Sweet Summer Nights at Dollywood

• Lindsay Bell

As a longtime East Tennessee resident, I spent many summers growing up in the Smokies and at Dollywood. To this day, whenever I smell hot funnel cakes near Market Square or hear laughter on Smoky Mountain River Rampage, I’m taken back to a lifetime of precious childhood memories.

Now that I have children and a family of my own, I’m thrilled to make even more sweet summer nighttime memories at Dollywood! However, summer is now bigger, better and brighter than ever! Now through Aug. 7 you can enjoy everything Dollywood’s Summer Celebration has to offer. And while there is plenty to enjoy during the day (Foam Zone, Noodle Takeover, Lazy Loungers, Giant Spinning Tops, and more!) I’d love to tell you about our family’s favorite part of the celebration: Sweet Summer Nights!

Beginning at 8:45 p.m., you’ll get to watch (and participate in!) the most energetic and electric dance party in the Smokies. The party takes place in Wildwood Creek, under the Wildwood Tree. If you walk by during the day you’ll notice several prop pickup trucks where the splash pad is normally running; this is where you’ll want to be. With a dynamic and engaging DJ nestled in his booth under the Wildwood Tree, Dollywood hosts lead dances down with the crowd and in the back of pickup trucks and a fog/laser light display, you are guaranteed to feel those sweet summer vibes!

This dance party is truly so fun for all ages! The Dollywood dancers lead the crowd with simple but engaging dance moves while the DJ spins Taylor Swift, YMCA, classic line dance songs, Footloose and more! The dances take a short break around 9 p.m., but then keep the party going again around 9:15 p.m. You can keep dancing the night away after the break or head out of Wildwood Creek to find the perfect spot for your family to watch the fireworks and drone show.

Around 9:40 p.m., the dancers and the DJ count down to an incredible firework display and drone show. If you enjoyed the drone show last year then you’ll LOVE this year’s spectacle! It is truly bigger, better and brighter than ever before. There are new songs, new formations and more drones in the sky! Pictures and videos cannot do these formations justice: this is truly a must-see event! When the drones retreat, Dollywood closes out the program with a colossal firework display set to music. The sky lights up, the tunes blast and there are smiles on every face in the park!

Summer has always been a magical time at Dollywood, but this year the park is immersive, whimsical and more lively than ever. Make sure to schedule a trip (or two!) and plan to stay late in the park for the Sweet Summer Nights celebration. There’s something fun for everyone and a million memories to be made!