Move over fall! It might be colder out, but Memphis is just warming up with exciting events. From Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Memphis Grizzlies, an international blues fest and star-studded concerts to holiday events, Black History celebrations and applause-worthy performing arts, Memphis is set to liven up your winter. The inspiration starts now.
Move over fall! It might be colder out, but Memphis is just warming up with exciting events. From Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Memphis Grizzlies, an international blues fest and star-studded concerts to holiday events, Black History celebrations and applause-worthy performing arts, Memphis is set to liven up your winter. The inspiration starts now.
Memphis Grizzlies Basketball
Now through April 2024; FedExForum
Cheer on Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Memphis Grizzlies as they take on the NBA’s best at FedExForum just off Beale Street. Last season, the Grizz finished the year with the Western Conference's second-best record. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Jackson Jr. hopes to build on that success and help bring the franchise its first championship. Get tickets to Grizzlies home games here. Be sure to stop by the Grizz Den to pick up your Memphis gear before the game!
Memphis Holiday Traditions
Now through Dec. 31, 2023
From now until the end of the year, Memphis' biggest attractions are featuring all kinds of holiday events. For more information on jaw-dropping light and decoration displays and festive celebrations at Memphis Zoo, iconic Beale Street, Museum of Science & History (mosh), Memphis Botanic Garden and more, check out our guide on Memphis' holiday traditions.
WYXR'S RAISED BY SOUND
Dec. 2, 2023; Crosstown Concourse
Don’t miss WYXR's Raised By Sound music festival at Crosstown Concourse. This one-day festival kicks off at 1 p.m. with free performances from the likes of Rosey, Rod Smith, AJ Haynes, Bass Drum of Death and more. At 7:15 p.m., the fest continues with a ticketed concert of Cat Power performing the legendary catalog of Bob Dylan. Get your tickets today.
ELVIS’ 89TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Jan. 5-8, 2024; Elvis Presley's Graceland
Die-hard fans will head to Graceland Jan. 5-8, 2024, for Elvis’ 88th Birthday Celebration. There will be cake, private tours of Graceland Mansion and plenty of live music. Plus, we have 9 other reasons to visit Graceland this winter.
King Day 2024
Jan. 15, 2024; National Civil Rights Museum
The National Civil Rights Museum is celebrating King Day by offering free admission to the museum from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 15, 2024. Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday by visiting the museum and discovering 400 years of civil rights history. Bring canned goods to participate in the museum's food drive for the Mid-South Food Bank. Guests can also participate in a blood drive onsite with Vitalant. Outside the museum, live music, special announcements and recordings of Dr. King's speeches will take place on the main stage.
2024 INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE
Jan. 16-20, 2024; Beale Street
For five days, 200 blues acts from around the world will gather in Memphis. They play and compete in Beale Street venues, culminating in a final round hosted inside Memphis’ historic Orpheum Theatre. The best part? You can experience any or all of it — find more details and ticket info here. Can’t make it during the festival? No worries. As the home of the blues, Memphis hosts live blues every night of the week, from Beale Street to local-secret spots.
WINTER MUSIC & THEATER EVENTS IN MEMPHIS
Get ready because there are a lot of big names coming to Memphis this winter. You’ll find all kinds of performances, from orchestras and ballets to Broadway productions and nationally touring acts, on stage at venues across the city, including Orpheum Theatre, Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC), Playhouse on the Square, Hattiloo Theatre and the Soundstage at Graceland. Check our round-up of events below, then browse our guide to Memphis' performing arts scene.
- Straight No Chaser – Nov. 10, 2023 – The Soundstage at Graceland
- School House Rock, Live! – Nov. 10 – Dec. 22, 2023 – Circuit Playhouse
- David Nail – Nov. 11, 2023 – The Soundstage at Graceland
- Ashley McBryde – The Devil I Know Tour – Nov. 11, 2023 – Orpheum
- Creative Arts Ensemble: Veterans Day Celebration – Nov. 11, 2023 – GPAC
- Veterans Day Concert Featuring Memphis Wind Symphony – Nov. 11, 2023 – GPAC
- Rumours of Fleetwood Mac – Nov. 14, 2023 – Orpheum
- Adam Sandler - The I Missed You Tour - Nov. 16, 2023 - FedExForum
- New Ballet Ensemble Presents NutRemix - Nov. 17-19, 2023 - Cannon Center
- The Wizard of Oz – Nov. 17 – Dec. 22, 2023 – Playhouse on the Square
- Take the Soul Train to Christmas – Nov. 17 – Dec. 17, 2023 – Hattiloo Theatre
- Cyrille Aimée – Nov. 18, 2023 – GPAC
- Six – Nov. 21-26, 2023 – Orpheum
- Anita Baker: The Songstress - Nov. 22, 2023 - FedExForum
- Who’s Holiday! – Nov. 24 – Dec. 22, 2023 – Circuit Playhouse
- Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance – Nov. 29, 2023 – Orpheum
- Jazz in the Box: Greg Murphy Trio – Dec. 1, 2023 - GPAC
- Holiday Concert Weekend at Graceland - Dec. 1-2, 2023 - Graceland Soundstage
- Memphis Symphony Orchestra - Magic of Memphis - Dec. 2, 2023 - Cannon Center
- Leanne Morgan – Just Getting Started – Dec. 2-3, 2023 – Orpheum
- 6LACK w QUIN – Dec. 3, 2023 – The Soundstage at Graceland
- Germantown Symphony Orchestra: Germantown Holiday Concert – Dec. 9, 2023 - GPAC
- Ballet Memphis presents The Nutcracker – Dec. 9-17, 2023 – Orpheum
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve - Dec. 14, 2023 - FedExForum
- World Ballet Series: The Nutcracker - Dec. 15, 2023 - Canon Center
- Black Jacket Symphony – Dec. 16, 2023 – The Soundstage at Graceland
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical – Dec. 19, 2023 – Orpheum
- Drew & Ellie Holcomb’s Neighborly Christmas – Dec. 20, 2023 – Orpheum
- The Illusionists – The Magic of the Holidays – Dec. 28-29, 2023 – Orpheum
- Company – Jan. 2-7, 2024 – Orpheum
- Peanut Butter & Jam: Rachel Rodriguez – Jan. 13, 2024 – GPAC
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Jan. 19 – Feb. 18, 2024 – Playhouse on the Square
- Jumaane Smith: Louis! Louis! Louis! – Jan. 20, 2024 – GPAC
- The Lehman Trilogy – Jan. 26 – Feb. 11, 2024 – Circuit Playhouse
- Ranky Tanky With Very Special Guest Ms. Lisa Fischer – Jan. 27, 2024 - GPAC
- Jesse Cook – Jan. 27, 2024 – Orpheum
- Jazz in the Box: Tatum Green Blatt – Feb. 2, 2024 – GPAC
- Confederates – Feb. 2-25, 2024 – Hattiloo Theatre
- Peanut Buter & Jam: Ekpe and the Spirit of African Music – Feb. 3, 2024 - GPAC
- Her Needs, His Needs – Feb. 2, 2024 – Orpheum
- Les Misérables – Feb. 6-11, 2024 – Orpheum
- Lizz Wright – Feb. 10, 2024 - GPAC
- Memphis Songwriters Series – Feb. 15, 2024 – Orpheum
- Matt Rife: ProbleMATTIC World Tour! – Feb. 16, 2024 – Orpheum
- Succession – Feb. 23-24, 2024 – Hattiloo Theatre
- Trinity Irish Dance Company – Feb. 24, 2024 – GPAC
- David Foster & Katharine McPhee – Feb. 28, 2024 – The Soundstage at Graceland
- Iris Collective Orchestra: Andre Grams and Awadagin Pratt – March, 2, 2024 - GPAC
- Disney Princess – The Concert – March 5, 2024 – Orpheum
- Mrs. Doubtfire – March 12-17, 2024 – Orpheum
CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY IN MEMPHIS
Start with King Day, Jan. 15, 2024. Commemorating the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Memphis’ National Civil Rights Museum hosts this event, featuring free museum admission, main stage performances, trivia and more. With King Day and Black History Month so close on the calendar, winter is an especially good time to experience African American history in Memphis. But with the stories this city has to tell, any time of year can be a powerful time to visit. Check out this guide for an overview.
MEMPHIS Brews
There’s nothing cozier than warming up with a winter ale. Memphis has a solid selection of local craft breweries — and related events —that will take the chill right off. A few of our favorites:
- Spend Sunday Funday at High Cotton Brewing Co. for local brews, live music and artisanal vendors.
- Enjoy live music and house-smoked meats around the firepits during brunch at Loflin Yard.
- Get to Memphis Made Brewing and warm up your winter with a glass of “Fireside” — a malty amber ale. The local brewer is set to open their second taproom soon at the Ravine in Downtown Memphis.
- Be sure to stop by Soul & Spirits, Downtown Memphis’ newest brewery.
- Check out Ghost River Brewery's new taproom on world-famous Beale Street. You can expect live music on the patio and sweet, spicy and tangy wings from New Wing Order's new spot inside the taproom.
- Go for pints and unique pies from Little Bettie Pizza at Wiseacre Downtown.
- If you're more into spirits, book a tour and tasting at Old Dominick Distillery.
For more Memphis brews, check out our local brewery guide.