Memphis Memorial Day Weekend Guide 2026
Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 25, 2026, a time to honor the U.S. military personnel who gave their lives in service.
Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 25, 2026, a time to honor the U.S. military personnel who gave their lives in service.
Take the long weekend to relax, reflect, and enjoy time with friends and family. Here’s your ultimate guide to Memorial Day Weekend in Memphis, including commemorative events and plenty of ways to soak up the holiday.
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EVENTS HAPPENING ALL WEEKEND
Bluff City Fair at Liberty Park
May 22 - May 31 | tickets range from $5 to $15 (kids 4 and under are free)
Enjoy the Bluff City Fair filled with your favorite carnival rides, fair food, and performances. Check out the attraction schedule here.
THINGS TO DO IN FRIDAY, MAY 22ND
Great American River Run Expo at Renasant Convention Center
10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
The Great American River Run is celebrating more than 10 years of running through downtown Memphis. This event is your opportunity to pick up your packet for Memphis in May’s Great American River Run and connect with a variety of vendors and resources available to participants.
Canoes + Cocktails at Shelby Farms Park
6 p.m. | ticket prices vary
Whether you’re looking for the perfect date night or a unique way to kick off the weekend with friends, this is it. Enjoy a guided sunset paddle on the lake - with the best sunset view in Memphis - followed by specialty cocktails provided by Old Dominick, snacks from Feast & Graze, yard games and music.
Who Wrote That?! Comedy Show at Bar DKDC
9:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. | $10
Comedians are paired together to write EACH OTHER'S jokes then forced to perform them live! (In the style of 'weekend update'.)
THINGS TO DO ON SATURDAY, MAY 23RD
Memphis In May’s Great American River Run on Saturday. This is a half-marathon / 10K / 5K race in downtown Memphis with cash prizes!
Music and Arts Festival at Colonial Park UMC
11 a.m. - 5 p.m. | free to attend
Celebrate creativity and community at the Colonial Park UMC Music and Arts Festival. This free event features a variety of arts and craft vendors, bounce houses for all ages, and live music throughout the day, including performances by Motel California and The Pretty Boys. Food trucks Good Groceries, TopDawgz, and SnoJunt will be onsite serving crowd favorites.
Smoke in the City Block Party at Butterific Bakery & Cafe
Noon - 7 p.m. | free to attend
Butteriffic Bakery & Café is celebrating five incredible years of sweetness, community, and unforgettable memories with a South Main block party full of Memphis flavor and soul. Enjoy a BBQ competition featuring up to 20 pitmasters battling for the championship title, shop local vendors and handcrafted goods, and experience live music and entertainment from talented Memphis artists throughout the day. Families can enjoy games, face painting, balloon artists, and interactive kids’ activities, while guests relax in a welcoming atmosphere with stage seating, delicious local food, and Butteriffic’s signature butter cookies. More than just a block party, this celebration highlights the community, culture, and small businesses that make Memphis extraordinary—offering something for everyone to enjoy.
Poetry, Spoken Word, and Blues at K3 Studio Cafe
1 p.m. - 11 p.m. | $15
Get ready for an unforgettable in-person experience this Memorial Weekend in Memphis! Dive into the soulful vibes of poetry, spoken word, and the smoothest blues tunes. It's the perfect mix of rhythm and words to keep your weekend alive and kicking. Don't miss out on the fun, the passion, and the amazing energy all packed into one epic event.
Lovrs & Friends: The R&B Day Party Series at Docks off 5th
3 p.m. | $5
Head to Beale Street for an upscale R&B day party for lovers, friends, and unforgettable vibes.
Memorial Weekend Bar Crawl
Location TBD | 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. | ticket prices vary
Kick off Memorial Day Weekend in Memphis in style by hitting the city’s top bars. Celebrate the start of summer with unbeatable drink specials, great vibes, and your crew by your side. This is the must-attend Memorial Day Weekend event of 2026! Your ticket to the Memphis Memorial Day Weekend Bar Crawl includes free entry, exclusive drink specials, and a free after party as you bar hop through the best bars in Memphis.
Patio Session at Slider Inn Downtown
4 p.m. - 10 p.m. | $15
Palma Brava returns with a special Patio Session for Memorial Day Weekend. This is an outdoor experience blending Latin energy with underground electronic music. Expect a curated selection of: • Latin House • Afro House • Tech House Featuring Latino DJs and a community-driven atmosphere designed for connection, rhythm, and elevated energy. This is not just another party — it’s a tropical underground experience.
THINGS TO DO ON SUNDAY, MAY 24TH
Agave & Ash Festival at Shelby Farms Park
2 p.m. - 7 p.m. | $75/GA $125/VIP
Agave & Ash Festival: Tequila, Cigars & Culture is dedicated to celebrating the rich cultural spirit of Memphis through curated experiences that blend premium cigars, fine agave spirits, live music, art, and community connection. Our mission is to create a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere where tradition, craftsmanship, and culture come together to honor heritage and elevate the social experience.
Lemon Drop Festival at Tom Lee Park
2 p.m. - 8 p.m. | $45
The Lemon Drop Festival is a high-energy daytime celebration built around great drinks, great music, and even better people. Guests can enjoy 20+ Lemon Drop martini flavors, live DJs setting the tone, interactive photo moments, and a lively crowd that knows how to show up. Add in curated food trucks, stylish lounge areas, and nonstop energy from start to finish and you’ve got a festival that feels as good as it tastes.
Sundresses and Linen at Memphis Botanic Garden
6 p.m. - 11 p.m. | $65/GA $95/VIP
Sundresses and Linen is an annual event that takes place during Memorial Day weekend. It is hosted by the Sigma Lambda Lambda chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Sundresses & Linen is a grown, classy outdoor/indoor experience designed for professionals, creatives, and social tastemakers who enjoy good music, great energy, and a beautiful atmosphere.This is not just a party but a curated outdoor/indoor experience. The event offers free cocktails and an exclusive complementary buffet.
Sunset Symphony at the Overton Park Shell
7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. | free to attend
Memphis has a deep history with music, including the Memphis Symphony Orchestra (MSO). From early years and through several wars, there were iterations of a local symphony. However, MSO was officially established in 1953 under the baton of the esteemed Vincent de Frank as the Memphis Sinfionetta. Today, as the Mid-South’s resident professional orchestra, they employ 80+ musicians and arts professionals, and present Masterworks, Classic Accents and Pops subscription concerts, as well as multiple special concerts a year. See them live in concert at one of Memphis’ most iconic venues!
THINGS TO DO ON MEMORIAL DAY
Memorial Day Cars & Coffee at Top Gun Memphis
9 a.m. - Noon | free to attend
Kick off Memorial Day with horsepower, coffee, and good company at the Special Monday Cars & Coffee! Join fellow enthusiasts at Top Gun Memphis for a relaxed morning filled with cool rides, great conversations, and Memorial Day vibes. Whether you’re bringing your own build or just coming to check out the lineup, all makes and models are welcome.
