Dolly Parton's DollyFest Set for Nashville

Dolly Parton's estate has announced a two-day festival to honour the late singer's life and legacy. The event, named DollyFest, will be held across consecutive weekends in Nashville and London in 2027, according to a press release issued on Monday. Specific dates for the 2027 festival are yet to be confirmed. The estate described the planned event as a star-studded celebration.

The Festival's Origins

Dolly Parton herself originally conceived an earlier version of the festival. Her vision was to host and perform alongside other artists. That initial event, scheduled for January 2026, was cancelled before any public announcement. The BBC reports the cancellation was due to Parton's health struggles at the time. Her estate stated that the new DollyFest will fulfil her original dream. The estate said DOLLYFEST will be the party of a lifetime she wanted to share with the world.

Replacing a Traditional Memorial

The festival will serve in place of a conventional public memorial service. Dolly Parton died at the age of 80 on 25 August 2024 after what was described as a brief battle with cancer. She was laid to rest at a private family funeral in Nashville on the following Friday. Her great-niece confirmed she was buried next to her late husband, Carl Dean, at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum. Danny Nozell, the festival organiser and CEO of CTK Enterprises, explained the decision. He said the estate is not discouraging other tributes but noted Parton did not want a traditional memorial. Nozell told the BBC it feels more appropriate for them to take a beat, let all the tributes that immediately make sense occur naturally, and then, see through this festival-style concept that was truly dreamed up by Dolly. He emphasised the authenticity of the plan. He said this is something that is authentic to her, something that feels right to him, and something that artists and fans around the world can participate in. He added it would allow time for grieving and planning.

A Lasting Legacy

Dolly Parton was a country music icon, philanthropist, and businesswoman from the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Her career spanned seven decades. She won 10 Grammy awards and sold more than 100 million records globally. Among her thousands of songs, hits like Coat of Many Colors, Jolene, and I Will Always Love You achieved worldwide fame. Parton considered songwriting her primary identity. She once said it was her way of expressing herself and her therapy. Since her death, an outpouring of tributes from celebrities, politicians, and fans has flooded social media. Reflecting on her enduring influence, Nozell invoked a common phrase among her followers. He said a lot of people always say, WWDD (What Would Dolly Do?), and, well, at this moment, DOLLYFEST is WDWD (What Dolly Would Do!). The estate and organisers now turn their focus to planning the 2027 celebrations in two of the world's major music cities. For more details on event logistics, you can check our fixtures page, and to learn about the artists who may perform, visit our squad section.