View All News

New in Downtown Memphis in 2026

As winter winds down, the trees start to bud, and we look at the year ahead, we can’t help but be excited for all things new happening in Downtown Memphis in 2026. 

Here’s just a short list of projects and new businesses opening in Downtown Memphis in 2026

1. $74M Downtown Public Safety Infrastructure Improvement Project
   The Downtown Memphis Commission, in partnership with the City of Memphis, is planning public infrastructure improvements within the Beale Street Historic District. These improvements aim to enhance safety and foster a welcoming experience for Beale Street, while strengthening its position as a premier destination for locals and visitors.



2. Memphis Art Museum Grand Opening
   Anyone familiar with downtown Memphis (pre-2022) remembers the old fire station no. 5 and art deco style RiverFront parking garage on Front Street between Union and Monroe Ave. Over the past 4 years, the station and garage were demolished, and a new building stands.
   
   The Memphis Art Museum is wrapping up the final touches of its new state-of-the-art gallery space nestled on the bluffs overlooking the Mighty Mississippi River. If you were one of the lucky few and attended a hard hat tour, you got a sneak peek of the plans and vision for the space: tall ceilings, exposed wooden beams, open air courtyard, and a stunning rooftop garden, among other plans. 
   
   Before long, new and returning artworks will be moving downtown in anticipation of the museum’s opening in December 2026. Field trips, movie nights, fashion shows, and art festivals are just a few of the community events the Memphis Art Museum will be bringing to downtown.



3. National Civil Rights Museum Legacy Building Opening
   The National Civil Rights Museum is one of the most significant and impactful museums in the country. Located in the historic Lorraine Motel, the museum tells the stories, struggles, and victories of the Civil Rights Movement, as well as the ongoing pursuit of equality today.
   
   When the National Civil Rights Museum reopens the Legacy Building on May 16, 2026, visitors will be ushered into an urgent and immersive experience through the unfinished business of civil rights. The exhibitions are deeply rooted in the final chapter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 's 1967 book Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? The gallery space will include a movement timeline charting the evolution of civil rights activism from the 1970s through today, and celebrate Freedom Award Honorees. Past honorees include Coretta Scott King, Oprah Winfrey, Stacie Abrams, Spike Lee, and John Lewis, among other distinguished civil and human rights leaders.



4. 2026 Restaurant Openings
   Downtown Memphis’s restaurant scene continues to expand in 2026, with new and beloved restaurateurs opening their doors downtown. 
   
   Restaurant owners are moving into previously loved spaces and reinvigorating downtown. KUYA, Ritual, and Playa Bowls are just a few of the newest additions to the downtown Memphis culinary community. Whether it’s a cozy coffee, a refreshing acai bowl, or savory spam fried rice, downtown Memphis will have even more options to satisfy your hunger and support local businesses.
   
   Favorite menu items so far are the praline latte from Ritual, the Pura Vida bowl from Playa, and I cannot wait to try the lumpia at KUYA!



5. 2026 Business Openings
   Whether you want to get your nails done, hit the gym, or explore an immersive experience, Downtown Memphis’s new businesses can fit your needs!
   
   Gym11 opened in January in the Memphis Medical District with owner Daavon Grayson at the helm. Grayson, a member of the National Physique Committee and the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation, trains both amateur and professional bodybuilders that gets them past 10. The location is perfect to get a workout in before or after work.
   
   Detroit-based TEN Nail Bar is opening in New Orleans Station this spring, where you can get the perfect 10 experience. I genuinely cannot wait to get my nails done on a Friday night before popping into Bar Limina for a cocktail. 
   
   Don’t forget to explore and revisit old favorites like JEM, Bar Limina, and Ugly Art Co. while you’re on that part of Madison Ave!



6. Memphis Flyway in Tom Lee Park
   As Memphians, we take pride in our water (because it is the best), but we can’t forget about our beautiful riverfront overlooking the Mississippi River. Throughout the years, the Mighty Mississippi has powered Memphis’s industry, connectivity, and environmental diversity. The Mississippi River takes center stage with the opening of the ‘Memphis Flyway’ at the southern end of Tom Lee Park. 
   
   Millions of birds fly through Memphis on their migratory paths across the Mississippi River, and the Memphis Flyway will provide locals and visitors with the perfect vantage point to view the seasonal migrations. Not only an observation deck, but the flyway will also be used as an outdoor classroom for students of all ages to learn more about the ecological diversity right at Memphis’s doorstep.
   
   Word on the street is a tentative opening in May!



7. Exterior Improvements
   New signs and fresh facades are popping up in Downtown Memphis. Catherine & Mary’s and Soul & Spirits are just two businesses that received Exterior Improvement Grants in 2025 to upgrade their curb appeal and enhance their brand identity. 
   
   Catherine & Mary’s will be updating awnings, adding some flower planters, and applying a fresh coat of paint. Soul & Spirits is bringing a new beer garden experience to Uptown by adding a dog park, playground, and exterior lighting.
   
   Swing by these spots to watch the magic happen and snag some rigatoni from Catherine & Mary’s and a daydreamer from Soul & Spirits.



8. Baron Von Opperbean and the River of Time
   From the brain of Christopher Reyes, you will take a journey through space and time with Baron Von Opperbean and the River of Time (BVO). Each time you visit, you will have new experiences and discoveries as you travel through the multiverse. The BVO team has spent countless hours bringing this idea to life in the former Mud Island River Museum. It has been amazing to get sneak previews of the progress, and we cannot wait to see the finished product soon!



9. Grind City Amp
   Picture this: the sun is shining, you’re surrounded by friends, a cold beverage in hand, and the music is flowing. Thankfully, in Memphis, there are so many spots to have this experience, and now we can add another one to the list! Grind City Brewing Co. in Uptown is stepping into the music venue world by debuting the Grind City Amp (4,500-capacity). In April 2026, the Alabama Shakes will be christening the stage with songs like Hold On, Gimme All Your Love, and Sound & Color.



10. Looking Back
    As we enter into this new year with new experiences, we can’t forget the beloved staples of Downtown Memphis and what they are celebrating! 
    
    Here’s just a short list of some anniversaries to celebrate this year
    
    BackBeat Bus Tours celebrates 20 years in April!
    River Arts Fest celebrates 20 years in October! 
    Cotton Museum celebrates 20 years in March!
    Majestic Grille celebrates 20 years
    The National Civil Rights Museum celebrates 35 years since its opening in 1991!
    The Pyramid celebrates 35 years in November!
    St. Jude Marathon celebrates 25 years in December!
    Soul & Spirits Brewery celebrates 5 years!
    Memphis Medical District Collaborative celebrates 10 years!

Downtown Memphis Beyond 2026

In the future, we look to see even more renovations, improvements, and new businesses coming to our beloved downtown.  In the meantime, come downtown now!