Dolly Parton has confirmed she will not be in attendance for the “Opry Goes Dolly” birthday celebration in Nashville. In a short video message posted by the Opry, Parton thanked fans and the Opry family for the tribute and said she would be sending her love from afar.
The show, held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 7 p.m., took place at the Grand Ole Opry House just two days before Parton’s actual 80th birthday on January 19. The annual event spotlighted songs tied to her 1980s era along with well-known favorites from her expansive catalog.
The lineup for the tribute featured a star-studded list of performers, including Lainey Wilson, Vince Gill, Rhonda Vincent, and songwriter Trannie Anderson, along with Sierra Hull, Mark Wills, and other Opry favorites. Despite Parton’s physical absence, the celebration continued as planned, with the performers delivering her classic hits and honoring her long-standing connection to the Opry stage.