Review: Dollywood’s I Will Always Love You Festival

A pretty in pink Dolly-inspired celebration with a tasting pass lineup that makes it easy to try it all

Dollywood I Will Always Love You Festival Review Feels Like Stepping Into Spring

The “I Will Always Love You Music Festival at Dollywood” feels like walking straight into spring, complete with a full Dolly Parton influence layered into every detail.

Everything is bright, floral, and very intentionally pink. Flowers are everywhere, built into displays, woven through walkways, and did I mention the pink? My favorite.

It’s really one of those events where you keep stopping because everything looks so pretty.

The entire festival pulls from Dolly Parton’s signature style and music, and it all blends together with the food and atmosphere in a way that just works.

How The Tasting Pass Works And Why It’s Worth It

The tasting pass is the best way to experience this event.

You purchase it upfront, and it gives you a set number of items you can redeem at different locations around the park. Instead of committing to one full meal, you get to try a variety of dishes throughout the day.

It turns everything into a food crawl. You’re walking, checking out all the pink, grabbing something new, and building your own lineup as you go. I ended up trying ten items, which felt like the perfect amount to get a real feel for the festival without overdoing it.

The Savory Standouts

BBQ Chicken Melt

This came out loaded. The BBQ-spiced chicken was piled high with white cheddar and caramelized onions that added just the right amount of sweetness.

The surprise standout here was the coleslaw. Crisp, balanced, and not overly dressed, which is harder to find than it should be. It made the whole plate feel complete.

Loaded BBQ Potato Chips

These were mind-blowingly good. BBQ-seasoned chips topped with bacon, cheese sauce, scallions, and ranch, and every bite had a little bit of everything.

The flavor balance was spot on with smoky, creamy, and salty all working together. Easy 10 out of 10.

Mini Rope Sausage And Potatoes

This one is definitely for the savory fans. The sausage had a great bite, and the combination of marinara, peppers, onions, and parmesan gave it a rich, layered flavor.

It’s definitely filling, so it’s one to keep in mind if you’re pacing yourself with the tasting pass.

Roast And Potatoes

This ended up being one of my favorites. The beef was tender and cooked really well, the mashed potatoes were smooth and buttery, and the carrots added a softer, balanced bite.

The crispy fried onions on top gave it just enough texture to pull everything together. It felt like a full comfort meal in a tasting-size portion.

The Drinks That Stood Out

Blackberry Ginger Lemonade

This was one of the prettiest drinks I tried, and it delivered on flavor too.

It leaned tart and refreshing with a strong blackberry presence, while the ginger added just enough depth without overpowering it. Even my daughter loved this one, which says a lot. I get nervous when there are spices involved.

Black Cherry Frozen Tea

This was something different.

It leaned more tea-forward, with the black cherry adding a light sweetness.

Personally, I would have loved a slightly lighter fruit pairing like honey or strawberry, but it was still refreshing and a fun option if you want something outside the usual drink lineup.

The Sweet Treats You Shouldn’t Skip

Pink Donut Ice Cream Sandwich

This was the standout. No competition, this donut was SO GOOD.

It’s a pink glazed donut (with sprinkles!!) filled with vanilla ice cream and topped with raspberry sauce and white chocolate.

It sounds like it could lean overly sweet, but it didn’t. The ice cream tasted like real, good-quality ice cream, and the raspberry added just enough contrast.

This is one I would bring back year-round without hesitation.

This was a solid cupcake across the board.

Moist cake, smooth frosting, and a fresh flavor. But what really stood out was how well it fit the theme.

The pink glitter and edible butterfly made it feel like it belonged right in the middle of the floral displays.

Seasonal Buttercream Frosted Cookies

These are my all time favorite cookie. I’d fly to Dollywood just for these.

They’re soft cookies topped with a thick layer of buttercream. For this event they had both butterfly and flower designs that fit the event perfectly.

We grabbed two and immediately wished we had more.

Why This Festival Is Worth Planning Around

The I Will Always Love You Music Festival is more than just a seasonal overlay. Dollywood truly has this way of completely immersing you in every event and every season.

We all know I am a foodie, especially a theme park foodie. The tasting pass makes it easy to explore, and the variety means you’ll leave with clear favorites. The portions are satisfying, the flavors are well done, and everything is always creative.

If you enjoy seasonal events with strong food options, this is one worth planning time for.

Sprinkle Of Fun

Turn this into a full tasting day. Grab a pass, split items so you can try more, and keep track of your favorites as you go. It turns the whole visit into your own food tour and makes it even more fun to compare at the end.