After a successful debut in 2017, Dollywood is growing its Great Pumkin LumiNights as part of its annual Harvest Festival event.
The family friendly pumpkin-themed event returns in 2018 with several new immersive displays, activities and a larger footprint — more than twice the size of last year’s event.
During Great Pumpkin LumiNights, guests will encounter thousands of intricately-carved pumpkins as they wander through the various displays scattered throughout the park’s Timber Canyon, Wilderness Pass and upper Craftsman’s Valley areas.
Last year’s popular pumpkin displays — such as the pumpkin spider and the pumpkin dance party — are joined in 2018 by a number of elaborate new additions, including Dolly Parton-inspired displays.
And of course, the park’s array of rides will be operating during the event (weather permitting). And the rides located in the LumiNights area will be illuminated just like the pumpkin displays.
The video below features footage from the 2017 Great Pumpkin LumiNights event:
The new-for-2018 Plaza at Wilderness Pass area serves as the centerpiece of Great Pumpkin LumiNights with character meet-and-greets, more displays and the focal point: a 40-foot-tall pumpkin tree.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Dollywood event without amazing food. Event-exclusive food will include Pumpkin Funnel Cakes, Caramel Apple Sundaes and Candy Corn Cotton Candy.
“We knew families were going to love all those glowing pumpkins last year,” Dolly Parton said.
“But with the way they responded, we found they were looking for a different and fun, family-friendly way to spend time together during this special time of year; Great Pumpkin LumiNights was certainly it. That’s why we’re givin’ them even more to love during this year’s festival.”
During the event, “pumpkin artists” will host demonstrations to help guests learn how to produce the perfect pumpkin masterpiece.
In addition to Great Pumpkin LumiNights, Dollywood is bringing some of the biggest names in Southern gospel music to the park for the Southern Gospel Jubilee. More than 625 individual Southern gospel performances will take place on stages throughout the park throughout the run of the festival, which is the biggest Southern gospel event in America. You can find a list of performers here.
Dollywood is now open daily through November 3, 2018 from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m., so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the daytime harvest attractions and the glowing nighttime activities.
More information about the event is available on the park’s website.
Did you visit Great Pumpkin LumiNights in 2017? Share your thoughts about the event in the comments section below.
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