Come for the barbecue and stay for – everything else. From hot wings to crawfish to beer, if you can consume it, we probably have a Memphis food festival to honor it. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite annual culinary festivals here.
Come for the barbecue and stay for – everything else. From hot wings to crawfish to beer, if you can consume it, we probably have a Memphis food festival to honor it. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite annual culinary festivals here.
Soulful Food Truck Fest
March 24, 2024
Head to Tiger Lane for all kinds of food truck fare, as well as live music, DJs and a kids zone, at the 9th annual Soulful Food Truck Festival. Dig into barbecue, quesadillas, sweet treats and so much more at this unique festival.
Of course, any time of year is a good time to enjoy Memphis soul food at these signature restaurants.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP HOT WING CONTEST & FESTIVAL
April 20, 2024
Organizers of the World Championship Hot Wing Contest & Festival say that they do for the chicken what the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest does for the pig. Every year, thousands of participants demonstrate that they agree. The wing appreciation event celebrates every part of the chicken wing – “the drummy, flap, flat and everything in between” – with nearly 100 teams, a cornhole competition, live entertainment and more. Attend the next event.
In the meantime, learn why Memphis is the "wing capital of the world."
Vintage 901 Food & Wine Festival
April 20-21, 2024
This two-day festival infuses community with the wine and food experience combining fun, culture and education with a purpose. The two marquee events include The Grand Tasting, featuring an array of wine vendors from numerous Old World and New World wine producers, and The Sparkling Brunch. Get your tickets now.
Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival
April 21, 2024
Crawfish festivals have become a spring tradition in Memphis. But you don't have to love crawfish to have a good time. The Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival attracts over 35,000 attendees every year in an over-the-top display of all things Cajun. Adult guests can enjoy margaritas, hurricanes and more. Plus, there’s plenty of carnival food, grilled corn and barbecue to round out your experience.
Overton Square Crawfish Festival
April 27, 2024
Can't make it to the Rajun Cajun Crawfish Fest? No worries! Memphians love their crawfish festivals, so you'll get a second crack at it with the Overton Square Crawfish Festival. After a few-year hiatus, this local-favorite festival is back in one of Memphis' most popular entertainment districts. Come enjoy live music, local vendors, craft beer and a whole lotta' crawfish.
Taste The Rarity
April 27, 2024
If you're a craft beer connoisseur, Taste the Rarity is a must. This four-hour beer festival at Wiseacre Brewing Co. features food trucks, live music and unlimited beer tastings from a variety of brewmasters. One of the best and largest beer festivals in Memphis. Guests must be 21 or older. Get your tickets.
Love craft beer? Be sure to check out Memphis' bustling brewery scene. Here's our beer lover's weekend in Memphis guide.
Memphis Cocktail Festival
April 27, 2024
A brand new festival to celebrate the craft of cocktails! The inaugural Memphis Cocktail Festival features unlimited cocktail tastings from international brands, regional mixers and the local bar artisans. Get your tickets.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BARBECUE COOKING CONTEST
May 15-18, 2024
Dubbed “America’s most prestigious barbecue cooking competition,” the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is the ultimate competition for pitmasters from around the world. Individual tents (some three stories tall!) set up for invite-only tastings by day and dance parties by night. While you'll need a personal invitation to access team tents, non-competitors can buy tickets for entry into the festival grounds and even better, look into tasting experiences like the Kingsford Tour of Champions and BBQ Alley.
Get a taste of our world-famous ribs, pulled pork and more at 100-plus barbecue restaurants around Memphis. To make your barbecue-tasting experience even easier, follow our BBQ Trail with this free passport.
SmokeSlam: The World's Ultimate BBQ Showdown
May 16-18, 2024
SmokeSlam is Memphis' newest BBQ competition taking place along the Mississippi River at Tom Lee Park. This three-day showdown is serious about competition and the experience with live music, carnival with a ferris wheel overlooking the riverfront, and a celebration of all things 'que with an interactive area to sample food.
Margarita Festival
June 1, 2024
Get your tickets to the Memphis Margarita Festival on Overton Square to sample 12 margaritas from restaurants around town. Sip the mixes and concoctions from the best margarita-makers in Memphis and vote for your favorite. Plus, food and full-sized drinks will be available for purchase.
Feeling cheery? Find 15 happy hours to try in Memphis and our favorite Memphis bars.
Craft Food & Wine Festival
June 23, 2024
Locally produced breads, cheeses, fruit preserves, cured meats and more from 40 vendors. An onsite shop offers attendees an opportunity to purchase sampled foods and drinks and it wouldn't be a Memphis festival without live music entertainment! Get your tickets now to the 2024 Craft Food & Wine Festival, because this event is sure to sell out.
Memphis Chicken & Beer Festival
August 17, 2024
What’s better than chicken and beer? Sample chicken dishes from local restaurants and sip on beer from national and local breweries at the 4th annual Chicken & Beer Festival at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
Zoo Rendezvous
September 7, 2024
Travel through the Memphis Zoo at night tasting your way through high-quality food samples from dozens of local restaurants while sipping on cocktail along the way! Expect a fun party with live music and more! Tickets go on sale July 1.
Memphis Brewfest
Fall 2024
Head to the Memphis Sports and Events Center for unlimited samples of 100+ beers at Memphis Brewfest. The fest features more than 40 breweries from around the world, food trucks, music, and games.
COOPER-YOUNG BEERFEST
October 2024
Grab your official mug at the gate and fill it up as many times as you’d like during this afternoon festival. The annual Cooper Young Beerfest features dozens of breweries from across the region for beer tastings, music, food, and fun in the Cooper Young neighborhood. All attendees must be 21+ and no pets are allowed. Rain or shine, come party with us in one of the most eclectic entertainment districts in Memphis. Learn more.
For more on Memphis food fests, check out our blog.
