Dolly Parton‘s last known performance was an impromptu song she played at Passholder Preview Day at Dollywood on March 14, 2025. The appearance, at which Dolly was not expected to sing, took place just 11 days after the passing of Dolly’s cherished husband Carl Dean.
The country music icon chose a song from her 2010 Hallmark Channel special “Dolly Celebrates 25 Years of Dollywood” for the occasion. She was also involved in another Hallmark project, the 2019 film “Christmas at Dollywood,” in which she made a brief cameo.
To see Dolly’s very last public in-person appearance, which took place in June 2026, click here.
Her performance was caught on camera by the Citizens Tribute. Dolly told the crowd before starting to play, “This is a little song called ‘Celebrate the Dreamer.’
Dressed in a sparkling pink costume and using a guitar decorated with flowers, she paused during the performance to laugh, “Are you singing, Eugene?” Eugene (Naughton) is the president of Dollywood, who had a long tradition of joining Dolly onstage each year to kick off the theme park’s seasonal openings.
After wrapping up the tune, Dolly called herself out for a barely-noticeable mistaken, shrugging, “I lost my place.” She then told attendees, “Hey, get out there, enjoy the day! And I’m so glad to see you.” She added, “I’m gonna ride in the parade, so I’ll see you there.”
Dolly Parton Never Missed a Dollywood Seasonal Opening
The “Jolene” singer appeared in person to open Dollywood for the final time the following year on March 13, 2026, but did not perform.
Instead, she gave a brief heartfelt speech in which she told fans, “Seriously now, I’ve been doing a whole lot of things. I have been not touring, as you know. Uh, I’ve had a few little health issues, and we’re taking good care of them. I just kinda got wore down, and wore out. Grieving over Carl, and a lot of other little things go on.”
She then mentioned a need to “build myself back up, spiritually, emotionally, and physically.”
At the time, her new $50 million dollar hybrid rollercoaster, NightFlight Expedition, was under construction. Fans celebrated the grand opening of the coaster at a special Dollywood event on August 14, 2026, where a video message of Dolly speaking to her fans was played.
Dolly’s appearance to help open the park a final time amid her declining health shows her dedication and love for the park. In its 41 years of operation while she was alive, the Locust Ridge native never missed a single grand opening.
‘American Idol’ Alum David Archuleta Fondly Remembered Dolly Parton
David Archuleta, who was the runner-up on “American Idol” season 7 in which Dolly mentored during the Top 9 week, fondly reflected on his experience meeting the star. He wrote, “Dolly, you changed this world for the better. Thank you for all the good you’ve done done to brighten this world. The highlight of my time on ‘American Idol’ was getting to share a brief moment with you and sing your song Smoky Mountain Memories’ that you wrote about your dad, and hear why that song was important to you.”
He also thanked her for helping him and millions of others “feel seen” before telling her to “rest in peace” and adding, “We will miss you.”
