In brief
Dolly Parton’s estate announced a new festival, DollyFest, to be held in both Nashville and London over two consecutive weekends in 2027. The two‑day event will substitute a formal memorial and feature performances, tributes, and a celebration of the singer’s career, including her most famous songs and humanitarian work. The festival promises to honor Parton’s vision of a music‑centric gathering that fans and artists worldwide can participate in while giving time to grieve and remember. Sources highlight Parton’s 10 Grammy wins and 100‑million record sales, and note the festival will likely coincide with the 2027 release of new documentaries about her life.
Dolly Parton’s estate has announced a festival honouring the life and legacy of the late singer, called DollyFest, set for 2027 in both Nashville and London.
The event will be a two‑day, star‑studded celebration held over consecutive weekends in each city. The estate issued a press release this week, saying that specific dates will be announced later in the year.
Parton herself had originally imagined a similar event earlier this year, where she would perform alongside other artists. However, the January 2026 launch was cancelled before being publicly announced because of her health issues.
The festival is positioned as “the party of a lifetime she wanted to share with the world,” said the estate, signaling a departure from a more traditional memorial.
Following Parton’s death on 25 August, her private family funeral took place in Nashville. The DollyFest organisers emphasised that the estate is not discouraging other forms of tribute; Parton had expressed a desire to avoid a conventional memorial.
“It feels more appropriate to let tributes occur naturally and then, through this festival-style concept that Dolly dreamed up, provide a space for fans and artists to celebrate, grieve, and plan,” Danny Nozell, founder of CTK Enterprises and DollyFest organiser, said.
Parton, a country music icon from the Smoky Mountains, built a career that spanned ten Grammy wins, over 100 million records sold worldwide, and thousands of written songs. Her strongest emphasis was always on songwriting, which she described as “her therapy.”
Since her passing, emotional tributes from celebrities, politicians, and fans have flooded social media, many referencing the “What Would Dolly Do?” mantra that fans now see updated as What Dolly Would Do! with DollyFest.
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