Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana runs September 14 through October 31, 2026 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It is a daytime fall festival with live music, seasonal food and autumn decor, and it turns into Great Pumpkin LumiNights after dark, when thousands of carved pumpkins light up the park. The big addition for 2026 is Harvey’s Boo Bash, Dollywood’s first after-hours Halloween event, on October 16, 23 and 30.
This is not a haunted house event. Dollywood describes the festival and LumiNights as family-focused, and coverage of Boo Bash says it has no jump scares or horror theming. That makes it a good fit for families with young children and for anyone who wants fall atmosphere without the frights. The Harvest Festival and LumiNights are included with regular park admission and Season Passes. Harvey’s Boo Bash is a separate, limited-capacity ticket.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
- Dates: September 14 to October 31, 2026
- Event nights: Park operating days (check the park calendar); Boo Bash on Fridays Oct. 16, 23 and 30
- Haunted houses: n/a
- Scare zones: n/a
- New for 2026: Harvey’s Boo Bash after-hours event
- Ticket: Festival included with admission; Boo Bash is a separate ticket
What’s new for 2026
Harvey’s Boo Bash is the headline addition. The party runs from 9 p.m. to midnight on October 16, 23 and 30. A Boo Bash ticket lets you enter the park at 4 p.m. on your chosen date, so you get about five hours of Harvest Festival and Great Pumpkin LumiNights before the party starts. The event includes candy collecting stations, character meet-and-greets, two dance parties (listed at 9:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.), exclusive food and merchandise, and access to Great Pumpkin LumiNights.
Dollywood’s newest attraction, NightFlight Expedition, is also open to Boo Bash guests. Attendance is limited, so lines should run shorter than on a regular night.
Haunted houses and scare zones
Dollywood does not run haunted houses or scare zones for the Harvest Festival, and no scare-based lineup has been announced for 2026. The evening centerpiece is Great Pumpkin LumiNights. It features thousands of carved jack-o’-lanterns, a 40-foot illuminated pumpkin tree, and Hoot Owl Hollow with its glowing owl scenes. The display is meant to be enjoyed, not to frighten.
Daytime and family activities
Daytime programming leans on Southern gospel, country and bluegrass performers, with the rides running as usual. Fall food is a big part of the visit, with harvest plates, spiced drinks and desserts. A Harvest Festival Tasting Pass covers up to five food items. A Chef’s Dinner is scheduled for October 24 at HeartSong Lodge & Resort.
Park hours change from day to day, so check the Dollywood calendar for opening times and for when the LumiNights pumpkins light up each evening.
Tickets, passes and Fast Lane
The Harvest Festival and Great Pumpkin LumiNights are included with park admission and with Season Passes. Harvey’s Boo Bash is separately ticketed and is not covered by a regular day ticket. Tickets start at $129.99 plus tax, with a $5 discount for Gold and Diamond Passholders and Dollywood resort guests. One Boo Bash ticket covers entry from 4 p.m., the Harvest Festival, LumiNights and the party until midnight. Bundles that include daytime park admission are also offered. Buy Boo Bash tickets only from Dollywood’s official site.
This research did not confirm any Fast Lane style skip-the-line product for the festival. Check the ticket page before you buy.
Tips for your visit
Weekdays in September and early October are usually the calmer choice for the regular festival. Fridays and Saturdays, and October in general, tend to draw the biggest crowds, so plan to arrive at opening if you want short ride lines before the evening.
If you go to Boo Bash, use the 4 p.m. entry to see the park and eat dinner before the party starts at 9 p.m. Bring layers, since Smoky Mountain evenings cool off quickly in October, and comfortable shoes for the walking. Height rules for rides still apply as normal, and the event itself has no scare content to restrict by age. Check the park calendar and Dollywood’s parking information before you travel.
Explore more: every theme park Halloween event for 2026, by state.
Harvest Festival 2026 at Dollywood FAQs
When does Harvest Festival 2026 start and end?
Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana runs September 14 through October 31, 2026, on the park’s regular operating days. Check the Dollywood calendar for daily hours.
Is Harvest Festival included with park admission?
Yes. The Harvest Festival and Great Pumpkin LumiNights are included with park admission and Season Passes. Harvey’s Boo Bash on October 16, 23 and 30 is a separate ticket that starts at $129.99 plus tax and lets you enter the park at 4 p.m.
Is Harvest Festival too scary for kids?
No. Dollywood describes the festival and LumiNights as family-focused, and Boo Bash is billed as family-friendly with no horror theming or jump scares. There are no haunted houses or scare zones.
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Photo: APK / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.