Nashville Unscripted · Dolly Parton
The 9 to 5 Day Dolly Parton tribute falls on September 25. California made it a law, Tennessee’s governor proclaimed it, and Nashville turned pink for the first one. Here’s where it stands in every state.
The short answer: 9 to 5 Day is September 25 (9/25), named for Dolly Parton’s 1980 anthem. California made it an annual state day when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 931 on September 20, 2026. In Tennessee, Gov. Bill Lee proclaimed September 25, 2026 “Dolly Parton 9 to 5 Day,” and a bill to make it permanent comes up in the legislative session that starts January 12, 2027. New York and Massachusetts lawmakers have bills in the works.
Why September 25?
Written as numbers, September 25 is 9/25, which reads like “9 to 5.” Tennessee State Senator Jessie Seal (R-New Tazewell) proposed the date the day after Dolly died on August 25, 2026.
Honor Dolly in Nashville
Stay at Her SongTeller Hotel
Dolly’s SongTeller Hotel is on Commerce Street, steps from Lower Broadway, and her Life of Many Colors museum is downtown.
Book the SongTeller Hotel → Browse All Nashville Hotels →Where 9 to 5 Day Stands, State by State
California
Law · Signed September 20, 2026
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 931, by state Sens. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) and John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), making September 25 an annual Dolly Parton Day. Newsom: “We could all afford to live a little more like Dolly. Be kind, be humble, and have some fun.”
Tennessee
Governor’s Proclamation · Bill Pending
Gov. Bill Lee proclaimed September 25, 2026 “Dolly Parton 9 to 5 Day”: “From the mountains of East Tennessee to audiences around the world, Dolly Parton’s talent, generosity, and love for our state have inspired generations.” Sen. Jessie Seal’s bill to make it permanent is up in the 2027 session, which starts January 12. Nashville, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Pittman Center also declared the day locally.
New York
Bill Planned for January
State Sens. Erik Bottcher and Jeremy Cooney plan to introduce a 9 to 5 Day bill when the legislature reconvenes in January. Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal has already proclaimed September 25 Dolly Parton Appreciation Day in Manhattan.
Massachusetts
Bill Filed
State Sen. Julian Cyr and Rep. Sam Montaño filed a bill asking the governor to proclaim September 25 each year to honor “the life and legacy of Dolly Parton” and “all people on the job working 9 to 5.”
Cities and Counties
Local Proclamations
Portland, Oregon; San Francisco; and Hays and Montgomery counties in Texas also declared September 25 in Dolly’s honor.
How Nashville Marked the First 9 to 5 Day
- Pink lights and Dolly posters went up across the city.
- Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood donated all of the day’s proceeds from their Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk on Broadway to the Nashville Public Library and Dolly’s Imagination Library.
- In Memphis, the Orpheum Theatre Group held four free screenings of 9 to 5 at the Halloran Centre.
- Elsewhere, San Francisco held live music in Union Square, and the Krewe of Dolly paraded through New Orleans’ French Quarter.
The Senator’s Words
“While every day is a fitting day to honor Dolly, ‘9 to 5 Day’ will give Tennesseans an opportunity each year to set aside a little extra time to listen to one of her most iconic songs and reflect on the once-in-a-century legend.” — Sen. Jessie Seal
The Song Behind the Day
Dolly wrote “9 to 5” for the 1980 film of the same name, her first movie role, with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The typewriter-style rhythm came from running her acrylic fingernails against each other, as she told it in many interviews.
The song hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1981, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and won two awards at the 24th Grammys in 1982: Best Country Song and Best Country Vocal Performance, Female.
For the stories behind more of her hits, see our Dolly Parton songs guide.
Dolly Parton Day vs. 9 to 5 Day
- January 19: Dolly Parton Day. Her birthday. Gov. Lee proclaimed January 19, 2026 Dolly Parton Day in Tennessee for her 80th birthday.
- September 25: 9 to 5 Day. Named for the song. Law in California, proclaimed in Tennessee for 2026, with bills pending in Tennessee, New York and Massachusetts.
More Dolly Tributes in Nashville and Tennessee
- October 21: CMA Dolly tribute. “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You” airs live from Belmont at 8 p.m. CT on ABC and Disney+. Performers, tickets and how to watch →
- The airport. BNA’s board voted 6–0 on September 11 to begin renaming Nashville International Airport for Dolly; the final name hasn’t been announced. Airport rename update →
- Tennessee Vols. Butterfly decals on the helmets, and a Dolly song as the new fourth-quarter tradition at Neyland Stadium. UT tribute guide →
- Centennial Park bench. Dedicated August 29, 2026, near the Sunken Garden. Bench guide →
- 2027: Dollyfest. Back-to-back weekend celebrations in Nashville and London; dates, venues and lineup not yet announced. Dollyfest guide →
→ CMA Dolly Parton Tribute: How to Watch
→ Reba’s Dolly Parton Emmy Tribute
→ Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum
→ Dolly Parton Nashville Memorials
→ Dolly Parton Songs: The Stories Behind Her Hits
Status as of October 6, 2026, from the California governor’s office, Tennessee governor’s office and state lawmakers, and news coverage. Pending bills may change. We’ll update this post as states act.