When is the Best Time to Visit Pigeon Forge?

Dolly Parton’s Stampede is one of the top attractions in Pigeon Forge that’s open nearly every month of the year! Our dinner show offers family fun and entertainment while also being the most fun place to eat in the Smokies. Still trying to decide when is the best time to visit Pigeon Forge? Here’s our guide to each season:

Winter

• Highlights: holiday shows, snow, and fewer crowds in January and February
• Popular Events: Winterfest, Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood, New Year’s Eve celebrations

After the rush of the holiday season, winter in Pigeon Forge is ideal for romantic getaways and laid-back weekends with the family. After touring the Winterfest lights, come and warm up at our dinner show attraction; first course is our Original Creamy Vegetable Soup that’s so delicious and comforting! While our show takes a break for most of January, we are back up and running on select days in February before going back to daily shows in March.

Read More: Navigating the Off-Season at Our Pigeon Forge Show

Spring

• Highlights: national park wildflower hikes, start of tourist and car show season
• Popular Events: Pigeon Forge Spring Rod Run and the Flower and Food Festival at Dollywood.

Spring in Pigeon Forge is a beautiful time of year to visit, with the blooming wildflowers marking the beginning of another exciting tourist season here in the Smokies. Plus, spring also means opening day at Dollywood! Spend the day riding roller coasters and exploring the amusement park, then head over to our dinner show for an incredible four-course feast and family-friendly entertainment featuring 32 magnificent horses, music, dancing, competition, and more!

Summer

• Highlights: waterparks, national park, horseback riding, fishing
• Popular Events: 4th of July Patriot Park Festival, Summer Celebration at Dollywood, and Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion

A Pigeon Forge summer vacation means action-packed activities, from car shows and spending a hot day at Dollywood’s Splash Country to hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and celebrating the 4th of July with fireworks at Patriot Park. Plus, Dolly Parton’s Stampede is a great addition to your summer travel itinerary!

Trick riders, comedy, audience participation, and a classic rivalry are just a few parts of our show that make it a family favorite. With so many options for things to do, you’ll love that our dinner show is the best value for your budget, creating long-lasting memories that might just turn into an annual family tradition!

Fall

• Highlights: autumn foliage, scenic drives, mild weather
• Popular Events: Pigeon Forge Fall Rod Run, Harvest Festival at Dollywood, Craft Fairs

Pigeon Forge in the fall is arguably the most beautiful time to visit Pigeon Forge and the Smokies, with the spectacular fall colors as your backdrop. We also start the holiday season early, with our Christmas show starting in early November, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to celebrate the holiday season with us!

Check Out Our Pigeon Forge Show Schedule

As you can see, there really is no bad time to visit Pigeon Forge! No matter when you decide to plan a vacation to the Smokies, be sure to add our dinner show to your itinerary. Take a look at Dolly Parton’s Stampede show schedule and start planning your trip!