What is DOLLYFEST? Inside Dolly Parton’s star-studded celebration

Dolly Parton wanted a big, glitzy party for her 80th birthday.

The country music icon planned to host and perform at a star-studded festival earlier this year. A venue was booked and an announcement was ready, but her health postponed the plans.

Now, the "9 to 5" singer's estate is bringing the celebration she envisioned to life with more music, more sparkle and a second continent.

The Estate of Dolly Parton announced Aug. 31 that "DOLLYFEST: The Celebration of a Lifetime" will take place across two consecutive weekends in 2027 in both Nashville and London. The celebration will transform Parton's original birthday festival into a two-continent event honoring her life and legacy.

"What Dolly started, we will ensure is brought to life," Danny Nozell, Parton's longtime manager and founder and CEO of CTK Enterprises, said in a statement.

Nozell said Parton had been deeply involved in plans for the original Nashville event before health problems forced her to step back in August 2025.

"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," Nozell said. "We had the venue booked and we had the announcement…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/entertainment/