Dollywood Posts Closure Notice After Celebrating 40th Anniversary

As of January 5, 2026, Dollywood is officially closed to all guests. Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain theme park posted a closure notice on Instagram, thanking fans for celebrating its 40th anniversary during the 2025 season.

Dollywood Closes on January 5

Dollywood’s final day of operation for its 40th season was January 4, 2026. The park shared this post on Instagram after wrapping up its Smoky Mountain Christmas Celebration on Sunday:

We’ve loved making memories worth repeating with you! 🦋 Thank you for making our 40th anniversary season unforgettable.

 

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A post shared by Dollywood Parks & Resorts (@dollywood)

Even as Dolly Parton celebrated the 40th anniversary of her beloved Pigeon Forge vacation destination, this season wasn’t without its operational challenges. The Dollywood Express steam train unexpectedly closed in December due to technical issues, despite having undergone a refurbishment months earlier. According to guests in the Instagram comments, the ride did not reopen before January 4.

Days before the end of Dollywood’s 40th season, the park sparked backlash on social media when it installed high-tech fountain beverage machines that track the amount of soda (or other self-serve beverages) a guest has consumed. The new system prevents guests from getting more than one refill on their drinks.

When Will Dolly’s Theme Park Reopen?

Fortunately, we have good news for Tennessee theme park fans. Dollywood will reopen for its 41st season on Friday, March 13, 2026. When the park reopens, it will be celebrating the I Will Always Love You Music Festival, which runs through April 12. From there, the park’s annual cycle repeats, transitioning to the Flower & Food Festival for spring, the Smoky Mountain Summer, and fall’s Harvest Festival, featuring Great Pumpkin LumiNights.

In 2026, Dollywood will host its first-ever after-hours, separately ticketed Halloween event: Harvey’s Boo Bash. Like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World Resort and Oogie Boogie Bash at Disneyland Resort, the special event will take over the Smoky Mountain theme park on select nights.

Did you visit Dollywood during its 40th anniversary celebration? Share your experience with Inside the Magic in the comments!