20+ Things To Do This Weekend

NOVEMBER 13 - NOVEMBER 15

I Love Memphis Blog updates:

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child reaches up to giant lion-shaped lantern at Memphis Zoo Lantern Festival
Courtesy of Memphis Zoo

THINGS TO DO ALL WEEKEND

Lantern Festival Opening Weekend at Memphis Zoo

The holidays are about to shine brighter than ever at Memphis Zoo. In partnership with Tianyu Arts & Culture, and presented by Truist, Memphis Zoo is proud to announce the second Memphis Zoo Lantern Festival, a totally new one-of-a-kind holiday light experience different from last year. The Memphis Zoo Lantern Festival will transform the Zoo into a dazzling wonderland of color and light.

Wolf River Arts Show at St. George's Independent School

Friday til Sunday | free to attend

Discover incredible local and regional talent at the Wolf River Arts Show, featuring 55 professional artists from across the Mid-South in a juried art show and fine art sale. Browse original artwork, meet the artists, including featured artist Kay Calandruccio, and find a one-of-a-kind piece to take home. The weekend includes a 21+ Preview Night Party on Friday, Nov. 13 (6–9 p.m.), a Designers Preview Saturday morning (10 a.m.–noon), a Show and Cocktail Reception Saturday evening (5–9 p.m.), and a Family Day of Art & Play Sunday (noon–4 p.m.). Admission is free, making it a great way to celebrate the arts, connect with the creative community and enjoy a weekend of art for all ages!

 

THINGS TO DO ON FRIDAY

Assembly Required: Zine & Collage Art Show at Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library

6 p.m. - 8 p .m. | free to attend 

Love collage art? Even better, love zines? This is the event for you! Featuring work created through the library's zine workshops and Like Really Creative’s CHARGED UP events, alongside pieces by artists from across Memphis' zine and collage community, this exhibition celebrates the creativity, experimentation, and artistic spirit of our local makers. Explore the art, connect with local creatives, and celebrate the many ways artists bring ideas together. All ages are welcome to this family-friendly event!

JUMP - America’s Van Halen Experience at Minglewood Hall

8 p.m. | $33-$34

Get ready to rock out to the biggest hits of Van Halen! JUMP – America’s Van Halen Experience brings the legendary band's iconic sound, high-energy performances and arena-rock anthems to the stage. Expect all the classics, from “Jump” to “Panama,” for a night of pure '80s rock nostalgia.

Chickasaw Oaks indoor shopping mall with Colonial design.
Julian Harper

THINGS TO DO ON SATURDAY

Garden Discovery Days at Memphis Botanic Garden

10 a.m. - Noon | $7

Enjoy craft and activity stations designed to get your kiddos outside & exploring the great outdoors. No registration is necessary. Free with Garden admission.

Pets with Sants and Mrs. Claus at Jim Keras Subaru Covington Pike

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. | $15-$25

Keras Subaru on Covington Pike are clearing out the cars for your pets. Donations benefit MidSouth Pug Rescue...but all breeds and all sizes are welcomed. Bring your pets, bring your family for beautiful professional Christmas photos.

Fall Crawl in Cooper-Young

10 a.m. | free to attend

The Cooper-Young Fall Crawl is a free community event designed to bring residents, visitors, businesses, musicians, and neighbors together for a day of local shopping, food, drinks, live music and a neighborhood scavenger hunt with a grand prize. The Fall Crawl will encourage attendees to visit multiple participating locations through an interactive Passport Card, special business promotions, scavenger-hunt challenges and live music throughout the district.

Holiday Market at Collierville Burch Library

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. | free to attend

Discover one-of-a-kind holiday gifts, enjoy festive décor, and soak up the sights, sounds, and flavors of the season. Enjoy live music from Zoe the Violinist and the Collierville High Brass Ensemble, plus family-friendly fun, including face painting, a Santa photo booth, and more!

Fall Festival at Colonial Park UMC

11 a.m. - 3 p.m. | free to attend

Make a day of it with family fun, great food, shopping and live entertainment! Browse arts and crafts vendors, let the kids enjoy bounce houses, grab a bite from local food trucks, and catch live music from Play Me Some Skynyrd, a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band. Best of all, admission is free!

Cider Fest at Celtic Crossing

11 a.m. - 5 p.m. | free to attend

Celebrate the Cooper-Young Fall Crawl, presented by Rivy Music Group, with a stop at Celtic Crossing for a day of delicious ciders, live music and food specials. Sip your way through a lineup of favorites from Blake’s Hard Cider Co., Austin Eastciders, Diskin Cider and more. Don’t miss unique pours like cinnamon sugar donut cider, tropical mango cider and Naked River’s MoonPie Chocolate Stout!

Holiday Market at Chickasaw Market

Noon - 4 p.m. | free to attend

A merry mix of local artists, festive sales, and live music that’ll keep your spirits bright. Bring your friends and make a day of it. Holiday cheer awaits!

Vintage Shop at Soul & Spirits Brewery

1 p.m. - 7 p.m. | free to attend

Shop vintage finds while sipping your favorite brews at Soul & Spirits Brewery! Mint Condition brings a curated vintage market to the brewery.

Streetdog Foundation's 14th Annual Howl at the Moon at The Warehouse Downtown

6 p.m. - 11 p.m. | $100 | 21+ 

Enjoy music, delicious food prepared by local restaurants, beverages, live & silent auctions, live bands, and just an all-around good time. This includes rescue efforts, vetting, food and supplies, and more. By attending, you are impacting the future of Streetdogs, both present and future.

Sneak A Peek at The Cap Bar

6 p.m. - 8 p.m. | free to attend

The Cap Bar is a fun, family-oriented custom cap experience where creativity, individuality, and community come together. They create custom caps on the spot, allowing customers to bring their own unique style to life. With over 20 exclusive cap collections of our own, there’s something for everyone! Whether you're designing for yourself, family, or just looking for a fun and creative experience, The Cap Bar is the place to express yourself, connect with others, and be part of something special.

Friendsgiving at Coffee Central

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | $44

Get ready for a cozy night of friends, fall flavors, and delicious coffee, with zero planning on your end! No hosting, no decor, no hassle. They’ve got it all covered, so all you have to do is show up and enjoy your Friendsgiving. Sip exclusive Friendsgiving lattes, share the S’more the Merrier charcuterie board, pick your vibe with canvas painting or board games, and take home a polaroid to remember it all. Limited seating — secure your spot today!

Bingo Loco at Minglewood Hall

7 p.m. | $47

This is not your typical bingo night. Bingo Loco completely flips the traditional game on its head, turning it into a three-hour interactive rave and theater stage show. Expect commercial club anthems, massive confetti showers, lip-sync battles, CO2 cannons, and high-energy dance-offs.

Red Bull Turn It Up at Satellite Music Hall

7 p.m. | $19 | 18+

Get ready for a high-energy night at Red Bull Turn It Up, taking over Satellite Music Hall on Saturday, Nov. 14! This 18+ event brings the beats, competition and party vibes for a night of live music and DJ showdowns. Doors open at 7 p.m., so go ready to turn it up!

Lyle Lovett Live at Graceland Soundstage

8 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. | $70

A singer, composer and actor, Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 14 albums. Coupled with his gift for storytelling, the Texas-based musician fuses elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues in a convention-defying manner that breaks down barriers. Lovett's live performances show not only the breadth of this Texas legend's deep talents, but also the diversity of his influences, making him one of the most compelling and captivating musicians in popular music.

The Best of Second City at GPAC

8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. | $67- $40

To celebrate its 65th anniversary year, they are hitting the road with The Best of The Second City! This high-energy show blends their signature improv comedy with hilarious songs, classic characters, and timeless sketches that have been handpicked from their rich comedy archive, written by the world’s funniest minds, and reimagined by today’s boldest comedic voices.

Vinyl Room Photo 3

THINGS TO DO ON SUNDAY

Made to Serve: A Metalsmithing Workshop for the Dinner Table at Memphis Botanic Garden

9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | $75 | 21+

Don’t let your jewelry box have all the fun! Learn to craft three beautiful and functional items for your holiday table, sure to wow any dinner guests. These also make great housewarming and hostess gifts for the holidays! All items are customizable based on skill-level while maintaining a beginner level approach. Please bring your own lunch or be prepared to order lunch off-site.

Autumn Alchemy at Memphis Botanic Garden

2 p.m. - 4 p.m. | $60 | 21+

Embrace the flavors of fall in this 21+, hands-on mixology workshop inspired by the seasonal beauty of the Garden. As the Garden settles into autumn, you’ll learn how to craft a trio of signature cocktails that celebrate the rich, warm, and aromatic flavors of the season. You’ll also get a taste of the Garden itself, using select garden-grown ingredients in your cocktails while learning about herbs grown here and how you can grow and incorporate them into your own cocktail garden at home. Your guide for the evening is Hunter Coleman, bar manager at Bari Ristorante and Director of Mixology and Product Development at Waymar Gin House, who will share techniques for balancing flavor, aromatics, and seasonal ingredients to create beautifully crafted cocktails.  

The Jury Experience – The Killer AI at Memphis Brooks Museum of Art

4:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. | $39-$55

Discover the best themed parties in Memphis, where every event is a one-of-a-kind adventure! From glamourous soirées and vibrant neon raves to throwback nights and national festivals, you’re guaranteed to have the time of your life! Dress up, dance, and make unforgettable memories!

Strictly Jazz: The Music of Betty Carter and Elvin Jones ft. J&D Warren at The Green Room at Crosstown Arts

6 p.m. | $30

Jazz music is the imprint of all music! It is music’s foundation and will be delivered with J&D Warren sound! This month's installment of Strictly Jazz Entertainment's "Strictly Jazz" Series will take you on a musical journey exploring the music of Betty Carter and Elvin Jones whilst also tapping into the original music of J&D Warren. Come enjoy a night of amazing music and create musical memories in the artist’s hometown!

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About the Author

Hey, I’m Tyra Johnson, writer and content creator for the I Love Memphis Blog, Memphis native, and forever city hype woman! After spending a few years away, I found my way back home and fell in love with Memphis all over again. From our culture and people to the food, music, and everything in between, this city has a way of sticking with you.

I love uncovering hidden gems while still celebrating the classics, and I’m big on storytelling and capturing the essence of a moment. You’ll usually find me with my phone in hand, documenting, recording, and snapping photos as memories are being made. Working with the blog to highlight things to do, eat, see, and experience in Memphis just makes sense because most of my favorite memories (and future ones) live right here.