Welcome to your best summer yet! It’s time to slow things down and handpick a few Southern events to attend this June. From delicious food to live music, festivals, and more, savor the season at these fun (and distinctly Southern!) events.
June 1 – 3, 2023: Memphis Italian Festival — Memphis, TN
The Memphis Italian Festival offers three full days of fun! You can sample tasty Italian dishes, buy goodies from local vendors, and hang out with friends and family. Tickets are $10 for adults, and kids 10 and under are free. Event hours are Thursday, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. memphisitalianfestival.org
June 3, 2023: 73rd Annual Louisiana Peach Festival — Ruston, LA
The much-anticipated Louisiana Peach Festival returns to downtown Ruston this summer! Featured events include the Peach Art Market, the Peach Hunt, Peachy Sidewalk Sale, Run for the Peaches 5K, and more. Festival activities are free from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. After 5 p.m., tickets are $10 for adults (ages 12 and up) and $5 for children (ages 11 and under). lapeachfest.com
June 3, 2023: 2nd Annual Athens Pride Parade — Athens, GA
The city of Athens’ pride parade returns to its downtown area this season! The parade begins at 2 p.m., and attendees are encouraged to grab a spot along Clayton Street or College Avenue for the best views of the parade. Be sure to stick around for the festival, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Foundry Pavilion. athenspride.org
June 3, 2023: La Grange Arts Fest — La Grange, KY
Visit historic Main Street in La Grange, KY, on Saturday, June 3, for the annual Arts Fest! The curated, juried arts and crafts market includes outdoor music, food, and drink. Plus, attendees can shop for items from various vendors, artists, artisans, makers, and creators. The event is free to attend and begins at 9 a.m. touroldham.com
June 3 & 4, 2023: 24th Annual Flying Colors Butterfly Festival — Roswell, GA
Enjoy a myriad of butterfly- and pollinator-related events at the annual Flying Colors Butterfly Festival. Taking place at the Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC), the fundraising event includes butterfly encounters, tasty food, live entertainment, and lessons from pollinator experts. Tickets are $25 for the general public and $20 for CNC members. Event hours are Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. chattnaturecenter.org
June 5 – 11, 2023: Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic — Biloxi, MS
Join hundreds of anglers as they head to Biloxi, MS, for the annual Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic. This week-long event includes dock parties, a captain’s banquet, a golfing outing, live entertainment, and cash prizes. To see a complete schedule of events, visit mgcbc.com.
June 7 – 11, 2023: Tupelo Elvis Festival’s 25th Anniversary — Tupelo, MS
The Tupelo Elvis Festival celebrates 25 years of honoring Tupelo’s favorite native! Featured events include Elvis tribute concerts, the Running With the King 5K, and more. For a complete schedule of events and to purchase tickets, visit tupeloelvisfestival.com.
June 8 – 11, 2023: South Carolina Festival of Flowers — Greenwood, SC
Celebrate the beginning of summer at the South Carolina Festival of Flowers. The annual event features a juried art show, free concerts, a car show, garden tours, and more. Plus, attendees can view 55 live topiaries throughout Greenwood that depict everything from an elephant to a safari Jeep. While most events are free, others require tickets. To see a complete schedule of events, visit scfestivalofflowers.org.
June 8 – 11, 2023: CMA Fest — Nashville, TN
One of Nashville’s most anticipated music festivals returns for another year! A four-day event, the 2023 CMA Fest includes performances by Ashley McBryde, Boy Named Banjo, Carly Pearce, Hailey Whitters, and many more. Attendees can also head to Fan Fair X for additional performances, shopping, games, and more. While most daytime performances are free to attend, tickets are required for evening performances at Ascend Amphitheater and Nissan Stadium. cmafest.com
June 9 & 10, 2023: Mississippi Moon Festival — Olive Branch, MS
Mississippi Moon Festival is a two-day music and camping experience at Aisling Farm. The festival includes bluegrass music from performers like MoonShroom, Kelly Hunt, Trevor Clark, Bailey Bigger, and more. Festival passes are $50. mississippimoonfestival.bandzoogle.com
June 9 – 11, 2023: 18th Annual Blanco Lavender Festival — Blanco, TX
The annual Blanco Lavender Festival returns to the Historic Old Blanco County Courthouse this June! In addition to the Lavender Market — which offers lavender plants and products, arts and crafts, and other handmade products — attendees can enjoy live music, beer, and wine. Event hours are Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival is free to attend. blancolavenderfest.com
June 10, 2023: Memphis Crafts & Drafts Festival — Memphis, TN
Head to Crosstown Concourse to enjoy a day of free, family-friendly fun! The Memphis Crafts & Drafts Festival hosts over 80 local makers and artists, along with local drinks and food. The fun begins at 10 a.m. memphiscraftsanddrafts.com
June 10, 2023: Zoo Brews — Birmingham, AL
Experience brews from all over Alabama and the Southeast while strolling through the Birmingham Zoo. Craft beer lovers can enjoy a fantastic selection of beverages from breweries and wineries as well as food from local food trucks and the zoo’s Wild Burger restaurant. The fun begins at 6 p.m., and general admission tickets are $45. Designated driver tickets are also available. (Note: This is a 21-and-up event.) birminghamzoo.com
June 12 – 19, 2023: 3rd Annual Lowcountry Juneteenth Week — Charleston, SC
Juneteenth is the longest-running African American holiday that celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. Lowcountry Juneteenth Week highlights Black-owned businesses and includes curated events throughout Charleston, such as musical performances from Goodie Mob and Experience Unlimited. General admission tickets are $45. lowcountryjuneteenthweek.com
June 16, 2023: Jake Hayes Memorial Golf Tournament — Birmingham, AL
Tee up with the team at Cahaba Brewing Company as they celebrate the life and legacy of Jacob “Jake” Arthur Hayes. All proceeds benefit the Hope for Autumn Foundation, a local nonprofit that supports families battling childhood cancer and funds lifesaving research and treatment options. The driving range opens at noon, and there is a shotgun start at 2 p.m. Registration fees begin at $150, and sponsorship opportunities are also available. cahababrewing.com
June 17, 2023: Juneteenth Festival — Oxford, MS
Commemorate Juneteenth in Oxford, MS, with a free concert from The Soul Tones, food trucks, cocktails, and more. The event takes place at Old Armory Pavillion at 6 p.m. While the main event is free, you can reserve a table for eight people for $50. oxfordjuneteenth.org
June 17, 2023: Race for Relations 5K — Frankfort, KY
Another way to celebrate Juneteenth is to participate in the Race for Race Relations 5K at Lakeview Park. Hosted by Focus on Race Relations, a nonprofit organization raising awareness around race-related issues, the event also includes a silent auction, scavenger hunt, and raffle. The race begins at 9 a.m., and registration is $25. runsignup.com
June 17 & 18, 2023: Music City Freedom Festival — Nashville, TN
Celebrate Juneteenth at the Music City Freedom Festival. Taking place at Hadley Park, the free event includes two days of live music, delicious food, local vendors, and inflatables for children. The festival runs from noon to 8 p.m. on both days. musiccityfreedomfest.com
June 24, 2023: 6th Annual Kentucky Craft Bash — Louisville, KY
The Kentucky Guild of Brewers once again hosts the annual Kentucky Craft Bash at Louisville’s Waterfront Park. Hosting over 50 local breweries and more than 150 varieties of beer, attendees can sip on familiar Kentucky brews as well as sample unique, experimental beers. VIP admission begins at noon, with general admission at 1 p.m. Tickets start at $65. kycraftbash.com
June 24, 2023: Blue Ridge Mountains Wine & Jazz Festival — Ellijay, GA
This tribute to the North Georgia mountains is fun for the whole family, offering local food vendors, live jazz music, and wine from across the globe. You can buy wine by the glass or bottle and settle back on a blanket or in your lawn chair to enjoy music. The event takes place at White Path Creek Farms at 11 a.m. Tickets start at $70. blueridgewineandjazz.com
June 30, 2023: 20,000 Beers Under the Sea — Atlanta, GA
The Georgia Aquarium’s most popular summer event returns! 20,000 Beers Under the Sea celebrates the arrival of a new season with unlimited beer, hard seltzer, and cider samples, a buffet dinner, music, and close-up views of over 500 aquatic species. Tickets are $75 for aquarium members and $85 for non-members. The fun begins at 7 p.m. georgiaaquarium.org
Here’s to a fun-filled June!
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To see more great Southern events, visit our Happenings calendar!
