Country music legend Dolly Parton will be honored in a major way this fall, and Disney is right in the middle of it. The Country Music Association has announced a two-hour live television tribute special airing on ABC and Disney+ on October 21, 2026, and it is shaping up to be one of the most meaningful music events of the year.
The Special and What to Expect
The event is titled “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton,” and it will air on Wednesday, October 21 from 9 to 11 p.m. Eastern time on both ABC and Disney+. For those who miss it live, the special will also be available to stream on Hulu the following day.
The tribute will be held at Belmont University’s Fischer Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville and will feature live performances, archival footage, and personal stories chronicling Parton’s legendary career as an artist, songwriter, actor, humanitarian, and entrepreneur. Nashville area residents will be able to find ticket information through a signup link that is expected to be available soon.
Dolly Parton passed away on August 25, 2026 following a brief illness. Her impact on country music, American culture, and philanthropy is immeasurable, and the response from the entertainment industry has been one of deep love and gratitude. The CMA tribute special comes roughly one month before the CMA Awards, where additional tributes are also expected.
CMA CEO Sarah Trahern put the moment into words beautifully: “Dolly Parton belonged to the whole world, but she was born of this industry, and this industry owes her a debt of gratitude that words alone cannot repay.”
Executive Producer Robert Deaton echoed that sentiment, saying: “My hope is simply that we do right by her story, her music and the people who love her.”
A Cause Close to Her Heart
In keeping with who Dolly Parton was as a person, the special carries a charitable component as well. Proceeds from the event will benefit Dolly Parton‘s Imagination Library, the nonprofit she founded that provides free books every month to children around the world. Disney is also contributing a donation in her honor to support that mission.
For Disney fans, the connection here goes beyond just the broadcast. Disney+ carrying this tribute and Disney supporting the Imagination Library is a fitting pairing — Parton was a woman who believed in the power of storytelling, imagination, and bringing joy to children, values that sit at the very heart of everything Disney represents.
How to Watch
“CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton” airs October 21, 2026 from 9 to 11 p.m. Eastern on ABC and Disney+. It will be available on Hulu the next day.
Additional details about the special, including performers, tickets and additional partners, will be announced in the coming weeks. Sign up for ticketing updates HERE.
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