Where Dolly Parton’s Thanksgiving Halftime Show Ranks All Time

When Dolly Parton took the stage in 2023 to perform the halftime show for the Dallas Cowboys‘ game against the Washington Commanders for the NFL Thanksgiving slate, she quickly captivated the audience that was there for the game, as well as the viewers watching at home.

The way she went about her performance will forever rank as one of the greatest in the history of Thanksgiving halftime shows. 

Dolly Parton Created an Instant Thanksgiving Classic

Parton was 77 years old when she walked on the stage at AT&T Stadium. She brought the energy and turned her performance into one that will be remembered forever.

She sang her recognizable songs, too. She started off with “Jolene” and then went to “9 to 5,” before transitioning to singing Queen’s “We Will Rock You” as well as “We Are the Champions.”

By singing two of her own iconic songs as well as two that got the crowd participating it was a great blend to help make her performance stand out while still being meaningful to the holiday.

The broadcast ended up drawing in 41.76 million viewers, which was the most-watched NFL game of the 2023 regular season. The performance also served a greater purpose, as Parton also launched The Salvation Army’s 133rd Red Kettle Campaign.

In a short period of time, Parton was able to entertain millions of people for a halftime show that still generates conversation to this day. While Creed’s 2001 performance is generally considered the best due to the production they put into it, Parton’s created the nostalgia factor that helps her performance closely rival for that top spot.