Dollywood blooms bright for popular spring Flower and Food Festival. Here’s what to expect

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Spring has bloomed at Dollywood with one million vibrant flowers, colorful displays and sculptures, fun shows and new food options. The theme park’s spring Flower and Food Festival is underway.

The spring festival has become a crowd favorite every year because of the themed décor, exciting entertainment offerings and the way the park embraces the natural spring beauty of the Smokies.

“If there’s one thing I know about the Smokies, it’s that God does some of his best handiwork this time of year,” Dolly Parton said in a press release.

“It’s like the mountains come back to life in the spring with all of His beautiful creations blooming around us. Our hosts here at Dollywood put so much effort into making the park as beautiful as the natural beauty you see throughout the hills,” Parton continued.

Returning favorites include the hanging Umbrella Sky installation on Showstreet, the depiction of Parton’s mom crafting the Coat of Many Colors, the festival tasting pass, and the award-winning show “From the Heart: The Life and Music of Dolly Parton.”

What’s new at Dollywood’s 2025 spring festival?

New activities have debuted for the festival and to celebrate the park’s 40th season, such as the retrospective show, “Play On.”

New additions and entertainment include:

• “Play On” debuts May 3 and features songs and scenes from past popular Dollywood shows.
• The Imagination Playhouse is now a permanent fixture, offering a rotation of shows based on Imagination Library books for kids.
• A new scene featuring two pink fluttering butterflies at The Dolly Parton Experience.
• A roving painter who will move throughout the park painting Dollywood elements live for guests.
• Lauren Jelencovich, an Ed McMahon’s “Next Big Star” winner, performs until May 18.
• The Wilder Flower blends folk, Americana and bluegrass sounds plays May 19-June 1.
• Vocalist Robinella performs pop, jazz, country and gospel music and will play at Dollywood June 2-8.
• “From the Heart” will play during the festival and end its run June 6.

What’s available with the spring tasting pass?

The Flower and Food Festival tasting pass allows guests to enjoy up to five food items crafted by Dollywood’s culinary team at different festival locations.

New for 2025 include:

• Salad of Many Colors
• Loaded street fries
• Pesto caprese panini
• Smoky Mountain grilled corn
• Blueberry pie milkshake
• Wild berry cream cheese funnel cake

The tasting pass is $43 for general admission tickets, $40 for gold and diamond passholders, and can be purchased at the park and Dollywood.com.

More spring fun at Dollywood!

Dollywood resort guests get to enjoy the spring festival, too. Live entertainment, Flower and Food Festival food, spring spa treatments, festival décor and festival-themed activities are available at DreamMore and Heartsong Lodge resorts.

Dollywood’s spring festival runs until June 8 and will be followed by the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration beginning June 14.

Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email [email protected]. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208. 

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