50+ 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.
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901 Day Celebrations
September 1, 2026 (plus citywide 901 Weekend, Aug. 28–30) | Times vary | Downtown Memphis & citywide
Memphis' hometown holiday has grown into a multi-day 901 Weekend, kicking off Aug. 28 with a Trolley Night mixer and concert at the National Civil Rights Museum and closing Aug. 30 with "901 on Beale," featuring multiple stages and 300+ artists downtown. On the actual holiday, Sept. 1, look for restaurants, bars, and small businesses across the city hosting their own parties rather than one central event. Free.
30 Days of Opera
September 1–30, 2026 | All month | Venues across Memphis
Opera Memphis' beloved pop-up series turns 15 this year, popping up with full arias and surprise performances in parks, libraries, coffee shops, and street corners all over the city. No ticket or opera house required. It's one of the easiest ways to catch world-class singers up close, and it's completely free all September long. Opera Memphis also celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. Check out their upcoming season plus they have a special brew to celebrate at Crosstown Brewing.
Memphis Tigers Football: Two Home Games This Month
September 5 vs. Arkansas State (home opener) & September 19 vs. UT Martin, 6 p.m. | Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
The Tigers play two home games this September: the Sept. 5 season opener against Arkansas State, then a non-conference matchup with UT Martin on Sept. 19 – both in a freshly renovated Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. It's also one of the best deals in Memphis sports right now: single-game tickets for UT Martin start at $15, and season tickets for all six home games start at just $99 which is $50 cheaper than last season. Get to Tiger Lane early for the full tailgate scene.
The $226.5 million overhaul lands just in time for kickoff, with new 10mm-resolution videoboards (including a 17'x284' ribbon board, one of the largest in the country), a 360-degree stadium sound system, color-changing LED lighting, and a new West Side Plaza.
Speak, Salvation, Speak
Through September 6, 2026 | Check site for showtimes | Hattiloo Theatre
Catch the tail end of Hattiloo Theatre's late-summer production before it closes out its run September 6, part of the milestone Season 20 celebrating 20 years of Black theatre in Memphis. Written by Hattiloo founder Ekundayo Bandele, this family drama follows a devoted Pentecostal husband and father, Paul, and his son Ohun, who's drawn to a different spiritual path, with mother Mae at the emotional center, as a mysterious recurring dream pulls father and son back to something unfinished in their family's past. Harry Lennix (The Matrix, The Blacklist) stars in this production.
Delta Fair
September 4–13, 2026 | Hours vary by day | Agricenter International
The Mid-South's homegrown fair returns for 10 days of rides, livestock shows, live music, and arts & crafts competitions all included with gate admission, so there's no extra charge to catch the concerts. Adult gate admission is $15 ($12 in advance); ride wristbands run $31–$36.
Overton Park Shell: Orion Financial Free Concert Series
September 4–27, 2026 | Most shows at 7 p.m. | Overton Park Shell
The Shell is hosting a dozen free shows this September, kicking off Sept. 4 with KaRRot's Korn tribute for the Metal Museum's Metal Night, and rolling on with the Memphis PowerPop Festival (Sept. 5), Jackie Venson (Sept. 17), TAZ — guitarist Brandon "Taz" Niederauer (Sept. 18), a Larry Springfield Marvin Gaye tribute (Sept. 19), the Memphis Country Blues Festival with North Mississippi Allstars and Mr. Sipp (Sept. 25), a Hattiloo Theatre 20th-anniversary celebration (Sept. 26), and the final day of GonerFest 23 (Sept. 27). It's all free and open to the lawn.
Right in the middle of all that is the real centerpiece of the month: the Shell's 90th birthday. Built in 1936, the venue marks "90 years of music shared, memories made, and milestones reached" with a four-day "Shell-ebration" weekend, Sept. 10–13. It kicks off with a ticketed Shell Yeah! benefit concert Sept. 10, 7–9 p.m., featuring Stax legend Booker T. Jones ($25 GA / $50 VIP, with party-deck access, a private bar, and bourbon tastings), proceeds go straight back into the free series, then the celebration goes free for the rest of the weekend: a 90th Birthday Picnic with the Memphis Youth Symphony (Sept. 11, noon–2 p.m.), "Sounds of the Shell: 9 Decades of Delight" (Sept. 12, 7–9 p.m.), and a Sunday double-header closing it out: "The Gathering," featuring Evie McKinney, the Tennessee Mass Choir, and Princeton James Productions (Sept. 13, noon–3 p.m.), followed by a Memphis Studio Superset honoring Stax, Sun Studio, Sam Phillips Recording, American Sound, Royal Studios, and Unapologetic (Sept. 13, 7–9 p.m.).
Satellite Music Hall Grand Opening: The Band CAMINO
September 4–5, 2026 | 7 p.m. | Satellite Music Hall, Crosstown
Memphis's newest music venue, a 1,300-capacity hall named for the old Satellite Records/Stax imprint, throws open its doors with two "homecoming" shows from Memphis-born pop-rock act The Band CAMINO. It's just the start of a packed inaugural month: September's calendar also includes FATTMACK (Sept. 6), Chance the Rapper's Coloring Book 10th-anniversary tour (Sept. 8), Isaiah Rashad (Sept. 11), Valerie June (Sept. 17), Judah & the Lion (Sept. 18), Houndmouth (Sept. 19), GWAR (Sept. 22), and Project Pat (Sept. 26), with more shows still being added. Ticket prices vary by show; check satellitemusichall.com or Live Nation for the full lineup.
Canoes + Cocktails at Shelby Farms Park
Fridays through September 25, 2026 | 6 p.m. | Shelby Farms Park
Paddle into sunset with a guided canoe, kayak, or paddleboard outing on the lake, then dock for specialty cocktails from Old Dominick, snacks from Feast & Graze, yard games, and music or skip the paddling and just enjoy the land-based cocktail hour. Adults-only, weekly on Fridays through most of September; these sell out fast.
Metal Museum Grand Opening Weekend
September 4–11, 2026 | Fri metal night 7 p.m.; Sat opening celebration, time TBA | Overton Park Shell (Fri) & Metal Museum's new Overton Park campus (Sat)
The Metal Museum christens its brand-new Overton Park home with a full weekend: Friday brings "Metal Night" at the Shell with KaRRot (a Korn tribute band, part of the free concert series), then Saturday's Grand Opening Celebration at the new campus itself brings inaugural exhibitions, live metalworking demonstrations, and hands-on activities. The museum fully reopens for regular hours Sept. 11; its original riverside building becomes an artist-in-residence space.
Sunset: A Southern Soul & R&B Picnic
September 5, 2026 | 6–10 p.m. | Tom Lee Park
Pack a blanket for golden hour on the bluff. This Labor Day weekend picnic pairs a set list of Southern soul favorites and R&B classics with local food vendors and handcrafted cocktails as the sun sets over the Mississippi. Tickets run roughly $35 and up depending on tier; 21+.
Memphis PowerPop Festival feat. The Smithereens
September 5, 2026 | 7 p.m. | Overton Park Shell
Power pop takes over the Shell for one night, headlined by legendary New Jersey rockers The Smithereens ("Blood and Roses," "A Girl Like You") alongside local favorites The Sonny Wilsons, Joybomb, and Your Academy. This is part of the Orion Financial Free Concert Series so it is free to attend.
Beale Street Cigar Festival
September 5–6, 2026 | Sat 11 a.m.–midnight, Sun 11 a.m.–11 p.m. | Beale Street (at Robusto by Havana Mix Cigar Emporium)
Now in its 11th year, this Beale Street staple pairs premium cigars with food trucks and live music spilling out onto the street all Labor Day weekend, with a food truck brunch added Sunday. Proceeds benefit A Safe Place Inc. General admission, 2-day, and VIP ticket tiers are available; 21+.
Healthier 901 Fest
September 5, 2026 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Shelby Farms Park
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare's free, family-friendly wellness bash returns for its 4th year with fitness demos, cooking showcases, health screenings, and kids' activities lakeside at Shelby Farms — plus an optional 1-mile walk or 4K run around the lake for those who want to earn their snacks (separate advance registration required). Free.
Craft Food & Wine Festival
September 6, 2026 | 5–7 p.m. (VIP 4 p.m.) | Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
The 7th annual Craft Food & Wine Festival brings 35+ local vendors dishing out their best bites alongside wine, craft cocktails, and local spirits, set against the Brooks' galleries with a DJ and live band. General admission is $75, with VIP tiers up to $300 adding a champagne toast, a Chef Josh/JEM Dining tasting menu, and reserved seating. 21+.
Mimosa Festival Memphis
September 6, 2026 (rain date Sept. 13) | 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | Downtown Memphis riverfront
Bottomless-vibes bubbly on the river. This Sunday brunch fest pours creatively crafted mimosas plus specialty bars featuring Grand Marnier, St. Germain, and Tito's, with DJs, games, and food trucks. GA and VIP tiers available (VIP adds upscale seating, premium champagne, and hookah service); 21+, no refunds.
Zoo Rendezvous
September 11, 2026 | 6:30–10:30 p.m. (VIP 5:30 p.m.) | Memphis Zoo
The Zoo's biggest party of the year goes "hero, villain, or your own alter ego" this time. Dress up and pick a side for a night of unlimited food and drink tastings from local restaurants spread throughout the zoo, live music from an Eras Tour tribute act, and five different DJs. Tickets are $175–$250, with proceeds supporting animal care and conservation. 21+.
Art on the Rocks: Garden Cocktail Festival
September 11, 2026 | 6–9 p.m. | Dixon Gallery & Gardens
Sip botanical cocktails, craft beer, and wine among the Dixon's gardens while snacking on bites from local restaurants and grooving to live music. This year's fest doubles as a nod to the Dixon's 50th anniversary, so guests are encouraged to break out their best '70s look. Tie-dye and platform shoes welcome. Members $45, non-members $55; Young at Art members free.
An Enemy of the People
September 11–October 4, 2026 | Check site for showtimes | The Circuit Playhouse
Playhouse on the Square's sister stage digs into truth, integrity, and what happens when speaking up costs you everything, in this gripping modern drama. It overlaps with Mean Girls just next door, making Cooper-Young a genuine two-show theater destination this month.
8Ball & MJG, Bun B & The Renaissance Orchestra
September 11–12, 2026 | Check site for showtime | Orpheum Theatre
Southern hip-hop royalty meets full orchestral accompaniment as 8Ball & MJG, over 30 years into their run as pioneers of the genre, team up with Grammy-nominated Bun B (UGK) and the Renaissance Orchestra for a night of classic hits reimagined. Heads up: Friday, Sept. 11 is already sold out. Saturday, Sept. 12 is your shot.
2nd Annual Like You Children's Film Festival
September 11–13, 2026 | Fri 4–7 p.m., Sat & Sun approx. 10 a.m.–8 p.m. | Pink Palace Museum
Three days of international films made for kids, teens, and families, plus hands-on filmmaking workshops, crafts, and filmmaker Q&As presented by the nonprofit Like You Film Club, which champions movies that spark real conversations with kids. Festival passes run $45–$60 (VIP $80–$125, discounts for multiple passes), or $12 for a single screening.
Southern Heritage Classic
September 12, 2026 | Kickoff 6 p.m. | Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
One of the South's premier HBCU football weekends returns for its 37th year, with Alcorn State squaring off against Arkansas–Pine Bluff. Expect the full weekend of Memphis tradition alongside the game: battle-of-the-bands energy and tailgating included. Tickets start under $30.
Little Diggers Playspace Grand Opening
September 12, 2026 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Little Diggers Memphis, 1209 Ridgeway Rd.
Memphis's largest indoor sandbox opens its doors with climate-controlled play areas packed with toy trucks, excavators, and building equipment for construction-obsessed kids 7 and under, screen-free. $16 for the first hour, plus $5 for a second hour.
Germantown Festival
September 12–13, 2026 | Sat 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun noon–6 p.m. | Germantown Civic Club Complex
The Germantown Festival hits its 53rd year with nearly 400 regional artisans, a full kids' zone with rock walls and pony rides, and a lineup of shiny cars from local dealerships. Don't miss the Running of the Weenies dachshund race Saturday at 11:30 a.m. Free admission and parking.
Central Gardens Home & Garden Tour
September 13, 2026 | 1–6 p.m. | Central Gardens neighborhood
Memphis's longest-running home tour hits a big milestone — its 50th! Wander the shady blocks of Central Gardens and step inside eight grand, rarely-opened estate homes along Belvedere, Central, and Harbert, then refuel with food trucks and live music between stops. Tickets are $20 advance / $30 day-of; a free shuttle is available.
Memphis Yoga Festival
September 13, 2026 | 11 a.m. | Rhodes College
Memphis's favorite outdoor yoga celebration returns to the Rhodes College quad for its 7th year, with one ticket unlocking 15+ classes from studios across the city. Between sessions, browse local vendors, catch live music, and grab a bite from the food trucks. Tickets are $49.19 advance / $59.78 day-of.
United Festival: Cumbia en el Rio
September 13, 2026 | 3–8:30 p.m. | Beale Street Landing
Kick off Hispanic Heritage Month riverside at this free celebration of Latin music, dance, and culture on the Mississippi with live cumbia, a dance competition, an Aztec dance performance, a low-rider car show, food, and vendors, capped off with the Hernando de Soto Bridge lit up for the occasion. Free.
Mean Girls: The Musical
Through September 13, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. | Playhouse on the Square
Catch the closing weeks of Tina Fey's cult-classic comedy in full musical form, bringing the Plastics and "on Wednesdays we wear pink" energy to Cooper-Young before the run wraps.
The Mid-South Maze
Opens September 18, 2026| Thu–Fri 4–8 p.m., Sat noon–10 p.m., Sun noon–8 p.m. | Mid-South Maze
The 25-plus-year-old corn maze tradition returns for another season of daytime family fun, with a haunted evening version arriving in October. Admission is $12 ages 13+, $8 ages 6–12, free under 5.
Clue
September 15–20, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. Tue–Fri, 2 p.m. Sat, 1 & 6:30 p.m. Sun | Orpheum Theatre
The Orpheum's 2026–27 Broadway season kicks off with this stage adaptation of the cult-classic whodunit film and board game. Was it Mrs. Peacock, in the study, with the knife? It's a fast, funny 80-minute mystery-comedy with no intermission, plus a bonus cast Q&A after the Friday, Sept. 18 show. Tickets are $46.70–$162.15.
2026 Memphis Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
September 16, 2026 | Reception 5:30 p.m., ceremony 6:30 p.m. | Renasant Convention Center
Memphis sports royalty gets its due as the Memphis Sports Hall of Fame welcomes its 2026 class, headlined by former Tiger head coach John Calipari and joined by honorees including Super Bowl champ Stephen Gostkowski, NBA/ABA All-Star Larry Kenon, and Redbirds legend Stubby Clapp with nine inductees in all. Ticket pricing wasn't published yet as of this writing; check with the Memphis Sports Council.
Change My Mind: Memphis Hot Takes
September 16, 2026 | 6–8:30 p.m. | Lafayette's Music Room
Locals go head-to-head making the case for their spiciest Memphis opinions — barbecue, basketball, neighborhoods, music, all fair game — while the crowd votes on who changes the most minds. Hosted by AAF Memphis and Choose 901. Hot-take submissions close September 2.
3rd Annual Mahjong Madness
September 17, 2026 | 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
Grab your tiles for the Brooks Museum League's third annual tile-clicking bash, with mimosas, canapés, and prizes. Pros are on hand to help newcomers get the hang of it. Tickets are $75–$300, supporting the Brooks' arts programming.
Live at the Garden: Kool & the Gang and Patti LaBelle
September 18, 2026 | Gates 5 p.m. | Radians Amphitheater at Memphis Botanic Garden
Live at the Garden's outdoor concert series closes its September date with a double dose of legends. Pack a blanket, grab a bite from the food and drink vendors, and settle in for one of Memphis's most relaxed big-name concert nights. Lawn tickets start at $65.
A Family Affair (World Debut)
September 18–20, 2026 | Fri & Sat evening, Sun matinee & evening | TheatreWorks at The Evergreen
Memphis gets first dibs on this one. True Believers Productions brings the world debut of this gospel stage play to Midtown before it heads out on a national tour. A full weekend of shows, heart, and a little family drama; call 901-281-2286 for showtimes and tickets.
Runway 5K
September 19, 2026 | 8 a.m. | Frederick W. Smith International Airport
The 2nd annual Runway 5K puts up to 2,000 runners on an actual MEM runway for a race you can't get anywhere else in the Mid-South. Picture yourself running beneath a plane for this one! Every registered runner gets a t-shirt and finisher medal, with proceeds benefiting the Memphis International Airport Community Foundation's scholarship fund. Registration is $45 ($30 ages 3–9) and closes Sept. 13; spectators aren't allowed for security reasons.
Cooper-Young Festival
September 19, 2026 | 9 a.m.–7 p.m. | Cooper-Young Historic District
Cooper-Young's biggest party of the year turns 38, with 425+ artisans, two stages of live local music, an International Bazaar of imported goods, and a Children's Area from Pearls of Grace. Free admission. Come early because this one gets busy!
The Luxury PinkNiq Memphis
September 19, 2026 | 2–7:30 p.m. | Martyrs Park
The all-pink-and-white picnic party returns to the riverfront at Martyrs Park, founded to create an intimate luxury picnic experience that empowers and celebrates community. Dust off your best blush-toned look (ages 25+ only) for an afternoon of shopping, live music, cocktails, and food. General admission is $49; VIP is $75 with unlimited champagne or mimosas, with preset picnic and private-tent packages available for bigger groups.
Ace & Metaphor's "Tonight's Conversation: LIVE & Uncut '26"
September 19, 2026 | 8 p.m. | Renasant Convention Center
Part talk show, part live comedy, part real talk. This stop on a 25-city tour mixes viral moments, raw honesty, and full audience participation for an atmosphere more party than panel. General admission is $69.97, with VIP tiers up to $599.99 for the full "Uncut Experience."
Golden Harvest Half Marathon, 5K & 10K
September 20, 2026 | 8 a.m. | Overton Bark Park (Overton Park)
Pick your distance, half marathon, 10K, 5K, or the kids' dash, for this Bodies Race Company favorite through Overton Park. Every runner gets a designer shirt, custom medal, chip timing, and finish-line snacks. Prices range from about $21 (kids) to $74 (race day), with an early half-marathon bundle at $135.
Tchaikovsky's 4th: Memphis Symphony Orchestra
September 20, 2026 | Check site for showtime | Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
The Memphis Symphony Orchestra opens a huge milestone — its 75th season! Pairing Mason Bates' Cello Concerto (soloist Bryan Cheng) with the sweeping drama of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4, conductor Robert Moody on the podium.
Legacy at the Table: MCA Dinner Series
September 23, 2026 | 6–8 p.m. | Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
The final course in this three-part dinner series, "Creative Momentum: MCA in Its Contemporary Era", brings chef Karen Carrier's family-style menu and Memphis College of Art alumni stories full circle, with wine pairings and after-hours gallery access. Standard seats are $200 ($150 members); VIP adds a champagne toast and curator-led tour for $300 ($250 members).
Taste of Hope
September 24, 2026 | 6–8 p.m. | Hope House
Hope House's annual grown-ups-only fundraiser pairs bites from beloved Memphis restaurants with wine tastings, all in support of local families affected by HIV and poverty. It's an intimate evening for a good cause .21+
GonerFest 23
September 24–27, 2026 | Times vary | Wiseacre Brewery & Overton Park Shell
Goner Records' beloved underground music blowout returns for its 23rd year, taking over Wiseacre Brewery for three nights of loud, scrappy, don't-miss sets before wrapping up with the traditional free finale at Overton Park Shell. Passes range from $50–$175.
Pink Palace Crafts Fair
September 25–27, 2026 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Pink Palace Museum & Mansion grounds
The largest juried arts and crafts fair in the Mid-South returns for its 54th year, with 150+ artisans from across the country selling pottery, jewelry, glass, and fiber art. Admission includes same-day access to the museum.
Morgan Freeman's Symphonic Blues Experience
September 26, 2026 | 7 p.m. | Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center, University of Memphis
Delta blues meets full symphonic performance in this new "Live at the Scheidt" series opener, featuring the University of Memphis Symphony Orchestra alongside Morgan Freeman's voice and creative vision (his personal attendance isn't guaranteed, so the show goes on either way). Tickets start at $78.83.
Asian Night Market 2026
September 26–27, 2026 | Sat 4–10 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.–7 p.m. | Agricenter Outdoor Park
The 4th annual Asian Night Market celebrates Mid-Autumn traditions with 100+ vendors of authentic Asian street food, handcrafted goods, a lantern parade, a headlining rock band, and a free kids' zone. Tickets run $5–$20 depending on age and single- vs. two-day access; kids under 6 free, plus $10 parking.
Lightwire Theater
September 27, 2026 | 7–8:30 p.m. | Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center
This glow-in-the-dark spectacle from America's Got Talent semifinalists blends puppetry, dance, and electroluminescent technology into family-friendly storytelling. Tickets are $45.
The Jury Experience – Death by AI: Who Pays the Price?
September 27, 2026 | 4:30–5:45 p.m. | Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
Step into the jury box for this interactive courtroom drama, where a fatal accident caused by an autonomous vehicle puts you in charge of the verdict; testimony, evidence, and all, via your smartphone. It's a 60-minute deep dive into accountability in the age of AI; tickets are $52.68, ages 12+ (16 and under need an adult).
Fall Plant Sale Preview Party (21+)
September 30, 2026 | 4–7 p.m. | Memphis Botanic Garden
Get first pick of the fall plant sale at this adults-only shopping evening, complete with a welcome cocktail, a drink ticket, food trucks, and horticulture specialists on hand to help you choose. Tickets are $20 for members, $25 for non-members.
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