As you begin to map out your 2023 calendar, be sure to include these can’t-miss events happening around Memphis. From marathons to sporting events and fundraisers, here’s what you have to look forward to this month. Enjoy — and Happy New Year!
12 Memphis Events & Happenings: January 2023
January 1, 8, 9, 11, 16, 18, and 29, 2023: Memphis Grizzlies Basketball Games
Take the family to FedExForum for a night of basketball and fun! On select nights in January, you can watch your Memphis Grizzlies play at home and hopefully take the victory. Tickets begin at $6, and start times vary based on the day. To see the entire schedule, click HERE.
January 5 – 8, 2023 Elvis’ Birthday Celebration at Graceland
The week commemorating The King’s birthday is action-packed this year. Head to Graceland for celebrations ranging from a concert with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra to a Hawaiian-style dinner. Plus, on Sunday, January 8, Graceland is slated to open its new Making of ELVIS Movie exhibition! Some events are free to attend while others require an admission fee. To see the complete schedule of events, visit graceland.com.
January 7, 2023: 44th Annual Hill & Dale 8-Miler
Start your year off with this eight-mile trail run at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park. All proceeds benefit the park, and the race begins at 11 a.m. Plus, stick around after the race to enjoy fare from local food trucks. Registration fees begin at $15. runsignup.com
January 7, 2023: Where the Wild Things Are Screening
Join Memphis Brooks Museum of Art on Saturday, January 7, at 2 p.m. for a special screening of Spike Jonze’s Where the Wild Things Are! This event is free to attend and is part of the museum’s Drawing the Curtain: Maurice Sendak’s Designs for Opera and Ballet exhibition. brooksmuseum.org
January 8, 2023: Frozen Cookie Decorating
Enjoy a date or an outing with the kiddos at Prima’s cookie decorating party on Sunday, January 8, at 12:30 p.m. Each ticket includes one Frozen-themed cookie decorating kit (a dozen shortbread cookies, four piping bags with vanilla buttercream, and two sprinkle sets). Tickets are $40 and admit two participants. (Note: Tickets must be purchased in advance.) primasbakerymenu.com
January 9 – 27, 2023: Incognito Art Auction & Gala Presented by Banes Capital Group
Join over 100 artists who are going incognito and creating a collection of original, unsigned works. The artwork is on display at Memphis Botanic Garden from Monday, January 9, through Friday, January 27. Online bidding opens on Tuesday, January 17, at 9 a.m. The event culminates with a gala of the featured artists on Friday, January 27, at 5:30 p.m. Tickets for the gala are $35 for garden members and $45 for non-members. Art sales and donations benefit Memphis Botanic Garden. membg.org
January 12, 2023: Veuve Clicquot Champagne Paint Night
Join Arrow Creative and Dorothy Collier as you paint three champagne bottles of your choosing. Attendees are asked to bring a bottle they’d like to style their painting after as well as a beverage to enjoy while painting. Arrow Creative is slated to have bottles of champagne to look at for examples, too. The fun begins at 6:30 p.m., and tickets are $85. eventbrite.com
January 13, 2023: Science of Beer
The Museum of Science & History invites you to sample some of the finest brews and food in the region while learning about the science of beer. The event also includes lectures and other interactive beer-themed activities. Participating breweries include Beale St. Brewing, Hampline Brewing, Crosstown Brewing, Wiseacre Brewing, and more. The event begins at 6:30 p.m., and general admission tickets start at $50. moshmemphis.com
January 14, 2023: Mike Super at the Orpheum Theatre
Head to the Orpheum Theatre on Saturday, January 14, for a night filled with family-friendly fun and magic as Mike Super takes the stage. His thrilling performance includes mind-bending illusions and hilarious comedy. The show begins at 7:30 p.m., and tickets start at $37.50. orpheum-memphis.com
January 16, 2023: King Day: A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday
This special event at the National Civil Rights Museum showcases Dr. Martin Luther King’s work as well as the history of how the national holiday came to be. It also continues the tradition of an MLK Day of Service by encouraging guests to bring nonperishable food items to support the Mid-South Food Bank. Other events include live music performances and the annual blood drive. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. civilrightsmuseum.org
January 24 – 28, 2023: International Blues Challenge
Join 200 blues musicians from around the world as they gather on Memphis’ iconic Beale Street. The International Blues Challenge includes five days of live music and ends with a final round hosted at the Orpheum Theatre. Passes to the festival are $100 and can be purchased HERE.
January 28, 2023: Rodeo of the Mid-South
The Harper and Morgan Rodeo is headed to town! The family-friendly event hosts seven professional rodeo events, rodeo clown Dusty Myers, and entertainer Dusti Crain-Dickerson. Performances begin at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and tickets start at $20. The event takes place at the Landers Center in Southaven — just a short drive from Memphis. landerscenter.com
Happy New Year, Memphis!
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To see even more great Memphis events, visit our Happenings page!
