LDT. Dolly Parton Postpones Las Vegas Residency Amid Health Challenges, Prepares for Major 2026 Comeback
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Country music icon Dolly Parton is pausing her live performance schedule after announcing the postponement of her highly anticipated Las Vegas residency, originally slated for December 2025 at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
The limited-engagement show — titled “Dolly: Live in Las Vegas” — has officially been rescheduled for September 2026 as the 79-year-old superstar undergoes medical treatment and a period of recovery.
Parton told fans she has been dealing with a combination of recent health issues, including a kidney stone and a subsequent infection. The complications forced her to cancel a Dollywood appearance earlier this year and have now affected her ability to rehearse for a high-intensity Vegas production. She emphasized that the decision wasn’t taken lightly but was necessary to protect her long-term health.
“I want to be at my very best when I step onto that stage,” Parton said. “This isn’t a simple check-up — I’m getting a full tune-up so I can come back stronger than before.”
Despite concerns from fans, Parton made it clear she has no intention of retiring, saying she still feels spiritually and creatively driven:
“God hasn’t told me to stop yet. I’m listening, and I’ll be ready when the time is right.”
A Year Marked by Loss and Transformation
2025 has been an emotional and transitional year for the music legend. In March, Parton suffered the loss of her husband of nearly six decades, Carl Dean, a deeply private figure who stayed out of the spotlight throughout her career. Days after his passing, she released the heartfelt tribute single “If You Hadn’t Been There,” honoring the life they built together.
The song received an overwhelming response, becoming one of her most-streamed releases in years and reminding fans of the vulnerability and storytelling power that have defined her career.
New Memoir, Broadway Musical & Expanding Legacy
Even as she recovers, Parton’s creative output remains unstoppable:
- Her new memoir, Star of the Show: My Life on Stage, is set to be released November 11, 2025.
- A new Broadway musical inspired by her life is now in development, targeting a 2026 premiere.
- Dollywood continues to expand its 40th anniversary slate, with Parton still involved in creative oversight despite stepping back from physical appearances.
The musical — described by insiders as a hybrid of biography, humor, resilience, and signature Dolly charm — is one of the most anticipated stage productions of 2026.
An Artist Who Continues to Shape Culture
Even at nearly eight decades of life, Dolly Parton’s cultural influence remains unparalleled. From her philanthropic work (including millions donated to children’s literacy and vaccine research) to her dominance in entertainment, Parton continues to set a standard for longevity, reinvention, and authenticity.
Her Las Vegas show is expected to be a lavish, career-spanning production — one that fans now eagerly await as Parton focuses on recovery and prepares for an even bigger return.
