Today is Dolly Parton Day!
Across the country, countless counties, cities and even two states have declared Friday, Sept. 25, as Dolly Parton Day to honor the late "Queen of Country," who died at the age of 80 on Aug. 25. The day, 9-25, honors Parton's popular single, "9 to 5."
Musicians On Call, a nonprofit that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments, is also celebrating Dolly Parton Day. The organization is bringing Parton-inspired music to patients, veterans, caregivers and hospital staff in Nashville, central Tennessee, Denver, Chicago, New York City and several other cities on Friday, Musicians On Call Public Relations Director Melinda LaFollette told USA TODAY.
As fans
both celebrate and grieve Parton's life, here's what to know about Dolly Parton Day.
What hospitals are hosting Dolly Parton Day performances on Friday?
LaFollette told USA TODAY that Musicians On Call is hosting Dolly Parton Day performances at the following hospitals:
- Nashville/Middle Tennessee
- TriStar Centennial Medical Center
- Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
- Nashville VA Medical Center
- Alvin C. York VA Medical Center
- Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Alive Hospice
- Chicago
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
- Denver
- Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center
- New York
- Staten Island University Hospital
- Richmond, Virginia
- HCA Chippenham Hospital
- San Francisco
- San Francisco VA Medical Center
- Washington, DC
- Children’s National Hospital
What states declared Friday as Dolly Parton Day?
California and Ohio have declared Friday, Sept. 25, as Dolly Parton Day.
On Sept. 20, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law that establishes Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day in the state, to be celebrated each year. Senators Shannon Grove and John Laird sponsored the bill.
"She was also no stranger to the Central Coast, where she performed for packed crowds and spent time over the years," Laird said in a news release. "Now, every 9/25, California gets to celebrate Dolly and the remarkable legacy she shared with all of us."
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel signed a proclamation on Sept. 14 declaring Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day in the state. This proclamation only honors Dolly Parton Day for 2026.
Legislators in New York and Pennsylvania are also looking to pass bills that would establish Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day. As of Sept. 24, New York's bill was in a Senate committee, while Pennsylvania's bill has been referred to a House committee.
In Tennessee, Dolly Parton Day was first celebrated on Jan. 19 of this year — the late musician's birthday.
How is Nashville celebrating Dolly Parton Day?
It is no surprise that Nashville is hosting a slew of celebrations for Dolly Parton Day. Parton's primary residence was located in Brentwood, Tennessee, just 10 miles south of Nashville.
On Friday, Nashville residents and visitors are encouraged to "wear pink, spread kindness and enjoy '9 to 5' at 5 p.m." local time. The Nashville Visitor Information Centers will give away free buttons, stickers and bookmarks throughout the day, and fireworks will conclude the celebrations at 9:25 p.m. local time, according to the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.
Other Nashville celebrations include:
- Dolly Day at Nashville Zoo: Discounted admission, Parton-inspired treats, Parton-themed animal enrichment and face painting.
- "Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker" and free screening of "9 to 5" at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: A special exhibition dedicated to Parton's career, open through Oct. 4, and a free screening of the 1980 film "9 to 5" at 7 p.m. local time.
- Dolly Day at Andrew Jackson's Hermitage: Free butterfly pins while supplies last, cafe specials, access to Hermitage balcony — typically only available with VIP access — where Parton stood during production of her television show, "Dolly" in 1976 and live music throughout the site.
- Dolly-inspired karaoke at Gate C2 at Nashville International Airport: Parton-inspired karaoke, pink balloon decorations and giveaways.
Country musicians Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are also celebrating Parton with "Dolly Day" at their Nashville-based bar and restaurant, Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk. All proceeds from the establishment on Friday will be donated to Imagination Library, a free book-gifting program for children that the late musician founded in 1995.
A full list of Dolly Parton-inspired activities scheduled throughout Nashville is available on the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp website.
What other cities are celebrating Dolly Parton Day?
Here's a look at other cities and counties* across the United States honoring Dolly Parton Day:
- Sevier County, Tennessee, which includes Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Pittman Center
- Cocke County, Tennessee, as reported by Knoxville News Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network
- Lexington, Kentucky
- Manhattan, New York City
- New Orleans: New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno will present a proclamation on Friday, Sept. 25, Director of Communications Jonah Gilmore told USA TODAY.
- Portland, Oregon
- Montgomery County, Texas
- Hays County, Texas
*This list may not include all Dolly Parton Days across the United States.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Today is Dolly Parton Day! See how states, cities are celebrating
