30+ Things To Do This Weekend

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THINGS TO DO ALL WEEKEND

Memphis Sounds and Etowah Dinner Experience at Ballet Memphis

Friday til Sunday | $25-$67

Ballet Memphis kicks off its 40th mainstage season Oct. 16–18 at Playhouse on the Square with Memphis Sounds, a celebration of the music and creative energy of Memphis. The program features Trey McIntyre’s In Dreams, set to the music of Roy Orbison; Steven McMahon’s Unapologetic, featuring Memphis-label artists performing live alongside Ballet Memphis dancers; and a world premiere by choreographer Yusha-Marie Sorzano. On Saturday, Oct. 17, guests can elevate the experience with a special Etowah x Ballet Memphis dinner at Ballet Memphis’ Midtown studios. Created by Josh Conley and Chef Cole Jeanes, the four-course dinner includes an arrival cocktail, curated wine pairings and admission to Memphis Sounds at Playhouse on the Square. Dinner follows the 2 p.m. matinee performance or precedes the 7:30 p.m. evening performance.

Voices of the South present Queen of Harts at TheatreSouth

Friday til Sunday | pay what you can

Fresh off its NYC run, come see this award-winning play's Memphis premiere! Who wins in a family of losers? In a forgotten corner of Memphis, gambler Dusty Hart’s luck has finally run out. The rooks are gathering. The deck seems stacked against her adult children when the sins of their womanizing father come home to roost. Place your bets on who walks away with the money. Pro Tip: The house always wins.

Soul of the City: Elmwood Obscura at Elmwood Cemetery

Friday and Saturday  | $22-$27 | children 12 and under are free

Welcome to Soul of the City: Elmwood Obscura, where we venture beyond the familiar and into the mystical, mysterious, unexplained, and nearly forgotten corners of Elmwood’s history. Séances and spirits. Strange visions and mysterious fortunes. Curious beliefs, unexplained encounters, and stories so peculiar they seem more like legend than history. These are the tales that have lingered in the shadows, waiting for their turn to be told. On Friday and Saturday, Elmwood’s residents will rise once more to tell their stories. Some are haunting. Some are astonishing. Some may leave you wondering what is history, what is legend, and what might still be lurking just beyond the veil.

RiverArtsFest on Riverside Drive (Jefferson Ave to Beale St.)

Saturday and Sunday | $15/single day | $20/two-day | $5/ages 6-17 | children under 5 are free

RiverArtsFest is a celebration of fine arts and the best local music with live artist demonstrations and hands-on art activities for all ages! More than 150 artists from around the country and right here in Memphis gather to exhibit and sell their latest works of original fine arts in what’s become the largest juried artist market and urban festival in the Mid-South. 

THINGS TO DO ON FRIDAY

Teen Workshop: Pumpkin Carving at Dixon Gallery and Gardens

5 p.m. - 7 p.m. | $15 | ages 14-18 only

Get into the fall spirit by designing and carving your own unique pumpkin! In this hands-on workshop, teens will learn basic pumpkin carving techniques, explore creative design ideas, and transform a pumpkin into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. For ages 14-18, only.

Candlelight: The Soundtrack of the 60’s at Memphis Brooks Museum of Art

6:30 p.m. | $29-$60

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Memphis. Get your tickets now to discover the music of The Beatles at Memphis Brooks Museum of Art under the gentle glow of candlelight. Hear all the hits like “Here Comes the Sun,” “Blackbird,” “Strawberry Fields,” and more.

The Co-Lab benefiting Music Export Memphis at the Overton Park Shell

7 p.m. - 10 p.m. | $25/GA | $60/Merch + Ticket Package | $125/VIP

Music Export Memphis' annual benefit is back with a brand new name and all the innovation and collaboration you've come to love and expect: it's The Co-Lab benefiting Music Export Memphis! In addition to the new name, they're on a new and improved night. The lineup includes:  KEER + DeeGOAT + Demi Lowrell (Ambassador Access '26 Cohort) + Frank McLallen + Joybomb + Gia Welch + Dead Soldiers + Lukah + Nubia Yasin

Rodd Bland + Keia Johnson + Iris Collective + Aidan Osias + Mac Mercury (fka Cameron Bethany) + Savannah Brister + SUPERJAM FINALE produced by Royal Studios' Lawrence 'Boo' Mitchell.

Nashoba Presents: Almost Elton John & The Rocketman at Nashoba Collierville

8 p.m.

Almost Elton John & The Rocketmen are returning to the Nashoba stage. Reserve your table now.

THINGS TO DO ON SATURDAY

Fall Art Market at Belltower Coffee

9 a.m. - 1 p.m. | free to attend

The coziest vibes curated by local artists and their small business! Join us at Belltower Highland on October 17, 9 am - 1 pm for pumpkin spice lattes, whipped butterscotch espresso, and baked apple matcha while shopping for fall, handmade goods and local art.

Memphis Mushroom Festival at Overton Park 

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | free to attend

Explore mycology, foraging, and eco-wellness at MMF! Plus there will be talks, workshops, vendors, and community vibes.

Halloween Hike at Memphis Botanic Garden

9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. | $15

Give your kiddos pumpkin to talk about this Halloween! Take a hike through the Garden for some not-so-spooky fun at the Memphis Boo-tanic Garden. No bones about it, you'll shriek for joy at this fun, safe, daytime alternative to traditional door-to-door trick or treating. Fall for fun with hands-on activities, not-so-spooky characters, and treats (no tricks here)! Halloween Hike tickets are timed entry. When purchasing tickets, select the entry time you'd prefer. The last entry time slot is 1-1:30 pm. Advanced registration is strongly recommended. Entry times will sell out. Once inside the Garden, you can stay until closing.

Adult Workshop: Pumpkin Succulent Centerpiece at Dixon Gallery and Gardens

10 a.m. - Noon | $35

It’s pumpkin season, and we’re feeling crafty! Join the Dixon Gallery and Gardens in the greenhouse and create your own unique and festive centerpiece. We’ll provide the pumpkins, succulents, sphagnum moss, and everything you need to make your autumnal masterpiece.

Oyster Fest at Celtic Crossing Irish Pub

11 a.m. - 5 p.m. | free to attend

Savor oyster varieties from around the globe, enjoy live music and more. Ask about recommended pairings! Live music by Curtis Scott from 12-4 p.m.

Soulsville Fest at Memphis Slim Collaboratory

Noon - 8 p.m. | free to attend

Celebrate Memphis music and culture at Soulsville Fest! Enjoy live performances, food, local vendors, and family fun. Soulsville Fest 2026 is a free, family-friendly outdoor festival in the heart of historic Soulsville USA, one of Memphis' most culturally significant neighborhoods and home to the legendary Stax Records legacy. Whether you're a lifelong Memphian, a music enthusiast, or someone looking for a great Saturday experience, Soulsville Fest offers something for everyone.

Howl-O-Ween in Memphis Dog Parade at Handy Park

Noon - 4 p.m. | free to attend

Get your pup’s costume ready for a Halloween dog parade on Beale Street with vendors, music, giveaways and a Best Dressed Contest! Expect costumes, local vendors, music, giveaways, photo moments and our Best Dressed Contest, all happening on Beale Street.

Crosstoberfest at Crosstown Brewing Co.

Noon - 9 p.m. | free to attend

Grab your lederhosen and all your best beer-drinking buds for a full day of Oktoberfest fun and celebrate with local vendors, live music, and of course, our fan-favorite stein-holding contest. Bring your best traditional German outfit and Oktoberfest spirit for a day full of memories at Crosstown Brewing. Prost! 

Memphis Creativity Fest at Cossitt Library

Noon - 3 p.m. | free to attend

Spend a day making, playing and getting creative at the inaugural Memphis Creativity Fest at Cossitt Library on Saturday, Oct. 17, from noon to 3 p.m. This free, no-experience-needed event features community poetry, collaborative collage, creative yoga, upcycled fashion, art activities and more. Plus, grab pizza and paletas from Wapos and coffee and drinks from Sabadito Café and Comeback Coffee while you create!

Cooper Young Beerfest

1 p.m. - 5 p.m. | $44

The Cooper-Young Beerfest features nearly 40 regional breweries with all proceeds benefitting the Cooper-Young Community Association. Goner Records will bring the music, while Hot-N-Heavy Dogs, AlBees and Good Groceries will provide the food. It's a volunteer-run craft beer festival with a simple setup: every brewery pouring is within a day's drive of Memphis. Your ticket gets you a 2026 Beerfest mug and unlimited samples from 1 to 5 p.m. It's also a fundraiser. All proceeds go to the Cooper-Young Community Association, the nonprofit that works to keep the neighborhood clean, friendly, safe, and welcoming.

Scents of Autumn: Perfume and Body Oil Class at Cre8 Content Studio

3 p.m. - 5 p.m. | $125-$140

Pack your passport and join Valencia Leonard, Founder of Oh Sweets Skin Care, for an exclusive, upscale fragrance blending journey. This is a fully inclusive, first class experience where we aren’t just traveling, we’re bottling the essence of a dream autumn getaway. Learn how to blend top, middle, and base notes to create your signature fragrance. Learn the importance of layering with your products and body butter.

Royal Tea Party and Fashion Show at the Southaven Community Center

3 p.m. - 8 p.m. | $25/ BOGO GA | $55/ BOGO VIP

Headlining designer Kelsey Hankins, a University of Memphis fashion design graduate and founder of Kitty Kouture, will showcase her signature blend of feminine glamour and statement-making fashion. Guests will enjoy a runway presentation, a full dinner, desserts, and shopping with vendors—all within an elegant tea party setting. The occasion invites fashion lovers to dress up, gather with friends, and celebrate local creativity. VIP offerings include valet parking, special seating, full table service, and an open wine bar.

Wine on the River at Tom Lee Park

5 p.m. - 9 p.m. | $70/GA | $100/VIP | $25/Designated Driver

Sample wine and spirits from national and international wineries while local bands play in the background to benefit Door of Hope. There is a clear bag policy.

Movie Night in the Park: Michael at Bert Ferguson Park

5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. | free to attend

Bring your blankets, chairs, and the whole family for Movie Night in the Park hosted by Play Your Park! Enjoy a free showing of Michael at Bert Ferguson Park. Free concessions will be available.

Spillit Slam: Biography at Novel

6 p.m. - 8 p.m. | $10

Spillit is live storytelling told in front of an audience. This is a Slam event. Storytellers have 7 minutes to tell a tale of a completely true personal narrative (well, mostly true). After ten stories, our audience will judge, and a Slam winner will be chosen for the evening.

The Heart & Soul of Magic at the Halloran Center for Performing Arts & Education

7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. | $47

The Heart and Soul of Magic is the longest-running, all-African American cast magic and variety show today. The show is a blend of magic, comedy, and psychological illusions that create an immersive experience for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Magician and comedian Ran'D Shine is known for performing "Real Magic for Real People." No video edits, no actors, just pure, mind-boggling magic entertainment. He has performed in 27 countries, including Navy bases in Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, and has been voted College Magician of the Year four times.

Live at BPACC: Brittney Spencer at the Bartlett Performing Arts & Conference Center

7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. | $40

Don't miss your chance to see Brittney Spencer, a rising star on the country scene who deftly combines traditional country influences with imaginative lyricism. NPR's Lara Downes calls her music "bold and fresh and authentically her own," with Spencer's passion for storytelling on vivid display in her critically acclaimed debut album My Stupid Life. A seasoned touring musician, Spencer has performed alongside artists like Willie Nelson, Brandi Carlile, and Jason Isbell. Spencer has honed her craft by studying with the greats, even making her Billboard Hot 100 debut at #27 as a featured artist on Beyonce's Cowboy Carter album with the song "Blackbiird."

Mavis Staples at Germantown Performing Arts Center

8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. | $51-$82

Grim days call for fierce love. And Mavis Staples, one of the most enduring figures in American music, is laying it down. Now 87, Mavis has been performing since the age of eight. After starting out with her father Roebuck “Pops” Staples, sisters Cleotha and Yvonne, and brother Pervis in the Staple Singers more than 70 years ago, she’s the lone surviving member of the group, still carrying her family’s gifts and knowledge as a living heritage. Inducted into several halls of fame (Blues, Rock, and Gospel), a Kennedy Center Honoree, and a winner of multiple Grammys (including a Lifetime Achievement Award), Mavis is our musical history. She’s collaborated with nearly every major figure of her era(s), from Dylan to Prince, Aretha, and Willie, not to mention countless stars from subsequent generations.

THINGS TO DO ON SUNDAY

Fall Fest at Cordelia’s Market

Noon - 4 p.m. | free to attend

Bring the whole family for an afternoon celebrating fall and our local community. The event will feature live music, local vendors, food and drinks, a costume parade, trunk or treat, and a fall-themed photo area. This is a family-friendly event with something for everyone, whether you’re coming to shop local vendors, enjoy some good food and music, or bring the kids for an afternoon of Halloween fun.

Creative Writing Sit-In: Colorful Short Stories at CxffeeBlack

5 p.m. - 7 p.m. | free to attend

Take advantage of the laid back atmosphere to tap back into old school skills; or slide through to polish and showcase your writing prowess with other folks sharpening their craft just like you. This short session will focus on collaboration and creativity, with refreshments and writing utensils provided. Write your world, reclaim your vivid imagination.