Move over fall! It might be colder out, but Memphis is just warming up with exciting events. From Ja Morant 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 Ja Morant 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 2025; FedExForum
Cheer on Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies as they take on the NBA’s best at FedExForum just off Beale Street. After a down year due to injury, the Grizzlies' young core is ready to push Memphis back to the top of the West Conference 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, 2024
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. 7, 2024; 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 Hurray for the Riff Raff, Cut Worms, Fosterfalls and more. The fest continues with a ticketed concert from J Spaceman and John Coxon of Spiritualized. Then, the after party gets started with a DJ set from The Black Keys and live performances from Tommy Wright III and Lil Noid. Get your tickets today.
ELVIS’ 90TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Jan. 8-11, 2025; Elvis Presley's Graceland
Die-hard fans will head to Graceland Jan. 8-11, 2025, for Elvis’ 90th 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 2025
Jan. 20, 2025; National Civil Rights Museum
Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday by visiting the National Civil Rights Museum to learn about 400 years of civil rights history. The celebration includes live music, special announcements and speakers and more.
2025 INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE
Jan. 7-11, 2025; Beale Street
For five days, 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.
- Junie B. Jones: Toothless Wonder – Nov. 8 – Dec. 22, 2024 – The Circuit Playhouse
- An Evening with Judy Collins – Nov. 13, 2024 – Halloran Centre
- The Wizard of Oz – Nov. 15 – Dec. 22, 2024 – Playhouse on the Square
- Peanut Butter & Jam: Roots Music with Rachel Maxann – Nov. 16, 2024 – GPAC
- Emmet Cohen Trio – Nov. 16, 2024 – GPAC
- A Motown Christmas – Nov. 22 – Dec. 22, 2024 – Hattiloo Theatre
- Who’s Holiday! – Nov. 22 – Dec. 22, 2024 – The Circuit Playhouse
- Nikki Glaser: Alive and Unwell Tour - Nov. 23, 2024 – Orpheum Theatre
- Peter Pan – Nov. 26 – Dec. 6, 2024 –Orpheum Theatre
- A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage – Dec. 7, 2024 – Orpheum Theatre
- Ballet Memphis’ The Nutcracker – Dec. 13 – 15, 2024 – Orpheum Theatre
- Germantown Symphony Orchestra: Germantown Holiday Concert – Dec. 14, 2024 – GPAC
- An Evening with Gregory Porter – Dec. 17, 2024 – Orpheum Theatre
- Drew & Ellie Holcomb’s Neighborly Christmas – Dec. 18, 2024 – Orpheum Theatre
- A Drag Queen Christmas – Dec. 19, 2024 – Orpheum Theatre
- Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder Christmas – Dec. 21, 2024 – GPAC
- Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis – Dec. 22, 2024 – Orpheum Theatre
- Six Men Dressed Like Joseph Stalin – Jan. 10-26, 2025 – The Circuit Playhouse
- Meshell Ndegeocello – Jan. 11, 2025 – GPAC
- Parade – Jan. 17 – Feb. 16, 2025 – Playhouse on the Square
- Bria Skonberg Quintet – Jan. 18, 2025 – GPAC
- Black Odyssey – Jan. 24 – Feb. 16, 2025 – Hattiloo Theatre
- Cirque Kalabanté – Jan. 24, 2025 – GPAC
- Sweet Honey in the Rock – Jan. 24, 2025 – Halloran Centre
- Steve Martin & Martin Short: The Dukes of Funnytown! – Jan. 25, 2025 – Orpheum Theatre
- Skeleton Crew – Jan. 30 – Feb. 16, 2025 – The Circuit Playhouse
- Yellowjackets – Feb. 1, 2025 - GPAC
- Dance Theatre of Harlem – Feb. 7-8, 2025 – Orpheum Theatre
- Blind Boys of Alabama – Feb. 8, 2025 – GPAC
- Tutti Frutti: The Life and Music of Little Richard – Feb. 15, 2025 – Halloran Centre
- Hamilton – Feb. 18 – March 2, 2025 – Orpheum Theatre
- Jazz in the Box: Affinity Trio Featuring Pamela York – Feb. 21, 2025 - GPAC
- Peanut Butter & Jam: Mömandpöp – Feb. 22, 2025 - GPAC
- Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives – Feb. 22, 2025 - GPAC
CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY IN MEMPHIS
Start with King Day, Jan. 20, 2025. Commemorating the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Memphis’ National Civil Rights Museum hosts this event, featuring live music, speakers 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 Flyway - 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 just opened a new taproom at the Ravine in Downtown Memphis.
- Be sure to stop by Soul & Spirits in Downtown Memphis before a game or show.
- Check out Ghost River Brewery's taproom on world-famous Beale Street. Grab a round and enjoy live music on the patio.
- 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.
