Elvis Presley’s legacy is alive and well in Memphis, where every August, thousands of fans from around the world come together to celebrate his life, music and movies. Join the annual week-long pilgrimage to Graceland, Aug. 8–16, 2026. Since the King's death, the gathering now known as Elvis Week has centered around Presley's Graceland Mansion. Here's what you can expect out of this thrilling week:
Elvis Week features nine days packed with concerts, tribute artist performances, special tours, meet and greets, and more.
Catch tribute shows celebrating Elvis' extensive catalog at the Elvis Prelsey In Concert Live and Elvis: Hollywood Hits Live.
See confirmed Elvis Week guests such as Elvis' friend George Hamilton, Jerry Schilling, girlfriend Linda Thompson and more who knew the King personally.
The marquee Candlelight Vigil on Aug. 15 honors the 49th anniversary of Elvis' passing.
ELVIS WEEK ACTIVITIES
At Elvis Week 2026, fans will have a chance to immerse themselves in all things Elvis with live music performances, behind-the-scenes tours, panel discussions, appearances by special guests and the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. Study the full Elvis Week 2026 schedule here.
- Kick off the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest with the ULTIMATE ETA KICK-OFF PARTY (Aug. 7), followed by the ULTIMATE ETA MEET 'N' GREET RECEPTION and ELVIS VEGAS SHOW (Aug. 8). The Semifinal Round and ULTIMATE ETA AFTER PARTY follow on Aug. 9, ELVIS: HOLLYWOOD HITS LIVE and the ETA ALL REQUEST SHOW on Aug. 10, and the Final Round wraps things up on Aug. 11 with ULTIMATES AFTER DARK.
- New this year: EP CORE LIVE! (Aug. 11) at the TCB Showroom, hosted by Pat Dunn and Heitor, with performances by Rock & Roll Hall of Famer John Oates, Spencer Sutherland and Jillian Cardarelli, plus fan-favorite creators and Graceland VP of Archives Angie Marchese. For an intimate, after-hours mansion experience, DOWN IN THE JUNGLE ROOM (Aug. 9) reunites bassist Norbert Putnam, RCA engineer Mike Moran and former Stamps Quartet member Larry Strickland — limited to just 10 guests.
- Hear Dean Z and special guest musicians at ELVIS UNPLUGGED & AMPLIFIED (Aug. 12), then get creative at PRESLEY POP ART WITH KELSEY (Aug. 12), an Elvis-inspired mixed-media workshop at the Jungle Room Bar.
- Celebrate the year that made Elvis a global superstar at ELVIS 1956, paired with BURGER THURSDAY WITH CHARLES AND SAM (both Aug. 13).
- Go deeper into the archives at INSIDE THE ARCHIVES WITH LINDA THOMPSON and INSIDE ELVIS' WORLD: THE WIVES' PERSPECTIVE, then catch ELVIS PRESLEY IN CONCERT LIVE (EPiC) on the big screen with a live band (all Aug. 14).
- Join Elvis' friends and colleagues — including George Hamilton (making his Elvis Week debut), Jimmy Hawkins, Linda Thompson, Jerry Schilling and Larry Gatlin — for CONVERSATIONS ON ELVIS (Aug. 15). That afternoon, spend more time with Hamilton at the limited-capacity AN AFTERNOON WITH GEORGE HAMILTON.
- The cornerstone event, the CANDLELIGHT VIGIL, takes place the night of Aug. 15 and streams live for fans worldwide. The week closes out with ELVIS: SUNDAY MORNING GOSPEL CELEBRATION featuring Jillian Cardarelli and Pat Dunn (Aug. 16).
- Stop by the Jungle Room Bar all week for free drop-in fan meetups: ELVIS BINGO (Aug. 9 & 15), ELVIS KARAOKE (Aug. 11), SINGO (Aug. 13) and the PINK CADILLACS BRACELET EXCHANGE (Aug. 14).
- For a free, solemn way to pay your respects, the Meditation Garden offers walk-up access from 7:30–8:30 a.m. on Aug. 9–17 (not available Aug. 16 due to the Vigil), plus 6:30–8 p.m. on Aug. 11, 13, 14 and 16.
Visit Graceland's Elvis Week page to learn how you can experience these and other events during Elvis Week 2026.
While panels, music, tours and a variety of fun events fill up the schedule, the annual candlelight vigil held at Graceland is a solemn and special event that takes place every year on the evening of Aug. 15. Fans patiently wait their turn to pass through the famed gates of Graceland and walk up to the Meditation Garden with candle in hand to pay their respects to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. This awe-inspiring sea of candles is a must-see for fans and anyone traveling to Memphis for Elvis Week.
Annually during Elvis Week, the Circuit Playhouse offers Elvis Storytelling Tours to recount the days when Elvis would reserve this former cinema for midnight movie screenings with friends.
More on the ULTIMATE ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTIST CONTEST
Elvis Tribute Artists (ETAs) have become such an endearing reflection of fans' appreciation for Elvis that an Elvis Tribute Artist contest will kick off Elvis Week 2026 (Aug. 8). Throughout Elvis Week, additional ETA events will unfold, including the highly competitive (and thoroughly entertaining) semifinals and finals, when the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2026 will be crowned. Join ETA winners and hopefuls during a variety of events such as kick-off parties, meet 'n' greets, request performances and much more.
To understand how this field of competitors seizes the opportunity to compete in front of thousands of fans at Graceland during Elvis Week, read more about ETAs here.
what else can I do on-site at Graceland?
In addition to special events, Elvis Week is a lively time to tour Graceland Mansion, check out Elvis' private planes and discover the Elvis Presley's Memphis entertainment complex, featuring Elvis' car museum, Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum and several interactive experiences.
Don't miss two new exhibits debuting this year. The American Spirit of Elvis Presley, a limited-time display in Elvis' Racquetball Building honoring the 250th anniversary of the U.S. through patriotic artifacts from his life and career, opened Memorial Day weekend and has been extended through Elvis Week (included with the mansion tour). And Elvis Week attendees get the first look at Elvis: The Fashion Icon, opening Aug. 7 at Elvis Presley's Memphis — seven immersive spaces with more than 150 pieces, from personal scarves and footwear to custom-made jackets and stage wear.
Also on-site: see who's playing the Soundstage, as the 2026 lineup has included big names like The Wallflowers, Edwin McCain, Five for Fighting, Gladys Knight and Elmiene.
Make a day of it with several dining options on-site, and even stay overnight: Steps from Elvis Presley's Graceland Mansion is the AAA Four Diamond Guest House at Graceland resort hotel.
More Ways to Celebrate Elvis Week
Looking for more unique ways to celebrate Elvis Week in Memphis?
- The Memphian Elvis Tour: Elvis Week is the perfect time for a tour of Midtown's Circuit Playhouse. Formerly the Memphian Theater, Circuit Playhouse was a local movie theater and popular hangout for Elvis. On this 30-minute tour, learn about Elvis' visits, sit in the chair he sat in and buy exclusive theater merch.
- Overton Park Shell Backstage Experience Tour: Go behind the scenes where Elvis performed his first concert — a performance many music historians consider the first rock 'n' roll concert. This tour covers Memphis' deep live music history.
- Elvis: The Concert Years at Hernando's Hideaway: This old-school honky tonk is a must-visit for Elvis Week. New this year: Ronnie McDowell — the country singer best known for his 1977 tribute hit "The King Is Gone" (five million copies sold) and for providing Elvis' singing voice in the 1979 and 1990 Elvis biopics — plays two shows on Aug. 7, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
