Spring is in the air – and you know what that means! It’s time once again for the beloved Flower & Food Festival at Dollywood. With that, the park transforms to showcase the springtime beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Plus, all the eateries onsite roll out brand-new creations highlighting the absolute best seasonal flavors. If you’d like to soak in the bright hues and wonderful flavors, you just have to time your trip just right. Do that and you’ll get to enjoy all the following festivities.
Come By Between April 21st and June 11th for Springtime Fun
The 2023 Dollywood Flower & Food Festival will kick off at noon on April 21st, 2023. The fun keeps going through June 11th, too, giving you plenty of time to swing on by. You could even come early in the season, and then work even more trips to the park into your springtime adventures.
No matter when you come by, you have the option to grab one-, two-, or three-day tickets. Or you can go all out with the season pass. Want to bring all your friends and family along for the ride? They have group ticket packages available as well.
When buying your tickets, remember to consider their add-ons as well, like the Timesaver Unlimited pass that lets you skip the lines all day long. Want to enjoy all their springtime treats at a discount? Get the Dining Pass, for sure. The Daily Refill Souvenir Mug is a must as well, so you can save on drinks while taking home a nice memento of your trip.
View Over 500,000 Blooms – Plus Tons of Gigantic Sculptures
Photo Credit by @great_escape_shop on Instagram
In honor of the springtime beauty of the Smokies, the park lights up with the vivid hues of more than 500,000 gorgeous blooms. Sedums, begonias, trailing petunias, and so much more fill the space with all the colors of the rainbow. Even the coleus, alternanthera, and other leafy plants get in on the action, showing off their vivid hues.
As if the plants alone weren’t gorgeous enough, you can find them expertly arranged to create extraordinary scenes. In fact, more than 37,000 blooms went into the design of the Smoky Mountain Sunrise mural hidden somewhere in the park. Can you find it?
On top of all that, you can find larger-than-life sculptures, all made from live plants, such as:
Umbrella
Lovingly dubbed the Whimsical Umbrella, this sculpture pays homage to the April showers that bring May flowers. Lemon Ball sedum and Red Carpet alternanthera make up the umbrella, while a Trixi Combo Caribbean Cocktail calibrachoa act as the perfect backdrop.
Coat of Many Colors
Serving as the centerpiece of the flower displays is the Coat of Many Colors, made in honor of Dolly Parton’s loving mother. A large collection of flowers come together to depict her mom sewing her famed patchwork jacket, which she later memorialized in song.
Other popular flower sculptures include black bears, turtles, and butterflies, plus the hungry frog snatching a fly right out of the air.
As you explore all the beautiful plants all around, be sure to pose for a photo to take home a superb souvenir to show to all your family and friends.
Take Amazing Selfies Under the Umbrella Sky
Photo Credit by @mug4hourz on Instagram
For even more amazing selfie opportunities, make your way over to the Umbrella Sky. This bold art installation illuminates the sky above Showstreet with pastel umbrellas in every hue. Paired with the classic country architecture and blooms in every direction, these umbrellas set the stage for incredible photos to share with the world.
Savor All the Best Bright, Bold Flavors of Spring
While exploring all the awe-inspiring flowers arranged across the park, you’re sure to work up a big appetite. Thankfully, you can satisfy all your cravings by stopping into the many eateries all around for springtime treats.
Delicious favorites across the park include:
- Sweet Shoppe Candy Kitchen: Caramel Apples
- Spotlight Bakery: Spring Bloom Cupcakes
- Showstreet Ice Cream: Strawberry Shortcake Liege Waffles
- Miss Lillian’s BBQ Corner: BBQ Brisket Slider
- Market Square Steak: Grilled Chili Lime Skirt Steak
Don’t forget to stop by the booth in the Market Square for Greek Orzo Pasta filled with bright lemon and garlic flavors. Then, go on over to the booth near the Front Porch Café for their luscious Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons. Many other booths around the park have equally delicious fare on tap, so be sure to peek at the menus as you waltz on by.
Listen to Local Musicians Playing Live on Stage
While enjoying all the flowers and food at every corner of the park, live music will punctuate your experience. You’ll find tons of talented musicians playing for the crowds on the outdoor stages and even along the walkways. Although they keep their exact lineup a secret, the musicians usually cover the full range of genres, ensuring guests of all ages enjoy the experience.
Shop Around for All the New Products of Spring
New apparel, souvenirs, and everything in between will land at the shops across Dollywood as well, including:
- Mountain Laurel Home
- Eagle’s Flight Outfitters
- Hi-Octane Ride Souvenirs
- PaPaw’s Roadside Market
- The Southern Pantry
- Wired Up Names
So, plan to give yourself enough time to shop around and see what’s new. It’s always fun to stop by to chat with the local artisans as well. You can see what they’re brewing up for the spring season.
Ready to Plan Your Trip? Book Your Accommodations ASAP
Whether you want to go to the Flower & Food Festival once – or as many times as you can – it’s time to book your accommodations and grab your tickets. For the ultimate festival experience, get a room at the DreamMore Resort and Spa. Or book one of Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabin rentals where you can wind down in style after a big day of exploring the park. Either way, you will need to reserve your spot soon to get your preferred accommodations locked down before the crowds come their way.
