Hello there, spring! We’ve been sorely missing you, and thank goodness you’re here because that means it’s time for the Flyer’s “Spring Fairs & Festivals” issue. From April all the way through the summer, you won’t want to miss any of these events.
APRIL
Cooper Young Night Out
Restaurants, bars, retail, and service businesses will stay open late to offer live music, discounts on food and drink, sidewalk sales, trivia games, shuffleboard, and more.
Cooper-Young, first Thursday of the month
First Fridays on Broad
Shop from your favorite Broad Avenue businesses after hours, and enjoy discounts and special activities, often with a theme.
Broad Ave. Arts District, first Friday of the month
South Main Trolley Night
The longest-running street festival in the city has returned this spring for its 24th season. Catch it on the last Friday of every month through September.
South Main, last Friday of the month
Grind City Music Festival
Are you a little bit country? A little bit rock-and-roll? Well, this two-day festival of Americana, alternative country, and rock-and-roll music will hit that sweet spot.
Grind City Brewing Co., April 5-6
Memphis Tattoo Festival
Some tattoos aren’t meant to be seen, but at the Memphis Tattoo Festival you’re gonna see them all, whether or not you like it. The three-day tattoo spectacle will have live tattooing from over 200 of the world’s best artists, plus merchandise, tattoo contests, and art-making.
Renasant Convention Center, April 5-7
Bookstock
This fest is one for the books. Literally. Bookstock is the largest annual local authors festival in Memphis. Expect local author exhibits, cultural performances, book giveaways, keynote speakers (this year’s are Avery Cunningham and Sidney Thompson), and so much more.
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, April 6
Delta Groove Yoga Festival
It’s not that big of a stretch to say that this festival is for posers — yoga posers, of course. The day will feature lots of — you guessed it — yoga, plus live music.
Overton Square, April 6
Central to the Arts Festival
For this artsy fest, the University of Memphis campus along Central Avenue will be filled with live performances, film showings, fashion shows, and interactive arts booths.
University of Memphis, April 6
Art in the Loop
Let me loop you in on this arts festival in East Memphis. It’s got an artists market, it’s got live music, it’s got food trucks, and it’s got demonstrations. What doesn’t it have? Beats me.
Ridgeway Loop Road, April 12-14
Mid-South Poets & Writers Festival
This literary-focused two-day extravaganza will have a neighborhood barbecue, workshops, mixers, showcases, and more.
Various locations, April 13-14
Juke Joint Festival
Be a juke joint hero, with stars in your eyes, at this fest that’ll keep on rockin’ (just can’t stop) with more than 100 blues performances and real-deal juke joints.
Clarksdale, MS, April 13
Shelby Forest Spring Fest
This year’s Shelby Forest Spring Fest goes back to the wildest decade — the ’70s — for the wildlife-forward day that has live music, food, arts and crafts vendors, wildlife and cultural exhibits, and more. It’s gonna be a hoot.
Meeman Shelby Forest, April 13
Bluff City Fest
This music fest presented by the University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music will bring some of the best music in Memphis: rap, contemporary rock and pop, blues, jazz, and classic rock.
The Bluff, April 17
Ukulele Festival
Uke can expect all things ukulele at this festival — open mics, workshops, sing-alongs, vendors, and more. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time at memphisukenroll.com.
Renasant Convention Center, April 18-21
Africa in April
Africa in April has chosen to salute the Republic of Gambia for its family-friendly festival, filled with live performances, food and merchandise vendors, and the International Diversity Parade.
Robert R. Church Park, April 19-21
Good Vibes Comedy Festival
The vibes will be just right, good even, when Memphis’ largest comedy festival brings you talent from all over the country to participate in podcasts, roast battles, themed shows, and stand-up comedy. The 2024 headliners are Renard Hirsch, Jayson Acevedo, Hannah Belmont, and Night Classy podcast’s Kat Barnhart and Hayley Madden.
Hi Tone, April 19-20
Shell Daze
You’ll be dazed but not confused by this lineup of musical acts, headlined by JJ Grey & Mofro and Oteil & Friends.
Overton Park Shell, April 19-20
Cooper-Young Porchfest
Porches were made for more than Amazon deliveries and spying on your neighbors. They can be stages, too — at least that’s the case for this unique music festival of free concerts on, yes, the front porches of the homes in Cooper-Young.
Cooper-Young Historic District, April 20
Earth Day Festival
The way the Earth rotates makes my day, and it oughta make yours, too. So celebrate the Earth on its special day (Earth Day, duh) at Shelby Farms Park, where adults and kids alike will have opportunities to experience, explore, and learn different ways of going green in Memphis.
Shelby Farms Park, April 20
Knowledge Is Flower Festival
This festival’s mission is to promote local farmers, herbalists, artists, and entrepreneurs. The day will have workshops, installations, community engagement opportunities, and local vendors.
Arkwings, April 20
Regen Farm Festival
Join Riley Family Farms for an afternoon of music and local farm-raised food, and celebrate farms helping build a better Mid-South through regenerative agriculture.
Wiseacre Brewery, April 20
Spirit Fest Holistic, Metaphysical, & Crystal Expo
Get physical … er, I mean, metaphysical at this holistic, metaphysical, crystal expo with vendors, readers, and healers from across the country.
Agricenter International, April 20-21
World Championship Hot Wing Contest & Fest
Wing, wing, wing, we have a winner. A winner, winner chicken-dinner. That’s what you’ll be hearing at this contest for the best wing. Oh, and it’s supporting The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis.
River Garden Park, April 20
Mimosa Festival
Feeling mimosional? It’s okay. You’re in a safe space where you can indulge in all the mimosas.
Tom Lee Park, April 21
Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival
Let’s get cray. What’s the o-cajun, you ask? The Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival, supporting Porter-Leath. It’s a day of crawfish bobbing, eating, and racing, plus music, vendors, and more.
Riverside Drive, April 21
Wine, Food and Music Spring Festival
Prepare your tastebuds for this annual festival, whose flagship event features all things wine and food — wine vendors, classes, chef demonstrations, and more.
The Medicine Factory, FedEx Event Center, Sunday 20-21
Double Decker Arts Festival
Take part in this two-day celebration of food, music, and the arts.
Oxford Courthouse Square, April 26-27
Overton Square Crawfish Festival
Heads, you suck. Tails, you pinch. But the Overton Square Crawfish Festival doesn’t leave anything up to a coin toss when it comes to serving good crawfish.
Overton Square, April 27
OttoFest
Enjoy artists, bands, food trucks, and a playground at this arts and music fest.
Peabody Park, April 27-28
Taste the Rarity
Beer gets weird at this event that features breweries from all over the country.
Wiseacre Brewing Company, April 27
MAY
Memphis in May International Festival
For the month of May, this festival every year brings the world to Memphis and Memphis to the world, and this year it is saluting France through cultural events and performances, educational experiences, museum and gallery exhibits, films, luncheons, and the Memphis in May International Festival Gala.
Memphis, May 1-31
River Beat Music Festival
We got the beat. We got the beat. Yeah, the River Beat! The inaugural lineup has the Fugees, Odesza, and Jelly Roll, plus a bunch more.
Tom Lee Park, May 3-5
Cigar & Whiskey BBQ Festival
Talk about a smoke show. Cigars, whiskey, and barbecue come together for this celebration of flavor and fun.
Meddlesome Brewing Company, May 4
Ruby Bridges Reading Festival
Children pre-K through elementary school can receive free books at the festival, and they’ll enjoy storytelling and entertainment, including a reading and signing with Ruby Bridges herself.
National Civil Rights Museum, May 4
Sunset Jazz
Jazz up your summer plans with this free family-friendly jazz concert series.
Court Square, May 12, June 9, July 14, August 11, September 8, October 13
World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest
Watch as barbecuers try to smoke the competition at this annual contest.
Liberty Park, May 15-18
SmokeSlam
Cue another barbecue contest. The inaugural SmokeSlam will include a carnival with games and rides, a marketplace, and an interactive area where fans will be able to sample food and participate in fun food-related events.
Tom Lee Park, May 16-18
Memphis Vegfest
This is one of the few events where you can truly veg out in a family-friendly environment full of vegan food options and sustainable and cruelty-free products.
Agricenter International, May 19
Bluff City Fair
We aren’t bluffin’ when we say the Bluff City Fair is a quintessential fair. It’s got attractions and shows, all your favorite fair fare, carnival rides, and kiddie rides, and it’s just plain fun.
Liberty Bowl Stadium, May 24-June 2
Memphis Italian Festival
When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore. When the world seems to shine like you’ve had too much wine, that’s just the Memphis Italian Festival, “where everyone is Italian.”
Marquette Park, May 30-June 1
Memphis Pride Fest Weekend
June is the time for Pride, and Memphis Pride Fest does it best. Spanning four days, the celebration includes a Drag N Drive, complete with a movie screening and drag show; a dance party; the signature parade and festival with two stages, over 150 vendors, food trucks, and so much more; and a delightful brunch crawl.
Various locations, May 30-June 2
JUNE
Memphis Margarita Festival
Wasting away again in Margaritaville? Searching for a lost shaker of salt? The Memphis Margarita Festival, where you can sample from the city’s best margarita-makers, might be to blame.
Overton Square, June 1
Memphis Dragon Boat Festival
Dragon boat races, stage performances, arts and crafts, Asian street food — what more could you ask for?
Hyde Lake at Shelby Farms Park, June 1
TriState Black Pride
TriState Black Pride presents four days of fun, education, and community, with workshops, lectures, a drag show, stand-up comedy, and a free Community Appreciation Day to cap off the weekend with musical performances by national and local artists.
Various locations, June 13-16
Memphis Juneteenth Festival
The annual Memphis Juneteenth Festival celebrates African-American culture, food, entertainment, and the overall significance of the holiday.
Health Sciences Park, June 14-15
Memphis Crafts & Drafts
This event is no rough draft. It was perfectly crafted to fit all your summer market’s needs.
Crosstown Concourse, June 15
Memphis Vegan Festival
On the veg (of glory)? This festival is for you. It’s a day full of vegan food, live entertainment, and a marketplace featuring local businesses, plant-based health and beauty products, clothing, and accessories.
Fourth Bluff Park, June 16
Craft Food & Wine Festival benefiting Church Health
Indulge in a delightful evening of delicious food, exquisite wines, and live music, all while supporting Church Health.
The Columns, June 23
JULY
Memphis Summer Cocktail Festival
Get your drink on at the hottest festival of the summer featuring seasonal sips, tasty eats, and throwback vibes.
The Kent, July 12
Asian Night Market
Enjoy authentic Asian street foods at this unique festival.
Tiger Lane, July 20
AUGUST
Elvis Week
Feel your temperature rising? Higher and higher? It’s not just the August heat. It’s your spidey (Elvis?) senses tingling, burning through to your soul ’cause here in Memphis we know that August means more than hot weather: It means Elvis Week.
Graceland, August 9-17
Memphis Chicken & Beer Festival
If you appreciate your chicken friend, a cold beer on a Saturday night, a pair of jeans that fit just right, and the radio up, you’ll appreciate the Memphis Chicken & Beer Fest where you can get all that — except the jeans, you’ll have to figure that out yourself.
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium Field, August 17
Shop Black Fest
Connect with and shop from Black-owned small businesses at the Shop Black Fest.
Riverside Dr., August 17
SEPTEMBER
Oxford Blues Festival
This year’s Oxford Blues Festival promises unforgettable experiences with a lineup featuring Lurrie Bell, Libby Rae Watson, Anthony “Big A” Sherrod, Ra’Shad the Blues Kid, Randy Ferguson, Cricket and the Brim Hooks, Kenny Kimbrough & Davis Coen Duo, and DuWayne Burnside. A portion of profits will be donated to furthering the music education of Mississippi youths.
Oxford, MS, September 13-14
Cooper-Young Festival
There’s no need to stay cooped up in your house when you can join in on the fun at the Cooper-Young Festival, where art, music, and crafts come together to celebrate Memphis’ culture and heritage.
Cooper Young Historic District, September 14
Gonerfest 21
Going, going, gone — that’s what they’re gonna say about Gonerfest tickets as soon as the lineup is announced. Already, the first batch of Gonerfest tickets have sold out, so keep your eyes peeled for when more tickets go on sale.
Railgarten, September 26-29
