Celebration originally planned for Dolly Parton’s birthday will become a two-weekend, two-continent event honoring the global icon.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A celebration dreamed up by Dolly Parton will continue without her as DOLLYFEST, an official Team Dolly-produced event, is planned for Nashville, Tennessee, and London, England, across two consecutive weekends in 2027.
The Estate of Dolly Parton announced the plans Monday, describing DOLLYFEST as the global celebration Parton wanted to share with fans and artists around the world.
The event was originally planned as a multi-artist celebration for January 2026 in Nashville, with Parton scheduled to perform and serve as host. It will now be transformed into a two-day, two-weekend celebration spanning two continents.
“What Dolly started, we will ensure is brought to life,” said Danny Nozell, founder and CEO of CTK Enterprises.
Nozell said DOLLYFEST had been envisioned as a celebration of Parton’s 80th birthday in Nashville. Organizers had already booked a venue and prepared an announcement before Parton stepped back in August 2025 following initial health challenges.
“A lot of people always say, WWDD (What Would Dolly Do?), and, well, at this moment, DOLLYFEST is WDWD (What Dolly Would Do!),” Nozell said.
The announcement comes as events, performances and other programs are expected to honor Parton this fall.
The Estate said DOLLYFEST is intended to be different from a traditional memorial. Organizers said Parton did not want a traditional memorial and instead envisioned a festival-style celebration that would bring together artists and fans.
“We are not discouraging people from celebrating Dolly in the ways they choose,” Nozell said. “However, as far as a traditional memorial goes, that is not something Dolly wanted.”
Nozell said organizers also want to allow time for fans and those close to Parton to grieve while giving people time to plan for the festival.
“This is something that is authentic to her, something that feels right to me, and something that artists and fans around the world can participate in,” he said.
Specific dates and ticket information for DOLLYFEST are expected to be announced later.
Fans can visit DollyParton.com to sign up for updates and be among the first to receive information about the 2027 celebration.
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