Grammy-winning music legend Judy Collins is getting ready to take one last long trip down the road. At 86, folk icon Collins has announced an extended farewell tour that will celebrate more than six decades of songs, stories, and life on stage.
GettyVariety reported that the tour, called “Sweet Judy Blue Eyes,” will begin on July 4 and continue through the winter of 2027, giving fans plenty of chances to see the legendary singer perform live one final time.
Why Judy Collins Named Her Farewell Tour ‘Sweet Judy Blue Eyes’
GettyThe farewell tour has been described as the closing chapter of a career that has touched generations of music lovers.
As per Variety: “Spanning iconic venues and cities across North America and beyond, this milestone tour will run through the winter of 2027, offering fans a final opportunity to experience Judy’s timeless voice and storytelling live on stage.”
The tour’s name also carries a personal connection.
It references the Crosby, Stills & Nash classic “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” written by Stephen Stills in 1969 during his relationship with Collins.
Decades later, the song remains one of the most recognizable musical tributes linked to her name.
Folk Icon Built a Career That Spans More Than Six Decades
Collins has been one of the most recognizable voices in folk and folk-pop music since the early 1960s. Across her long career, she has released 36 studio albums, beginning with her debut in 1962 and continuing through her most recent recordings in 2022.
Her work played a key role in the folk revival movement, especially during the mid 1960s through the late 1970s.
During that period, Collins recorded several interpretations that later became signature songs of the era.
Among her most celebrated recordings are “Both Sides, Now,” “Send in the Clowns,” “Chelsea Morning,” “Turn! Turn! Turn!” and “Amazing Grace.”
In 1969, Collins won a Grammy Award for Best Folk Performance for “Both Sides, Now.”
She later received an Academy Award nomination in 1975 as co-director and producer of the documentary “Antonia: A Portrait of the Woman”.
The movie tells the story of pioneering conductor Antonia Brico.
Beyond her music career, Collins has also written several books and hosted the podcast “Since You’ve Asked with Judy Collins” between 2021 and 2022.
Farewell Tour Will Visit Cities Across North America: Details
GettyAlthough the farewell tour officially begins in July, Collins is not waiting until then to return to the stage. She already has several concerts lined up in the months leading up to the tour’s launch.
The official kickoff will take place during the Independence Day celebration, “America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together,” at Colonial Williamsburg, where Collins is scheduled to headline the event on July 4.
More than two dozen shows have already been confirmed for 2026, with performances planned in cities ranging from Concord, New Hampshire, to Tucson, Arizona.
One of the scheduled stops includes a July 18 appearance at the Lansdowne Theatre in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania.
Collins will also be joined by a number of respected musicians on select dates throughout the tour. Guest performers are expected to include Richard Thompson, Bruce Cockburn, Livingston Taylor, and other special guests.
More tour dates are expected to be announced in the coming months, including performances in the United Kingdom.
Judy Collins Reflects on a Lifelong Love of the Stage
GettyFor Collins, life on the road has always been one of the most fulfilling parts of her long career.
Even after decades of touring, she has often spoken about the simple joy she feels performing live and connecting with audiences night after night.
“I have a sign on my mirror that says ‘Do it now — whatever it is,’” Collins said in a 2025 interview with Toledo City Paper.
“I have a viewpoint about courage and adaptability that plays into my love of the road. I’m unusual in that regard because a lot of people don’t like the road. I love the road. I love the planes. I love the cars. I love the drivers. I love the venues. I love the audiences. What’s bad about that? Nothing.”
GettyShe expressed a similar outlook in a 2024 interview ahead of a performance in Alabama.
“Time marches on, you keep singing, and that’s life.”
When the main farewell tour wraps up, Collins plans to return for a limited series of encore performances titled “Sweet Judy Blue Eyes Celebration Encore.” Dates and locations for those concerts have not yet been announced.
