20+ Things To Do This Weekend

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THINGS TO DO ALL WEEKEND

World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, Liberty Park, Wednesday til Saturday, ticket prices vary

It's that time again, Memphis. The smoke is about to rise over Liberty Park, over 200 teams from 27 states and 7 countries are fired up, and the 2026 World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is shaping up to be the biggest one yet. You have to check out all the new things to experience this year!

Brek Fest, Lamplighter Lounge, Friday and Saturday, 6 p.m., $20/day, 21+

What’s for Breakfast Records presents their third annual Memphis showcase! They’ve got several sub-flavors of punk, rock, garage, hardcore, and DIY on deck, with bangers galore. Come support local musicians and touring bands from Austin, Cincinnati, Detroit, Fayetteville, New Orleans, Tacoma, Tulsa, Carbondale. 2 days, 20+ bands, all at your favorite local dive bar – Lamplighter Lounge. 

Experience Memphis Gardens: Cooper-Young Gardens Tour, Saturday and Sunday, free to attend

Celebrate a decade of gardens in the vibrant, artsy Cooper-Young neighborhood! This special 2-day event features 60+ unique gardens bursting with creativity, color, and personality. Hop on the Backbeat Shuttle to explore with ease, shop for plants and one-of-a-kind garden art, and make a day (or weekend!) of it with stops for lunch and dinner at local favorites. It’s a full experience of gardens, community, and Cooper-Young charm—you won’t want to miss it!

THINGS TO DO ON FRIDAY

Live Music on The Wolf River Greenway: The Mighty Souls Brass Band, Wolf River Greenway - Mud Island Section, 6 p.m., free to attend

Mighty Souls Brass Band, a Memphis‐based rotating collective of composer‐players versed in a multitude of musical traditions, isn’t a soul band, nor is it a funk band, a marching band, or a swing band. And yet, depending on where you catch them live, you’ll hear all of those influences and more from around the globe. Bring your blankets and chairs and enjoy delicious food truck offerings by the river.

Juvenile and The 400 Degreez Band - Boiling Point Tour, Minglewood Hall, 7 p.m., $75

Juvenile and The 400 Degreez Band will perform at Minglewood Hall in Memphis on Friday, May 15, 2026. This concert is part of his "Boiling Point Album Release Tour."

THINGS TO DO ON SATURDAY

National Mimosa Day, Moxy Memphis Downtown, 9 a.m., $5 mimosas

Celebrate National Mimosa Day the Moxy way! Enjoy $5 mimosas ALL DAY Saturday, May 16. They'll be whipping up the classic sip with orange juice, PLUS two speciality flavors - mango and pineapple.

What A Way to Go, Elmwood Cemetery, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., $20

What do deadly snowballs, poisoned cookies, shattered glass, and elevator pulleys have in common? Each played a role in a true and tragic story that now rests within the grounds of Elmwood Cemetery. This is a thrilling 90-minute walking tour that uncovers some of the most unusual, shocking, and little-known causes of death in Elmwood’s history. As we move through the cemetery, you will hear stories that defy expectation and reveal just how unpredictable life in the past could be.

Legacy Experience Grand Reopening, National Civil Rights Museum, 10 a.m., $15, free for active military

The National Civil Rights Museum invites you to the grand reopening of its newly expanded Legacy Experience on Saturday, May 16, 2026. This reimagined experience offers a powerful journey through civil and human rights history—from the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 to the movements shaping our world today. For opening day only, enjoy $15 single-price admission, a 40% savings off the new standard adult admission of $25. New tiered pricing for children, seniors, and college students begins Sunday, May 17, 2026. Two Buildings. One Powerful Experience.

Beale Street Monster Club Presents: Bigfoot on Beale, A. Schwab, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., free to attend

Join Beale Street Monster Club for a very special ALL DAY celebration of one of the world's most famous and beloved cryptids: Bigfoot. From 11AM-6PM listen to a variety of speakers give talks and presentations on various different topics on the subject of Bigfoot and see a display consisting of pieces of evidence of the existence of the creature along with other pieces of memorabilia. While you are here, make sure to take a photo with the Tennessee Wildman at our forest theme photo op and shop from a selection of 10 artists and 11 vendors!

F.I.R.E. Community Day, Metal Museum, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., free to attend

Twice a year, the Metal Museum hosts a day of hands-on activities, demonstrations, and games, where all are welcomed on the Museum grounds! Enjoy a day of fun, educational programming and enjoy free admission to the Museum. Take away your very own sculpture from the iron pour! You will scratch your design into the tile which will then be cast in iron. Pre-register for your tile today.

Beale Street Amateur Boxing, Handy Park, 1 p.m., free to attend

Get ready for the ultimate showdown on Beale! The Beale Street Amateur Boxing event is going down at Handy Park on May 16 at 1PM. Free admission – bring your crew and don’t miss it!

Mommy & Daddy Issues Poetry Slam, Rumba Room, 4:30 p.m., $13-$25

This is a night of raw and emotional poetry as we explore the complexities of parenthood and family dynamics with a splash of comedy. Hosted by comedian Rob Love, Mommy & Daddy Issues Poetry Slam is a spoken word collaboration that captures the different angles of motherhood and fatherhood, angles that parents or outsiders may not always see. Bringing life into this world is a beautiful thing. There are many hurdles, milestones, and misunderstandings along the way. There are also just as many beautiful things to celebrate and honor. There are losses that require grieving people who have transitioned from this life, as well as people who are still living. This event will capture the essence of motherhood and fatherhood, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Water Lantern Festival, Shelby Farms Park, 5 p.m., $36

Water Lantern Festival is filled with fun, happiness, hope, and great memories that you'll cherish for a lifetime. This is a family friendly event that can be shared by everyone. Friends, families, neighbors, and lots of people that you haven't met can come together to create a peaceful, memorable experience.

Yoga Sip & Paint, Urevbu Contemporary, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m., $25

During this event we will begin with a 45min yoga session with Randii. She will be teaching a yoga flow where we will learn to yoke the body with the breath while listening to beautiful music. Breathing techniques and meditation skills will also be cultivated. Bring a mat! Afterwards, end the night with small bites, drinks, socializing, and painting. Paint, paintbrushes, and canvases will all be provided.

Bodywerk (Rmzi & Friends), Overton Park Shell, 7:30 p.m., free to attend

Rmzi (he/him) is an Afrofuturist, technologist, and musician from Memphis, now rooted in Brooklyn. Drawing from a childhood steeped in Ethiopian folk, Arabic ballads, and Delta funk and soul, he builds sets and productions that move fluidly between footwork, jungle, garage, and house. As founding member of Bodywerk — the collective-turned-label — mzi has performed across Mexico City, Tokyo, and Addis Ababa, holding residencies in New York City, Dubai, and his hometown of Memphis.

Pynk Beard presented by Folk All Y’all, Crosstown Arts, 7:30 p.m., $25

PYNK BEARD (he/him) is the brainchild of songwriter Sebastian Kole, a multiple-time-Grammy, BMI- and Spotify Secret Genius-award winner. Raised a preacher’s son in Birmingham, Alabama, who grew up directing the church choir while moonlighting in country bands, PYNK BEARD has returned to weaving Country Soul and Gospel influences with bold, anthemic choruses. His music transcends genres, blending emotionally charismatic lyrics with modern production to create a soundscape that’s both fun and heartfelt, and live performances that remain both rodeo or arena-worthy. With a singular aesthetic and a compelling stage presence.

THINGS TO DO ON SUNDAY

Flavor Fest, Memphis Kitchen Co-Op Marketplace, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., free to attend

This is a food expo where you can taste, shop, and discover incredible local vendors all in one place. Enjoy FREE samples, shop your favorite products, and grab a bite from our lineup of vendors and food trucks while you’re here.

Pretty & Loud: The Brunch, BarWare, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., $35 

A brunch party for people who sing too loud in the car and dance like no one's watching. Expect music, energy, cocktails, and a room full of fun—come cute, come chaotic, come ready to lose your voice by the end of brunch.

Paws in the Park, Shelby Farms Lawn & Stage, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., free to attend

Paws in the Park is a fun, family-friendly community event that brings together pet lovers, local businesses, and animal organizations for an afternoon in the park. Guests can enjoy food trucks, vendor booths, kid activities, dog costume contests, and much more! This event is free and open to the general public, so whether you are a lifelong pet owner or just looking for a fun day out, we’d love to see you there. No tickets or entry fees are required to enjoy the festivities—just bring your family, your friends, and your furry companions!

Intro to Outdoor Watercolors with Barrie Foster, Memphis Botanic Garden, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., $60

Learn to create beautiful works of art while outside with watercolor paints in this introductory class with local Memphis artist and instructor, Barrie Foster. Every week Barrie will lead you through a new part of the Garden to paint what’s in bloom and explore. Tickets are available as single class dates or buy the series to save! This class is adults-only, 18+, and requires a supply list. Please read through the supply list prior to purchasing your tickets. Supply brands are able to be swapped as needed but the materials should remain the same.

Dreamfest, Overton Park Shell, 7:30 p.m., free to attend

DreamFest is dedicated to promoting Memphis Music and artist collaboration. This event spotlights an impressive array of artists coming together in pursuit of a common goal: the promotion of unity, collaboration and community.