Festival of Nations 2018
These hills are alive with the annual excitement that swirls around the seasonal opening of Dollywood theme park attractions. Get online to purchase your tickets today, or ready yourself for a full season of fun and family memories with a 2018 season pass. When does Dollywood open? Plan to be first in line when the gates swing wide on March 17!
Take a 20-story freefall on The Dropline ride, experience the thrill pilots have when they buzz a field on The Barnstormer, or hang onto your hat for a screaming ride on The Lightning Rod, a wooden roller coaster designed to have you lining back up for a second run! After a full morning of thrill rides or family fun on the slower-paced rides for the younger members of your group, head to one of the park’s many cafes for anything from pizza to BBQ! After lunch, be sure to visit one of the park’s many gift shops where you will find everything from handbags and scarves to nature-themed gifts to a treasure trove of old-fashioned items. It will be hard to leave empty-handed. You simply cannot go home without some of the Dollywood apple butters at Taste Traders. You mustn’t!
If handmade crafts are your thing…prepare to be amazed, and to spend lots of time oohing and ahhing! At Dollywood you will find handmade candles, leather goods and pottery. There are also candy-makers, wood-carvers, glass-blowers and artisans skilled in making forged steel items. You can watch the artisans as they work and buy their wares if you choose. Who knows? You may go home inspired to begin a brand new creative pursuit of your own. Some of these shops and demonstrations are located in Craftsman’s Valley, but there are others throughout the park as well.
March 17-April 9
Shows and Dollywood have always gone together like a hand in a glove, but this year promises to be over-the top. The park has dubbed 2018 the year “Season of Showstoppers,” touting on its website a spate of performances born out of the largest annual entertainment budget the park has expended to date! In Dollywood tradition, The Festival of Nations will kick off the season with the much anticipated and admired music and entertainment from around the world. As all the years before, 2018 will not disappoint with their seven unique performance groups showcasing their countries culture, costume and dance!
Returning favorites include Ecuadors Atahualpa celebrating the culture of the Andes Mountains and Invaders Steel Orchestra, bringing the lively energy of the islands right here to Pigeon Forge. Other performances include:
National Dance Company of Siberia
The Flamenco Kings starring Los Vivancos
LadySmith Black Mambazo of South Africa
Ireland’s JigJam
Zebra Stelzentheater of Germany
What are you waiting for? Book your Pigeon Forge vacation rental and get your tickets at www.dollywood.com ! Make your plans for many visits and memory-making at Dollywood in 2018, filled with exciting rides and attractions, top music entertainment, home-styled cooking, and inspired crafts. You will be so glad you did!
