365 Things to Do in Memphis #272: River Arts Fest
Updated October 2019. Photo credit: Allen Gillespie / Memphis Tourism
Downtown Memphis will turn into a giant artists market and street fair for this year’s River Arts Fest. Assignment #272 in the 365 Things to Do in Memphis is to spend a day at the festival.
This year, the event in its new (as of 2018) location – River Arts Fest will shut down Riverside Drive between Jefferson and Union on Saturday, Oct. 26 and Sunday, Oct. 27. More about this year’s road closures:
🚧 Information on RiverArtsFest road closures below. Closures begin Thursday at 12:01 a.m. and run through Sunday night. pic.twitter.com/tWDwt3yOrw
— City of Memphis (@CityOfMemphis) October 23, 2019
At River Arts Fest, you can definitely shop for art from the more than 200 booths, but the event isn’t just about shopping. There will also be hands-on art stations, live music stages, and tons of food from local vendors. About that live music: organizers do everything they can to pack the festival with local acts of all kinds.
Tickets are $5 per person, and kids ten and under can get in for free. However, on Saturday after 5 p.m., the fest is staying open (and free) in celebration of the Mighty Lights bridge lighting ceremony.
The fest is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday (admission charged until 5 p.m., artists’ market open until 9 p.m.) and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Leave the pets, coolers, skates, and bikes at home.
Go there:
October 26 – 27, 2019
Riverside Drive
Originally published Oct. 2012. Updated Oct. 2019.
Author: Holly Whitfield
I write about what’s going on with Memphis music, food, arts, events, sports, people, and culture. Memphians love Elvis and barbeque with a passion that must be seen to be believed, but there is so much more to this place.
Looking forward to this year's fest!