Your Guide to Spring & Summer Festivals in Memphis

Festival season is in full swing! From food to fashion, there are a number of spring and summer festivals in Memphis, and we want to make sure you know about ’em all.

MARCH festivals in memphis

Step back in time with Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Weekend, where the legend lives and the music never dies. We’re honoring the King of Rock & Roll with blue suede shoes, jumpsuits, and singing so loud the whole world can hear!

Amidst the buzz of spring and summer festivals in Memphis, a performer in a white jumpsuit sings on stage with "ELVIS" illuminated behind, expertly accompanied by a band.

From Downtown to Orange Mound — to Cordova and everything in between — Memphis Black Restaurant Week  has returned to encourage you to tap into the tasty eats that our Black-owned businesses are bringing to the table.

The name of the game is GREEN. Green get-ups, green beads, and a whole lotta green beer. Make your way to Beale Street where the local leprechauns will lead to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. 

Paint the town green and gold at Memphis’s Official St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl! It’s your golden ticket to a day of shamrocks, shenanigans, and cheersing. Don’t miss out on the luckiest crawl of the year!

Don’t get pinched this St. Patrick’s Day. Wear your green to the Brass Door Irish Pub and celebrate St. Paddy’s Day!

Support a great cause. There will be cornhole, kids’ games, a silent auction, and other activities. The goal each year is to raise $21,000 with 100% of proceeds going to the Down Syndrome Association of Memphis & the Mid-South (DSAM).

Nothing brings the community out like good food, music, and family fun! The Soulful Food Truck Festival is everything we need in one.

APRIL festivals in memphis

Cocktails. Memphis. Festival. Need we say more? Pour up and have a grand ole time.

The Grand Tasting on Saturday will feature wine and food pairings, chef demos, and music. Sunday’s Sparkling Brunch is a more laid back experience hosted by Sommelier Laurie Forster. This annual festival not only promises fun and learning but also supports future culinary, oenology, and viticulture professionals (don’t worry — we had to look up those words too).

Get tatted by local and internationally acclaimed artists. Don’t want a tattoo? No worries! There will be art making, merch selling, and more.

Day party meets brunch from local eateries. Ticket proceeds benefit The Starfish Infertility Foundation.

Your tastebuds will thank you for going to this festival. Drinks are included with tickets. Plus, hookah and food will be available!

Tequila? Tacos? Need we say more?! This festival will have $5 shots ALL DAY.

In need of a nature day? Make your way to Meeman Shelby Forest State Park where you’ll be surrounded by wildlife all the while enjoying live music, arts & crafts vendors, cultural exhibits, food, and more.

100 Bands. 40 porches. Porchfest is gonna be on and poppin’ in the historic Cooper Young Neighborhood!

For the 6th year in a row, this festival will shine a light on local Black culture—bringing the block party vibes with food trucks, live music, and vendors from all over the city.

Africa in April salutes The Republic of South Africa this year. Enjoy a weekend of food, fashion, arts, and culture!

Dance the night away at the 4th annual Shell Daze Music Festival. This funk-filled lineup will have you vibing for days.

Dive into the vibrant world of spring and summer festivals in Memphis with the Colorful Shell Daze Music Festival poster. Featuring a rabbit in a shell, this event on 04.19.25 at Overton Park Shell promises performances by Lettuce and more.

Get ready to laugh until you cry at the Good Vibes Comedy Festival! Whether you’re a fan of stand-up, improv, or sketch comedy, this festival has something to tickle your funny bone.

Make your way to the Ridgeway Loop where photographers, painters, jewelers, metalsmiths, and more will be showcasing their original creations that could be yours. 

Wings on wings on wings. Remember when there was a hot wing shortage? Not anymore! Taste hot wing creations from all over the globe at the World Championship Hot Wing Contest & Festival.

You’re invited to munch on as many mudbugs as you want as Porter Leath celebrates 31 years of its Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival.

A person sporting sunglasses holds a crawfish against the vibrant backdrop of a spring and summer festival poster in Memphis.

Grab a friend and sip on mimosas at Tom Lee Park. Bring a picnic blanket and soak up the sun while drinking delicious mimosas.

A day full of fun benefiting autism awareness! Each purchased ticket includes a sensory toy for all children. Ages 0-2 are free.

MAY festivals in memphis

Memphis’ newest music festival will be held at the all-new Tom Lee Park. This 3-day event will have you vibing for days.

RIVERBEAT Music Festival 2025 lineup poster featuring artists like Missy Elliott, The Killers, and Anderson .Paak. Part of the vibrant spring and summer festivals in Memphis, the event runs from May 2-4 in Memphis, TN.

You may have to loosen your belt after you indulge in all the beignets, shrimp & grits, cafe au lait, and more as The Rotary Club of Memphis and Dorothy Day house invites you to Café Du Memphis at the Malco Summer Drive-In. 

Can’t get enough of the crawfish season? Bayou Bar and Grill’s famous crawdads are coming to Overton Square with a vendor market, craft beers, and live music. 

BBQ, cigar samples, and TN Whiskey tastings…What more could you want? The Cigar and Whiskey BBQ Fest is doing it big for their fourth year. 

This long-standing Mid-South tradition started as a small pastry sale and has grown into a full-fledged two-day festival boasting over 10,000 attendees every year. Go for the kabobs, baklava, and bevy of other tasty delights. Stay for the dancing, and fun finds featured in the Greek Boutique. 

P.S. bring 3 cans to donate to the Mid-South Food Bank to receive free entry. 

The World Championship BBQ Cooking Contest is next in line! From May 14th-17th,  MIM is gathering some of the best grill masters so our city can see what they’ve got. From ribs to pork shoulders to wings, and everything in between, you’ll want to break out the stretchy pants for this one.

Ready for the ultimate BBQ face-off? Smokeslam is bringing the heat, pitting the best pitmasters in a sizzling showdown to claim the title of BBQ champ! 

DreamFest Weekend is where Memphis’s underground music scene comes alive! This festival is a must-attend for anyone looking to dive deep into authentic sounds, featuring a lineup of artists who bring raw energy and innovation to the Overton Park Shell. 

If you’ve been craving pronto pups and candy apples with a side of circus acts, make your way to the Bluff City Fair at Liberty Park. There’ll be circus performers, rides for all ages, a petting zoo, and more! Tickets can be purchased upon arrival.

Make note of the discount days -> Unlimited Rides on Tuesdays and Thursdays for $15. 

Witness the magic of light as it dances across the lake at Shelby Farms Park. If you’ve seen Tangled, you know what we’re talkin’ bout. 

Put on your most flowy sundress and head over to the Sundresses and Linen Weekend!

Music, games, arts & crafts, and all of the Italian food you can eat, of course! Join hundreds of Memphians to enjoy the taste of Italy in the Bluff City for the first time in two years. 

Our summer’s are hot, so you’ll need to cool down with a refreshing marg at Memphis Margarita Fest! Your ticket gets you entry and 12 samples from local faves who know how to take tequila to the next level. Food will also be available for purchase and cash-bar will be on site slinging full size sips. 

  • What kicked off in China nearly 2000 years ago is now a highly anticipated cultural event honoring friendly competition, and community spirit. The 2023 Dragon Boat Festival invites you to Hyde Lake in Shelby Farms Park for a fun-filled day of family-friendly activities, food, and fierce sportsmanship. 
  • No experience is required to participate, and youth age 12 to 18 can register for free. 

Where the plant-based peeps at? Cynthia Daniels knew our local veg-heads needed an opportunity to gather. The Memphis Vegan Festival is like the Vegan Block Party, but bigger and better!

June festivals in memphis

  • With a movie screening, a music festival, a B.A.P.S themed gala, and more planned, prepare to two-step and let your chain hang low. Tone invites you to tap into a weekend full of festivities that pay homage to the past and fame the future for Black culture.

  • Recognized as the official Black Pride of Memphis by the Center for Black Equity, TriState Black Pride doesn’t play when it comes to Pride Month programming!

    The lengthy lineup of events features educational sessions, a job fair, a rooftop party, a free brunch… and that’s just one day! You’ve got a whole weekend to witness the people, purpose, and power of this organization. 

  • Since 2017, Memphis Concréte has curated a forum for experimental artists to enter the limelight–and this year’s lineup is lending itself to lovers of unique noise.

Y’all ready for the most colorful weekend of the year?! Memphis Pride Fest is coming our way, and they’re putting together a line-up of virtual and in-person events in celebration of being EXACTLY who you are!

You won’t want to miss this culinary experience featuring a solid selection of craft food shops and restaurants! Benefitting Church Health, local and regional artisans are coming together to showcase eats and treats that you’ll definitely want to add to your charcuterie board. Plus they’ll be paired with wine, beer, and cider—so what more can you ask for?!

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July festivals in memphis

It’s hot as hell, but you’re invited to cool down with some refreshing sips at the Memphis Summer Cocktail Festival

august festivals in memphis

  • Crown Me Royal Labs founder Chassidy Jade—also the leading lady of Vibes and Visuals—has put together a Black film festival that features raw and innovative screenings, panels, and workshops from black and brown behind-the-scenes filmmakers.
  • Tasty eats and the chance to support educational programming that stresses the importance of agriculture and access to food? Sounds like a win-win!
  • Come on, come all veg heads! Speed Vegan has planned a plant-powered event that’ll empower you to eat your greens. 

It’s almost tee time! Gather with your local golf gang as the PGA tour’s best players take to the greens for a good cause during the Fedex St. Jude Championship

Get ready to bust out those blue suede shoes for one of the most notable celebrations of the year. Gather with Elvis fans from across the world for a week of concerts, panel discussions, dances, the annual candlelight vigil and more. 

You’re invited to fill your belly with chicken and beer at the Liberty Bowl in support of Merge Memphis. 

  • This is your ticket to head out on a nostalgic trip back in time to shopping at school book fairs—but with BEER and raffle prices.
  • Beat the heat and say goodbye to summer as the Crosstown Splashdown returns to bring poolside fun to the plaza.
  • Get down and dirty with your girl gang as the Muddy Princess obstacle Mud Run makes its way to Shelby Farms Park.

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If we missed any incredible spring or summer festivals in Memphis, let us know!

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