Tag: fairs and festivals in Memphis

Categories
Cover Feature News

2023 Fairs & Festivals

Photo: taelove7 | Shutterstock

Strap on your fanny packs, lace up your sneakers, smear on that sunscreen, and brace yourself for another banger festival season with our guide to Memphis’ favorite festivities.

APRIL

The Mid-South Poets and Writers Festival
Spoken Memphis hosts its first Mid-South Poets and Writers Festival, celebrating local literary artists and their written arts. The day will include a Headshots and Books Brunch, a youth talent show, an erotic poetry and burlesque show, and a battle between rappers and poets.
Timeless Event Center, April 8

Italian Film Festival
Luci, camera, azione! Whether or not you speak Italian, you’ll delight in the critically acclaimed Italian films this film festival has to offer (all for free). Attendees will enjoy the local premieres of The Champion, The Invisible Witness, and Never Too Late For Love. English subtitles will accompany each film.
University Center Theatre, University of Memphis, April 11, 14, & 20

Art in the Loop
Are you in the loop about this art festival in East Memphis? I’ll give you the 411: Talented artists working in metal, glass, wood, clay, fiber, jewelry, painting, photography, basically anything you can think of, are coming together for an artists’ market.
Ridgeway Loop Road, April 14-16

Storyfest
Once upon a time in the not-so-far-away Halloran Centre, real Memphians shared their real stories in an effort to build community. That time has come once again with this Storyfest that features live performances, engagement activities, and community reflections.
Halloran Centre, April 14-15

Cooper-Young Porchfest
Rascal Flatts once sang of sitting on the front porch, drinking ice-cold cherry Coke, and now the front porches in Cooper-Young are for more than a refreshing refreshment. At this unique music festival, they’re stages for free intimate concerts with local bands playing throughout the day.
Cooper-Young Historic District, April 15

Juke Joint Festival
This festival has 100+ blues performances plus real-deal juke joints, monkeys riding dogs, racing pigs, arts and crafts, music workshops, children’s events, Southern food, and much more.
Clarksdale, MS, April 15

Shelby Forest Spring Fest
Go wild with live music, food, arts and crafts vendors, wildlife and cultural exhibits, and a cornhole tourney at this fest.
Meeman Shelby Forest, April 15

Taste the Rarity
A hundred bottles of beer on the wall, a hundred bottles of beer, take one down, pass it around, and you’ve still got four hours of unlimited drinking at this festival, bringing the best and weirdest brews from all over the country.
Wiseacre Brewing Company, April 15

Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival (Photo: Courtesy Porter-Leath)

Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival
Bob it, eat it, race it — the “it,” here, is of course the crawfish at this festival raising money for Porter-Leath. The day will also include live music, arts and crafts vendors, and a kids zone.
Riverside Drive, April 16

Africa in April
Africa in April will salute the Republic of Rwanda for its 36th annual festival, filled with live performances, food and merchandise vendors, and the International Diversity Parade.
Robert R. Church Park, April 19-23

Shell Daze
You’ll be dazed but not confused by this lineup of musical acts, with Southern Avenue, Neal Francis, Paul Thorn, Trampled by Turtles, Leftover Salmon, and Bailey Bigger.
Overton Park Shell, April 21-22

Brewfest
Enjoy all the beer you could ever want from local and regional breweries, plus a concert by the Amber McCain Band.
Mississippi Ale House, Olive Branch, MS, April 22

Delta Roots Music Festival
This festival boasts live music by a variety of artists, plus arts and crafts, food; a kids area; raffles; a harmonica workshop; a Greens, Beans & Cornbread Contest; and a Backyard Grillin’ Contest.
Downtown Helena, AR, April 22

Hopped Beer Festival
Hoppy times are ahead as this fest returns, with limited-run hoppy ales, live music, food trucks, and games from Board to Beers.
Memphis Made Brewing, April 22

Overton Square Crawfish Festival
It ain’t gonna suck, so you best go cray at the Overton Square Crawfish Festival where there will be crawfish galore.
Overton Square, April 22

Shop Black Fest
Shop from Black-owned small businesses and enjoy empowering workshops, training, and networking opportunities.
Riverside Dr., April 22

Vintage 901 Wine, Food, and Music Festival
Food, wine, and music — what more could you ask for?
Arrow Creative, April 22

Black Arts & Wine Festival
The inaugural Black Arts & Wine Festival will feature visual art by 20 local Black creatives. Attendees will sample wine and liquors from 20 Black-owned brands, and shop from Black-owned businesses.
Museum of Science & History, April 23

Memphis Mimosa Festival
The Mimosa Festival is back, with creatively crafted mimosas, food, music, and games.
Court Square Park, April 23

Double Decker Arts Festival
The Double Decker Arts Festival boasts 100+ art and 20+ local food vendors, an impressive slew of musical performances, art demonstrations, and more.
Oxford Courthouse Square, Oxford, MS, April 28-29

Blues for the Blue Crawfish & Blues Festival
Support the Southaven Police Department and feast on all-you-can-eat crawfish while enjoying live music, drinks, and more, including a Touch-A-Truck event, where kids can touch, climb, and explore emergency vehicles.
Silo Square, Southaven, MS, April 29

Bookstock: Memphis Area Authors’ Festival
If you’re overdue for a treat-your-shelf kind of day, you have to check out Bookstock, where you can meet 60+ local authors and enjoy cultural performances, live music, a virtual reality empathy lab, and more.
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, April 29

Spring Faire/Memphis Children’s Theatre Festival
Let me set the scene for you: a free event, 30 artists’ and artisans’ booths, food trucks, performances, and a simultaneous children’s festival with youth-focused performances and activities.
Theatre Memphis, April 29

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes/FIT Fest
Families in Transition, which supports those impacted by violence and abuse, will host its third annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes to raise awareness for and speak out against violence against women. Following the walk, families can enjoy inflatables and games for children, food trucks, vendors, a cornhole tournament, and live entertainment.
Tilden Rodgers Park, West Memphis, AR, April 29

MAY

Memphis in May International Festival
For the month of May, this festival salutes Malaysia with cultural events and performances, educational experiences, museum and gallery exhibits, films, and more.
Various locations, May 1-31

Beale Street Musical Festival
Let’s groove tonight, share the spice of life, baby, slice it right — oh, pardon me, I’m getting carried away with Earth, Wind & Fire lyrics. But I can’t help it! I’m just too excited that they’re coming to Memphis! Also, some other people, like The Lumineers, Hardy, GloRilla, Yola, Cedric Burnside, and more.
Tom Lee Park, May 5-7

Collierville Fair on the Square
This family-friendly festival has something for everyone — from vendor booths to great food to puppet shows.
Collierville Historic Town Square, May 6-7

Made in Memphis Summer Series at Saddle Creek
Shop local businesses, makers, and artists, and enjoy live music, drinks, and food.
Saddle Creek South, May 6, June 3, July 1, & August 5

Memphis Public Libraries Comic Con
The inaugural and free Memphis Libraries Comic Con will feature legendary comic creators, plus artists and vendors selling their wares, cosplay contests, a trivia contest, crafts, and comics.
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, May 6

Memphis Fashion Week
The devil wears Prada, but no Prada-wearing devils will be walking the Memphis Fashion Week runway (so chill your satanic panic) — it’ll just be some gorgeous mortals wearing awesome and cool local emerging designers. Regardless, the event promises to be a devilishly good time.
Arrow Creative, May 12-13

Memphis Greek Festival (Photo: Phil Dixon)

Memphis Greek Festival
Call me the dad from My Big Fat Greek Wedding because if you give me a word, any word, I’ll show you that the root of that word is Greek. Take the word Memphis. You see, Memphis comes from the ancient Greek word for the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis — cue your amazement at this wild connection between Memphis and Greece. Of course, there’s also the Memphis Greek Festival, with scrumptious Greek food, tours of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, live music, artisan booths, and activities for kids.
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, May 12-13

World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest
I don’t eat meat, so don’t take my word for it when I say that this contest is the “Most Prestigious Barbecue Contest.” USA Today made this bold statement and apparently they hold more clout than I ever will. For four days, the best of the best barbecue buffs will compete in such categories as Ribs, Shoulder, and Whole Hog, as well as Hot Wings, Sauce, and “Anything But Pork.”
Tom Lee Park, May 17-20

Bluff City Fair
You know what doesn’t sound like a great time? Majestic thrill shows, rides galore, fair food, and an all-day petting zoo. Okay, fine, call my bluff — that sounds like a heck of a great time.
Liberty Bowl Stadium, May 19-29

Cooper-Young Garden Walk (Photo: Kenzi Campbell)

Cooper-Young Garden Walk
With over 80 green businesses and urban gardens to tour, mini talks and demos to attend, vendors and artists to meet, and educational booths to visit, you’ll have the best day ever.
Cooper-Young Historic District, May 20-21

JUNE

Memphis Italian Festival
On top of spaghetti, all covered with cheese, I lost my poor meatball, when somebody sneezed. It rolled off the table and onto the floor, and then my poor meatball rolled all the way to Marquette Park for the Memphis Italian Festival. The event boasts Memphis’ favorite Spaghetti Gravy Contest and other food-related competitions, live music, games, vendors, activities, and tons and tons of great food.
Marquette Park, June 1-3

The Memphis Pride Fest Weekend offers family-friendly fun, welcoming more than 50,000 attendees from all walks of life every year. (Photo: Kevin Reed)

Memphis Pride Fest Weekend
Spanning four days, the celebration includes a Drag N Drive, complete with a movie screening and drag show, a dance party, a brunch crawl, and the signature parade and festival with two stages, over 150 vendors, food trucks, and much more.
Various locations, June 1-4

Memphis Margarita Festival
Will you find yourself wasted away again in Margaritaville, searching for your lost shaker of salt? Or will you find yourself at the Memphis Margarita Festival? The choice is yours, but you’ll get 12 margarita samples from your favorite restaurants at this fest and you can’t say the same for Margaritaville.
Overton Square, June 3

Tupelo Elvis Festival
Save the date for the celebration honoring the King and the impact his music has carried for decades.
Tupelo, MS, June 7-11

Memphis Crafts & Drafts
Shopping is exercise. Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t kill the summertime fun. So if you don’t want summertime fun to be smothered by rising temperatures, you’ll want to head over to this summer market of local makers and artists.
Crosstown Concourse, June 10

Tri-State Black Pride
With this year’s theme of “The Time Is Now,” Tri-State Black Pride presents four days of fun, education, and community, with workshops, lectures, a drag show, and a music festival to cap off the weekend with performances by national and local artists.
Various locations, June 15-18

Memphis Juneteenth Festival (Photo: Wiley Henry)

Memphis Juneteenth Festival
For the 30th Annual Memphis Juneteenth Festival, celebrating African-American culture, the two-day event will include food, music, and entertainment.
Health Sciences Park, June 17-18

Juneteenth Shop Black Festival
Shop Black businesses, food trucks, and food vendors.
The Fourth Bluff, June 17

Memphis Vegan Festival
Redefine what it means to veg out with all the vegging out you’ll do at the Memphis Vegan Festival, a full day of vegan food, live entertainment, and a marketplace.
The Fourth Bluff, June 18

Craft Food & Wine Festival
My favorite word in the English dictionary is borborygmus, a fancy word for when your tummy rumbles, which happens to be my least favorite bodily sensation. Ironic, isn’t it? Also ironic: I’m dealing with some borborygmus as I write this blurb about the Craft Food & Wine Festival, benefiting Church Health. I mean, the artisan breads, the cheeses, the fruit preserves, the popcorn — just oh my.
Columns at One Commerce Square, June 25

JULY

Memphis Summer Cocktail Festival
Heads or tails? No thanks, I’m not in the mood for games to decide my fate. I’ll tell you what I want: a cocktail. What kind? Well, at the Memphis Summer Cocktail Festival, the choice is easy: Sample them all (and enjoy the party with music, food, and dancing).
Shelby Farms Park Event Center, July 14

Fully Loaded Comedy Festival
Are you a “haha” texter or do you prefer an “lol”? Whatever your style, it doesn’t matter when it comes to this festival that will have you LOLing IRL with stand-up by Bert Kreischer, Big Jay Oakerson, Chad Daniels, Mark Normand, Ralph Barbosa, Rosebud Baker, and Tiffany Haddish.
AutoZone Park, July 8

AUGUST

Crown Me Royal Film Fest
This film festival boasts panels, workshops, and independent film screenings from BIPOC behind-the-scenes filmmakers and creatives from all media platforms.
Various locations, August 4-6

Elvis Week
Lord almighty, I feel my temperature rising, higher, higher — it’s burning through to my soul. And it’s not a hunk of burning love; it’s just the thought of the Memphis heat in August, burning, burning, burning. But August in Memphis means more than just heat; it means that Elvis Week is here, with highlights including a special screening of Elvis’ ’68 Comeback Special, the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, and the annual Candlelight Vigil.
Graceland, August 9-17

Memphis Chicken & Beer Festival
I’ve never really understood why we are always asking why the chicken crossed the road. The answer is obvious: It was headed to the Memphis Chicken & Beer Festival to mingle with fellow beer-drinkers and enjoy live entertainment, games, inflatables, and more.
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium Field, August 12

SEPTEMBER

Delta Fair & Music Festival
Carnival rides, live music, attractions, livestock shows, oh boy, there’s so much going on every day at the Delta Fair — way too much even to fit in this space as my word count runs out like sand in an hourglass and the days of our lives.
Agricenter International, September 1-10

Cooper-Young Festival
At last year’s Cooper-Young Festival, I saw a pink parrot in an orange diaper and I haven’t seen one since. Who knows if I’ll see him again this year, but at least I can count on the usual art, music, and crafts that make the fest a hallmark tradition to look forward to.
Cooper-Young Historic District, September 16

Mighty Roots Music Festival
Last year I opened this blurb with the lines: “Whatta fest, whatta fest, whatta mighty good fest.” And gosh, that tune has stayed in my head all the way till now as I introduce the festival’s third year. The lineup for the music fest will be announced June 12th.
Stovall Gin Company, Clarksdale, MS, September 22-24

Pink Palace Crafts Fair (Photo: Courtesy MoSH)

Pink Palace Crafts Fair
The Pink Palace Crafts Fair celebrates 51 years. Explore the variety of artwork, and let the kiddos enjoy the attractions.
Audubon Park, September 22-24

Latin Fest
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at this festival, complete with Latin music, Latin food and drinks, crafts, vendors, and fun for all ages.
Overton Square, September 23

The Mempho Music Festival features some of music’s biggest stars and local favorites. This year’s lineup will be announced soon. (Photo: Joshua Timmermans)

Mempho Music Festival
You know it, you love it, do you really need me to tell you more about it? Keep up with all things Mempho, including the lineup announcement, at their website and on their socials.
Radians Amphitheater, Memphis Botanic Garden, September 29-October 1

Categories
Cover Feature News

Fairs & Festivals

Little Willie Farmer plays at the Juke Joint Festival. (Photo: Courtesy Juke Joint Festival)

For the past two years or so, our calendars have been a bit bare. But things are looking up as Memphis is going full-throttle with events once again. With food, fashion, art, music, and more, it’s time to celebrate the return of the fair and festival season!

APRIL

Bluff City Blues Crawfish Festival

Where crawfish are red and the music is blues, this festival is perfect for a rendezvous. Benefiting A Betor Way, the festival will have arts and crafts vendors, food, and music by Memphissippi Sounds, Mick Kolassa and the Endless Blues Band, the Eric Hughes Band, and more.

Carolina Watershed, April 16, tinyurl.com/bluffcityblues

Farm to Tap Festival

As part of an initiative to have more Tennessee brewers use more local farm products, the festival will showcase more than 20 guild member breweries, with tickets including unlimited samples, tasting cups, and great times with farmers, food trucks, vendors, and more.

Wiseacre Brewing, April 16, farmtotap.org

Shelby Forest Spring Fest

Shelby Forest Spring Fest is going to be a hoot — at least that’s what the owl there tells me. With live music, shopping, kids zone, food trucks, and wildlife exhibits and lectures throughout the day, you won’t want to miss out.

Shelby Farms, April 16, shelbyforestspringfest.com

Africa in April

Saluting the Republic of Malawi for its 35th festival, the family-friendly Africa in April event will be filled with live performances, food and merchandise vendors, and the International Diversity Parade.

Robert R. Church Park, April 20-24, africainapril.org

Double Decker Festival Oxford

In 1994, Oxford, Mississippi, made the bold decision to import a double-decker bus from England. A momentous occasion for the history books if you ask the Double Decker Festival, which speaks to the momentous-ness, with 100+ art and 20+ local food vendors, an impressive slew of musical performances, art demonstrations, and a Best Dressed Pet Contest.

Oxford Courthouse Square, April 22-23, doubledeckerfestival.com

Sashay! Memphis Fashion Week walks the runway. (Photo: Courtesy Sierra Hotel Images)

Memphis Fashion Week

Walk, walk, fashion, baby. You’re gonna want to work Memphis Fashion Week into your schedule. The live runway show will feature emerging designers and a special headlining designer guest, Amanda Uprichard.

Arrow Creative, April 22, memphisfashionweek.org

Juke Joint Festival

The Juke Joint Festival celebrates the Delta’s past and living history. Kicking off at 10 a.m., the day will include blues music, racing pigs, arts and crafts, food, and a dozen free outdoor stages of blues and roots music.

Clarksdale, MS, April 23, jukejointfestival.com

Taste the Rarity: Invitational Beer Festival

The best and weirdest beers from breweries all over the country are coming to Memphis to celebrate the seventh Taste the Rarity with unlimited drinking, plus live music, food trucks, and other nonsense.

Wiseacre Brewing, April 23, tastetherarity.com

Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival has crawfish galore. (Photo: Courtesy Porter-Leath)

Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival

Too few occasions present themselves when you can bob for crawfish, race crawfish, and eat crawfish, but you’ll have the chance at Porter-Leath’s festival.

Downtown Memphis, April 24, porterleath.org/rajun-cajun-home

Art in the Loop (Photo: Courtesy Greg Belz)

Art in the Loop

Some of the region’s most talented artists will set up shop at this festival celebrating the arts, where you can also enjoy live music and food trucks.

Ridgeway Loop Road, April 29-May 1, artintheloop.org

Storyfest

Forty Memphians, ranging in ages from 9 to 93, will share their stories through live performances at the Halloran Centre. Engagement activities and community reflections will follow at the free fest.

Halloran Centre, April 29-30, orpheum-memphis.com/event/storyfest

May Day Festival and Memphis Children’s Theatre Festival

Theatre Memphis celebrates a century of entertaining with live entertainment, an array of artists’ and artisans’ booths, food trucks, and more. On the same day, Theatre Memphis will host the Children’s Theatre Festival as a pay-what-you-can event.

Theatre Memphis, April 30, theatrememphis.org

MAY

Beale Street Music Festival

Megan Thee Stallion, Weezer, Van Morrison, Lil Wayne, and many more (60+ artists) are coming for the city’s legendary springtime music festival.

Fairgrounds in Liberty Park, April 29-May 1, memphisinmay.org/BSMF

Memphis in May International Festival

For the month of May, this annual festival brings the world to Memphis and Memphis to the world, and this year, it is saluting Ghana through cultural events and performances, museum and gallery exhibits, films, luncheons, and a gala.

Various locations, May 1-31, memphisinmay.org

Bookstock: Memphis Area Authors’ Festival

You’re gonna want to book it to Memphis Public Libraries for this festival of author talks, activities for teens and children, and 60 local authors’ exhibits.

Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, May 7, memphislibrary.org/bookstock

World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest

When May rolls in, Memphis knows that’s the cue to start getting our tummies ready for what USAToday calls the “Most Prestigious Barbecue Contest.” For four days, the best of the best barbecue buffs will compete in such categories as Ribs, Shoulder, and Whole Hog, as well as Hot Wings, Sauce, and “Anything But Pork.”

Fairgrounds in Liberty Park, May 11-14, memphisinmay.org/WCBCCtickets

Bluff City Fair

This fair isn’t bluffing when it comes to fun and excitement. You’ll be entertained with a majestic thrill show, rides galore, fair food, and an all-day petting zoo.

Liberty Bowl Stadium, May 20-30, bluffcityfair.com

DreamFest Weekend

A dream is a wish your heart makes, but this festival is doing more than just wishing for its dream of unity, collaboration, and community. For this three-day event, an impressive array of artists will come together to promote Memphis music and artist collaboration.

Overton Park Shell, May 20-22, dreamfestweekend.com

Memphis Greek Festival

Cue the groans from children as parents inevitably evoke the phrase “It’s all Greek to me” at this family-friendly festival with scrumptious Greek food, tours of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, live music, artisan booths, and activities for kids.

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, May 20-21, memphisgreekfestival.com

Beale Street Artcrawl Festival

Before the barcrawlers creep onto the street we call Beale, artcrawlers can go amuck at this pop-up market of art and merchandise.

Beale Street, May 21, bealestreetartcrawlfestival.com

Memphis Mushroom Festival

All fungi, fungals, and funpals are invited to this five-day, four-night camping festival that celebrates the foods and fungi grown in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. With speakers, workshops, forays through the forest, yoga, dancing, cooking classes, and tastings — let’s just say this festival covers a lot of ground.

Shelby Forest Park, May 26-30, memphismushroomfest.com

JUNE

Memphis Italian Festival

Is it sauce or gravy? Well, the folks at this fest have taken a side, seeing that the festival boasts a Spaghetti Gravy Contest. In addition to their food-related competitions, the event will have live music, along with art vendors and, of course, tons of great food.

Marquette Park, June 2-4, memphisitalianfestival.org

Memphis Pride Fest Weekend

Spanning four days, the celebration includes a Drag N Drive, dance party, parade, and full festival with two stages, more than 150 vendors, food trucks, and so much more.

Various locations, June 2-5, midsouthpride.org/pridefest

Memphis Margarita Festival

Sometimes all life gives you is limes, and all you can do is make margaritas. Thankfully, the city’s best margarita-makers are ready to inspire you at this festival where you can sample margaritas from your favorite restaurants alongside awesome entertainment.

Overton Square, June 4, memphismargaritafestival.com

Craft Food & Wine Festival

Showcasing scrumptious, locally-produced breads, cheeses, fruit preserves, cured meats, and more, this event will raise funds for Church Health.

The Columns, June 5, craftfoodandwinefest.com

MidSouth Nostalgia Festival

Veteran actors from your favorite classic movies and TV shows — from the likes of Leave It To Beaver and Laramie — are appearing in person to talk about their careers and give out autographs at this fest.

Whispering Woods Hotel and Conference Center, Olive Branch, MS, June 9-11, midsouthnostalgiafestival.com

Memphis Vegan Festival

If you’re living on the veg, you’ll want to check out this day full of vegan food, live entertainment, and a marketplace featuring local businesses, plant-based health and beauty products, and clothing.

Pipkin Building,, June 18, facebook.com/901veganfestival

Tri-State Black Pride Weekend

Tri-State Black Pride presents workshops, lectures, a drag show, stand-up comedy, and a Sunday Funday of live music.

Various locations, June 16-19, tristateblackpride.com

Bluff City Balloon Jamboree

Scheduled for Father’s Day weekend, the Bluff City Balloon Jamboree will delight its attendees with hot air balloon rides, a balloon glow event, carnival attractions, arts and crafts, and live music.

Shelby Farms Park, June 17-19, bluffcityballoonjamboree.com

Performers dance at Memphis Juneteenth Festival. (Photo: Courtesy Memphis Juneteenth Festival)

Memphis Juneteenth Festival

With Juneteenth being declared a federal holiday in the U.S. last year, the 29th Annual Memphis Juneteenth Festival promises to celebrate African-American culture, food, entertainment, and the overall significance of the holiday. Along with food, music, and entertainment, festival-goers can look forward to the annual Juneteenth Career and Health Fair Expo, the Memphis Juneteenth Lifetime Achievement Awards, the Juneteenth Ultimate Dance Showdown, Food Truck Sunday, and Praise Fest at Juneteenth.

Health Sciences Park, June 18-19, juneteenthfreedommemphis.com

Mid-South Air Show

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. No, it’s … yeah, it’s a plane. While Superman might not be in the sky for the Mid-South Airshow, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels are just as impressive, featuring military demonstrations, aerobatic performances, static display aircraft, and local emergency response helicopters.

Millington-Memphis Airport, June 18-19, midsouthairshow.com

Memphis Crafts & Drafts

Shopping is exercise. Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. So if you don’t want summertime happiness to be smothered by rising temperatures, you’ll want to head over to this market of local makers and artists. It’s called the transitive property, right?

Crosstown Concourse Plaza and Atrium, June 25, memphiscraftsanddrafts.com

July

Summer Cocktail Festival

Shake it up a bit this July with this epic dance party with summer-inspired cocktails, fresh local food, photobooth ops, and fun activities.

Overton Square, July 29, memphisfestivals.com/summercocktailfestival

AUGUST

Memphis Chicken & Beer Fest

If, like the Zac Brown Band, you appreciate your chicken fried, 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. With live music, interactive games, a bungee run, and more, tickets include more than 90 beverage samples, and a portion will benefit the Dorothy Day House.

Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, August 6, memphischickenandbeer.com

Elvis Week 2022

This August marks the 45th anniversary of Elvis’ death and the 44th anniversary of the first Elvis Week. What began as a small group of fans gathering at Graceland’s gates has turned into the multi-day phenomenon we know today. Highlights from the week include personal tours of Graceland led by Priscilla Presley and Jerry Schilling, the Candlelight Vigil, the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, and nightly parties.

Graceland, August 9-17, graceland.com/elvis-week

SEPTEMBER

Delta Fair & Music Festival

Carnival rides, live music, attractions, livestock shows, oh boy, there’s so much going on every day at the Delta Fair.

Agricenter International, September 2-11, deltafest.com

Germantown Festival

This festival is one of the few places in town where you’re guaranteed to see a weenie and say, “Aww, look how cute.” In addition to its Running of the Weenies race, this festival of arts has children’s activities, rides and games, entertainment, a car exhibit, community displays, and more.

Germantown Civic Club Complex,
September 10-11, germantownfest.com

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, September 17, cooperyoungfestival.com

Gonerfest 19

Music enthusiasts won’t be able to resist Goner Records’ siren call, and yes, somehow, this siren call reaches all the way to Australia. Be on the lookout for the lineup.

Railgarten, September 22-25, goner-records.com/pages/gonerfest

Mid-South Fair

At this must-do event since 1856, fair-goers can enjoy more than 50 rides, an array of ground acts, and of course favorite fair fare — funnel cakes, turkey legs, candied apples; you name it, they’ve perfected it.

Landers Center, September 22-October 2, landerscenter.com/mid-south-fair

Mighty Roots Music

Whatta fest, whatta fest, whatta mighty good fest. Mhhm, this event is back for year two, taking place at the same spot the famous blues singer-songwriter Muddy Waters began his love of blues music. The lineup will be announced April 11th, so keep an eye out.

Stovall, MS, September 23-24, mightrootsmusicfestival.com

Latin Fest

We may not be talking about Bruno once September rolls around, but we should be talking about Latinx representation year-round. Though this fest takes place for just a day, it captures that spirit of appreciation with live Latin music, Latin food and drinks, crafts, and fun for everyone.

Overton Square, Saturday, September 24, overtonsquare.com

Pink Palace Crafts Fair

The Pink Palace Crafts Fair is back to celebrate its Big 5-O with 150 artists from around the country, ready for you to explore their works.

Museum of Science & History,
September 24-26, moshmemphis.com

Mempho Music Festival

Mempho never disappoints, and you know it. Three days of music’s biggest names playing amid the natural beauty of Memphis Botanic Garden. The lineup will be released next week and tickets are already selling fast.

Radians Amphitheater at Memphis Botanic Garden, September 30-October 2, memphofest.com

OCTOBER

King Biscuit Blues Festival

Founded in 1986, this fest celebrates blues music with the highest regard across five stages; plus you’ll see a variety of buskers. Of course the three-day event wouldn’t be complete without the Flour Power 5K, the Tour da Delta bicycle race, and a Kansas City-sanctioned barbecue contest, all in historic Downtown Helena.

Helena, AR, October 5-8, kingbiscuitfestival.com

Memphis Bacon & Bourbon Festival

You might ask, what’s shakin’ over at this festival? Well, bacon, that’s what’s shaking — bacon and bacon-inspired dishes to sample. Oh, and bourbon, lots of bourbon.

Metal Museum, October 7, memphisbaconandbourbon.com

Edge Motorfest

Start your engines and gear up for this day of more than 150 cars, food trucks, vendor booths, and more in the Edge District. Trust us when we say, this’ll be more than a pit stop in your weekend activities.

Edge Motor Museum, October 8, edgemotormuseum.com

Soulsville USA Festival

We all know Memphis wouldn’t be Memphis without its roots in soul music, and this festival aims to remind us of that fact. In addition to educational and interactive activities, the festival will include live music, food trucks, vendors, games for kids, and free admission to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

Soulsville USA District, October 14-16, soulsvilleusafestival.com

Memphis Food & Wine Festival

Benefiting FedExFamilyHouse, the Memphis Food & Wine Festival, which showcases local chefs alongside acclaimed national chefs and top global vineyards, will leave your tummy so full and happy that you’ll miss the festival dearly until its return.

Memphis Botanic Garden, October 15, memphisfoodwinefestival.org

Indie Memphis Film Festival

If you’re a bit more introverted, a lot of the events on this list will probably leave you needing a day to recover from the social exhaustion. And while it’s worth it in exchange for all the fun you’ll have, what if I told you there was a festival where you can have fun while being your introverted self? Yep, at this one, you get to be a semi-couch potato and watch indie film after indie film to your heart’s content while in the company of your fellow movie-lovers. Plus, enjoy behind-the-scenes panels and discussions.

Midtown, October 19-24, indiememphis.org

World Championship Hot Wing Fest

A championship that is everything we wish it to be — dare I say, it’s the wind beneath our wings, there to bestow the glory upon the best chicken wings, content to let the winners shine and the festival-goers sample the fare, all the while supporting The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis.

Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, October 22, worldwingfest.com

RiverArtsFest

The largest juried artist market and urban festival in the Mid-South, the RiverArtsFest brings more than 180 artists from around the country to show off and sell their fine arts. As an added bonus, the festival features artist demonstrations, hands-on art activities for all ages, and local music.

Downtown Memphis, October 22-23, riverartsmemphis.org

Dia de Los Muertos Parade and Festival celebrates the Day of the Dead. (Photo: Angel Ortez)

Dia de Los Muertos Parade and Festival

If you think Dia de Los Muertos is Mexico’s version of Halloween, you’re dead wrong. The Brooks Museum and Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre will show you what the day is all about: honoring ancestors and celebrating the cycle of life and death. A parade begins in Overton Square with floats and performers making their way to the plaza at the Brooks Museum, where you can enjoy art-making activities, face painting, music, costumed performers, and more.

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, October 29, brooksmuseum.com

Categories
Cover Feature News

Fairs + Festivals 2017 Guide

CREDIT: Blake Billings | Dreamstime.com

April

Harbor Town

Crawfish Festival

Harbor Town is an ideal backdrop for one of the season’s first festivals. This family-friendly event is a block party-style festival devoted to everyone’s favorite freshwater crustacean. There will be live music and pounds upon pounds of crawfish.

110 Harbor Town Square, April 15th, noon-7 p.m. Admission $5 or two canned goods.

Kaleidoscope Food Festival

Binghampton, one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Memphis, is home to residents representing more than 17 nations, making it the perfect home for the Kaleidoscope Festival. The festival will feature multicultural chefs from the Binghampton neighborhood. Children and dogs are welcome. Wiseacre Brewery, 2783 Broad, April 15th, 1- 7 p.m. Free.

The Memphis Flyer‘s

Bacon and Bourbon

One of the Flyer‘s signature events, Bacon and Bourbon is a night celebrating the best Southern cuisine has to offer — whiskey and bacon. We’re hosting an evening of bourbon and pork tastings, with live music and all kinds of additional fun activities.

Memphis Farmers Market, April 15th, 6-9 p.m. Admission $35.

Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival

The 31st annual Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival celebrates the Republic of Togo. This family-friendly festival is four days of food, music, and a diverse cultural marketplace in Robert Church Park downtown. Each day of the festival has a theme showcasing different aspects of the featured country.

Beale Street & Robert Church Park, April 21st-23rd. Admission $5-10.

Memphis Brewfest

Brewers and beer aficionados gather at AutoZone Park to celebrate and sample the best American craft beer and other beer from around the globe. All net proceeds will benefit the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy.

AutoZone Park, 200 Union, April 22nd, 4-7:30 p.m. Admission $45.

Memphis Veg Fest

This free, all-day festival held on Earth Day celebrates vegetarian and vegan options, and one of its goals is to help eliminate nutritional disparity in Memphis.

Levitt Shell, Overton Park, 1928 Poplar, April 22nd, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free.

Southern Hotwing Festival Though Memphis is known as a barbecue town, on April 22nd, more than 70 teams of chicken wing-loving cooks will gather downtown to glorify the drummie. It should be a spicy event for the whole family.

Downtown, April 22nd, 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. $15 (online), $20, $125 VIP

V&E ArtWalk

The sixth annual festival will raise money for the community-owned trail that runs through the Vollintine-Evergreen district. Local artists, food vendors, and craft breweries will set up shop in the shade, and there will be live music, a silent auction, and bounce houses for the kids.

V&E Greenline, April 22nd, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free.

Lucero Family Block Party Alt-country legends and hometown heroes Lucero will block off the area around Minglewood Hall for their annual block party. Son Volt, Sons of Mudboy, and Mighty Souls Brass Band will round out the all-star lineup.

Minglewood Hall, 1555 Madison, April 22nd, 3 p.m. $25-30.

Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival

The 25th annual festival will feature three stages for live music, crawfish bobbing (that’s right), crawfish eating, and crawfish racing. (Do the crawfish race each other? We might have to check this festival out on a fact-finding mission.)

Wagner Place and Riverside Drive, between Union and Beale, April 23rd, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free.

HEAR 901 Music Festival Planned and produced entirely by students enrolled in the Music Industry program at the University of Memphis, HEAR 901 brings some of the best up-and-coming bands to a stage near you. This year’s lineup includes the Band CAMINO, Flirting with Sincerity, and Sonic Pulse.

The Bluff, 535 S. Highland, April 28th, 7-11 p.m. Admission is $5 for advance tickets and $8 at the door.

East Buntyn ArtWalk

This annual outdoor art festival features open-air galleries where regional artists display and sell their artwork. St. James Church, the hub of the art walk, will host local food trucks, a stage for live music, and a silent auction tent.

461 S. Prescott, April 29th. Free.

The Edge Gets Lit Alley Party

This should be a fun one, folks. The art-light installation at Floyd alley in the Edge District gets lit during this party, which also includes food trucks, live music, arts and crafts, and dog olympics (!).

The Edge District at Floyd, April 29th, noon-11 p.m. Free.

Palestine Festival

The second annual Palestine Festival will feature traditional Palestinian music, cuisine, and dancing. There will be a fashion show and vendors.

Overton Park Greensward, April 29th, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free.

Cajun Festival

This festival features performances by Southern swamp songwriter Marcella Simien and Earl Randle, the legendary Hi Records artist. There will be a gumbo tasting, a competitive gumbo cook-off, and a beer tasting sponsored by High Cotton Brewing Co. Proceeds will benefit Saint Patrick Community Outreach, Inc.

Saint Patrick Community Outreach Center and Courtyard, 277 S. Fourth, April 29th, noon-2 p.m.

Arlington in April

This all-day arts and crafts festival celebrates the town of Arlington. Over 90 vendors will be on site for the family-friendly event.

Historic Depot Square, April 29th, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.

Beale Street Wine Race

The Beale Street Merchants Association presents the booziest race in town. Fans of the race gather downtown to cheer on their favorite bartenders and servers as they compete in the Olympics of drunken, downtown races.

April 30th, 1 p.m. Free.

May

Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival

Three days of music on the Mississippi River, BSMF is Memphis’ biggest and most diverse music festival and the inaugural event of the month-long Memphis in May celebration. Music fans from across the Mid-South converge on Memphis for a weekend of diverse musical performances on the banks of the Mississippi. Some highlights from this year’s lineup include Soundgarden, MGMT, Snoop Dogg, Jimmy Eat World, and Ziggy Marley.

Tom Lee Park, May 5th-7th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets start at $50.

Memphis Greek Festival

The congregation of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church invites Memphians on a getaway to experience Greek culture as the church teams up with the Mid-South Food Bank for the 59th annual Greek Festival. This festival features the music of the Kostas Kastanis Band and dancing by the Athenian Dance Troupe.

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 573 N. Highland, May 12th-13th, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. $3 or three canned items.

Latino Memphis Festival

This year, Latino Memphis has partnered with Memphis in May to salute the nation of Colombia. The high-energy festival features the Colombian Folkloric Ballet of Houston, the Fiesta 5K, a salsa-making championship, salsa dancing, and a freestyle soccer show.

Overton Park, May 13th, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. $5 suggested donation.

MidSouth Food Truck Festival

Quite possibly the largest concentration of food trucks in one location, this festival makes me want to do my best impression of Templeton from Charlotte’s Web and sing “A Veritable Smorgasbord.”

Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, May 13th, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. $5 in advance, $8 at the door.

Dog-A-Roo

This puppy-friendly festival features the Four-legged 4K Fun Run, a talent and costume contest, demonstrations, and a rescue parade.

Outback Off-Leash Dog Park, Shelby Farms Park Conservancy, May 13th, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. $5 in advance, $8 at the door.

GumTree Festival

Art for days in beautiful downtown Tupelo at this annual arts festival featuring work by artists and crafts people from across the United States.

Lee County Courthouse, May 13th-14th

Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest

Every summer, the pulled-pork faithful make their pilgrimage to the Bluff City for the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. And every summer, the third weekend of May leaves downtown (and most of Memphis) sunburned, hungover, and gorged on sweet and savory barbecue. Bring on the barbecue!

Tom Lee Park, May 17th-20th, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $5 donation per vehicle.

901Fest

The celebratory cap on the Memphis in May International Festival, 901Fest glorifies all things Memphis. This year’s lineup has yet to be released, but it’s sure to feature some Memphis favorites. With the Mississippi as a backdrop, 901Fest is the city’s wind-down party after the month-long festivities of MiM.

Tom Lee Park, May 27th, 11 a.m.- 8 p.m.

June

Memphis Punk Fest

In its fifth year, Memphis Punk Fest brings the best punk, hardcore, metal, and ska acts from across the globe to Memphis to play in a diverse array of dive bars, skate parks, record stores, and other venues, both conventional and less so.

Prices and locations vary. June 1st-4th.

Memphis Italian Festival

This family-friendly festival celebrates Italian-American heritage in Marquette Park in East Memphis. The Holy Rosary Parish brings together food, music, and vendors for a weekend-long celebration.

Marquette Park, 4946 Alrose, June 1st-3rd.

A Day of Merrymaking

in Overton Park

The Overton Park Conservancy’s annual family-friendly festival in the park will feature music, food trucks, arts and crafts, and water activities to help beat the heat. Hollywood Feed will be on hand (on paw?) to make sure there’s plenty of fun for the family’s four-legged friends.

Overton Park, June 3rd, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Suggested donation $5.

Memphis Juneteenth

Urban Music Festival

Observed across the country on June 19th, Juneteenth is a commemoration of African-American Emancipation Day. Celebrating 25 years in the Bluff City, the Juneteenth Urban Music Festival emphasizes education and achievement. This year’s festivities include a concert by the Bar-Kays at the Cannon Center.

Robert R. Church Park, June 16th-18th. Free.

The Memphis Flyer‘s Margarita Festival

There’s no reason to be salty — the Flyer‘s third annual Margarita Festival offers Memphians the chance to sample margaritas from some of Memphis’ hottest restaurants.

Overton Park Greensward, June 17th, 3-6 p.m., $25.

Soulsville Record Swap

Two scions of Memphis music history, Goner Records and the Stax Museum, are teaming up to present their second annual record swap. Dealers from Memphis and from across the U.S. will converge on some of Memphis music’s most hallowed ground for a record show that is far from ordinary. There will be DJ sets and food trucks.

Stax Museum of American Soul Music, 926 E. McLemore, June 17th.

Sisterhood Showcase

Tina Birchett founded the Sisterhood Showcase in 1998 with the goal of providing a forum to inspire women of color and their families. Now in its 19th year, the Sisterhood Showcase aims to combine education and entertainment to connect, engage, and empower women.

Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove, June 17th-18th. $15.

July

The Memphis Flyer‘s

Burger Week

Back for its second year, Burger Week celebrates some of the best burgers the Bluff City has to offer. Participating restaurants will offer specialty burgers for a special price. (I’ll be breaking out my stretchy pants and brushing off my Bob’s Burgers puns for the occasion.)

Various locations.

Memphis Caribbean

Jerk Festival

Home Run Entertainment presents its second annual family fun day with a variety of jerk and Caribbean food options, musical performances, and a domino tournament.

Tiger Lane, 450 Early Maxwell, July 15th, noon-10 p.m.

WEVL Blues on the Bluff

As everyone who has tuned their dial to 89.9 FM knows, WEVL is an all-volunteer, listener-supported radio station boasting some of the most diverse programming in the nation. And Blues on the Bluff is WEVL’s signature shindig. With live music, beer, wine, and food all served on the picturesque grounds of the Metal Museum, WEVL’s annual fund-raiser on the Mississippi River is always one of the hottest parties in town. Even better, as a fund-raiser for the repeat winner of the Flyer‘s Best Radio Station, it’s a party for a good cause.

374 Metal Museum Drive, July 22nd, 6 p.m.

Women’s Theatre

Festival of Memphis

The festival includes a lineup of plays, workshops, and solo performances. One of the key events of the festival, the Gyneka Awards, honors women who have made outstanding contributions to the field. Dates and locations to be announced.

August

Elvis Week

Marking the 40th anniversary of Elvis’ death, this week-long celebration honoring the King of Rock-and-Roll includes highlights from his extensive musical catalogue, his films, performances by tribute artists, and, of course, the Candlelight Vigil at Graceland.

Various locations. August 11th-19th.

Mid-South Renaissance Faire This family-friendly festival takes attendees back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and features jousting, crafts, demonstrations, and giant (delicious) turkey legs.

4351 Babe Howard Blvd., Millington, August 19th-20th and 26th-27th. $15 for adults, $8 for children.

FOMOFest

Held in the Levitt Shell in Overton Park, FOMOFest showcases local bands in a one-day festival celebrating independent music. Former FOMOFest performers include Southern Avenue, Marcella and Her Lovers, Ex-Cult, and Jack O. and the Sheiks.

Dates and lineup to be announced.

On Location:

Memphis Film Festival

On Location: Memphis is a nonprofit organization formed in 1999 under the name the Memphis Film Forum. The annual OL:M festival promotes indie film.

Dates and lineup to be announced.

Best Memphis Burger Fest The annual fund-raiser for Memphis Paws, Inc., this family-friendly festival features live music, an official cornhole tournament, and cooking teams competing for the title of reigning burger master.

Dates and lineup to be announced.

Ostrander Awards

The annual awards ceremony honors excellence in the Memphis theater community and celebrates the best work of the previous year’s season.

Dates and lineup to be announced

Southern Salsa Festival

Of all the festivals devoted to a specific variety of food, salsa might be the Holy Grail. Salsa is a food to itself, a spicy blend of vegetables with endless possible permutations.

Dates and location to be announced

September

Rock for Love

Founded in 2007, Rock for Love is the annual benefit concert for the Church Health Center. The best of the Memphis music community come together for a weekend of special concerts on different stages across the city. Dates and locations to be announced.

Cooper-Young Festival

Held in Memphis’ largest historic district and featuring live music, art vendors, handcrafted goods, and beer vendors on every corner, Cooper-Young Fest is Midtown’s darling of festival season. The festivities kick off with the Friday Four-Miler the night before the festival, and the rest of the weekend has something on offer for everyone.

Cooper-Young neighborhood, September 16th, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Mid-South Fair

One of the longest-running events in the area, the Mid-South Fair is 160 years old and is still going strong. The fair features rides, concerts, a horticulture show, a stunt dog show, and a talent contest. Landers Center, September 22nd- October 1st.

Gonerfest 14

Fans of NOTS and Ty Segall, rejoice! Goner Records presents the 14th iteration of their world-famous music festival. Bands from around the globe will converge on Memphis for three days of rock-and-roll mayhem. Various locations, September 28th- October 1st.

Mid-South Book Festival

With a street fair, author signings, and author panel discussions and presentations, the Mid-South Book Festival is Memphis’ festival for book lovers.

Dates to be announced.

Outflix Film Festival

Every year, the Outflix Film Festival presents a film program diverse in themes and genre. One of the many excellent examples of Memphis’ growing film community, Outflix is a program of OUTMemphis, an organization that empowers, connects, educates, and advocates for the LGBTQ community of the Mid-South.

September 8th-14th.

Memphis Music

and Heritage Festival

The Memphis Music & Heritage Festival celebrates the musical, artistic, and cultural legacy of the Memphis area. The nonprofit Center for Southern Folklore presents performances by musicians, dancers, poets, artists, and more, spanning a variety of genres from the Mid-South.

Dates to be announced.

Pianos in the Park

A family-friendly festival full of live performances, Pianos in the Park is an evening of jazz in Handy Park on Beale.

Date to be announced.

Southern Heritage Classic Cultural Celebration

The Southern Heritage Classic centers around the football game — and the rivalry — between Jackson State and Tennessee State, but it’s much more than a just a sporting event. It’s a game, a tailgate party, and a celebration of music, fun, and football all rolled up into a cultural event that plays out over a weekend.

September 7th-9th.

Literacy Rocks! Festival Held during National Literacy Month, connecting authors primarily with avid readers, book clubs, authors and publishers, the Black Writers and Book Clubs’ Literacy Rocks! Festival is celebrating its sixth year.

September 15th-16th, 10 a.m.-5p.m.

Germantown Festival

One of the longest, continuously run festivals in the Memphis area, the 46th annual Germantown Festival provides a free family-friendly weekend.

September 9th, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; September 10th, noon-6 p.m. Free.

Unreal Film Festival

For the lovers of both celluloid and the strange and sinister, founded in 2011 by Cellardoor Cinema, the Unreal Film Fest focuses on horror, sci-fi, and fantasy feature-length and short films. Regional entrants in the festival may compete in the Local Short Film category as long as they live within 100 miles of Memphis.

September 22nd-24th.

BreakFest

As if anyone needed an excuse to celebrate the most important meal of the day, BreakFest benefits the Urban Bicycle Food Ministry — as well as provides a delicious excuse to savor French toast, eggs, bacon, and the works. A panel of judges will judge teams competing in five different cooking categories.

Memphis Medical District, September 23rd, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Tamale Fest

Centro Cultural presents their annual fund-raising and cultural event. Tamale Fest will feature live entertainment, tamale vendors, food trucks, and art vendors.

Date to be announced. Mid-South Pride Festival

Mid-South Pride is the largest gathering of the LGBTQ community in the Mid-South. The event celebrates inclusion and diversity and features musical performances, vendors, and a parade.

Date to be announced.

Bona Fide Blues Festival Presented by the Memphis Blues Society, this family-friendly, outdoor festival features the best blues — be it of the 12-bar, Delta, or Hill Country variety — Memphis has to offer. Last year’s festival included performances by Southern Avenue, Barbara Blue, and Zeke Johnson.

Date to be announced. Free.

Delta Fair & Music Festival This annual festival features Delta music, rides, games, livestock shows, and food vendors for a festival that is exciting, interactive, and educational. Plus there are Pronto Pups.

Agricenter, September 1st-10th. $10.

Bluff City Fair

At the Fairgrounds at Tiger Lane, Bluff City Fair is the regional festival in the heart of Memphis. This fair offers a weekend of family-friendly entertainment with music, rides, games, and, of course, fair food.

Date to be announced.

Innovation Awards

Presented by Inside Memphis Business magazine, the Innovation Awards honor the best in local innovation from the previous year.

Details to be announced.

The Memphis Flyer

Best of Memphis Party

Every year, Flyer readers vote on the best local businesses, bands, radio programs, sports teams, and everything else the Bluff City has to offer, and every year, the Flyer throws one of the city’s best parties to celebrate the winners.

Details to be announced.

October

Road to the Biscuit Blues Festival

The King Biscuit Blues Festival has teamed up with Beale Street, and the result is the Road to the Biscuit Blues Festival. The festival is part of a two-week-long celebration of Southern blues from Arkansas to Mississippi and will feature performances on 14 stages on historic Beale Street.

Various locations, October 4th-7th.

Pink Palace Crafts Fair Celebrating its 45th year, the Crafts Fair includes historic crafts demonstrations, craft vendors, musical performances, hand-made donuts, kids’ crafts, and Pink Palace educational museum exhibits.

Audubon Park, October 13th-15th, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. $9 for adults, $7 for seniors/military, and $3 for children.

Soulsville U.S.A. Festival Featuring four stages (one of them named after Mavis Staples), this family-friendly music festival packs performances by 15 different musical artists into one day in the historic Soulsville U.S.A. district on College & McLemore.

College and McLemore, October 21st.

Harvest Festival

This annual, family-friendly festival is free to the public and includes pumpkin painting, kids’ activities, arts and crafts, hayrides, and food.

Agricenter, October 21st. Free.

Memphis Food

and Wine Festival

This festival celebrates the culinary excellence of Memphis and showcases the talents of exceptional local chefs and acclaimed regional and national chefs. Vintners, certified sommeliers, and wine enthusiasts will be on hand to enhance the event as well.

Details to be announced.

Cooper-Young Beerfest

In its eighth year, the Cooper-Young Beerfest is an open-air neighborhood party and a celebration of the best of regional beer. All proceeds from the event go to benefit the Cooper-Young Community Association.

Cooper-Young neighborhood, October 14th.

RiverArtsFest

This annual arts festival is a street celebration of fine arts and local music with live artist demonstrations and hands-on art activities for the whole family. Nearly 200 artists gather to exhibit and sell their latest works of original fine art.

South Main Arts District, October 27th-29th.

Deep Blues Festival

This festival located in nearby Clarksdale, Mississippi, is a weekend devoted to the tradition of the blues. This year’s lineup includes R.L. Boyce, Jimbo Mathus, Leo Welch, and Chicken Snake.

The Shack Up Inn and the New Roxy in Clarksdale, Mississippi, October 12th-15th.

Day of the Dead Fiesta

This festival offers an opportunity to learn about the tradition of the Day of the Dead and experience culture. Featuring music and crafts.

Details to be announced.

Tequila Festival

As Tom Robbins puts it in Still Life with Woodpecker, “O tequila, savage water of sorcery, what confusion and mischief your sly, rebellious drops do generate!” Robbins sounds like he’s speaking from experience, and, as anyone who has sampled the alcoholic nectar of the blue agave plant knows, confusion and mischief are the natural result of liberal application of tequila.

Details to be announced.

Spring Goner Records River Series at Harbor Town Amphitheater

The breakout live music series is back with performances in April and May. Goner Records crafts an eclectic schedule, pairing touring bands with Memphis music for a unique, outdoor music experience. April 23rd – Rev. John Wilkins with Crystal Shrine; May 21st – Tobin Sprout with Elf Power; May 28th – Robyn Hitchcock with Robby Grant.

Harbor Town Amphitheater, dates vary.