Dollywood Summer 2026: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
Dollywood opens its gates for the 2026 summer season and if you live near Maryville, you are already thinking about it. The Flower & Food Festival is running right now through May, the theme park is open daily, and Splash Country — their water park — opens May 16.
I checked the official calendar myself to get you the real dates, hours, and what is actually going on this summer. Here is what matters for families.
When Dollywood Opens for 2026
The theme park is already open. Through May, the hours are 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day. Splash Country, the water park, opens Saturday, May 16 at 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The water park has a staggered opening through May — some days it is open, some days it is closed. That is typical for the first few weeks. By June, it runs every day until Labor Day.
You can check the full operating calendar for any specific date at dollywood.com/calendar. Hours change throughout the summer season and the park closes certain days.
Flower & Food Festival
Right now through May, Dollywood is hosting their Flower & Food Festival. This runs concurrently with the regular park experience — you do not need a separate ticket. It features seasonal food offerings, garden displays, and live music. If you are going this month, that is what you are getting.
Park Location and Getting There
Dollywood is at 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863. From Maryville, that is roughly 30-40 minutes depending on traffic. The phone number is 1-800-365-5996.
Practical Tips for Families
Dollywood operates as a cashless park. That means no cash accepted anywhere inside — everything is card or phone payment. Bring your cards, leave the wallet's cash at home.
The park is big. If you are coming with young kids, plan around their attention spans. The playgrounds and interactive areas near the back of the park tend to be great for little ones who need to run around between rides.
Parking is included with admission. If you are staying at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort or HeartSong Lodge, you get early park entry on select days.
Tickets
Check the official Dollywood website for current pricing — it changes by date and by age group. Children under three get in free. They occasionally run special offers, so check their special offers page before buying.
Season Pass Deadline
The website currently shows a deadline around May 3 for season pass perks including free Bring-A-Friend tickets and a 6-month payment plan. If you go more than once a season, the pass likely pays for itself. Worth checking before the deadline.
Splash Country
Splash Country is separate from the theme park but included with certain tickets and passes. When it opens May 16, the hours start at 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on select days. The full summer schedule runs through Labor Day. If you are planning a water park trip, May 16 through May 25 is your first window — and some of those days the park is closed, so check the calendar before driving up.
Bottom Line
Dollywood summer 2026 is already underway. The theme park is open daily with extended evening hours, the Flower & Food Festival gives you something different than the summer crowds, and Splash Country opens mid-May. Plan around the calendar, go cashless, and make it a day — this is not a two-hour stop. It is a full afternoon at minimum.
Check the official operating calendar before you go. Hours change, days shift, and the water park does not run every day during the opening weeks.