Mavis Staples and Thomas Dorsey of SoulOfAmerica at a STAX Museum event
Memphis Events
Events listed below are held in Memphis, unless indicated otherwise.
JANUARY
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Annual event honors the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; http://www.king-raleigh.org/
FEBRUARY
Beale Street Zydeco Festival
Madis Gras festival on Beale Street; http://www.memphistravel.com
MAY
Beale Street Music Festival
Enjoy the music of over 60 artists on 4 big stages during Memphis In May; Beale Street; http://www.memphisinmay.org
W.C. Handy Awards Weekend
One of the biggest weekend in blues kicks off with the Handy Blues Awards and continues with a blues festival, children’s festival and much more; Memphis Cook Convention Center; http://www.handyawards.com
World Championship Barbeque Cooking Contest
Tom Lee Park; http://www.memphisinmay.org
JUNE
Junteenth Freedom & Heritage Festival
Three day festival featuring Jazz, Blues, R&B, Gospel and Hip Hop music; Slavehaven/Burkle Estate, Memphis; http://www.juneteenth.com
JULY
Beale Street 4th of July
Tom Lee Park; http://www.memphistravel.com
SEPTEMBER
Memphis Music & Heritage Festival
Labor Day Weekend; Featuring five stages of the Memphis area’s most dynamic musicians, performers, artists, and dancers; music includes blues, rock, soul, gospel, rockabilly, jazz, and more; Center for Southern Folklore, Memphis; http://www.southernfolklore.com
Southern Heritage Classic
Tennessee State University vs. Jackson State University; Liberty Bowl Stadium; http://www.southernheritageclassic.com
Mid-South Fair
Month long; Features over 50 rides, food vendors, hundreds of exciting and informative exhibits, free concerts, livestock show and rodeo and much more; Mid-South Fairgrounds; http://midsouthfair.org
OCTOBER
International Freedom Awards
Civil Rights Museum; http://www.civilrightsmuseum.org
DECEMBER
Kwanzaa Celebration
Begins 12/26; annual 7-day celebration of African-American culture at various venues; https://soulofamerica.com/events/kwanzaa-celebrations
