cabin Rentals Is #1
Why Choose Aunt Bug’s?
- Cabins under 2 miles from Dollywood; be first in line for festival fun!
- 1–8 bedrooms (up to 30 guests): perfect for couples, families, or groups
- Hot tubs, game rooms, mountain view decks, private indoor pools (select cabins), outdoor fire pits, home theaters, WiFi
- Pet-friendly options (small dogs, up to 2, with fee)
- Serving Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and the Smoky Mountains
Book Your Fall Getaway: Aunt Bug’s offers the closest, most affordable cabins near Dollywood; reserve now for the best rates and availability during the Dollywood Harvest Festival!
Q&A: Your Top Dollywood Harvest Festival Questions Answered
When is Dollywood’s Harvest Festival?
Dollywood’s Harvest Festival runs from mid-September through October, with nightly Great Pumpkin LumiNights and daily live music.
What is Harvey’s Boo Bash and how do I get tickets?
Harvey’s Boo Bash is a separately ticketed, after-hours Halloween event on select October nights, from 4:00 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are limited and include treat trails, dance parties, exclusive ride access, and more.
What’s included in the Great Pumpkin LumiNights VIP tour?
The VIP tour includes a 2-hour guided walk, collectible lanyard, dip-your-own candle, snacks, exclusive character meet-and-greet, and front-of-line access to Mystery Mine and Blazing Fury.
What is Candy Corn Country?
Candy Corn Country is Dollywood’s Country Fair area transformed for fall, with kiddie rides, Imagination Playhouse shows, and candy-themed décor, ideal for families with young children.
Who’s performing at the Harvest Festival?
Over 700 performances across multiple stages and theaters. Artists include a wide variety of bluegrass, country, and Southern Gospel.
How does the Harvest Tasting Pass work?
The Tasting Pass lets you sample up to five festival foods; choose from savory and sweet fall favorites throughout the park.
What are the must-try foods at the festival?
Don’t miss the 25 lb. apple pie, cinnamon bread, pumpkin spice funnel cake, butternut squash soup, and caramel apple milkshake.
How close are Aunt Bug’s cabins to Dollywood?
Many Aunt Bug’s cabins are just a few miles from Dollywood, making them the most convenient lodging for festival-goers.
What amenities do Aunt Bug’s cabins offer?
Hot tubs, game rooms, mountain view decks, private indoor pools (select), outdoor fire pits, pet-friendly options, home theaters, and WiFi, plus cabins for every group size.
Plan Your Trip: Booking Tips & Final Thoughts
- Book Early: October weekends and Boo Bash nights fill up fast; reserve your Dollywood tickets and Aunt Bug’s cabin as soon as possible.
- Download the Dollywood App: For real-time showtimes, food locations, and festival updates.
- Pack for Fall Weather: Layers are key; days are warm, nights can be crisp.
- Bring Your Appetite: The Harvest Tasting Pass is a must for foodies!
- Stay Close: Aunt Bug’s Cabin Rentals puts you minutes from the theme park, with all the comforts of home.
Ready to plan your fall getaway? Browse affordable Pigeon Forge cabins and lock in your perfect Smoky Mountain retreat for Dollywood’s Harvest Festival celebration this year!
