Dolly Parton Day is being marked across the U.S. on Friday, with cities, counties, businesses and fans celebrating the life and legacy of the late country music icon.
The date has a distinctly Dolly connection: September 25 is written as 9/25, a reference to Parton's signature hit "9 to 5."
Parton died at age 80 on August 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tennessee, surrounded by loved ones.
The commemorations taking place September 25 range from major public gatherings and parades to city proclamations, pink-lit buildings, musical performances and fundraisers supporting children's literacy.
What Was Dolly Parton's Cause of Death?
Parton died following a brief battle with cancer. Her publicist initially announced that she had "died peacefully" in Nashville. A subsequent statement said she died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center after "bravely facing a brief battle with cancer." Her family said a small private service would be held for immediate family.
Parton had previously acknowledged that she had been experiencing health challenges. In September 2025, she said doctors had told her she needed to undergo several procedures, although she did not publicly specify the nature of the health issues at the time.
Her death prompted tributes across the music industry and from communities that had been connected to her philanthropic work, particularly through her Imagination Library.
Why Is September 25 Named 'Dolly Parton Day'?
September 25 became an obvious date for Dolly Parton Day because, written numerically as 9/25, it is a reference to Dolly's 1980 hit "9 to 5."
The song was written for the 1980 film 9 to 5, in which Parton made her feature-film debut alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.
The connection has been embraced by cities and states establishing September 25 as a day of recognition.
California has established September 25 as Dolly Parton Day statewide. State Senator Shannon Grove, one of the lawmakers behind the legislation, described Parton's literacy work as a central part of her legacy.
"Dolly Parton sparkled on every stage she ever sto
od on, but her brightest sparkle was the literacy legacy she built through the Imagination Library," Grove said.
State Senator John Laird, the bill's co-sponsor, said Parton's legacy extended beyond her music.
"Dolly brought joy to a lot of people, but her legacy goes well beyond her music," Laird said, pointing to the millions of children reached through the Imagination Library.
California Governor Gavin Newsom also marked the occasion, saying: "We could all afford to live a little more like Dolly."
He encouraged people to be kind and humble and described the annual commemoration as a reminder of how Parton lived.
Other governments and local authorities have issued proclamations or recognitions, including Nashville, the New York City borough of Manhattan, Denver, New Orleans and several counties and communities.
Major Dolly Parton Events Across U.S.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is staging a citywide Dolly Day, with the celebration centered on music, kindness and giving.
The city is lighting buildings pink and distributing Dolly-themed stickers, buttons and bookmarks. Participating music venues are scheduled to perform "9 to 5" at 5 p.m., while businesses are offering Dolly-inspired specials. Fireworks are planned for 9:25 p.m.
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are also participating through their Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk. The venue is donating all proceeds from September 25 to the Nashville Public Library and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
"Dolly Parton's impact on Nashville will be felt for generations," Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell said in a public statement, citing her music, the people she helped and the example she set. "She has shown us that caring for a community means showing up for one another."
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is hosting one of the day's largest Dolly-themed public celebrations.
The Krewe of Dolly is leading a memorial parade through the French Quarter beginning at Armstrong Park at 5 p.m. The parade will finish at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, with a celebration continuing afterward at the Blue Nile.
Mayor Helena Moreno and the New Orleans City Council are also recognizing September 25 as "Dolly Day." Moreno said the city was embracing the opportunity to celebrate Parton's life through music, rhinestones and generosity.
"We're New Orleans—we know how to celebrate the people who bring joy to the world," Moreno told local media this month.
The Krewe of Dolly's activities also have a philanthropic purpose, with fundraising supporting the expansion of Parton's Imagination Library to children throughout New Orleans.
Other Dolly-themed activities are taking place around the city, including a Dolly cruise on the Mississippi River. The 75-minute cruise features Parton's music, photo opportunities and Dolly-inspired drinks, with part of the proceeds going to the Imagination Library before passengers head toward the parade.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco is holding Dolly Day in Union Square from noon to 3 p.m. local time. The free event is being presented as a celebration of life rather than a traditional memorial, with live music, tributes and an invitation for attendees to dress up in Dolly-inspired outfits and embrace the singer's colorful style.
Organizer Matt "Haze" Kaftor said the gathering was intended to reflect Parton's approach to celebration.
"Dolly Day isn't about mourning. It's about coming together to celebrate everything she gave us, loudly and proudly, the way she'd want it," Kaftor told SFist on Thursday.
San Francisco Recreation and Parks General Manager Sarah Madland also welcomed the celebration, describing the transformation of Union Square into a music-filled gathering as fittingly "Dolly."
Mayor Daniel Lurie highlighted Parton's literacy work in the city, saying that more than 11,000 San Francisco children had participated in the local Imagination Library program since it launched, with more than 64,000 books distributed.
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington Parks and Recreation is hosting a free Dolly Day: A 9/25 Celebration of Dolly Parton at Moondance Amphitheater.
The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and includes local musicians performing Parton's songs, food and drink vendors and family activities. Attendees are encouraged to wear Dolly-inspired sparkle, while donations will be accepted for the Imagination Library.
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is also getting a Dolly-themed celebration at Truck Yard. The all-day event features Dolly decorations, Dolly music, limited-edition pink wristbands and specialty drinks including the "Cup of Ambition" and "9 to 5." The event is being promoted as family- and dog-friendly.
Northern Kentucky
The Kenton County Public Library is holding a systemwide Dolly celebration featuring music, crafts, activities and plenty of pink and rhinestones.
Individual branches are hosting different activities. Covington's event includes a Dolly photo opportunity, crafts and Imagination Library information, while Erlanger is showing 9 to 5 and holding a Dolly-themed children's storytime. Other branches are offering butterfly bookmark crafts, Dolly music, snacks and T-shirt screen-printing.
The library's executive director, Dr. Denise Fritsch, said the celebration was intended to recognize both Parton's entertainment career and her literacy work.
"Her music and larger-than-life personality brought joy to millions, and her gift of books will continue to inspire generations to come," Fritsch said in a statement.
Across Tennessee and beyond
Several other Tennessee communities and local governments have recognized September 25, including communities around Parton's hometown in Sevier County.
Denver has also formally recognized Parton through a City Council proclamation, while the Imagination Library of Colorado is holding Dolly Day activities around the state.
Other proclamations and recognitions have been issued in places including Manhattan; King County, Washington; Cocke County, Tennessee; Montgomery County, Texas; Lewiston, Idaho; and Clarkston, Washington.
Not every official recognition involves a public event. In some places, September 25 is being marked primarily through a proclamation or ceremonial designation.
When Was '9 to 5' Released by Dolly Parton?
Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" was released in 1980 as the theme song for the film of the same name.
The song became a major crossover success. It entered the Billboard Country Singles chart in November 1980 before reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1981, becoming Parton's first pop chart-topper.
The song earned Parton two Grammy Awards and became closely associated with the film's story about women dealing with workplace discrimination and inequality.
What Was Dolly Parton's Imagination Library?
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is a children's literacy program that provides free books to young children.
Parton established the program through the Dollywood Foundation in 1995. It initially focused on children in her home area of East Tennessee before expanding internationally.
The program mails an age-appropriate book to registered children each month, at no cost to their families. By 2026, it had expanded to reach more than 3 million registered children, with books distributed in the United States and several other countries.
The program is also a major focus of this year's Dolly Parton Day celebrations. Organizers in several cities are collecting donations or directing residents toward local Imagination Library partners.
Jeff Conyers, president of the Dollywood Foundation, said giving was always personal to Parton.
"For Dolly, giving was always personal and from her heart," Conyers said. "She believed deeply in helping people, especially children, and she always felt if you are in a position to help, you should help."
Is Dollywood Still Open?
The Dollywood theme park remains open in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and is continuing its 2026 season following Parton's death.
The park is currently holding its Harvest Festival, which runs from September 14 through October 31. The festival features fall-themed food, live Southern gospel, country and bluegrass entertainment, rides and the nighttime Great Pumpkin LumiNights.
September 25 is also the beginning of Dollywood's Run Dollywood Fall Race Weekend, which runs through September 27. The weekend includes a Friday night 5K, a Saturday 10K and Kids Fun Run and a Sunday half-marathon.
Dollywood has also announced additions intended to honor Parton's legacy, including a new character called the Dream Maker, inspired by the Imagination Library, along with additions to a chapel and expanded exhibits in The Dolly Parton Experience. The city of Sevierville is also planning a self-guided walking tour with markers at places connected to Parton's early life.
The park says it is open for the 2026 season, with visitors advised to check its official calendar for the latest operating hours.
How Is Dolly Parton Being Remembered?
The first Dolly Parton Day comes little more than a month after her death, but the commemorations are focused on the different parts of her public legacy: music, entertainment, business, generosity and children's literacy.
Parton said in a 2024 interview with the Associated Press that she hoped her songs would last and that she would be remembered as someone who tried to do good in the world.
This year's celebrations reflect that wish in different ways—from concerts and parades to book drives, donations, acts of kindness and simply putting on some pink and rhinestones.
For many of the communities participating, September 25 is therefore less a single official holiday than a collection of local celebrations built around the same date, the same song and the legacy Parton left behind.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Samantha Beech and Dave Siminoff.