In brief
Dolly Parton's estate announced the annual DollyFest, a two‑day festival that will take place in Nashville and London in 2027. The celebration, conceived by Parton herself, replaces the traditional public memorial for the late country music icon. Organizers say the event will let fans honor her legacy while also allowing time to grieve. The announcement follows her death at 80 earlier this year, sparking an outpouring of tributes from fans and celebrities.
Medical displays have replaced the consent to a somber memorial for one of the country's biggest stars.
The DollyFest festival, crafted by Dolly Parton herself, is set to span two consecutive weekends in 2027, with the first weekend taking place at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville and the second in London’s Hyde Park. Detailed dates, sponsors, and headlining acts will be announced by the estate later this year.
The public event will replace a private funeral held at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Nashville on 29 August. Dolly’s estate confirmed that the singer never wanted a conventional memorial ceremony and that the festival reflected her desire to celebrate life, sing, and dance.
"DollyFest will be the party of a lifetime she wanted to share with the world," the estate said. "It feels more appropriate for us to let tributes that make sense occur naturally and then see through her authentic festival concept."
The festival’s organizers say that DollyFest honour honours her 70‑year career, the songs that shaped a generation and the charities she supported for decades.
