35+ Things To Do in Memphis This September
September in Memphis is packed with festivals, concerts, and local favorites that make the most of the last days of summer and the first hints of fall. From live music under the stars to neighborhood celebrations and foodie events, here’s your guide to what’s happening all month long.
September in Memphis is packed with festivals, concerts, and local favorites that make the most of the last days of summer and the first hints of fall. From live music under the stars to neighborhood celebrations and foodie events, here’s your guide to what’s happening all month long.
Have an event you'd like to promote? Submit it to the blog's calendar!
Of course, this guide doesn't account for every single thing happening in Memphis this month. For even more events, consult these guides we update weekly:
- Huge List of 2025 Memphis Events, Festivals, and Shows
- The weekend guide is updated each week with exciting things to do on Friday-Sunday
For even more events, just scroll though the blog's calendar.
1.Celebrate 901 Day all around the city
Memphis, Memphis, Memphis! It is time to celebrate our city and all that we love about it. September 1, better known as 901 Day, is full of events and deals. Our guide gets into all of them but the highlights include special musical performances on Beale Street for the city’s official celebration from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. to a lantern parade at Tom Lee Park, a block party at The Ravine, a unity race, and DJ-powered party. All the events are highlighted in the guide.
2. Catch a pop up opera performance during 30 Days of Opera
All month long, Opera Memphis is popping up around the city for free opera performances for the 14th year in a row to show opera is cool. Our blog maps out their month of shows from library pop ups, to events, and public spaces.
3. Rendezvous at Memphis Zoo for Zoo Rendezvous
One of the biggest and best fundraising events is back on Friday, September 5. See if you can defy gravity by sampling your way through all the best bites and drinks from local restaurants and bars. If the pun wasn’t obvious, this year’s theme is a nod to Wicked so be sure to pull out the green and pink clothes to wear. Entertainment is taking up a notch this year with a performance by Smashmouth. Remember, this event supports our wonderful zoo! Get your tickets now.
4. Experience a garden cocktail festival at Art on the Rocks
Another great fundraising event, this time to support Dixon Gallery & Gardens. Art on the Rocks is an elegant evening of mixology with botanical cocktails, craft beer, and curated tastings from local restaurants all set in the beautiful gardens on Friday, September 5. Guests are encouraged to dress this year’s themed color–Pantone’s Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse. Get your tickets now.
5. Save the Date for Dîner en Blanc Memphis
Memphis’ most elegant all-white dinner party returns on Saturday, September 6, 2025, with this year’s theme: Blooming Elegance. Dress in white, bring your friends, and prepare for a night of style, suspense, and creativity at a secret location. Sign up for the fan list to be part of this unforgettable soirée under the stars.
6. Fill up on Memphis’ best at the Craft Food & Wine Festival
Let’s keep the good eats and drinks vibes going. Craft Food & Wine Festival returns on Sunday, September 7, this time at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. This tasty event showcases local foodpreneurs and chefs with fine wine and cocktail pairings, plus fun entertainment! You won’t leave hungry at this one. Get your tickets now.
7. Grab your lawn chair or blanket and head to the Overton Park Shell for live music
The 2025 Orion Financial Free Concert Series is in full swing during the month of September with more Memphis legends and notable traveling acts. This month, nine free shows hit the stage. Sit back in the grass or in your lawn chair and enjoy the finale of Gonerfest 22, Lukah, Kudzu Kings and more. Here’s the full schedule!
8. Hit two fairs this month in the Memphis area
Both the Delta Fair and the Mid-South Fair are running in September. The Delta Fair begins August 30 through September 7 with rides, livestock shows, arts & crafts and more at Agricenter International. The Mid-South Fair, located at the Landers Center, runs September 25 through October 5 with rides, games, fair food live music, and more.
9. Run with the Weenies at the Germantown Festival
One of the longest, continuously run festivals in the area, The 52nd Annual Germantown Festival will once again provide a free family fun weekend for all on September 6 and 7. It’s a festival of arts and crafts, children’s activities, rides and games, live stage entertainment, car exhibits, community displays, the Running of the Weenies Dachshund race and festival foods for all tastes. Admission is free!
10. Attend Memphis’ biggest college football weekend at the Southern Heritage Classic
Two HBUCs, Alcorn State University and University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, meet in Memphis for the ultimate celebration weekend on September 25-27. Each year, the Classic has a variety of events, parades, battle of the bands, and more to suit everybody’s tastes but it’s the football game that’s always the core of entertainment. Get your tickets now and check out the full lineup of events.
11. Cheer on the Tigers at Tiger Lane against the Hogs
Memphis football is back! September has a huge matchup when Arkansas comes to Memphis on Sept. 20. The Tigers are on the road the rest of the month so this is the only chance to cheer them on this month. Get your tickets now. Go Tigers Go!
12. Head to Memphis’ largest historic district at the Cooper-Young Festival
In its 37th year, Cooper-Young Festival is one of Memphis' most highly attended Festivals in one of the hippest neighborhoods. This year on September 13, over 130,000 guests will enjoy an appealing mix of art, music and crafts presented by over 435 artisans from around the country. The Cooper Young Festival is a true celebration of the arts, people, culture and Memphis heritage.
13. Celebrate B.B. King’s 100th birthday at a free outdoor festival
The thrill is not gone! It’s time to celebrate the King of Blues. The folks at B.B. King’s Blues Club are throwing a free outdoor music festival on Beale Street on Sept. 14, two days before B.B. King would have turned 100 years old. Eric Gales, Rodd Bland & Friends, Mr. Sipp, Corey Lou & Davillage Band and more will perform with plenty of fun expected for the whole family.
14. Keep the party going on B.B.’s 100th for a very special dinner and concert
Following the outdoor celebration, B.B. King’s Blues will host a dinner and concert on what would have been B.B.’s 100th birthday on Sept. 16. This event will honor his life and legacy through iconic performances from Bobby Rush, Eric Gales, Carla Thomas & Jerome Chism, Southern Avenue, D.K. Harell. B.B.’s daughter Shirley King will also perform with the B.B. King All Star Legends. Get your tickets now.
15. See the regional premiere of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding at Hattiloo
Hattiloo’s season show of their 19th season takes you to a braiding shop in Harlem where West African immigrants are creating masterpieces on the heads of neighborhood women. The show premieres on Sept. 12 and runs through Oct. 12. Get your tickets now.
16. Tour through featured homes at Central Gardens annual Home & Garden Tour
The Central Gardens 49th Annual Home & Garden Tour takes place on Sunday, Sept. 7. For a few hours, visitors can tour stunning homes and gardens. This year all featured homes are located along Central Avenue. Get your tickets now.
17. Hold that pose at the Memphis Yoga Festival
This event is a celebration of Bluff City and our vibrant, diverse yoga community. The sixth annual festival on Sept. 28 will be at Rhodes College and brings together teachers and classes from Memphis-area studios. One ticket will get you 15+ yoga classes and access to vendors. Get your tickets now.
18. Kick off Broadway season with a special showing of Pride & Prejudice
You can be among one of the first to experience Austen’s Pride: A New Musical of Pride and Prejudice before it makes its Broadway debut. The beloved tale turned musical will take the stage at the Orpheum Theatre on September 9-10. Get your tickets now.
19. Celebrate 10 years of the Halloran Centre
The Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education is turning 10 years old and that calls for a celebration! The Orpheum Theatre group is hosting a free community day on Sept. 14 filled with live performances, guided tours, performing art workshops, crafts, food, and fun. On Sept. 13, there will be a Bluff City to Broadway performance to celebrate the milestone with special guest performances.
20. Catch Live Music + Lasers at MoSH’s Laser Live
MoSH’s Planetarium transforms into Memphis’ most cosmic concert venue with the return of Laser Live! These are one-of-a-kind shows featuring live performances, laser displays, and drinks from Crosstown Brewing. This month features Lawrence Matthews on September 13 Be sure to go early for a WYXR DJ set at 6pm! Get your tickets now.
21. Celebrate musical icons at the Memphis Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
The annual Memphis Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on September 25, Memphis music's biggest night of the year, is an evening packed with special musical performances, special guests, and a celebration of the city's biggest musical icons. This year’s inductees Art Gilliam, Cordell Jackson, Denise LaSalle, Wendy Moten, and Johnnie Taylor. Get your tickets now.
22. Run the Runway 5k at Memphis International Airport
Get an up close view at aircraft coming and going during the inaugural Runway 5k on Sept. 20. Participants will allows runners an unique experience on the airport grounds and rare views of an airport while supporting the Memphis International Airport Community Foundation. Sign up now.
23. Float on at the Mid-South Balloon Festival
Load up the car and head to Rossville for the return of the Mid-South Balloon Festival on Sept. 20-21. They’re expected to have 20 hot air balloons, live entertainment, food, arts & crafts vendors, and more. Please note, this event is extremely weather dependent. After 6 p.m., weather permitting, tethered balloon rides will be available for an additional fee, followed by a stunning balloon glow at dark. Get your tickets now.
24. Immerse Yourself this Hispanic Heritage Month at Latin Fest
Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 with Latin Fest happening on Sept. 27. Latin Fest is free to attend and it’s happening at Overton Square. The experiences included story-times for children, music and dance performances, cooking classes highlighting traditional foods from various Latinx cultures, and more.
25. Be inspired by Come From Away at Playhouse on the Square
Come From Away tells the incredible true story of the 7,000 stranded passengers forced to land in a small town in Newfoundland due to the emergency closure of US airspace on 9/11/2001. Playhouse on the Square will run their production of the show through September 14. The Broadway show is so good and no doubt Memphians will bring the energy and power of this show to life. Get your tickets now.
26. Unravel the Mystery of Murder on the Orient Express
All aboard for intrigue at Playhouse on the Square. Agatha Christie’s legendary whodunit unfolds as detective Hercule Poirot works to solve a murder on a snowbound luxury train. Filled with suspense and unforgettable twists, this production runs September 12 through October 5. Secure your seat for the mystery today.
27. Celebrate 50 Years of Memphis Pride at Overton Park
The 2025 Memphis Pride Festival, rescheduled from June, takes over Overton Park and the historic Shell on Sunday, September 14. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Pride in Memphis. Expect live entertainment, special exhibits highlighting local Pride history, family-friendly activities, food trucks, vendors, and a marketplace of LGBTQ+ artists and businesses. Whether it’s your first Pride or your fiftieth, this milestone celebration is for you. Get your tickets now.
28. Hit Whet Thursday: 901 on the Bluff at the Metal Museum
On Sept. 25, the Metal Museum will host its free Whet Thursday event series. This month's theme is 901 on the Bluff, a celebration of all things Memphis! The evening will feature live performances from Corey Lou & Da Village and BBQ offerings from Hog Wild plus drinks from The Tipsy Tumbler and hands-on activities.
29. Think Pink at The Luxury PinkNiq Memphis
The Luxury PinkNiq was founded with the vision to provide an intimate luxury picnic experience that empowers, uplifts, and celebrates communities through shopping, food, music, and fun on Sept. 20! Mandatory attire for The Luxury PinkNiq Events is pink or white. This event is for ages 25+. Get your tickets now.
30. Find your way out The Mid-South Maze
Opening for the season on Sept. 13, The Mid-South Maze is a staple activity for the whole family. They celebrate 25 years this year too! On select days and weekends, the maze is haunted with loud sounds, folks jumping out at you, creepy costumed actors, bloody scenes, and other spooky haunted-house-fare. During the afternoons, it's open as a regular maze. Get your tickets now.
31. Sip, Savor, and Celebrate at Memphis Tequila Festival
On Friday, Sept. 19, the Memphis Tequila Festival returns with over 50 varieties of tequila, mezcal, and agave spirits to sample. Your ticket includes 12 tastings, live music from DJ Zetta, local food vendors, and a chance to see Memphis mixologists compete with signature tequila cocktails. VIP guests enjoy early entry, rare pours, and bites from Heirloom Catering. Proceeds benefit Volunteer Memphis so every sip gives back. Get your tickets now.
32. Get all artsy at the 52nd Pink Palace Crafts Fair
The Pink Palace Crafts Fair is a three-day family-oriented celebration of the arts on September 26-28 held in a beautiful park setting in the heart of East Memphis. Attracting artists from across the country, it is the largest juried arts and crafts fair in the Mid-South, the largest fundraising event for the Museum of Science and History and one of the largest volunteer-run events in Memphis. Get your tickets now.
33. Rock Out at GonerFest 22 in Memphis
From Sept. 25–28, Goner Records’ annual festival takes over Wiseacre Brewing on Broad Avenue with three days of nonstop music followed by a fourth night at the Overton Park Shell. This year’s lineup features more than 25 bands, including Lightning Bolt, Radioactivity, W.I.T.C.H., Silkworm, and more, drawing fans from across the globe. Don’t miss the late-night afterparties and all the energy that makes GonerFest a Memphis music tradition. Get your tickets now.
34. Catch Legendary Acts at Live at the Garden
This September, the Levitt Shell hosts two iconic performances as part of Live at the Garden. On Sept. 6, rock legends ZZ Top bring their signature riffs and energy, followed by soul pioneers The Isley Brothers on Sept. 19. Don’t miss your chance to see these unforgettable acts under the stars in one of Memphis’ most beloved outdoor venues. Get your tickets now.
35. Experience the Rhythm at AfroSoul Fest 2025
On Sunday, Sept. 28, Court Square Park comes alive with AfroSoul Fest, a one-day celebration of modern African culture. Enjoy live Afrobeat, R&B, highlife, and hip hop performances, savor African-inspired and vegan eats, and shop a marketplace of Black-owned businesses and artisans. With dance, storytelling, fashion, workshops, and more, this free festival is all about community, culture, and the joy of living the soul.
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