Celebrate the holidays Downtown!
From shopping to sipping, Downtown has everything you need to make the season magical. Explore all the ways to enjoy the holidays below!
South Main Lights
Main Street between GE Patterson and Butler
Nov. 2025-Jan. 2026
Every night from 4 pm till midnight. Stroll, dine, shop in Memphis’ brightest and most beautifully lit neighborhood!
Downtown Holiday Gift Guide
Virtual and in-person shopping options
Shop local and find the perfect gift for everyone on your list in Downtown!
Official Downtown Memphis Holiday Tree Lighting & Holiday Market
At the corner of Peabody & Main
Nov. 22 @ 4-6 PM
Join us for the official Downtown Holiday Tree Lighting and Holiday Market! Enjoy FREE photos with Santa, train rides, holiday shopping, activities for the kids, treats, music, & MORE!
Get Merry on Main St.
South Main Street
Nov. 27 @ 12-7 PM
Let’s Get Merry on Main! The South Main District is turning into a holiday wonderland — complete with live music, carolers, a golf cart parade, Santa’s Workshop, and a live tree lighting at 5:10 PM near 409 South Main! Market opens at 12 PM with local vendors, food, and festive fun all day long. Saturday, November 29th South Main District, Downtown Memphis. Let’s make spirits bright, Memphis.
Free Pictures with Santa on Beale
Beale Street
Dec. 5 & Dec. 12 @ 5-7 PM
Join us for a free amazing outdoor holiday experience on December 5th & 12th from 5-7 PM on World Famous Beale Street.
Carols on Main
At the corner of Peabody & Main
Dec. 6 & Dec. 20 @ 6-7 PM
Enjoy festive carolers on Main Street December 6th & 20th from 6-7 PM in front of the Downtown Holiday Tree at the corner of Peabody & Main!
Memphis Holiday Parade and Holiday Market
Beale Street
Dec. 13 @ 12-4 PM
Celebrate the magic of the season at the Memphis Holiday Parade and Holiday Market on December 13th along iconic Beale Street! From 12–4 PM, explore the festive Holiday Market, featuring local vendors and one-of-a-kind gifts to make your season bright. Then, at 1 PM, the Holiday Parade brings Beale Street to life with sparkling floats, lively marching bands, and plenty of holiday cheer. It’s a joyful celebration that captures the true spirit of Memphis!
Christmas Tales
Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid
Tuesdays @ 5 PM
Santa and Mrs. Claus are sharing their favorite holiday stories every Tuesday in Santa's Wonderland.
Merry Melodies on Main: A Wurlitzer Holiday Celebration
Orpheum Theatre
Dec. 2 @ 7 PM
The Orpheum Theatre Group celebrates the spirit of the season with Merry Melodies on Main, a special one-night holiday concert featuring the historic Mighty Wurlitzer Organ.
Deck the Walls: A Holiday Celebration of Young Artists
Sheet Cake Gallery
Dec. 4 @ 6 PM
Join Contemporary Arts Memphis (CAM) on December 4 at Sheet Cake Gallery for Deck the Walls—an inaugural holiday celebration and annual fundraiser. Celebrate the creativity of Memphis’s young artists with an evening of art, music, and community.
Holiday Dinner and Music Cruise
Memphis Riverboats
Saturdays in December @ 6 PM
Come aboard our Christmas Dinner Cruise for a beautiful Christmas experience. Ticket prices include a 2-hour Cruise with Dinner down the Mississippi River and our live Blues & Jazz Band for your entertainment. This is a great way to celebrate the Holidays with your Significant Other, Friends, Family, or Co-Workers!
Holiday Dinner on Stage
Orpheum Theatre
Dec. 4 @ 6 PM
Enjoy a night of celebration, delicious food, and the magic of live performance on the Orpheum stage.
Fire Pit Fridays
Tom Lee Park
First & Third Fridays @ 4:30-6:30 PM
Cozy up by the fire and celebrate the holiday season on the riverfront. Enjoy festive treats, holiday tunes, and some magical Santa sightings!
Drew & Ellie Holcomb's Neighborly Christmas
Orpheum Theatre
Dec. 5 @ 8 PM
Celebrate the season with a joyful night of music, community, and Americana charm from this beloved duo of award-winning artists.
Christmas with C.S. Lewis
Halloran Centre
Dec. 6 @ 2 PM & 7:30 PM
Discover how a particular encounter with his great friend and fellow author, J.R.R. Tolkien, forever changed C.S. Lewis' Christmas celebrations.
Sip & Shop Holiday Affair
507 Lux Lounge
Dec. 6 @ 4-9 PM
Get ready to sip on some festive drinks and shop for unique holiday gifts at the Sip & Shop Holiday Market! Enjoy a festive evening at 150 Monroe Ave on December 6, 2025 at 4:00 PM! Get into the holiday spirit with some shopping and sipping. It's the perfect opportunity to find unique gifts for your loved ones while enjoying a drink or two and music.
Stumbling Santa
Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
Dec. 6 @ 7-11 PM
Dress up as Santa or Santa's helpers, bring an unwrapped toy for for a local child ages 0-5 years old, and enjoy a pub crawl that starts at the Flying Saucer.
Medical District Holiday Market
Ugly Art Co.
Dec. 7 @ 12-3 PM
Are you ready to shop, eat, and enjoy the magic of the holidays in the heart of the city? The Memphis Medical District Collaborative invites you to join us for our fourth annual Holiday Market, a celebration of creativity, community, and holiday cheer!
How the Grinch Grazed Christmas-Charcuterie Workshop
The Medicine Factory
Dec. 7 @ 3-6 PM
Get ready for a festive afternoon of creativity, flavor, and holiday cheer at The Char’ Bar’s holiday charcuterie experience! Learn how to style and arrange your own holiday-inspired grazing board with curated meats, cheeses, fruits, and more.
Ballet Memphis' The Nutcracker
Orpheum Theatre
Dec. 12 - 14
Join Clara on a magical holiday adventure with stunning dance and live music by the Memphis Symphony in the return of Ballet Memphis' The Nutcracker!
Artist Market
Metal Museum
Dec. 13 @ 11 AM - 4 PM
Enjoy a festive day of creativity and craftsmanship at the Metal Museum’s annual Artist Market! Shop one-of-a-kind art, jewelry, home décor, and more—perfect for holiday gifting or a special treat for yourself. Enjoy live metal demonstrations, hands-on activities, and delicious bites from a local food truck while exploring the Museum grounds. Bring your friends and family for a joyful time of local talent and holiday spirit!
Hops & Holly Holiday Market
Grind City Brewing Company
Dec. 13 @ 12-6 PM
The Memphis Farmers Market is heading to Grind City to host the ultimate holiday hangout: craft brews, good food, games, live music, farmers & local makers. Bring your crew, your pup, your holiday list, and your appetite!
Class: Cast Pewter Ornaments
Metal Museum
Dec. 13 @ 11 AM
For the holiday season, join the Metal Museum where you will have the opportunity to pour your own pewter ornament. Choose one of the multiple molds from the Museum’s Foundry and learn about melting and pouring a low-melt pewter. The final pieces will be sanded and drilled to accept a ribbon for hanging around your house! Good activity for all ages and makes a great gift for friends and family.
Holiday Market
Soul & Spirits Brewery
Dec. 13 @ 1-7 PM
Shop locally made products, enjoy themed drinks & raffle, and Smoke & Toast food truck.
Christmas Ghosts and Tea: A Victorian Tradition
Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum
Dec. 13 @ 4-7 PM
Enjoy an afternoon tea and an evening of Christmas bright and Christmas fright! In 19th century England, it was a Christmas tradition to huddle around the fire with the family and spin yarns of spirits and spooks while celebrating the holiday season. Woodruff-Fontaine believes nothing says "Victorian Era" like an afternoon tea and nothing says "Victorian Christmas" like listening to tales of ghostly encounters.
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
Orpheum Theatre
Dec. 16 - 21
Discover the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale as it comes to life on stage.
One Man's Christmas Carol
Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum
Dec. 18 @ 7-9 PM
Come for a night of classic Dickens Christmas at the Woodruff Fontaine House Museum! Adapted and performed by local actor Marques W. Brown, this unique take on the traditional Dickensian Christmas tale is guaranteed to touch your heart and ignite your holiday spirit. A very personal and heartfelt performance, delivered in a classic style and environment, this family-friendly act is sure to set the mood for a joyful holiday season!
Meet Me at the Bar: Holiday Market
Moxy Memphis Downtown
Dec. 20 @ 12-4 PM
Grab a festive cocktail or mocktail from Bar Moxy and shop with an amazing group of local artisans – Spark and Seal Permanent Jewelry, The Mane Wildling, Jade The Artist, Smooth Like Jas and Aromatic Joy Candle Co. You might just find your new favorite thing!
Memphis Symphony Orchestra: Magic of Memphis
Cannon Center for Performing Arts
Dec. 20 @ 2:20-3:30 PM
Come experience Memphis’ most beloved holiday tradition, joined by a continuous collage of Memphis performing groups for a non-stop light and music show like you’ve never seen!
The Jingle Jam
Renasant Convention Center
Dec. 20 @ 9 PM
The Jingle Jam turn 11! Catch Jeezy preforming live! Must be 35+ to attend.
Christmas Market
Memphis Made Brewing Co.
Dec. 21 @ 12-6 PM
Merry Christmas! Christmas Market full of handmade gifts at Memphis Made Brewery in historic Edge District.
Yule Celebration with The Fellowship of Avalon - ATC
The Broom Closet
Dec. 21 @ 7-9 PM
Join the Yule Ritual and fellowship. We welcome back the return of the sun on the Winter Solstice and the warmth that the holidays often bring us. Please bring a food item or two to add to our donation collection.
Santa's Wonderland - FREE Picture with Santa
Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid
Til Dec. 24
Celebrate the joy of the season at Santa's Wonderland! Come meet Santa and capture the moment with a complimentary 4x6 photo. Additional packages are available for purchase. Reservations recommended.
Christmas Brunch
The Peabody Hotel
Dec. 25 @ 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Celebrate the spirit of the season at the “South’s Grand Hotel”. Christmas Brunch will be served in the Grand Ballroom as it sparkles and shimmers with holiday cheer.
World Ballet Company: Nutcracker
Cannon Center for Performing Arts
Dec. 24 @ 2 PM
Holidays begin with the Nutcracker! Most favorite Christmas classic is coming to the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts! World Ballet Company presents Nutcracker LIVE on stage, featuring a cast of 40 professional ballet dancers. Join us for the thrilling Christmas night adventure to the Land of Sweets.
Krimson Cheer: Memphis' Premier Holiday Experience
Central Station Hotel
Dec. 27 @ 8 PM
Get ready for one of Memphis’ most anticipated holiday events - KRIMSON CHEER - an evening of sophistication, elegance and celebration! Step into an atmosphere filled with smooth sounds, beautiful people, and the unmistakable energy of the season.
New Year’s Eve Dinner & Music Cruise
Memphis Riverboats
Dec. 31 @ 6-9 PM
Ring in the New Year with a front row seat to the Mighty Light Show on the Mississippi River. Dance your way into the new year with a Live DJ, Dinner & a cash/credit bar to purchase alcohol. This event is 21+ only!
New Years Eve on Beale
Beale Street
December 31, 2025
Since Memphis’ musical legacy meets the city’s love of a good time on Beale, you can bet the street’s New Year’s Eve celebration is big. You’ll party with tens of thousands of people, spilling in and out of bars and restaurants onto the wide street. You’ll dance under the stars to live performers, including DJ Tree. Then, ring in the new year with fireworks and confetti cannons as the clock strikes 12.