Industry Announcements: Celtic Yuletide Comes to Dollywood

Posted at 4:54 PM EST (2154 GMT)

Dec. 6th, 2005 -- PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. - A Celtic Yuletide starring Michael Londra comes to Dollywood’s Showstreet Palace Theatre Dec. 8-11 as part of the park’s new International Sounds of Christmas concert series.

Londra, the former lead singer of Broadway’s Riverdance, presents a heartwarming evening entitled Christmas in Ireland featuring Celtic music and dance. The show brings an evening of traditional carols, ancient airs and old Christmas stories from Ireland.

Showtimes are 2:45 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 8; 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 9; 4:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 10; and 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 11. Concerts are free with Dollywood admission. General admission seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Dollywood’s International Sounds of Christmas concert series concludes with:

· Vinok Worldance (Dec. 15-18)—Canada's foremost professional company delights audiences with stunning footwork, colorful costumes, and a repertoire of world dance and folk music celebrating the traditions of Christmas from around the globe.

Also, Fadi Giacaman of Bethlehem-based Wilderness Woods, appears at Dollywood’s Inspirations Christmas shop through Dec. 10 to sign ornaments and Nativities. Giacaman and his family own and operate the world’s largest olive wood factory and are recognized around the globe for their beautifully carved items. Every two years the olive trees are pruned so that they may bear fruit, and the beautiful carvings are made from wood produced during the pruning process.

Other elements of Smoky Mountain Christmas include America’s tallest German Christmas pyramid, the Olde World Christmas Market, festive holiday menus featured throughout the park, a dazzling display of more than 3 million holiday lights, the holiday shows Christmas in the Smokies, O’ Holy Night, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs, An Appalachian Christmas and The Victorian Melodies, as well as the spectacular synchronized light and musical display of Carol of the Trees. All shows are included with Dollywood admission. Special children’s activities include Santa's Workshop, a whimsical, activity-filled home-away-from-home for Santa with holiday craft projects, play areas, and a post office for mailing letters to Santa.

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas festival continues through Dec. 30. For more information and holiday operating hours, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit www.dollywood.com.