Although Dolly Parton officially retired from traditional touring, she’s back on the road in a whole new way. Her innovative concert series, Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony, is already underway, bringing fans a one-of-a-kind musical experience that blends storytelling, orchestral music, and cutting-edge visuals.

The tour began on March 20, 2025, with a powerful debut performance alongside the Nashville Symphony. Since then, it has continued to travel across the country, with each stop featuring local symphony orchestras and guest vocalists performing orchestral renditions of Parton’s most iconic songs. Though Dolly isn’t performing live on stage, her presence is deeply felt through immersive on-screen appearances that guide the audience through a personal and emotional journey.

“Threads is more than a concert—it’s a multimedia storytelling event,” the show’s producers explained. Audiences experience her music through sweeping symphonic arrangements accompanied by visuals and recorded messages from Parton herself. The performance explores the stories behind her songs, offering insight into her life, her struggles, and her triumphs, all while celebrating her legendary career.

“I’m just so excited to share my songs and the stories behind them in this beautiful new way,” Parton said in a recent statement. “‘Threads: My Songs in Symphony’ is like a journey through the heartstrings of my life. I hope we can take it far and wide to symphony orchestras everywhere.”

The show features newly orchestrated versions of her beloved tracks, breathing new life into fan favorites. Each performance also includes local musicians and vocalists, making every stop on the tour a unique interpretation of her legacy.

Robert Thompson, president of Schirmer Theatrical—one of the project’s co-producers—expressed pride in bringing the event to life: “It’s an honor to help share Dolly Parton’s music, genius, and story with symphonic audiences. For many, this will be the first time hearing her songs performed by a full orchestra, and it’s truly a magical experience.”

Parton first hinted at the end of her touring days in a 2022 interview, saying she no longer had plans for full-scale road tours. Her Pure & Simple Tour in 2016 marked her last extended run. “I don’t think I’ll ever tour again,” she said at the time. “Maybe a few special shows here and there, but I’ve done big tours my whole life—and they take a lot of time and energy.”

Still, Threads: My Songs in Symphony proves that Parton hasn’t stepped away from her fans. Instead, she’s found a new way to stay connected—one that honors her past while embracing the future.

Schirmer Theatrical, known for blending pop culture with orchestral performance, has previously produced similar multimedia concerts, including Dancing in the Street: The Music of Motown and Twist & Shout: The Music of the Beatles. With Threads, they’ve helped launch one of the most ambitious crossover concert experiences of 2025.

As the tour continues, fans across the U.S. can expect more dates to be added in the coming months, each one offering an emotional, musical celebration of Dolly Parton’s enduring legacy.