Why Dollywood is the perfect family destination for Fourth of July and beyond this summer

Dollywood knows how to throw a summer party in the Smokies!

The popular theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, kicked off its annual Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration earlier this month, bringing back guest favorites like nightly dance parties, interactive water fun, fireworks and drone shows. And there's some new adventures, too.

Cool and refreshing activities abound in every area of the park, which has been decorated with vibrant oranges, yellows, and other colors for the season. This makes it the perfect stop for the entire family during the summer, especially around the Fourth of July holiday.

Dollywood's summer festival runs until Aug. 11. Here is just a glimpse of the summer fun happening this year.

Sweet Summer Nights Dance Party and drone show

When the sun sets, the Wildwood Grove area becomes a dance party, complete with a DJ and dancers. Guests are encouraged to bust a move, too! The party then takes to the sky with a unique drone show that tells the Dollywood story through 3D animations, lights and accompanying music.

When are the fireworks at Dollywood?

Depending on the weather, the dance party and drone show are followed by a fireworks display each night at Dollywood.

Gazillion Bubble Show is back!

The returning Gazillion Bubble show is a one-of-a-kind spectacle that kids and adults will enjoy as bubbles of all shapes, sizes and colors create a mesmerizing performance. A fantasy segment pays homage to the park’s Dreamer-in-Chief Dolly Parton and her Smoky Mountain history.

Catch it before it ends: Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience

Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience is a new show highlighting the talents of rescue and shelter dogs from across the country. These pups soar, jump, fly and even dance.

The “precious pooches put on a powerful performance that leaves audiences saying ‘bow-WOW!’” according to a Dollywood press release.

The show runs until July 13.

New performances from Phat Cat Swinger

Phat Cat Swinger is a jazz, rockabilly group from Los Angeles that brings timeless American music to new generations and now Dollywood. With the rockstar energy of Freddie Mercury and the flamboyance of Elton John, the band performs re-imagined musical arrangements from various eras, ranging from Frank Sinatra to Michael Bublé, Disney, and everything in between.

This new show at Dollywood runs until Aug. 11.

Dolly Parton family show among Dollywood summer entertainment

There can’t be a Dolly Parton theme park without performances throughout the park. An updated Parton family show features Dolly Parton’s niece and Dreamsong Theatre. Dolly Parton wrote “Heidi Parton’s Kin & Friends” especially for the new Dolly Parton Experience museum, which opened in May.

And what better way to cool off in the summer than having a leaky fire hydrant and garden hoses spark music and dance sessions? “Hydro Jive Junction” and “Liquid Beats” performances feature dancers and familiar tunes such as “Singing in the Rain” and “Splish Splash.”

Three classic children’s stories come to life on stage at the Imagination Playhouse. This season’s featured musicals include “Coat of Many Colors,” “The Little Engine That Could” and “Violet the Pilot.”

The Dolly Parton Experience

Dollywood’s newest attraction is the Dolly Parton Experience, an interactive, multibuilding museum that spans Parton’s iconic career, spotlights her signature styles and wigs, and honors her family. It opened in May and features three exhibits.

• Songteller explores Parton’s life in lyrics, tracing her roots from Sevier County to the bus she boarded to Nashville to follow her country music dreams.

• Behind the Seams is a curated selection of Parton’s iconic looks and offers the creative inspiration behind them.

• Precious Memories features the “Heidi Parton’s Kin & Friends” show and has a section dedicated to the importance of faith, friends and family.

How often is Dolly Parton at Dollywood?

“You never know where Dolly might appear when she is here and that is what makes it more exciting when you experience a ‘Dolly sighting,’” Public Relations Director Wes Ramey told Knox News.

Dolly delights guests at Dollywood multiple times every year, but there’s never a set schedule, so timing is everything. Here’s a guide to when you might catch Dolly at Dollywood.

Dollywood's summer eats

Culinary director Aaron Banks and executive chef Christopher Seabrook, create a menu for each seasonal festive at Dollywood. This year’s summer treats include:

• Apple cider BBQ pork sandwich

• Creamy bacon mac & cheese pizza

• The Summer Showers Cupcake, a vanilla blue cupcake iced with cream cheese, sprinkles and a sugar flower.

• Homemade southern sweet tea

• Honey raspberry sweet tea

• Iced boba coffee

How much does Dollywood cost?

Dollywood tickets are typically $92 for adults. Child and senior tickets are $82.

There is $10 discount offer on adult tickets until July 8.

Season passes that offer access to festivals and events throughout the year, discounts and other benefits are $174-$249. Payment plans are available.

Dollywood tickets and season passes can be purchased at Dollywood.com.

Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Dollywood summer celebration is the ideal place for Fourth of July