Nashville will hold a citywide celebration of Dolly Parton on Friday 25 September, with the date officially proclaimed Dolly Day by Mayor Freddie O’Connell, giving visitors a specific event to plan around when building Nashville itineraries.
Program spans venues, businesses and neighbourhoods
Participating music venues across the city will mark 5pm with live performances of “9 to 5,” while restaurants, coffee shops and bars are encouraged to offer Dolly-themed food and drink specials with proceeds going to charity. The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum will donate $9.25 from every admission to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and buildings including the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge and Historic Metro Courthouse and City Hall will be lit pink for the occasion.
Country music artists Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will donate all proceeds from their Friends in Low Places Bar and Honky-Tonk on the day to the Nashville Public Library and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp president and chief executive Deana Ivey said the event was designed to be accessible to both residents and visitors.
“We hope locals and visitors alike will find their own way to take part, whether it’s supporting a participating business, bringing Dolly Day to life in their own neighborhood, making a donation or simply doing something kind for someone else,” Ivey said.
Visitors can follow a dedicated Dolly Parton itinerary
Visit Music City has published a Dolly Parton-themed itinerary covering stops connected to her life, music and legacy, with additional activities and participating businesses to be confirmed ahead of the event via visitmusiccity.com/dollyday. Free Dolly Day buttons, stickers and bookmarks will be available at Bridgestone Arena and Fifth + Broadway visitor information centres while supplies last, alongside a neighbourhood-level Dolly in the Districts program encouraging local celebrations.
The day concludes with a fireworks display over downtown Nashville at 9:25pm. A related charitable campaign, Give Like Dolly – Middle Tennessee, will accept donations to local nonprofits through Sunday 27 September.
