Dolly Parton was known around the world for her incredible country music career, but honestly, her talents went far beyond music. From “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” to “9 to 5,” Parton created some of the most memorable songs of all time, while also building an impressive career in television and film.
Sadly, Parton passed away on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80. Her death was announced by her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver, on Instagram. A cause of death had not been publicly revealed at the time of this writing.
Yep, it seems like the perfect time to look back at one of Parton’s memorable Hallmark appearances, “Christmas at Dollywood.” The 2019 holiday movie gave fans the chance to see the country music icon play herself while bringing a little bit of her real-life Dollywood magic to the screen.
And let’s be real, there’s something especially fitting about revisiting a Christmas movie centered around a place Parton helped make so special.
‘Christmas at Dollywood’ Gave Fans a Special Dolly Parton Appearance
“Christmas at Dollywood” premiered on Sunday, December 8, 2019, as part of Hallmark Channel’s holiday programming. The movie starred Danica McKellar and Niall Matter, with Parton appearing as herself.
Hallmark’s synopsis for the films says:
“When a NYC event planner returns to Tennessee to plan the Christmas celebration at Dollywood, she’s paired with the head of operations who thinks he can handle the party just fine on his own.”
Yep, it seems like a pretty perfect setup for a Hallmark Christmas movie. Especially when you add Parton herself into the mix.
Parton’s appearance also made the movie feel a little more personal since the story was centered around Dollywood, the theme park she helped create in Tennessee. She played herself in the movie, giving fans a chance to see the country music icon bring her own personality and connection to the park into the story.
Honestly, “Christmas at Dollywood” is the kind of movie that feels like a fun way to celebrate Parton’s career beyond her music. And let’s be real, having Dolly Parton show up in a Hallmark Christmas movie is something fans are going to remember.
How to Watch ‘Christmas at Dollywood’ Today
For those hoping to revisit Parton’s Hallmark appearance, there’s good news. “Christmas at Dollywood” is currently available to stream on Hallmark+ with a subscription.
The movie runs for 1 hour and 23 minutes, making it an easy pick for anyone looking for a little holiday nostalgia. And honestly, it’s hard to think of a better reason to revisit the film than celebrating Parton and the incredible career she built over the years.
Yep, fans can still see Parton bring her real-life connection to Dollywood to the screen, while McKellar and Matter lead the romantic storyline at the center of the movie. It seems like a fitting way to remember one of Parton’s many contributions to entertainment.
Let’s be real, Hallmark movies have a special way of bringing fans back to familiar places and faces. And “Christmas at Dollywood” does exactly that with Parton at the heart of its story. It seems like a wonderful way to honor her after hearing the news of her passing.
Dolly Parton Had Another Hallmark Connection
Getty“Christmas at Dollywood” wasn’t actually Parton’s first connection to Hallmark. In 2010, the network aired “Dolly Celebrates 25 Years of Dollywood.” It was a special honoring Parton and the 25th anniversary of the Tennessee theme park.
The special, which premiered on Saturday, July 3, 2010, featured several familiar faces alongside Parton. We’re talking Kenny Rogers, Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, and more. Yep, it was a pretty star-studded way to celebrate such an important milestone for Dollywood.
Honestly, the special is another fun piece of Parton’s Hallmark history. Especially for fans who want to look back at her connection to Dollywood. The special also included a performance from Parton and Cyrus, who performed “Jolene” together.
Unfortunately, the full special doesn’t appear to be available to stream through Hallmark+ at the time of this writing. However, fans can still find clips from the special online, including on the Hallmark Channel YouTube account.
It seems like a fitting reminder that Parton’s relationship with Hallmark went beyond just one Christmas movie. From celebrating Dollywood’s milestone to eventually starring in “Christmas at Dollywood,” she left her mark on the network in more ways than one.
