Festival honouring Dolly Parton set for Nashville and London
Dolly Parton's estate has announced DollyFest, a two-day festival celebrating the country music legend's life and legacy, to be held in Nashville and London over consecutive weekends in 2027. The event replaces a traditional public memorial for Parton, who died on 25 August at the age of 80 following a brief illness with cancer, and is intended instead as "the party of a lifetime she wanted to share with the world." It revives a concept Parton herself had originally conceived, which had been due to take place in January 2026 before being quietly shelved due to her declining health.
Organiser Danny Nozell, founder and CEO of CTK Enterprises, said the festival-style approach reflects what Parton would have wanted, allowing time for tributes and grief before a celebratory event authentic to her spirit. Parton, who hailed from the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, built a seven-decade career that included 10 Grammy awards, more than 100 million records sold, and thousands of written songs, among them Jolene, I Will Always Love You and Coat of Many Colors. She was buried beside her late husband, Carl Dean, at a private funeral in Nashville, and tributes from fans, celebrities and politicians have continued to pour in since her death.
- DollyFest festival planned for Nashville and London in 2027
- Replaces traditional memorial after Parton's death aged 80
- Concept originally devised by Parton herself before her death