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On Friday, Sept. 25, Nashville is coming together to celebrate one of Tennessee’s most beloved icons by doing what Dolly Parton does best: spreading a little kindness. Sept. 25, or 9/25, is a nod to Parton’s iconic hit song and movie “9 to 5.”
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, Music Community Foundation, Office of Mayor Freddie O’Connell, and Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce today announced Dolly Day, a citywide celebration of Dolly Parton and the generosity, kindness, music and entrepreneurial spirit that have made her an enduring part of Nashville’s identity.
Throughout Dolly Day, Nashvillians, visitors, musicians and local businesses will be invited to celebrate Dolly in their own way, from wearing pink to donating to causes that reflect her philanthropic legacy and performing random acts of kindness for neighbors and strangers alike.
“Dolly has shown us what can happen when generosity is rooted in a genuine love for community,” said Hal Cato, CEO of Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. “Her example reminds us that each of us has something to give, whether it is our time, our resources, our talents or simply our kindness. Dolly Day is an opportunity to put that spirit into action and show what is possible when a community chooses to care for one another.”
Country music icons Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are helping lead the way, pledging to celebrate Dolly Day by donating all proceeds from their Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk on Sept. 25 to the Nashville Public Library and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
“We want to thank Garth and Trisha for this beautiful idea and are proud to join the Community Foundation to help make Dolly Day a citywide commemoration where everyone can join in, spread a little kindness and honor Dolly and the incredible legacy she left behind,” said Deana Ivey, President and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “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. Dolly gave so much to Nashville and to people around the world, and this is a chance for all of us to carry that spirit forward.”
Carrying On Her Kindness Across Nashville
Dolly Day is designed to give everyone a way to participate, whether they are a lifelong Nashvillian, a visitor experiencing Music City, a local business, a musician taking the stage or a school, sports team or neighborhood looking for a way to come together.
Activities planned throughout Dolly Day include:
- At 5 p.m., participating music venues across the city will mark the occasion with live performances of “9 to 5” on their stages.
- Participating restaurants, coffee shops and bars are encouraged to offer Dolly-inspired food and drink specials, with proceeds benefiting charity, along with curated playlists featuring Parton’s music.
- Attractions and other venues are encouraged to direct proceeds of admission tickets to charity, joining the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, which is donating $9.25 of all admissions to Parton’s Imagination Library.
- Businesses are encouraged to light up their buildings in pink, joining the city’s Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge and the Historic Metro Courthouse and City Hall.
- Residents and visitors are invited to leave messages pledging how they plan to carry on Parton’s kindness at the Bridgestone Arena Visitor Information Center, 501 Broadway.
- Free Dolly Day buttons, stickers and bookmarks will be available at Visitor Information Centers at Bridgestone Arena and Fifth + Broadway while supplies last.
- Spread Love It’s the Dolly Way T-shirts from Project 615 will also be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting the Give Like Dolly Fund at Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
- Visitors can experience Dolly’s Nashville for themselves through a Dolly Parton itinerary featuring iconic stops connected to her life, music and legacy.
- Nashvillians and visitors can spread kindness on social media and share how they are participating using #DollyDayNashville.
- The Dolly in the Districts program will encourage neighborhoods across Nashville to create their own family-friendly celebrations, from sidewalk art to neighborhood gatherings.
- To conclude the daylong celebration, a brief fireworks show in tribute to Parton will light up downtown Nashville at 9:25 p.m.
Additional Dolly Day activities, participating businesses and venues, and opportunities to celebrate will be announced leading up to Sept. 25. Please go to visitmusiccity.com/dollyday for an updated list of activities and ways to get involved. Businesses, organizations and neighborhoods planning Dolly Day activities are encouraged to share their plans by contacting talk@visitmusiccity.com.
Parton’s legacy also extends far beyond music and philanthropy. As an entrepreneur, entertainer and businesswoman, she has built an enduring brand and created opportunities whose impact continues to be felt throughout Tennessee.
“Dolly Parton’s remarkable legacy is also the story of an extraordinary entrepreneur who has shown what is possible when creativity, authenticity and a deep commitment to community come together,” said Stephanie Coleman, President and CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. “Her impact as a business leader extends far beyond her own success, creating jobs, opportunities and economic impact across our state. We encourage businesses throughout Middle Tennessee to join Dolly Day and celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and commitment to community that have always been part of Dolly’s example.”
Giving Like Dolly
At the heart of Dolly Day will be Give Like Dolly – Middle Tennessee, a charitable giving campaign presented by Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and Music Community Foundation as part of The Dollywood Foundation’s national Give Like Dolly initiative.
Beginning Sept. 25, donors will be able to support local nonprofits working across four areas inspired by Dolly’s own legacy of philanthropy: helping a child succeed, helping someone heal, helping a neighbor in need, and helping someone find their song. Donors will also have an opportunity to directly support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Middle Tennessee.
“The music community has always looked to Dolly as an example of what it means to use your platform to lift up the people around you,” said Rondal Richardson of the Music Community Foundation. “The MCF family is proud to rally around that example and invite artists, industry leaders, businesses and fans to do the same. Give Like Dolly is an opportunity to turn the reach and influence of our music community into support for people and organizations across Middle Tennessee.”
The Give Like Dolly Fund can be made will continue accepting donations through Sunday, Sept. 27, allowing the spirit of Dolly Day to carry through the weekend. For more information or to donate, visit: giving9to5.com.
Official City Proclamation for “Dolly Day”
In recognition of Dolly Parton’s extraordinary contributions to Nashville, Tennessee and communities around the world, Mayor Freddie O’Connell will officially proclaim Sept. 25, 2026, Dolly Day in Nashville.
“Dolly Parton’s impact on Nashville will be felt for generations, through the music she has given us, the people she has helped and the example she continues to set,” said Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell. “She has shown us that caring for a community means showing up for one another. I’m honored to proclaim Sept. 25 Dolly Day in Nashville and invite our entire city to celebrate the remarkable contribution Dolly has made to Nashville and to people around the world.”
