originally posted on 8/4/2025
This summer features celebrations around the world for park anniversaries. Visitors should be sure to check out the special features.
Dollywood.
Photo: Justin Rickner. View full-sized image.
Dollywood’s 40th Season:
Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee) celebrates its 40th season in 2025, honoring its May 3, 1986, opening. Some special events are planned:
- New 40th season show: debuted Memorial Day weekend and continues through summer.
- New drone and fireworks show during Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration.
- New daily opening ceremony throughout 2025
Attractions and experiences:
- Imagination Playhouse becomes a permanent fixture (March-September), with storytime and meet and greets.
- “Heartsong: The Movie” remastered and moved to Dreamsong Theater.
- Country Fair refresh; transforms into Candy Corn Country for Harvest Festival and Peppermint Valley for Smoky Mountain Christmas.
Festivals and seasonal events:
- Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration: June 14-August 3 (enhanced Sweet Summer Nights drone/fireworks show).
- Harvest Festival and Great Pumpkin LumiNights: September 12-October 27.
- Smoky Mountain Christmas: November 1, 2025-January 4, 2026.
Shows:
- Return of “From the Heart — The Life & Music of Dolly Parton” (Golden Ticket Award winner for Best New Show 2024).
- Bubble Evolution and Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience return for summer.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
Photos: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s 50th Anniversary:
- The Williamsburg, Virginia, park features North America’s longest family inverted coaster, The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge: 2,500+ feet of track, speeds up to 40 mph.
Nods to the park’s 50th anniversary are sprinkled throughout what is frequently referred to one of the most beautiful in the world.
Photos: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
- 1970s cover band performances.
- Commemorative park overlays: historic signage, themed photo opportunities and nods to original attractions.
- Special offers: 75-cent beer and $19.75 anniversary T-shirt.
Kings Dominion.
Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
Kings Dominion’s 50th Anniversary Celebration:
- At the Doswell, Virginia, park: all-new live entertainment in the Kings Dominion Theater.
- Electrifying night-time show with enhanced International Street and Eiffel Tower décor.
- New set list for the beloved Singing Mushrooms.
One of Kings Dominion’s gift shops with historic memorabilia on display.
Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
- Return of the iconic Clown Band.
- Special 50th anniversary memorabilia.
- Debut of Rapterra — the world’s tallest and longest launched wing coaster.
- Limited-time food, beverages, merchandise, and activities, including the return of Blue Ice Cream.
Belmont Park’s 100th Anniversary:
The San Diego, California, park’s 100th anniversary celebration features the following:
- Belmont’s nostalgic looks from the past with limited edition retro Belmont Park merchandise, including T-shirts, hoodies, hats and more.
- $100 season passes.
- Giveaways, including 50 lifetime passes.
- Birthday-themed treats, such as birthday cake-flavored soft serve at the Dole cart and birthday cake milkshakes at Belmonty’s.
- Every Tuesday features $1 rides on Giant Dipper and $1 tacos at El Jefe.
Other Parks Celebrating in 2025:
40 years
Race City PCB, Panama City Beach, Florida
50 years
Haunted Trails, Burbank, Illinois
Parc d Attraction Sétif's Land in Sétif, Algeria
Rand Show in Johannesburg, Guateng, South Africa
75 years
York’s Wild Kingdom, York Beach, Maine
100 years
Lake Winnepesaukah, Chattanooga, Tennessee
— Elizabeth Ringas, ACE President
#ACENews