DOLLYFEST Will Bring Dolly Parton’s Vision to Nashville and London in 2027

Dolly Parton may no longer be here to host DOLLYFEST herself, but the celebration she envisioned will go ahead in 2027.

The Estate of the country music icon has announced that DOLLYFEST will become a two-weekend, two-continent celebration spanning Nashville and London, England. The event was originally conceived as a way to mark Parton’s 80th birthday in Nashville, with the singer herself expected to perform and host.

Parton died on August 25, 2026, at age 80. Her team says the festival will continue as she intended, giving fans around the world an opportunity to celebrate her music, career and enduring legacy.

DOLLYFEST Was Originally Planned for Her 80th Birthday

The first DOLLYFEST was scheduled for Nashville in January 2026. Parton was set to be directly involved in the multi-artist event, but those plans were postponed after she told fans in August 2025 that she needed to step back from upcoming appearances because of health challenges.

At the time, Parton also rescheduled a series of Las Vegas concerts that were eventually canceled. She explained that she needed to undergo “a few procedures” and did not have enough time to properly prepare for the performances.

Still, she reassured fans that she had no intention of walking away from music or the projects she was developing.

“As many of you know, I have been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures,” Parton said in 2025. “I just need a little time to get show ready as they say.”

She continued, “And don’t worry about me quitting the music business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet.”

Parton said she believed she was being encouraged to slow down so she could prepare for future adventures with her fans.

Her Team Is Carrying the Festival Forward

Danny Nozell, founder and CEO of CTK Enterprises, said DOLLYFEST was always more than a conventional tribute. It was a project Parton herself wanted to make happen.

“What Dolly started, we will ensure is brought to life,” Nozell said.

According to Nozell, organizers had already booked a Nashville venue and prepared to announce the festival before Parton’s health challenges forced her to step back in August 2025.

He also pointed to the familiar phrase WWDD, meaning What Would Dolly Do?, saying that moving ahead with DOLLYFEST is, in this case, exactly what Parton would have wanted.

The festival will be produced by Team Dolly and is expected to bring together fans and artists from around the world for what organizers describe as a “party of a lifetime.”

Why DOLLYFEST Instead of a Traditional Memorial?

DOLLYFEST will be one of many tributes to Parton following her death, but organizers say it stands apart because the concept came directly from her.

Nozell stressed that fans should continue celebrating Parton however they choose. At the same time, he said a traditional memorial was not what the singer wanted.

“We are not discouraging people from celebrating Dolly in the ways they choose,” Nozell said.

He explained that the team wanted to allow time for immediate tributes to unfold naturally before bringing Parton’s larger festival concept to life. That approach, he said, would give artists and fans an opportunity to participate while also allowing people time to grieve and make plans.

Parton’s death has already prompted tributes around the world, with artists performing her songs on stages in the United States and United Kingdom. Her legacy has also continued to receive attention through the many entertainment, business and charitable projects she developed throughout her career.

Many of Dolly’s Projects Will Continue

DOLLYFEST is only one part of the plans already in motion.

Parton’s team has said projects that were in various stages of development before her death will continue. These include unreleased music, products, books and experiences that had received her approval.

One project Parton did see completed was Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stops, which opened at the end of June and was among her final public appearances.

Her SongTeller Hotel in Nashville is scheduled for its grand opening on September 29.

Other projects are also moving forward. Dolly Dolls is scheduled to launch online Sept. 15, followed by Dolly’s Cup of Ambition Coffee on Sept. 29. The coffee brand is expected to arrive in retail stores in spring 2027.

September 29 will also mark the grand opening of the Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum.

The plans extend into the holiday season and beyond. Dolly on the Holly is scheduled for the 2026 holiday season, while DOLLY: A True Original Musical is heading to Broadway. Previews are scheduled to begin Dec. 7, 2026, with opening night set for Jan. 19, 2027.

The 2027 calendar will continue with the Kendra Scott x Dolly 9 to 5 Collection arriving in January, Dolly’s Dog Treats expected in early 2027, and Dolly Bedding & Home Decor planned for later in the year.

Nashville and London Will Host DOLLYFEST

The exact dates and artist lineup for DOLLYFEST have not yet been announced.

What is known is that the celebration will stretch across two weekends and two continents, with events planned in Nashville and London.

That international reach reflects the scale of Parton’s career. She remained closely connected to Tennessee throughout her life, while her music and influence extended far beyond the United States. Her songs, performances and songwriting helped make her one of the most recognizable figures in country music and popular culture.

For now, fans can visit DollyParton.com to sign up for updates about DOLLYFEST and the many music, business and entertainment projects continuing in her name.

DOLLYFEST will ultimately give fans a chance to celebrate Parton in the way she envisioned: through music, shared experiences and a festival built around the joy she wanted to bring to people around the world.