A music festival to honor the Queen of Country Dolly Parton has been announced. Organized by Parton’s estate, Dollyfest: The Celebration of a Lifetime will celebrate the country legend’s 60-year career in 2027 over two weekends in Nashville and London.
The announcement comes approximately a week after her death following a short battle with cancer.
Dollyfest was originally planned for January of this year and would have featured a performance by Parton herself on her 80th birthday. Due to growing health problems last fall, the artist reduced her public appearances, including postponing six concerts at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
The official dates and lineup for the festival have yet to be announced. “What Dolly started, we will ensure is brought to life,” Founder/CEO of CTK Enterprises Danny Nozell said. “Many people behind the scenes know that Dollyfest is a dream of Dolly’s that was intended to take place on her 80th birthday in Nashville. We had the venue booked and we had the announcement ready to go. And then, in August 2025, Dolly had to take a step back after her 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!).”
Tributes from across music have been pouring in for Parton since her death, including from Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Paul McCartney. Artists like Kacey Musgraves, Jack White, Ella Langley, and Vin Diesel have been covering her music at their concerts, too.
“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 added. “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, while also giving everyone time to grieve, and giving everyone time to plan.”
Parton’s last public appearance was at the opening of a truck stop off Interstate 65 in Tennessee where it was being named in her honor. According to her family, Parton was “laid to rest” in a private funeral at Nashville’s Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum on Aug. 30.
“A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family,” Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum’s obituary said.
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