The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Events in Memphis

We're here to provide you with the PERFECT guide to help maximize your holiday experience.

We are talking about light shows, pop-up shops, Santa sightings, and more holiday events in Memphis. Let’s go!

We are talking about pre-and post-thanksgiving concerts, light shows, pop-up shops, Santa sightings, and more holiday events in Memphis. Let’s go!

Thanksgiving prep:

Offering to-go meals/open for thanksgiving day

Thanksgiving events

Soulsville Christmas Tree Lighting, 2019

Holiday Lights & Displays:

Is that the North Pole? No, it’s Memphis all decked out in its most festive fit! When the holiday lights get hung, the real fun begins. 

Holiday Happenings:

New years Eve events:

Parades:

Tree Lightings:

adults-only festivities:

Shopping:

Concerts:

Photo: Ballet Memphis’ Nutcracker

Performances:

Movie screenings:

santa sightings:

Arts & Crafts

Toy Drives:

Gifs: Wonderland Escape Rooms

  • Memphis Arts Collective: Memphis Arts Collective is hosting their 3rd Holiday Artist Market. The Charity Beneficiary is THRIVE Memphis (a facility for adults and teens with intellectual disabilities.)
    • November 26th- December 24th
    •  Mondays-Saturdays 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM. Sundays Noon-5:00 PM.
  • BIG Holiday Expo: Get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping with the biggest holiday shopping event of the season! There will be 100+ exclusive vendors, music, food, and fun for the whole family. 
    • November 17th
    • Tickets: 
      • $2 for general admission
      • $175 vendor pass
  • Turkey Trot: You never need an excuse to delve into delicious Thanksgiving Day food, but running the turkey trot would definitely make room for more stuffing!
  • Wonderland Escape Rooms: Wonderland is an interactive photo experience with five different places to explore and sixteen different photo settings!
    • Starts on November 5th
  • Small Business Saturday Pop Up Shop: Spend the biggest shopping weekend of the year supporting small businesses! Head to Summer ave. for live music and tons of local vendors.
    • November 27th 
    • Hours: 1PM-5PM
  • Collierville Christmas Parade: Join in on the festivities at the 44th annual Collierville Christmas Parade!
    • December 3rd
    • 7 PM
  • All Aboard! Holiday Kick-Off at Saddle Creek: Kick off the 2021 holiday season with an outdoor showing of Polar Express, train rides, and a visit from Santa himself! 
    • December 3rd
    • Hours: 6PM-8PM
  • Stumbling Santa benefitting Porter-Leath: 17th Annual Stumbling Santa Pub crawl is back! This bar crawl is at no cost to you except bringing a new, unwrapped toy for a Porter-Leath preschool children.
    • December 4th @ 7PM
  • Once Upon A Dream: Christmas Pop Up Shop
    • December 5th, The Dream Center Event Venue
    • Hours: 12PM-6PM
  • 2021 Memphis Holiday Parade: The 2021 Memphis Holiday Parade is the biggest parade in Memphis! It features elementary and high school bands, community organizations, dance groups, cheerleaders, and even Santa! You do not want to miss the fun that is gonna go down on Beale. 
    • December 11th
    • Hours: 3:00 PM-4:30 PM
  • Talk and Walk- Winter Walk: During this cold season series, you’ll discover how life survives by using different cold weather strategies plus take a guided walk with a naturalist.
    • December 11th
    • 9:00 AM
    • Tickets:$10.00
  • Christmas in Bartlett- Market and Festivities:
    • Dates/Hours: Dec 10th, 4:30-7:30pm. Dec 11th, 9:00 am-4:00pm
    • A. Keith Mcdonald Pavilion at Freeman Park, 2968 Bartlett Blvd
  • Beale Street Holly Jolly Holiday Celebration: 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.
    • December 4 & December 11th
    • Hours: 4:30PM- 6:30PM
  • The Christmas Bar Crawl for Toys for Tots
    • December 11th, 4PM-Midnight
  • Holiday Wreath Making Class
    • December 12th
    • 2:00 PM-4:00PM
    • Tickets: $45
  • Candle Making with Brooke Williamson: What is a better gift for a loved one than a hand-poured candle that you personally made? Join Brooke Willamson from New Harbet Candles to learn tricks of the trade when it comes to soy candle making.
    • December 17th
    • Hours: 6:30PM-8:30PM. 
    • Tickets: $65
  • Christmas Fiesta: This Christmas, Cazateatro Bilingual Theater Group and Opera Memphis present a Christmas Fiesta! Head to Dixon Gallery and Gardens to enjoy the Christmas traditions of Latin America and the Caribbean. Enjoy music, food, and crafts! 
    • December 18th
    • Hours: 11 AM-3 PM
  • Rainbow Holiday Market at Black Lodge: Come support local queer creators + find unique gifts for the people on your holiday shopping list at the first-ever Bevy Rainbow Holiday Market at Black Lodge.
    • When: December 19th
    • Time: 2PM-7 PM
    • Admission: $10
  • Stumbling Santa benefitting Porter-Leath
    • 17th Annual Stumbling Santa Pub crawl is back! This bar crawl is at no cost to you except bringing a new, unwrapped toy for a Porter-Leath preschool children.
  • Find Holiday Trivia events here.

Theatre/Musicals

Photo: Ballet Memphis’ Nutcracker

Santa Sightings

What about giving back?

Giving Tuesday is creeping up! You’ve got time to get involved and give back to the city that built you or is building you! This is the perfect opportunity to turn your hearts towards generosity and showcase the proud Memphian you are.

Volunteer Opportunities

Check out this blog to find ways to get involved this holiday season!

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New Year’s Eve Parties

Places Open On Thanksgiving

New Years Events coming soon!

Did we miss your holiday event?

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