The Dolly Parton estate has announced heartwarming plans to honor the beloved singer’s legacy.
“DollyFest: The Celebration of a Lifetime” is set to take place in Nashville and London on successive weekends in 2027, but exact dates have not yet been announced. The event in Nashville was originally scheduled for January 2027 with the singer’s participation, but it will now be held in her memory. They have also decided to add an event in London.
“What was originally planned as a multi-artist event for January 2026 in Nashville and intended to feature Parton as performer and host will now morph into a global double-day, double-weekend, double-continent party of a lifetime,” the announcement for the festival said.
Parton passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, after a brief battle with cancer.
This Will Serve As The Estate’s Only Public Memorial For Dolly Parton
Her longtime business partner and founder/CEO of CTK Enterprises, Danny Nozell, said in a statement that “as far as a traditional memorial goes, that is not something Dolly wanted.”
“What Dolly started, we will ensure is brought to life. 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!),” Nozell continued.
As for other tributes and memorials that may or may not happen, Nozell said the estate will not stand in the way, but this will be their official commemoration of her life.
“We are not discouraging people from celebrating Dolly in the ways they choose,” he added. “However, as far as a traditional memorial goes, that is not something Dolly wanted. So, instead, 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. 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.”
Dolly Parton Was Laid To Rest On Friday, August 28
Dolly Parton’s family gathered at her final resting place on the morning of Friday, August 28, as she was buried beside her beloved husband of 58 years, Carl Dean.
According to Page Six, the singer’s family members were seen earlier that day gathering to say their final goodbyes at the Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum.
The outlet further states that at the time of publishing, it’s “unclear whether the funeral took place Friday morning.” But her representative previously confirmed that a “small and private service” would be held for “immediate family.”
