Jurassic Adventure Launch Party

2026 Jurassic Adventure Launch Party - You're Invited

The giants are returning to the Smokies, and you are invited to the biggest welcome party of the year.

On Friday, March 6, 2026 at 5 PM, The Island in Pigeon Forge is hosting the official Jurassic Adventure Launch Party. While our massive new herd of 22 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs will be taking over starting March 2, we are saving our biggest surprises for this special Friday evening celebration at the Ole Smoky Stage.

Whether you have a family full of junior paleontologists or you just love a great party, this is an event you will not want to miss.

The Schedule of Events

5:00 PM: Kickoff with DJ Corey The fun starts at the Ole Smoky Stage with high-energy music from DJ Corey.

While you enjoy the tunes, keep an eye out for our towering stilt walker and a balloon animal artist twisting up some fun creations! We will also have a talented face painter on-site (extra cost applies) to help your little ones transform into their favorite dinosaurs.

Grab a Walking Taco from Not Just Nachos, find your favorite spot, and get ready for a prehistoric evening. (Note: This event is completely free and open to the public!)

6:30 PM: Dinosaur Q&A & The Big Reveal
Earlier this year, we asked kids nationwide to draw a brand-new dinosaur. We received nearly 300 incredible submissions, but Hadley W. from Kentucky took the top prize. Our dino-engineers took Hadley's exact drawing and built a custom animatronic dinosaur that exists nowhere else in the world. We have kept the "Design-A-Saurus" completely under wraps, and you can be there for the exclusive world premiere alongside our special guest artist.

The Grand Finale: Jurassic Fountain Show Premiere
As the sun goes down, the real magic begins. We are premiering our reimagined Jurassic Fountain Show. Watch as our towering T-Rex comes to life in a spectacular display of water, light, and some new surprises.

Plan Your Expedition

As always, admission to The Island and parking are completely free. You can come enjoy the launch party, explore the full herd—including the new Terror Bird and Giganotosaurus—and soak up the atmosphere without buying a ticket.

If you want to take your Spring Break to the next level, grab a 48-Hour Unlimited Rides Pass to pair your dino-hunting with rides on The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel and our other incredible attractions.

Mark your calendars for March 6, and get ready to #ExploreTheRoar!