A festival conceived by the late Dolly Parton to celebrate her life and legacy, named DollyFest, is scheduled to take place across Nashville and London in 2027. The announcement was made by Parton's estate via a press release on Monday, indicating the event will span two consecutive weekends. Specific dates for the festival have not yet been released.
DollyFest is intended to serve as the primary public commemoration for the artist, who passed away at the age of 80 on August 25 following a brief illness. Her estate stated that the festival is aligned with Parton's own vision for a celebratory event. An earlier iteration of this festival, which Parton had envisioned hosting and performing in with other artists, was reportedly called off in January 2026 due to her health issues.
Danny Nozell, organizer of DollyFest and founder of CTK Enterprises, explained that the estate views the festival as a more fitting tribute than a traditional memorial service. "It feels more appropriate for us 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," Nozell said. He added that the timing will allow fans and artists to grieve and plan.
Parton, a native of the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, had a career spanning seven decades. She was recognized as a country music icon, philanthropist, and businesswoman. Her notable songs include "Coat of Many Colors," "Jolene," and "I Will Always Love You." Throughout her career, Parton garnered 10 Grammy awards and sold over 100 million records globally. She considered herself a songwriter above all else, describing it as her "way of expressing myself" and "therapy."
Since her death, Parton has been the subject of numerous tributes from celebrities, politicians, and fans on social media.