California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Sunday establishing September 25 as Dolly Parton Day, creating an annual state observance honoring the late country music icon who died on August 25 at age 80 after a battle with cancer.
The date was chosen as a numerical nod to Parton’s 1980 hit song “9 to 5.” Written as 9-2-5, the date mirrors the song title that became one of her most enduring works. The bill, SB 931, was authored by state Senators Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) and John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) and signed on September 20, 2026.
Key Facts
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The legislation establishes Dolly Parton Day as a permanent annual observance in California, making it the first state to formally enact such a law. The bill honors Parton not only as a singer and songwriter but also as an actress, philanthropist, and entrepreneur whose career spanned more than six decades.
Governor Newsom framed the law as more than a commemoration of her artistic achievements.
“With this bill, we are not just establishing a day to celebrate Dolly Parton, we are creating an annual reminder to us, every year, to live the way she did — joyfully, graciously, and with a whole lot of heart,” he said in a statement.
At the signing, Newsom added: “We could all afford to live a little more like Dolly. Be kind, be humble, and have some fun. Be a diamond in a rhinestone world”.
Parton’s Legacy
Parton died on August 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee, her adopted home since she moved there at age 18. She was 80 years old.
Over her career, Parton sold more than 100 million records worldwide and amassed 25 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, more than any other female country artist. Her accolades included 11 Grammy Awards, three Emmy Awards, two Academy Award nominations, induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999, and induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
Her philanthropic work became as defining as her music. The Imagination Library, which she launched in 1995, has distributed more than 330 million free books to children in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia. The program sends more than one million books each month to enrolled children.
“The Queen of Country was known for her over-the-top style, proudly wearing sequins with big hair and plenty of fringe in her signature color pink,” the Associated Press noted in its coverage of the observances.
Widespread Observances
The California law is part of a broader wave of recognition across the United States. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel signed a proclamation on September 14 declaring September 25 as Dolly Parton Day in that state for 2026. Legislators in New York and Pennsylvania have introduced similar bills, though neither has passed as of September 24.
In Tennessee, Parton’s home state, Governor Bill Lee proclaimed January 19, 2026 — her 80th birthday — as Dolly Parton Day. Tennessee lawmakers are now considering legislation to designate September 25 as “9 to 5 Day” statewide.
Nashville, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Pittman Center have issued proclamations designating September 25 as Dolly Parton Day in their jurisdictions. Manhattan, Portland, Oregon, and multiple Texas counties have also issued recognitions.
How Communities Are Marking the Day
In Nashville, the city planned pink lights and posters, with free stickers, buttons, and bookmarks distributed at visitor centers. Fireworks were scheduled at 9:25 p.m. local time. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened a special exhibition, “Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker,” and hosted a free screening of the film “9 to 5”.
In New Orleans, the marching group Krewe of Dolly led a parade through the French Quarter. San Francisco organizers held a public “Dolly Day” event in Union Square. Southwest Airlines held Parton-inspired karaoke for travelers and employees at Nashville International Airport.
Musicians On Call, a nonprofit that brings live music to hospital patients, organized Parton-inspired performances at medical facilities in Nashville, Chicago, Denver, New York, Richmond, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C..
Businesses across Chicago offered specials priced at $9.25, including discounted pet adoptions at the Anti-Cruelty Society and a glitter-topped milkshake at The Protein Bar, with 25 percent of sales donated to the Imagination Library.
The Dollywood Foundation encouraged the public to donate to local Imagination Library partners or help establish new programs. “For Dolly, giving was always personal and from her heart,” said Jeff Conyers, president of The Dollywood Foundation. “She believed deeply in helping people, especially children, and she always felt if you are in a position to help, you should help”.
What Comes Next
California’s Dolly Parton Day will be observed annually on September 25. The Tennessee General Assembly is expected to vote in January on a proposal to designate the date as “9 to 5 Day” statewide. Legislators in New York and Pennsylvania continue to advance bills that would establish the observance in their states.
