Football season, cooler weather and the “unofficial” Memphis holiday known as “901 Day” are only a few things that the Bluff City has to offer during the month of September. Whether you’re attending a concert, running a race or taking in the arts, there are endless possibilities for fun this month. So grab your friends for food, festivals and a guaranteed good time. Here are our top 20 events in Memphis.
With Live at the Garden being a fan favorite, the last show of the series in September should not disappoint. Image: Memphis Botanic Garden
20 Memphis Events: September 2018
Through September 16, 2018: Disney’s Newsies at Theatre Memphis
Another Broadway Disney musical is here — Newsies! This musical takes us back in New York City in 1899, when the metropolis got its news from an army of ragged orphans and runaways. One of them, Jack Kelly, decided to set his dreams apart from the streets and eventually found a cause to fight for when newspaper owners raised their prices. Enjoy his journey through music and fabulous song and dance at Theatre Memphis’ Lohrey Stage. Tickets start at $15. Thursday evening shows are at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday shows are at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. theatrememphis.org
Through September 9, 2018: Delta Fair & Music Festival
The Delta Fair & Musical Festival is an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the rich cultural, artistic and musical history of the Delta. Enjoy rides, livestock shows, crafts, 5K and 10K runs and plenty of live music at the Agricenter. Delta Fair opens on August 31 and closes on September 9. Admission for adults age 13 and over is $10, except after 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays when it becomes $15. Admission for youth ages 5 to 12 and seniors age 60 and older is $5, while children ages 4 and under are always admitted for free. Hours vary by day. deltafest.com
September 1, 2018: 901 Day at Crosstown Concourse
Celebrate 901 Day at Crosstown Concourse. With family-friendly games, music on the plaza, art vendors, crafts, beers and boozy pops, you will be ringing in the official holiday the right way. This event is free and runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. crosstownconcourse.com
Other 901 Day events:
- August 30: Exposure Day at AutoZone Park exposurememphis.com
- August 31: Toast the 901 facebook.com/events
- Sept 1: USL Soccer Showdown facebook.com/USLMemphis
- Sept 1: 901 Day Show with Jim Lauderdale facebook.com/events
September 1, 2018: Memphis Tigers Football Season Opener
Come to Liberty Memorial Stadium to cheer on the Memphis Tigers football team as they take on Mercer for their season opener. The game begins at 6 p.m., but tailgating will be going on all day long. Ticket prices start at $30. ev12.evenue.net
September 3, 2018: Chick-fil-A 5K
The Chick-fil-A 5K has turned into one of the largest races in the city of Memphis and is held downtown along the Mississippi River. This family-friendly 5K includes activities for the kids, entertainment, goody bags and even Chick-fil-A treats. Make this race part of your Labor Day tradition! The race begins at 8 a.m. at AutoZone Park. racesonline.com
September 6, 2018: Whet Thursday: End of Summer Luau at the Metal Museum
The Metal Museum is having another Whet Thursday, an after-hours event held on the first Thursday of each month, April through October. This Whet Thursday’s theme is an “End of Summer Luau,” a night full of games, adult beverages, food and music by Memphis rock band, Impala, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. So find yourself a Hawaiian shirt or grass skirt and explore the museum’s current exhibits and listen to a gallery talk at 6 p.m. Admission is free. metalmuseum.org
September 6-9, 2018: Disney on Ice presents Frozen at FedExForum
Disney on Ice presents Frozen at the FedExForum, where talented ice skaters will enact the complete adventures of the two sisters, Anna and Elsa. This Academy Award-winning story begins its run on September 6 through September 8 for a total of eight performances of beautiful skating and incredible acrobatics. Tickets start at $15, and showtimes vary depending on day. fedexforum.com
September 7, 2018: Broad Avenue Sidewalk Sale
September’s First Friday on Broad Avenue is all about steals, deals and the thrill of a great find! Wander down Broad Avenue to peruse their sizzling summer sidewalk sale, with shops like T Clifton Art and Falling Into Place participating. Madewell will be set up with their denim cart, and if you bring an old pair of jeans, you will receive $20 off of a future pair of Madewell jeans, a free tote, some popcorn and water! The event is free and open to the public, starting at 5 p.m. and wrapping up at 8 p.m. broadavearts.com
September 7, 2018: Live at the Garden at Memphis Botanic Garden
Live at the Garden is a summer fan favorite. Come out and listen to the country band, Big & Rich, with special guest Cowboy Troy while relaxing at Memphis Botanic Garden’s lush lawn under the stars. General admission tickets are $45, plus handling fees, and the event will begin at 6:30 p.m. liveatthegarden.com
September 7, 2018: Art on the Rocks at The Dixon
Art on Tap, the beer tasting event you have known and loved for 23 years has a new name! Meet Art on the Rocks — this time with a botanical cocktail component. The event will feature mixed drinks with gin, tequila, vodka, whiskey and rum, as well as craft beers, mocktails and much more! Enjoy food from some of your favorite local restaurants while you don your best green ensemble. Members, get your tickets for $40, and non-members, get yours for $50. Young at Art members enter for free. The event lasts from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. You don’t want to miss this! dixon.org
September 8, 2018: Season Opener at Ballet Memphis
On September 8, join Ballet Memphis for this incredible event, featuring beverages, bites and a stunning preview of performances. The event will be held at Ballet Memphis at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. tickets.balletmemphis.org
September 8, 2018: Moon Taxi at the New Daisy
Sing the night away with Moon Taxi and special guest Luthi at the New Daisy on September 8. The doors open at 7 p.m., and the show will begin at 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from $25 to $30. This is sure to be a show you won’t forget! ticketfly.com
September 8-9, 2018: Germantown Festival
Barbecue, crafts, vendors and entertainment — it’s all you need for a good time. At the Germantown Festival, there are over 400 local vendors that come to show off their latest items, including jewelry, pottery, metal, woodwork, hand-stitched garments, paintings, photography and many other creative items. Plus there are children’s activities. Admission is free, and the festival runs from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. germantownfest.com
September 9, 2018: 42nd Annual Central Gardens Home & Garden Tour
The Central Gardens Home & Garden Tour is back! This year’s theme is “Everything Old is New Again,” and the tour showcases century-old architecture mixed with modern renovations. From 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., you can go on a walkable tour of this year’s homes located on Belvedere, Central, Peabody and Glenwood Place. Tickets are $15, and for the first time ever, a portion of this year’s proceeds will go towards the Dorothy Day House. centralgardens.org
RELATED: Peek Inside the Eclectic Interiors of 3 Historic Central Gardens Homes
September 12, 2018: Food Truck Garden Party
Come join the food truck party at Memphis Botanic Garden, presented by Oak Hall and Vineyard Vines, featuring live music by Movie Night. There will be local food trucks like Say Cheese, Kabob, Waffle Cream, Jerry Lawler’s BBQ, Gourmade and Melting Pots, as well as a cash bar. There will be pedestal jousting rings, crafts and a play zone for the kiddos and so much more! The cover is $5 for members and $10 for non-members and includes one drink ticket and admission to the event. You can purchase tickets at the gate. The event starts at 5 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m. memphisbotanicgarden.com
September 14, 2018: Cooper-Young Festival Friday 4-Miler
“Will run for beer and pizza!” Take a 4-mile stroll through the historic neighborhood of Cooper-Young as residents cheer you on until you cross the finish line. There will be a great after-party with Garibaldi’s Pizza, Humdinger’s, Moe’s and a special brew from Memphis Made. The Memphis Snake Doctors will take the stage for an entertaining performance. The event begins at 7 p.m., and race registration fees range from $20 to $35. cooperyoung4miler.racesonline.com
September 15, 2018: Cooper-Young Festival
Hosted by the Cooper-Young Business Association comes Memphis’ favorite outdoor celebration, The Cooper-Young Festival. Held in the largest historic district in Memphis and one of the most highly attended festivals in the city, the festival will host over 435 artisans from around the country as well as an expected 130,000+ attendees this year. It’s a true celebration of people, culture, arts and Memphis heritage. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. cooperyoungfestival.com
September 15, 2018: West Fight On: Cycle. Run. Walk.
Whether you love to run, walk, cycle, fundraise, volunteer or cheer from the sidelines, you can help raise funds for cancer research at this event. West Fight On: Cycle. Run. Walk. participants choose from bike rides at three distances (18-mile fun ride, 34-mile ride or 62-mile metric century ride), a 5K run or a tribute/remembrance walk. The event starts at 7 a.m. and lasts until 1 p.m. at Shelby Farms Park. Registration fees start at $10. westfighton.org
September 20-22, 2018: Palladio Sidewalk Sale
The Palladio fall Sidewalk Sale at Palladio Home and Garden is back, where you can find decorative pieces on a garage sale budget. Come early to seek out your finds or come midday and enjoy lunch at Cafe Palladio. There will be furniture, home decor, art — you name it, and they’ll have it. The event is from 9 am to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. palladiomemphis.com
September 22, 2018: St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer
The St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer is an annual 5K race that raises money to help St. Jude continue its work toward ending childhood cancer. Participants can walk or run, and race fees begin at $10. The race kicks off at 8 a.m. fundraising.stjude.org
Happy September, Memphis!
********
Connect to the best events in Memphis! Subscribe to StyleBlueprint!
