The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Events in Memphis 2020

Even though COVID-19 is still lingering ’round here, we don’t want to let that stomp on our holiday cheer!

We want to help you keep up with all the ways you and your favorite folks can safely enjoy some premium togetherness. But remember, WE ARE STILL LIVING AMIDST A PANDEMIC, so prepare to mask up and make memories because this’ll surely be a holiday season we won’t forget.

Holiday Happenings in December

Light Displays/ Reocurring Events:

• Zoo Lights at the Memphis Zoo: Nov. 20 – Jan. 3
  • Hours: 6PM – 9:30PM
    • Thanksgiving Day – Open at 6PM
    • Christmas Eve – Closed
    • Open at 6PM on Christmas Day
  • Tickets: $10 members, $12 non-members
    • Other Activities:
      • Ferris Wheel – $6
      • Oh What Fun Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides With Hot Chocolate and S’mores Kit
        $10 per person

• Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park:  Nov. 27 – Jan. 3, 2021
  • Hours: Open nightly, including Christmas Eve + Christmas Day
    • Get the deets and tickets here.

• Radley Lights: Dec. 1 – Until
  • Hours: Open nightly, including Christmas Eve + Christmas Day
  • This lighting display is free and open to the public, but if you enjoy the show, you can make a donation to the American Heart Association on behalf of Radley Lights.
• Christmas Cove in Collierville: Now until
  • 472 Tuscumbia Cove West, Collierville
  • 478 Tuscumbia Cove West
• Collierville Holiday Light Tour: Now until
  • With the guidance of a Google maps, members of the community can take a self-guided tour featuring homes across Collierville that are decorated with magical lights and festive decorations.

• Wonderland Memphis with Memphis Escape Rooms– Now until
  • Hours: Sunday-Thursday (12PM – 8PM)
    • Friday-Saturday (10AM – 10PM)
  • Admission: $20/person + tax
    • Free admission for children 4 and under
    • Add-on prices vary

• 12 Days of Navidad presented by Cazateatro Theatre Group– December 1-12
  • Inspired by the Christmas Carol, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” Cazateatro will present a Latinx informed performance series titled “12 days of Navidad.” Over 12 consecutive days at the beginning of December, Cazateatro will bring free events to one neighborhood per day to celebrate Christmas from the intercultural intersections of Latin and American traditions.
  • Keep an eye out for where they’ll be headed here.

• Beale Street Holly Jolly Holiday @ Handy: Dec. 4 & Dec. 11
  • Enjoy a FREE outdoor holiday experience in the newly renovated W.C. Handy Park on Beale Street. Partake in socially-distanced pictures with Santa, holiday music, and FREE hot chocolate.
    • Hours: 4:30PM- 6:30PM

• Holiday Wonders at the Memphis Botanic Garden: Nov. 27 – Dec. 27
  • Holiday Wonders at the Garden runs on select nights through December 27 featuring three distinct areas, each with a different theme but all catering to families, couples and groups:
    • Snowy Nights
    • Under the Stars Outdoor Lounge
    • Yuletide Yard
    • Northern Lights
  • Get tickets here.

• Enchanted Forest: Festival of Trees at Pink Palace – Nov. 21 – Dec. 31
  • The Enchanted Forest is a magical experience full of delightful animated characters.  Elves are busy making toys while penguins, bears, and mice play in the snow.  A model train winds its way around a miniature snow-covered village while the nearby Gingerbread Village smells delightful! Thousands of twinkling lights shine from dozens of beautifully-decorated trees lining the mezzanine. Area businesses, churches, and other volunteers have decorated the trees, which are sponsored by local corporations and individuals, and you’re sure to find a favorite.
    • Hours: Wednesday-Saturday: 10:30AM-5PM
      • Sunday: 12PM-5PM
    • Tickets:
      • Adult: $6
      • Seniors: $5
      • Children ages 3 -12: $5
      • TICKETS ON SALE NOVEMBER 16

• Graceland Christmas Tours – Dec. 1 – Dec. 20
  • The Graceland Christmas tours feature live tour guides at Graceland Mansion, sharing stories of what it was like to spend the holidays with the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll! After the tour of Graceland mansion, guests can visit Elvis Presley’s Memphis Entertainment Complex where they can explore more Elvis exhibits, including all-new immersive activities.
    • Hours: Daily: 2PM-4PM
    • Tickets:
      • Adults: $73
      • Youth: $42
      • Children 4 and under: Free

• Winter Wonderland at Children’s Museum of Memphis – Dec. 1 – January 3
  • 9AM-5PM Daily *specific hours designated for various attractions*
  • Admission:
    • Free for Museum members
    • $15// Free for kids younger than 1
  • Learn more about the event here.

Events

• Wonderland Memphis with Memphis Escape Rooms– Now until
• 2020 Run Run Rudolph Virtual 5k Run Walk: Memphis – Dec. 1 – Jan. 9
• Family Fun Christmas Ornament Decorating Class– December 2nd
• Holiday Craft Night at Board to Beers– December 4th
• The Naughty PC Band Love Therapy Tour– December 5th
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on the Giant Screen at the Pink Palace– Sat/Sun (Dec. 5-22) & Dec. 23th & 24th
• RV Catering Presents: A Taste of Christmas – Sunday Brunch – December 6
• HappiDog Holiday Pop Up Shoppe at Coletta’s– December 6
• Make Your Own Holiday Wreath with Joanna Bernardini – Powered by Arrow– December 8th

• Holiday Havoc Ergathlon at CrossFit Hit & Run– December 12th
• ELF Trivia at the Casual Pint– December 16th
• A Novel Book Club: Virtual Holiday Party!– December 16th
• Holiday Drive In Series: A Charlie Brown Christmas – December 18th
• Holiday Dinner and Music Cruise– December 19th
• Ugly Sweater Party Cruise– December 19th

Shopping:

• Levitt Shell Artisan Market (Online)
• Boxlot Holiday Market (December 4-5)
• Arrow’s Holiday Bazaar (November 23-December 6)
• Virtual 3rd Annual Black Christmas Expo (December 11-13)

Santa Sightings:

• Holly Jolly Celebration at WC Handy Park
  • Dates: December 4-5 & December 11-12 (5PM-7PM)

• Bass Pro Shops presents Santa’s Wonderland
  • Dates: November 7 – December 24 (11 AM – 7:30PM)
  • Enjoy taking a photo with Santa safely at Bass Pro Shops. During your visit, families can mail a letter to Santa or participate in Christmas themed arts and crafts.
  • Book your appointment here.

• Breakfast with Santa at the Memphis Zoo
  • Dates: Dec. 12, 13, 19, 20. (9AM – 11AM)
  • Santa is making his annual stop at the Memphis Zoo and he wants to share a meal with YOU! Guests will be able to enjoy time with the Zoo’s favorite characters before Santa arrives. Santa will be available for photos and each child in attendance will receive a special gift.
  • Get tickets here.

• Dinner with Santa at the Memphis Zoo
  • Dates: Dec. 11, 12, 18, 19 (5:30PM – 7:30PM)
  • Santa is making his annual stop at the Memphis Zoo and he wants to share a meal with YOU! Guests will be able to enjoy time with the Zoo’s favorite characters before Santa arrives. Santa will be available for photos and each child in attendance will receive a special gift.
  • Get tickets here.

• Breakfast with Santa at the Fire Museum
  • Dates: December 12-13 & December 19-20
  • Tickets:
    • $35 member/ $40 non-member
    • Free for children 3 and younger
  • See the deets here.

• Hot Cocoa with Santa At TransforMama (December 3)

Performances:

• The Children’s Ballet Theater Nutcracker Movie at the Malco Summer Drive-In
  • Dec. 8th @ 6:15 PM
  • Gates open at 6:15PM and the film starts at 7:00PM. Enjoy this uniquely filmed classical ballet story of Clara and her Nutcracker. Tickets must be purchased online in advance here.

• Nut Remix at the Drive-In *Pay what you can*
  • Dec. 10th and 17th @ 6:30PM
  • Lot opens at 5PM. 150 parking spots available. Parking is first-come-first-served – arrive early to choose your parking spot! Tickets must be purchased online in advance here.

New Year’s Eve Parties

• New Year’s Eve Midnight Masquerade
• New Years Eve on Beale
• 5th Annual New Year’s Eve Party & Benefit for the Homeless

Places Open On Thanksgiving

*Call ahead for specific hours/reservations*

• The Peabody: Serving Thanksgiving Lunch in high-style in the Continental Ballroom
• Bardog Tavern
• Seasons52
• Capital Grille
• Fleming’s Steakhouse
• Lafayette’s Music Room
• Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse 
• Texas de Brazil
• Terrace at the River Inn
• Tug’s Casual Grill
• The Cupboard
• B.B. King’s
• Bounty On Broad
• Celtic Crossing
• Slider Inn *Midtown Location Only*

Offering Thanksgiving Meals To Go

• Amerigo *Order by Monday, November 23rd at 2pm to pick up by Wednesday, November 25th by 5pm*
• The Peabody: Thanksgiving to Go *Must order by November 20th*
• Seasons52: Must order 24hrs in advance, pick up between November 24 and 25
• Capital Grille: Sides to Go
• Fleming’s Steakhouse
• Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse *They even have a “Friendsgiving” menu*
• Bounty On Broad
• Restaurant Iris *Check out that Bloody Mary Take Home kit*
• Tamboli’s – Thanksgiving Take & Bake Meals available for pre-order until Monday, November 16th at 11:59PM
• Rickis Cookie Corner– Challah & Pull Apart Rolls available for pre-order
• Central BBQ– Smoked Turkeys available for pre-order until November 22
• Cordelia’s Market– Ready to Serve Thanksgiving Dinners available for pre-order until November 18th at 12PM
• Lulu’s Food– Pre-Order your Thanksgiving meals by November 20th at 6PM
• Muddy’s Bake Shop– Take & Bake treats and Bundle Meals available for pre-order.
• 17 Berkshire– Dessert Tarts available for pre-order.

 

Holiday Happenings in November

Events

• Wonderland Memphis with Memphis Escape Rooms– Now open
• Lights at Crosstown- Up now
• HappiDog Holiday Pop Up Shoppe at Coletta’s – November 19
• Graceland Light Ceremony– November 19
• Friends Thanksgiving Trivia at the Summer Drive-In– November 21
• Turkey Day Market at Memphis Farmers Market– November 21
• Underwater Turkey Shoot– November 21
• Create Your Thanksgiving Centerpiece with Aisha Crivens – Powered by Arrow– November 23rd
• Thanksgiving Eve at Tin Roof– November 25
• Annual Thanksgiving Eve w/Jason D– November 25th
• A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving : Holiday Drive – In Series Part 2– November 25th
• Memphis Turkey Trot at Shelby Farms– November 26
• Christmas Movie Trivia at the Summer Drive-In– November 28
• Holiday Homecoming Mixer presented by Marvin Todd & Devin Steel– November 27
• Sew Your Own Stocking with Ariana Sellers – Powered by Arrow– November 30th

Shopping:

• Jingle & Mingle Pop-Up Shop (November 14-15)
• Art Bazaar Black Friday Market– November 27th
• Arrow’s Holiday Bazaar (November 23-December 6)
• Levitt Shell Artisan Market (Online)

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Holiday Wreath Hanging hosted by the Central Gardens Association (Volunteers Needed) – November 21
• Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner– November 26
• Memphis Rox Winter Coat Drive– November 25

Photo Ops:

• A Christmas Carol Photos at Theatre Memphis– November 27 & 28
• Wonderland Memphis with Memphis Escape Rooms– Now Until

We’ll be adding more to this list as we go! If you have suggestions, leave them in the comment!