The whirlwind of the holiday season is almost in the rearview mirror, and January is on the horizon in all its quiet, winter glory. But never fear! Memphis will keep rocking into the new year with loads of great events throughout the month. Here is our roundup of fun local happenings to help you roll the party right on into 2020. Happy New Year!
Celebrate Elvis’ birthday at Graceland! Image: Guest House at Graceland
Select dates through January 26, 2020: Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum
Grab some popcorn and a drink, and cheer on your favorite NBA team on select nights at the FedExForum this January. The Memphis Grizzlies play the Minnesota Timberwolves, Thursday, January 7; The San Antonio Spurs on Friday, January 10; The Golden State Warriors on Sunday, January 12; The Houston Rockets on Tuesday, January 14; The Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, January 17; The New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, January 20; The Phoenix Suns on Sunday, January 26; and the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, January 28. All games start at 7 p.m. with the exception of the games on Sunday, January 12, which is at 5 p.m.; Monday, January 20, which will begin at 4 p.m.; and Sunday, January 26, at 5 p.m. Tickets start at $5. nba.com/grizzlies
Through January 3, 2020: Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park
Presented by International Paper, this is a fun, family experience where you get to see beautiful lights and displays. Hours run from Sunday to Thursday, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $20 per car, $50 per passenger van and $150 per bus. They can be purchased at the gate, Lake’s Edge Gift Shop or online. shelbyfarmspark.org
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January 4, 2020: Hill and Dale 8-Miler at Meeman Shelby Forest State Park
Start your year off with this 8-mile trail run at Meeman Shelby Forest State Park. All proceeds will benefit the state park. The race will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 4. Late and race day registration fees, beginning on December 28, are $15 without a shirt and $30 with a shirt. Stick around for food and a fire after the race. racesonline.com
January 4, 2020: BuffaGLO Run
Talk about running with a view! You can experience Shelby Farms Park at nighttime with the BuffaGLO run, which is a 4K fun run through the display of lights at Starry Nights. All proceeds go to the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy. The price to run starts at $25. facebook.com
January 8 – 11, 2020: Elvis’ Birthday Celebration at Graceland
The week commemorating The King’s birthday is action-packed this year and every year. Join locals and tourists from across the globe, at Graceland, for events ranging from an Elvis artifact auction to a birthday party. There’s even a birthday cake and coffee following the Elvis Birthday Proclamation Ceremony at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, January 8. For ticket information and a full schedule, visit graceland.com.
January 9, 2020: Grizz Bash at FedExForum
Hang out with the Grizzlies while having a night full of games, cocktails, food and more. On January 9, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., fans can hang out with their favorite Grizzlies players and coaches. There will be games like corn-hole, Jenga, Mario Kart and a lounge for premium drinks and cocktails. General admission tickets start at $75 and include unlimited games, food and beverages, including beer and wine. VIP tickets start at $125, which include a locker room tour and Lit Ultra Premium Vodka cocktails. There is also an option to purchase a package for $250 that includes two tickets to the event with a ping-pong tournament entry. Lastly, the $500 package gives two people access, as well as one tournament entry with a guaranteed matchup with one of the players or coaches for a game. All proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. fedexforum.com
January 16 & January 25, 2020: Memphis Tigers Men’s Basketball Games
Cheer on your Memphis Tigers and men’s basketball team this January through select nights. The Memphis Tigers play Cincinnati on Thursday, January 16, at 6 p.m. and SMU on Saturday, January 25, at 3 p.m. Tickets start at $20. gotigersgo.com
January 17, 2020: The Science of Beer at The Pink Palace Museum
Learn everything there is to know about beer at the Science of Beer at The Pink Palace Museum. The event features tastings, mini-lectures and a chance to interact with expert brewers. Tickets are $35 for designated drivers, $45 for general admission and $65 for VIP admission. Pink Palace members get a $5 discount. The “hoppy” fun starts at 6:30 p.m. memphismuseums.org
January 17 – February 8, 2020: Memphis the Musical at Playhouse on the Square
Grab the family and head down to Playhouse on the Square for Memphis the Musical! Get a glimpse of the 1950s downtown streets of the 901, where rock and roll began. Tickets start at $25. The show begins on January 17 and runs through February 8. playhouseonthesquare.org
January 18, 2020: Wolf River 5K
Run the 901 Race Series is back with three brand-new events to the Memphis area. Starting with the Wolf River 5K, the three events will progress in distance, culminating with the running of the 2020 Germantown Half Marathon. Proceeds from the Wolf River 5K will benefit the Wolf River Conservancy. Registration costs $30 through January 10, and $35 from January 11 through race day. The race starts at 8 a.m., and the entertainment and post-race party begin at 8:15 a.m. wolfriver5k.racesonline.com
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January 20, 2020: Birthday Celebration for Martin Luther King Jr. at The National Civil Rights Museum
On Monday, January 20, the National Civil Rights Museum will remember the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The focus of the celebration is social justice and community service while reflecting on Dr. King’s impact. There will be performances, a health pavilion, youth-centered activities and more. The free event will go from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and there will be a food drive, along with blood donations, as well. civilrightsmuseum.org
January 25, 2020: Iris Orchestra Presents Classical Grit and Grind: Celebrating Memphis with Composer and Pianist Conrad Tao
January 28 – February 1, 2020: International Blues Challenge
The 36th annual International Blues Challenge features blues musicians from around the world who gather in Memphis to compete for cash, prizes and industry recognition. Presented by The Blues Foundation, this annual event kicks off Tuesday, January 28, and the competition runs throughout the week at Beale Street venues, concluding with the finals at the Orpheum Theatre. A basic pass costs $100. For more information and a full lineup of events, visit blues.org.
January 31, 2020: Incognito! Art Soirée and Silent Auction
Join guest host Kacky Walton of WKNO’s Checking on the Arts for an evening of art, drinks, hors d’oeuvres and entertainment — all while you bid on original works of art! You can buy your favorite painting for $250 during the “Buy-It-Now” time, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. The annual event, presented by Fidelity Investments and co-hosted by Artists’ Link, runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Memphis Botanic Garden. Natural places in the Mid-South inspire the art in this year’s auction, and artists’ names will be revealed at the close of the auction. Proceeds from ticket and art sales benefit Memphis Botanic Garden’s environmental programming. A cash bar will be available for liquor, beer and wine. Tickets are $25 for Memphis Botanic Garden members and $35 for non-members. memphisbotanicgarden.com
A Regional Event Worth the Drive …
January 31 through February 2: 2020 Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville
Make plans for a road trip to Nashville, as this show is a paradise of antiques and gardening! The longest-running, largest and most prestigious event of its kind in the country, the Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville will be celebrating its 30th year, from January 31, 2020, to February 2, 2020, attracting some of the most renowned speakers, designers and exhibitors from across the world. Reserve your spot now to hear from impressive lecturers and shop the show’s more than 150 antiques, art and horticulture dealers. Tickets start at $20 in advance. Act quickly — prices go up at the end of January! antiquesandgardenshow.com
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