2020 Memphis Events To Plan Your Trip Around

Published On: September 3rd, 2019

Memphis by Michael Butler one901

Memphis is home to incredible events that celebrate the Blues, Soul, and Rock’ n’ Roll all year long. Right now is the perfect time to start planning your next trip to Memphis for 2020. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the events we’re looking forward to next year.

Check out all of the irresistible fun you have to look forward to!

January

Elvis Presley’s 85th Birthday Celebration – Graceland – Jan. 8-11, 2020
Celebrate Elvis’ Birthday, with special guests Priscilla Presley and Jerry Schilling.

Elvis Birthday Celebration at Graceland

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Ceremony – Memphis – Jan. 20, 2020
Speakers, forums, and concerts are presented to commemorate the life of the civil rights leader at the National Civil Rights Museum.

International Blues Challenge – Beale Street – Jan. 28-Feb. 1, 2020
The stage opens to Blues Bands and Solo/Duo Blues Acts ready to perform on the international stage, looking for their big break.

February

Ameripolitan Music Awards – The Guest House at Graceland – Feb. 24, 2020
Benefiting and acknowledging artists whose work does not readily conform to the tastes of today’s “country” or other music genres and organizations.

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Weekend – Graceland – Feb. 28-29, 2020
Celebration of Elvis’ greatest hits from the studio, stage, and screen, starring our most recent Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist winner.

Bluff City Polar Bear Plunge & Chili Cook-off – Mud Island River Park – Feb. 1, 2020
The only event that heats you up and cools you down at the same time! Jump into the icy Mississippi River and then warm up with some chili with Special Olympics Greater Memphis.

March

Scouts Rock at Graceland – Mar. 28, 2020
Graceland welcomes hundreds of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts from all over the country to enjoy a day full of learning, creating and rock ‘n’ rolling.

Southern Women’s Show – Memphis – Mar. 6-8, 2020
A favorite event for Memphis women. Enjoy shopping and sampling while discovering hundreds of boutiques filled with the latest fashions and jewelry, gourmet treats, health and beauty, fashion shows, top chefs, and celebrity guests.

Silky O’Sullivan St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Beale Street – Date TBA
Be sure to have on green and bring the family for the festive parade with bands, cars, dancers, floats and more!

Silky O'Sullivans St. Patrick's Day Parade - Beale Street

April

Easter Brunch at Guest House at Graceland – Apr. 12, 2020
Celebrate Easter Brunch with us this year!

Vintage 901 Spring Wine & Food Festival – Memphis – Apr. 17-19, 2020
An event-driven community organization to celebrate wine, food, and music every spring.

Memphis Redbirds AAA Baseball Begins – Memphis – Apr. 9, 2020
Buy tickets today and take yourself out to the ball game while you are in Memphis next!

Southern Hot Wing Festival – Memphis – Apr. 18, 2020
Celebrate all things chicken wings! Here to prove that the South has more to offer than great BBQ, enjoy great hot wings as well.

Beale Street Wine Race – Beale Street – Date TBA
There’s plenty of wine to go around while rooting for your favorite restaurants and bartenders as they compete for cash, prizes, and glory!

May

Mother’s Day Brunch at Guest House at Graceland – May 10, 2020
Celebrate mom with an extra-special brunch with us!

Blues Music Awards – Blues Foundation – May 9, 2020.
Celebrate the year’s best in Blues recordings and performances at the prestigious Blues Music Awards.

Memphis in May Festival – Memphis – May 1-23, 2020
Memphis is hands down the place you want to be in May. There’s something for everyone, and the party lasts all month long! See below for specific events.

Beale Street Music Festival – Tom Lee Park – May 1-3, 2020
Live music line up to be announced in February.

World Championship BBQ Cooking Contest – Tom Lee Park – May 13-16, 2020
BBQ masters from around the world come to showcase their grilling chops and compete for cash prizes.

Great American River Run – Memphis – May 23, 2020
Every runner that finishes will receive a medal, and then the real fun begins with an after-run party, complete with food, drinks, and live music.

June

NASCAR at Memphis International Raceway – Memphis – Jun. 1, 2020
Cheer on your favorite NASCAR racer at Memphis International Raceway.

Craft Food & Wine Festival at the Columns – Memphis – Date TBA
Enjoy a day full of tastings of your favorite artisan bread, cheeses, fruit preserves, cured meats, oils, and more paired with beer, wine, and cider. And for a good cause!

 

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Mid-South International Festival – Memphis – Date TBA
Celebrate the many cultures of the world! Take in traditional dancing and costumes while enjoying international food and beverages.

July

All-America July 4th Celebration Performing Arts Camp – Graceland
There’s nothing more American than Elvis, rock ‘n’ roll, fireworks, BBQ, movies and NASCAR. We’ve put them all together so that you can join us in Memphis for the 4th in 2020!

World Golf Championships FedEx St. Jude Invitational – Memphis – Jul. 2-5, 2020
If you’re a golf fan, you’ll want to be in Memphis in July for this year’s stop on the PGA tour.

 

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August

Elvis Week! – Graceland – August 8 – 16, 2020
Elvis Week is a celebration of the music, movies, and legacy of Elvis Presley. Join fans from around the world in Memphis as we remember the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Elvis Run – Graceland
The annual 5k race begins and finishes at the gates of Graceland. After the race, enjoy a party featuring food, music, and fun!

September

Memphis Music & Heritage Festival – Memphis – Labor Day Weekend
The Center for Southern Folklore transforms two blocks of Downtown Memphis into a central celebration of music, arts, dance, and foods with five stages featuring national talent.

On Location: Memphis International Film Festival – Memphis – Date TBA
Showcasing stand-out independent films from around the world.

October

Memphis Food & Wine Festival – Memphis – Date TBA
Showcasing local Memphis chefs who have shaped our culinary scene, alongside acclaimed national and international chefs and top vineyards from around the world.

Cooper-Young Beerfest – Memphis – Date TBA.
Support the hardworking local brewers who devote their time, talent, and energy to making beers that are uniquely their own.

November

Holiday Lighting Ceremony – Graceland
Start the holidays with us this year for a spectacular lighting ceremony. The extensive Christmas display at the king’s castle includes hundreds of blue lights along the driveway, a life-size Nativity scene, Santa and his sleigh, and much more, all originally displayed at Graceland by Elvis and
the Presley family.

Thanksgiving Feast at The Guest House at Graceland.
Come celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with a traditional feast at The Guest House at Graceland.

Indie Memphis Film Festival – Memphis – Date TBA
Support independent film and the development of filmmakers.

National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Awards – Memphis – Date TBA
The Freedom Award is the museum’s signature event that honors outstanding individuals for their significant contributions to civil and human rights.

December

Graceland Holiday Concert Weekend – Graceland
There’s no place more magical than Elvis Presley’s Graceland at Christmas. Graceland will host a special weekend of holiday music and activities.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinner at Guest House at Graceland – Dec. 24-25, 2019
Come celebrate the Christmas holiday with a traditional feast at The Guest House at Graceland. Choose the dinner event time that works best with your holiday schedule

New Year’s Eve Bash at Guest House at Graceland – Dec. 31, 2020
Watch the ball drop at this fabulous party featuring live music, a delicious buffet dinner, fun party favors, and a complimentary glass of champagne to toast the new year.

St. Jude Marathon – Memphis – Dec. 5, 2020.
Start and finish the marathon in the heart of downtown Memphis while supporting the children of St. Jude!

Liberty Bowl – Memphis – Dec. 31, 2020
Join in Memphis and MidSouthern pride that supports St. Judes for one of America’s most patriotic and tradition-rich football games.

If there’s one thing we’re sure of, it’s that Memphis knows how to plan an event! You can always count on fantastic and unique cuisine and music that will get you tapping your feet at every festival. There is truly something for everyone to enjoy while visiting. Memphis is known for being original, and you’ll never have the same experience twice!

If any of these events planned for 2020 caught your eye, you should consider staying at the AAA-rated Four Diamond The Guest House at Graceland. Enjoy incredible rooms, restaurants and world-class amenities located only steps away from Graceland Mansion, Elvis Presley’s Memphis Entertainment and Exhibit Complex, and the brand-new Graceland Exhibition Center, home to three new traveling museum exhibits: Muhammed Ali: Greatest of All Time, National Geographic Presents: Earth Explorers and A Century of the American Motorcycle.

The Guest House at Graceland is in the heart of all the action, and shuttles are available to take you throughout the ever-expanding Graceland campus or to visit downtown Memphis and the legendary Beale Street Entertainment District.

Featured photo by Michael Butler.

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