Fans across California are preparing for the first official Dolly Parton Day on 25 September, a date chosen for its nod to the country icon's beloved hit 9 to 5. In West Hollywood, LGBTQ+ venues are planning drag performances, film screenings, themed drinks and glittering parties, turning a state proclamation into a warm, very Dolly-style celebration.

Essential Takeaways

  • The date: California has designated 25 September as Dolly Parton Day, inspired by 9 to 5.
  • The setting: West Hollywood venues are planning drag shows, screenings, music nights and themed menus.
  • The legacy: Parton's six-decade career included major music, film and television work.
  • The message: Her support for LGBTQ+ people grew more visible over time, especially around equal rights and acceptance.
  • The mood: Expect rhinestones, country-western outfits, Dolly classics and plenty of playful camp.

California gives Dolly's legacy a date

The new annual observance turns a familiar lyric into a fixture on the calendar. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation establishing 25 September as Dolly Parton Day, with the date reflecting the title of her landmark workplace anthem, 9 to 5, according to the California governor's office.

It's a fitting choice. Few songs capture the grind of working life with such a bright coat of paint, and fewer performers have made generosity feel as central to their public image. Newsom described the day as a yearly reminder to live with kindness, humility and heart, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

The proclamation also gives fans something more useful than a commemorative date: an excuse to dress up, sing loudly and enjoy a cocktail with an unnecessary amount of sparkle.

West Hollywood is ready for a rhinestone night

West Hollywood's LGBTQ+ bars are leaning into the theatrical side of Parton's appeal. Micky's WeHo is planning a Dolly-themed edition of its Cirque du So Gay drag show, with performers taking on her songs, according to LGBTQ Nation.

The Gym Bar is expected to pair themed food and drinks with a screening of 9 to 5, the sharp 1980 film starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Parton. The film's feminist workplace comedy still has plenty of bite, while its glittering star power makes it an easy choice for a group night out.

Elsewhere, Schmitty's Bar is encouraging country-western looks, a Dolly photo booth and a soundtrack packed with hits. The V Wine Room plans to mix her music with clips from her best-known films, creating the kind of evening where a casual drink can quietly become a full fan pilgrimage.

Why 9 to 5 remains the perfect theme

Parton's 9 to 5 isn't just a catchy number. The song and film tapped into frustrations around office hierarchy, unfair treatment and the daily absurdities of work, themes that remain remarkably recognisable decades later.

The film also carries a strong queer cultural connection through screenwriter and director Colin Higgins, who was gay, and Lily Tomlin, whose comic presence has long resonated with LGBTQ+ audiences. California's choice of the date therefore links Parton's pop legacy with a story about workplace solidarity and women pushing back against a system designed to keep them small.

That combination explains why the celebrations feel broader than a simple tribute concert. There's camp, nostalgia and glamour, but there is also a genuine sense of recognition.

Parton's LGBTQ+ support became part of her story

Parton generally avoided party politics, saying she wanted to keep fans from across the political spectrum. Still, her public record included repeated support for equal treatment, marriage equality and LGBTQ+ audiences, according to coverage from LGBTQ Nation and the Independent.

Her song Family acknowledged gay people within a wider vision of belonging, while Travelin' Thru was written for the transgender-focused film Transamerica and later received an Oscar nomination. She also criticised discriminatory bathroom legislation, arguing that people should be treated with respect.

Parton's response to a pro-marriage-equality T-shirt incident at Dollywood was especially telling. After a visitor was asked to turn the shirt inside out, Parton apologised and said the situation shouldn't have happened, promising that the park would do better.

She wasn't immune from criticism, and some comments about identity drew objections. But her affection for gay fans was unmistakable. She once joked that, had she not been a woman, she would have become a drag queen, which may be the most Dolly sentence imaginable.

How to celebrate Dolly Parton Day at home

You don't need a West Hollywood bar crawl to take part. Start with the obvious soundtrack, then choose a film double bill from Parton's screen career. For a livelier gathering, ask guests to arrive in denim, fringe, boots or rhinestones and award a small prize for the most committed look.

Food and drink can stay simple. A Tennessee-inspired menu, a 9 to 5 film screening and a playlist that moves from Jolene to Islands in the Stream will do the work. The key is warmth rather than perfection, because Parton's appeal has always been less about polished exclusivity than making everyone feel invited.

A charitable twist would suit the occasion, too. Supporting an LGBTQ+ organisation or a local food and community project turns the celebration's message into something practical. After all, the most convincing way to honour Dolly is to make the room kinder.

California's new tradition is likely to grow quickly, with fans bringing their own music, memories and highly individual interpretations of country glamour. For one night, at least, the working week can wait.

Celebrate with a little glitter, a lot of heart and the song that started it all.

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