Coming in 2026! Exciting Developments to Watch Around the South
The South is THE place to be in 2026! We're teasing nine fun additions and events to watch out for this year ... but stay tuned for more. Image: Facebook / Dogwood Arts
As we look ahead to a new year, one thing is clear: the South is THE place to be in 2026! From Tennessee to Texas, Alabama to Arkansas, and everywhere in between, the region is pulsing with the energy and excitement of some of the area’s most anticipated openings and events. Whether you’re a sports fanatic, art lover, or thrill seeker, these upcoming developments in the South offer something for everyone. Mark your calendars and make your plans, because this year promises to be one for the books!
FIFA World Cup 2026 | Atlanta, Dallas, Houston
More Info: fifa.com
Some call it football, some call it soccer, but everyone calls the FIFA World Cup one of the most fun and exciting events in sports. In 2026, the tournament gets a big shot of Southern hospitality, with Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston all serving as host cities. Each one is rolling out the red carpet (and green turf) to welcome teams and fans, with plenty of events and celebrations that showcase the best of what the South has to offer.
Multi-week fan festivals, featuring plenty of food, live entertainment, and viewing areas to watch the action (such as the soon-to-be-unveiled Fan Gathering Plaza in Atlanta’s Centennial Yards), are all part of these unique experiences.
Anakeesta Expansion | Gatlinburg, TN
More Info: anakeesta.com
Experience the Smoky Mountains in a brand new way thanks to a five-year, $100 million-dollar expansion at the Anakeesta Adventure Park in Gatlinburg. Beginning in Spring 2026, a scenic lift will take guests on a four-minute ride to the mountaintop park. The faster, smoother system replaces the existing Chondola and features 56 glass-bottom cabins for breathtaking, 360-degree views of the majestic mountains.
Once inside the park, the newly designed Firefly Village invites guests to meander through its paths filled with more light, wonder, and magic. Like a fairytale brought to life, the redefined space, set to open later in 2026, boasts the longest treetop skywalk in North America. This elevated path gets an upgrade with towers, new pathways, and an overlook with birds-eye views of Gatlinburg.
It’s family fun for everyone in the heart of the Tennessee hills.
KnoxWalls Murals & Music Festival | Knoxville, TN
More Info: dogwoodarts.com
Emory Place in North Knoxville is widely known as one of the city’s premier art destinations. But on Saturday, May 30, this renovated historic area transforms into a creative battleground as 10 talented muralists go head-to-head at the KnoxWalls Murals & Music Festival.
Produced by Dogwood Arts, the event takes place from noon to 8 p.m. and offers artists a unique opportunity to showcase their talent as they vie for a permanent mural commission. Winners are determined by public vote before the finished paintings are auctioned online.
This interactive, immersive event combines art with live music and plenty of family-friendly activities, set against the backdrop of KnoxWalls at Emory Place. The public art installation features 7,000 square feet of large-scale, permanent murals by prominent artists from across the country. Gentleman, start your easels!
Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel | Nashville, TN
More Info: songtellerhotel.com
You don’t have to be a Dolly Parton fan (but really, who isn’t?) to appreciate her latest project. No, it’s not a new album, although we wouldn’t object to it. It’s the SongTeller Hotel, and it’s Dolly’s love letter to Music City.
A little bit of Dolly will be sprinkled into every one of the signature rooms and suites of this luxury hotel, designed to make guests feel like superstars. Dining options will include the upscale Parton’s Live, where guests can enjoy elevated cuisine while experiencing the heart and soul of Nashville through live songwriting sessions and showcases featuring rising stars.
On the top floor, Jolene’s will pair light bites, cocktails, and desserts with live music in a lounge setting that overlooks the glittering Music City skyline. For die-hard Dolly lovers, the jewel in SongTeller’s crown is the Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum, the largest exhibit of the beloved performer’s life anywhere in the world.
Although not scheduled to open until June 2026, SongTeller is currently taking reservations. Book now, as we suspect they will go faster than you can say “icon.”
Memphis Art Museum | Memphis, TN
More Info: memphisartmuseum.org
Since opening its doors in 1916, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art has evolved and expanded, offering guests award-winning exhibits, priceless works of art, and numerous educational experiences. Now, in 2026, the beloved Overton Park staple will undergo its largest transformation to date when it relocates to the heart of downtown and reopens as the Memphis Art Museum.
Destined to become a downtown landmark, the new riverfront location is a work of art in its own right. Designed by famed international architects Herzog & de Meuron and local firm archimania, the new space will seamlessly integrate the magic of downtown Memphis, connecting art with the community for an immersive and interactive experience.
Highlights will include a rooftop sculpture garden, community courtyard, amphitheater, cafe, and an oversized River Window, perfect for pausing and watching the Mighty Mississippi roll by.
OZ Trails Bike Park | Bella Vista, AR
More Info: oztrails.com
Mountain bikers get an exciting new way to chase the adrenaline rush in 2026 with the opening of Arkansas’s first chairlift-served mountain bike park, OZ Trails. Set to open mid-year, cyclists can access the 20 miles of gravity trails via a state-of-the-art, high-speed quad lift that can carry four cyclists and their bikes simultaneously.
If you prefer your adventure on two feet rather than two wheels, the park will boast plenty of hiking and running trails, along with restaurants, bars, and gathering spaces to swap trail tales.
Hot on the heels of the OZ Trails opening, the Trails at Mena project debuts in 2026 in the picturesque Ouachita Mountains. The largest lift-served mountain bike park in the world, it will feature more than 100 miles of heart-pounding trails to accommodate beginners and challenge thrill-seekers. Saddle up!
Sail 250 | New Orleans, LA
More Info: sail250neworleans.com
The Port of New Orleans is home to a stunning nautical display when the largest flotilla of tall ships from around the world gathers to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. The festivities take place between May 28 and June 1, and are part of a nationwide event honoring our great country.
You can look forward to a welcome parade, fireworks, seafood cook-off, and ship tours throughout this once-in-a-generation event, culminating in a blessing of the ships before they set sail down the Mississippi River. All aboard for fun!
COTALAND Amusement Park | Austin, TX
More Info: cotaland.com
Step into a race car and take a lap around the track, swing 150 feet in the air, or ride a steel roller coaster over a public roadway. Those are just a few of the adventures that await at COTALAND Amusement Park at Circuit of The Americas in Austin.
Set to open in 2026, the Lone Star State’s newest theme park will offer 30 rides, including Texas’s only tilt roller coaster, Circuit Breaker. Plenty of food, games, kiddie rides, and more will create an inclusive experience for the entire family. Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the thrills!
Carolina Days 250th Anniversary Celebration | South Carolina
More Info: southcarolina250.com
Coming together to celebrate America’s 250th birthday is a common theme across the nation in 2026, and South Carolina is going all out to unite the past with the present through its Carolina Days celebration. From June 27 through July 5, the state will honor the vital role it played in the American Revolution with a menu of events designed to educate and entertain.
From fireworks to farmers’ markets, potlucks to parades, South Carolina is the place to be to celebrate this American milestone in Southern style.
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Bonny Osterhage
Bonny Osterhage is a professional journalist with more than 25 years of experience in both print and digital media. An avid fitness fanatic, when she isn't exploring the next trending topic, Bonny can be found cycling, running, and leading classes at SolidCore. Find more of her work at Mind Body Green, The List, Business Insider, and more.