Dolly Parton Cancels Las Vegas Residency Amid Health Struggles

Dolly Parton has canceled her planned Las Vegas residency because of ongoing health issues. The 80-year-old country music icon announced the decision Monday in a video posted on social media. Her six-show run at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace had already been postponed once, from December 2025 to September 2026. No new date has been scheduled. Ticketmaster confirmed that ticket holders will receive refunds within two to three weeks.

The residency would have marked her first Las Vegas Strip performance since the 1990s.

Why Dolly Parton Canceled Her Las Vegas Shows

Parton said she is responding well to medication and treatments and improving every day. However, she acknowledged the recovery is not yet complete. Kidney stones have been a long-running struggle for her, and she noted that her immune and digestive systems have also been affected. Her current medications have left her feeling dizzy, making live performance unsafe. "I can't be dizzy carrying around banjos, guitars, and such on 5-inch heels, and you know that I'm going to be wearing them," she said. "Not to mention all those heavy rhinestone outfits, the big hair, my big… uh, personality," she added with characteristic humor.

Despite the setback, she remained optimistic. "Just think of me as an old classic car that, once restored, can be better than ever," she said. "I have great doctors, and they assure me that everything is treatable."

Still Recording, Still Building: How She Stays Busy

Despite stepping away from the stage, she has not slowed down elsewhere. She is still recording music, making videos, and visiting Dollywood. She is also developing a Broadway musical and plans to open a museum and a hotel in Nashville later this year. "I've still got some healing to do, but I am on my way!" she told fans.

The announcement comes months after her sister, Freida, caused public concern with a social media post asking fans to pray for the singer. She addressed the speculation directly in a video at the time, stating plainly: "I ain't dead yet!" In April 2026, she topped a YouGov poll of the most favorable global figures, ahead of Barack Obama and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Canceled Setlist and Her Message to Fans

The now-canceled residency would have been a significant moment for both her and Las Vegas. She had been set to perform classic hits including Jolene, 9 to 5, I Will Always Love You, and Coat of Many Colors. The shows were timed to coincide with the annual National Finals Rodeo. She closed her message warmly: "I am truly sorry that I'm going to miss all of you that had tickets to see me in Las Vegas. Well, you get on to Vegas, and you have a big time… And I'll see you somewhere down the line."