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 2019. Happy New Year!
The International Blues Challenge takes over Beale Street clubs in late January. Image: The Blues Foundation
Through Jan 3: Memphis Arts Collective Holiday Show & Sale
Art, jewelry, food items, textiles, clothing and retro and vintage treasures … you’ll find all this and more at the Memphis Arts Collective Holiday Show & Sale. Get something special while supporting local at this fabulous market. The event runs through January 3, 2019, at 1350 Concourse Ave., Memphis, TN 38104. Hours are Monday through Thursday & Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Friday from 10:30 to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. memphisartscollective.com
Select dates through January 28, 2019: Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum
Grab some popcorn and a drink, and cheer on your favorite NBA team at the FedExForum this December on select nights. The Memphis Grizzlies play the Pistons on Wednesday, January 2; the Nets on Friday, January 4; the Spurs on Sunday, January 9; the Bucks on Sunday, January 16; the Pelicans on Monday, January 21; the Hornets on Wednesday, January 23; the Kings on Friday, January 25; the Pacers on Saturday, January 26; and the Nuggets on Monday, January 28. All games start at 7 p.m. with an exception of the game on Monday, January 21 that will begin at 4:30 p.m. Tickets start at $5. fedexforum.com
January 5, 2019: 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 5. Pre-registration fee through December 29, 2018, is $10 without a shirt and $22 with a shirt. Late and race day registration fees, beginning on December 30, are $15 without a shirt and $30 with a shirt. Stick around for food and a fire after the race. racesonline.com
January 5-8, 2019: 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 “Club Elvis” dance party and even a birthday cake and coffee following the Elvis Birthday Proclamation Ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 8. For ticket information and a full schedule, visit graceland.com.
January 7, 2019: Opening of Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Memphis
The Hilton Garden Inn will be one of the newest Downtown Memphis attractions with its contemporary and unique design. The hotel will debut The Greyhound, a premier restaurant and bar with an outdoor patio built on the former Greyhound bus station site. The tentative opening date is January 7, and the grand opening will be in March. Make sure to check out this chic hotel! hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com
January 12, 2019: Re-Soul-utions at Stax Museum of Memphis
Head to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music on January 12 to see how Stax musicians worked for their communities. Then, help create a Soulsville “Re-soul-ution board” with all the ways you can make your community stronger. Celebrate the new year, yourself and the Memphis community! This event runs from noon to 2 p.m. Admission is free. staxmuseum.com
January 12, 2019: Justin Timberlake: Man of the Woods Tour at FedExForum
Join the pop sensation and Memphis native, Justin Timberlake, on January 12 for a night of fun and music. The evening is sure to be a good time, so grab your best gal pals and head to FedExForum for a great concert. The concert will kick off at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $90. fedexforum.com
January 15-20, 2019: Waitress at Orpheum Theatre Memphis
The new irresistible musical, Waitress, features original music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, a book by screenwriter Jesse Nelson, choreography by Lorin Lattaro and direction by Diane Paulus, director of Hair and Finding Neverland. The show will begin on January 15 and run through January 20. Tickets start at $35 and showtimes vary. orpheum-memphis.com
January 18, 2019: The Science of Beer at The Pink Palace Museum
Learn everything there is to know about beer at the Science of Beer, which features tastings, mini lectures and a chance to interact with expert brewers. Tickets are $35 for designated drivers, $50 for general admission for Pink Palace members, $60 for VIP admission for Pink Palace members, $55 for general admission non-members and $65 for VIP admission for non-members. The “hoppy” fun starts at 6:30 p.m. memphismuseums.org
January 18, 2019: Harlem Globetrotters at FedExForum
The Harlem Globetrotters, known for their one-of-a-kind family entertainment, will bring their 2019 World Tour to FedExForum on Saturday, January 18 at 7 p.m. Enjoy trick shots, expert ball-handling and a little slapstick comedy. Stick around after the game, because the Globetrotters will sign autographs and take pictures with fans. Tickets start at $20. fedexforum.com
January 19, 2019: Wolf River 5K
Run the 901 Race Series is back, consisting of 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 2019 Germantown Half Marathon. Proceeds of the Wolf River 5K will benefit the Wolf River Conservancy. Registration costs $25 for the remainder of 2018, $35 from January 1 through January 13, and $40 from January 14 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
January 20, 2019: Memphis Empty Bowls Project at Crosstown Concourse
Enjoy a delicious, simple dinner of soup and bread donated by local restaurants, and select one of the beautiful, handcrafted bowls to take home as a reminder of the bowls that go empty in Memphis, as well as the inspiring work being done in our community to fight hunger. Then, peruse an art market and enjoy live music from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. All proceeds benefit The Empty Bowls Project’s fight to end local hunger. General admission tickets are $35, VIP tickets are $100, children ages 6 to 11 are admitted for $5 and children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge. memphisemptybowls.com
January 21, 2019: 90th Birthday Celebration for Martin Luther King Jr. at The National Civil Rights Museum
On Monday, January 21, 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 event will go from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be a food drive along with blood donations as well. civilrightsmuseum.org
January 22-26, 2019: International Blues Challenge
The 35th 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 22, 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 25, 2019: Wine Down: Cheese Edition at Dixon Gallery and Gardens
Wine Down: Cheese Edition hosted by Dixon Gallery and Gardens will share delicious cheeses from A Catered Affair and tasty wines provided by Buster’s Liquors and Wines. The event will begin at 6 p.m. on January 25. Admission for members is $25 and non-members is $40. dixon.org
January 25, 2019: 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! Purchase your favorite painting outright for $250 during the “Buy-It-Now” time from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The annual event, sponsored by SunTrust, runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Memphis Botanic Garden. The art in this year’s auction is inspired by natural places in the Mid-South, 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
Looking Ahead: A Regional Event Worth the Drive …
February 1-3, 2019: Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville at the Music City Center
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 29th year from February 1, 2019, to February 3, 2019, 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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