Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Family Attractions ↠ Christmas at Dolly Parton's Stampede

Can you tell Iris was thrilled to go to another Dolly Parton Christmas show? Haha, she was soooo excited to be at Dolly Parton’s Stampede Christmas Show in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee! Since we had just been to the Christmas Celebration Dinner Show, she knew more of what to expect. We talked about it the whole week leading up to the show, so by the time we got there she was IN it!

You don’t go straight to your seat to enjoy the pre-show for the stampede, you are led to a saloon style area to watch the show. The amazing musicians play on a stage in the middle and chairs are all around them, so get there early to have a seat where you can actually see them. Here you can order fun stylized drinks, but just know they don’t serve alcohol at the stampede.

As soon as we got into the arena, we noticed the beautiful backdrops and we knew we were in for a treat. Snow started falling almost as soon as the show did and it was the perfect way to start off a night getting in the Christmas spirit! Iris couldn’t believe her eyes, here was her face when she saw Santa…

The whole show was fantastic, including the guys that came out in between sets. There are lots of animals other than horses in this show, so if your little one loves them like Iris does, this is the show for you! We saw little pigs race, horses doing tricks, and even camels.

As I mentioned in the other post, tickets must be purchased for children over 4. The last show we let Iris have a chair to herself when she wanted, but this show she sat on our laps the entire time and did just fine. She never had a point where she lost interest this show and I definitely recommend Dolly’s Stampede for the younger audiences.

Dave was chosen to go down and compete in one of their fun games during the show, totally random! Iris didn’t understand why Daddy could go down to the “stage” and not her, but she enjoyed seeing him in the show. She was dying to go down there with him though!

One of Iris’ favorite things was after the show, getting to meet the girls who rode the horses (and the horses too!) and take a picture. She leaned back on the girl, who wasn’t expecting that, and we joked that she made a new bff. You can see in the photo above, Iris wouldn’t even look at the camera, she was too busy loving on her new bestie to worry about us silly, old parents. She’s still talking about her friend who rode the “forsie” (horsie).

Once you get outside, make sure to take a right and you can see the horses in their stables up close. You can see them getting brushed and fed after the show and it was a nice way to wind down before hopping in the car for the ride home.

Have you been to a Dolly Parton Show? Let me know in the comments what you saw and how old your kids were when you went!

PIGEON FORGE TRAVEL GUIDE

♡ MALLORIE

Our tickets were courtesy of Dolly Parton’s Stampede, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Attractions ↠ Dolly Parton's Christmas Celebration Show!

We were invited to attend Dolly Parton’s Christmas Celebration Show in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee a few weeks ago on opening weekend and we were so blown away by the entire production. I have to admit, I was a little unsure about enjoying a Christmas show before Halloween, because I loooove Halloween and am not someone who likes to skip the holiday. But, once we were inside, I was so immersed in the Christmas lights and decor that I completely forgot about any hesitation. I did want to wait until today to post though, for those like me. Now we can get into the Thanksgiving and Christmas spirit!

My first tip for anyone who takes a family trip to see the Christmas Celebration show in Pigeon Forge is to get there early. There are lots of games and delicious drinks to enjoy before the show, and you’ll want to be in your seat for the pre-show. They have an award winning fiddle player and entertainment as soon as you sit down (great for squirmy kiddos).

As soon as we sat down for pre-show our waitress took our drink orders and then the food started rolling out as soon as the main show began. You won’t go hungry, I can promise you that! The macaroni and sweet potatoes were SO good! I could have eaten an entire meal with just those two sides.

Related: Dollywood Tips for Toddlers

The show was very fast paced and included favorites like The Nutcracker. As you can see from the photo above, it kept Iris enthralled. There was only one short point she started to get squirmy, but she’s also good about things like this, so if you’re worried about it you might wait until you feel like your kids are ready.

Another tip I have is you don’t have to purchase a ticket for children under 4, but if you want them to have their own seat and food you will want to get one. It was nice to have a chair just for Iris, since she’s miss independent these days, she liked getting to sit in her own chair at times. She was all about the chicken that night and we were able what she didn’t eat to go, which was nice since she’s a toddler and doesn’t eat big meals at once.

Throughout the show, there is a jester character that entertains in the in-between moments when they are switching sets, that way the kids don’t lose interest. That was really nice and Iris loved him!

My top two favorite parts of the show were the light show and a giant angel at the end of the nativity scene. You don’t want to miss the incredible costume and the angel’s grand entrance. Iris’ eyes were as big as saucers.

The use of animals was also great for bringing a toddler, there were sheep, donkeys, a wolf, and talking pig that Iris is STILL bringing up! She couldn’t believe her eyes.

I’m so glad we got to experience the show with her at this age, even though I know she won’t remember, watching her take it all in was so precious and priceless. I know I’ll remember it forever.

Have you been to a Celebration Dinner Show? Let me know in the comments what you saw and how old your kids were when you went!

Pigeon Forge Travel Guide

♡ MALLORIE

Our tickets were courtesy of Celebration Christmas Show, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.