Essential Guide to Memphis Holiday Events

Memphis Holiday Markets
There are a ton of Memphis holiday markets, pop-up shops, and special shopping events. Check out what's scheduled here.

Christmas at Graceland - starts November 16
Blue Christmas? White Christmas? Home For Christmas? Whatever your favorite Elvis Christmas song, you'll love Graceland all lit up for the holidays. Starting with the Holiday Lighting Weekend (concerts, special tours, “flipping the switch”) you can see the historic home decorated as the King intended both inside and out. It's a Memphis holiday event tradition.

Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees - November 18 - December 31
Is this the oldest holiday display in Memphis? Probably. It's been around since the fifties—definitely has that vintage feel—and now has a home at the Museum of Science and History (aka the Pink Palace) along with their annual Festival of Trees tree-decorating display and photos with Santa. This year, the Enchanted Forest will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Zoo Lights - select nights November 24 - January 6
The Memphis Zoo hosts the Truist Zoo Lights again this year on select nights through Jan 6 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. There are lights, singing trees, tram rides, a marketplace, and more holiday fun—another classic Memphis holiday event. Ride a Ferris Wheel or go Ice Skating. 

Starry Nights at Shelby Farms - select nights November 24 - December 31
Drive through two miles of beautiful light displays (more than 3.5 million lights!) at Shelby Farms on select nights 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. this holiday season! This year you'll see a few familiar display favorites, plus newer lights and 3-D elements. There are also a few days available for biking and walking through. Remember, this is the Park's largest fundraiser so enjoy some holiday cheer and support Shelby Farms this year. You can also make the night extra magical with a carriage ride. Check out our blog on Starry Nights here.

Holiday Wonders at Botanic Garden - select nights November 24 - December 30
The Botanic Garden will host several holiday displays for its annual Holiday Wonders experience, including a towering Christmas tree. Enjoy signature festive cocktails, hot chocolate, or apple cider while exploring. New this year is festive photo-ops, increased character engagements, and food truck(s) on-site on weekends. There are dog-friendly evenings, Santa Sundays, and themed nights.

Deck the Diamond Holiday Spectacular at AutoZone Park - select nights November 24 - December 31
Memphis' newest lights display will transform AutoZone Park into a massive lights display featuring 190+ structures, a light tunnel, a huge Christmas tree, an ice skating rink, and more. Select nights will have fireworks, visits from Santa, and music entertainment.

Jolly Jam Sessions : Friday nights in December
Throughout the month of December: Jolly Jam Sessions @ MoSH will feature local high school orchestras and professional jazz musicians in the Deep End Theater spreading holiday cheer live-jamming holiday songs.

Candlelight Concerts: A Holiday Special at Overton Chapel - December 14, 20, 21
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to Memphis. Get your tickets now to discover the music of “The Nutcracker” and more at Overton Chapel under the gentle glow of candlelight.

More Memphis Holiday Events

Miracle at The Liquor Store on Broad - November 24 - December 31
This is the best holiday decorated dining experience in Memphis every year. Miracle is a Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail bar that serves holiday cocktails in a festive setting. Cocktails are served in the cutest holiday glasses too.

Soulsville Tree Lighting - November 18
Mayor Lee Harris will flip the switch at the 7th annual Soulsville USA Tree Lighting this Saturday afternoon beginning at 4:30 p.m. Local artists like “Queen of Memphis Soul,” Carla Thomas, musicians, and community groups will be there to celebrate.  1048 S. Bellevue Blvd., Memphis, TN 38106

Downtown Memphis Tree Lighting - November 18
Head to Peabody Place and Main Street downtown for the annual Downtown Memphis Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. There will be free candies, hot chocolate from Margie's 901, free photos with Santa, and more.

Germantown Holiday Tree Lighting - November 24
Watching the first flicker of the white light on the holiday tree is a long standing tradition in Germantown. Families gather in Municipal Square to sing holiday songs, toast marshmallows and enjoy the beginning of the holiday season as a community. Afterward comes the much anticipated lighting of the tree. 

Cirque Dreams Holidaze at Landers Center - November 24
This annual tradition wraps a Broadway-style production around an infusion of contemporary circus arts. As lights dim and the music swells, audiences will have visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads as a fantastical cast of holiday storybook characters come to life on stage. 

Christmas Tree at the Peabody - November 24 - December 31
One of my favorite traditions is to take in the classiest holiday decor in town. The Peabody is decked out every year with a gigantic and gorgeous tree as its centerpiece. The tree stays up all season. The tree lighting ceremony will be on Nov. 24 (open to hotel guests only) but can be enjoyed any time after that.

Quizmas Trivia Nights with Cerrito Entertainment - Wednesdays and Thursdays beginning November 29
A Very Merry Quizmas is back this year with a special holiday blend of team trivia at various venues around the Mid-South! Celebrate the season by getting quizzed on Christmas films, food, music, TV specials, current events, history, and more during this free holiday tr(ivi)adition.

Christmas Music Bingo with Cerrito Entertainment - Sunday-Friday beginning Black Friday
Rock the night away while you play free Christmas Music Bingo at locations all around the Mid-South! Listen to good-for-goodness-sake holiday tunes that you know and love as you mark the song titles on your bingo card. Prizes include $25 gift cards and tickets to other holiday events like Starry Nights and Zoo Lights.

Memphis Holiday Spirits Cocktail Festival - December 1
It’s the most wonderful time of the year for a Holly, Jolly Cocktail Festival! Sip festive cocktails, listen to music and visit the big man in red himself! Each ticket includes 12 sample-sized yuletide cocktails. Proceeds benefit Volunteer Memphis, so each sip gets you closer to the nice list! 

Overton Square Tree Lighting - December 2
Kick-off the holiday season with The Square's most beloved annual event - the Overton Square Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration in support of Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. The Square will be filled with snow as we welcome Santa Claus, eat holiday treats, and listen to great music! This event is free and open to the public.

Saucer Stumbling Santa Pub Crawl - December 2
A pub crawl but make it for a good cause. An adult-only tradition like no other and the largest pub crawl in Memphis, Stumbling Santa has collected over 20,000 toys for Porter-Leath preschool children since 2005. Wear your holiday-themed outfit and arrive with either a new, unwrapped toy or a cash donation. 

Santa & Snow at the Square - December 9
An evening filled with holiday cheer: Santa returns to Overton Square for this magical holiday event. Enjoy free holiday headbands, take your picture with Santa on our giant holiday chair, and- of course- play in the snow that we’ll be bringing to the Square.

Soulsville Holiday Party at Stax Museum - December 14
Have a soulful day with special holiday arts & crafts, a visit from Soulful Santa, release of Green Inions Volume 5 by Soul & Spirits Brewery, and more. Admission is free with donation of non-perishable food.

Chimes Square Movie Night - The Polar Express - December 15
Come watch Polar Express on the big screen in Chimes Square! Warm up with free hot cocoa and popcorn, and get a bell to ring, just like in the movie! 

Dance Party in Overton Square - Holiday Jams! - December 16
Step into the spotlight at the Dance Party in Chimes Square! Join us for a rockin’ good time as you and your friends belt out the classics, the latest hits, and everything in between with a free party in Overton Square. This night's theme is Holiday Jams, so come ready to swoon!