The world lost significant sparkle and empathy on August 25 when beloved country music and humanitarian icon Dolly Parton died.
Today (Friday, September 25), many locations across the United States are collectively celebrating Dolly Parton Day. Here’s everything you need to know, including how to join in.
A brief Dolly Parton biography
Parton was born on January 19, 1946, in Sevier County, Tennessee. She grew up in a humble one-bedroom home in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee with her 11 brothers and sisters.
Her musical talent was apparent from a young age. She wrote her first song at five with her mom transcribing the event because Dolly was not able to read or write yet. She moved to Nashville after high school graduation and was mentored by her songwriter uncle, Bill Owens.
In 1967, her debut album, Hello, I’m Dolly, was released which contained the singles “Dumb Blonde” and “Something Fishy.” She toured on the Porter Wagoner Show for seven years before going out on her own.
Her departure from the show inspired her hit single “I Will Always Love You.”
Beyond music, Parton was married to Carl Dean for almost 60 years until his 2025 passing. He preferred to stay out of the limelight, and the couple were never able to have children.
Perhaps partly because of this, Dolly mothered the world through her charitable efforts. The Dollywood Foundation gave scholarships to students in her home state.
The Imagination Library promoted literacy around the world by giving away free books. These are just some of her humanitarian efforts.
Why was September 25 chosen as Dolly Day?
September 25 was declared Dolly Parton Day because of the numerals behind the date. The month of September is the ninth month of the year and the day reads two, five. This is a nod to her famous 1980 movie and theme song 9 to 5.
Where can you get in on the Dolly Parton Day celebrations?
California is the only state that officially declared September 25 Dolly Parton Day. This occurred when Governor Gavin Newsom worked with state senators Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) and John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) and signed SB 931.
Tennessee will likely follow suit in the future, but because of procedural laws has to wait until January of 2027 to make things official.
Locals already celebrate on Parton’s birthday, but two days are even better.
This doesn’t mean individual cities in the state are not recognizing the event. Nashville, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Pittman Center have made their own declarations.
Some celebrations will focus on Parton’s work with literacy.
In Nashville, all profits from Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood’s Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk will be donated to the Nashville Public Library and the Imagination Library.
At San Francisco’s Union Square, live music will play on to celebrate her legacy.
The same can be said of New Orleans. In the Big Easy, a marching group named Krewe of Dolly will lead a parade through the French Quarter culminating at the New Orleans Jazz Museum.
Other locations recognizing Dolly Parton Day include the borough of Manhattan in New York City; Portland, Oregon; Hays County, Texas; and Montgomery County, Texas.
Regardless of your location, you can wear pink, listen to her music, and give to a local charity to honor the late diva.
