What are your plans this weekend, Memphis? All across Shelby County, you'll find ways to enjoy the sunshine, listen to live music, cool off in the water, get your feet moving or enjoy some adult beverages! There's plenty to do for young, old, and everyone in between, so check out these fun things Memphis has to offer this weekend!
1. Get Loud Concert Series at Handy Park
Thursday June 17, 6:00 pm at W.C. Handy Park, Beale Street
Price: Free
Hosted by Memphis Tourism, in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Downtown Memphis Commission and Beale Street, "Get Loud!" is a 10-week outdoor concert series being held at the newly renovated W.C. Handy Park performance space on Beale Street. The live music series is hosting 10 Thursday night concerts from June 10th to August 12th. This week's headliner is David Ryan Harris, an accomplished guitarist and singer, and the longtime guitar player for John Mayer. Memphian Terence F. Clark will perform with him on drums. As always, the performances are free and open to the public. For more information, you can find all the details here.
2. Spring Movie Series at Greenbelt Park on Mud Island: Toy Story
Thursday June 17, 7:30 at Greenbelt Park on Island Drive
Price: Free
The Downtown Neighborhood Association is partnering with the Downtown Memphis Commission to host an outdoor Spring Movie Series for 8 weeks in Greenbelt Park on Thursdays. The weekly event is free to the public and will open at 7:30 pm with the movie starting at 8:00. Food trucks will be at the events but you are also encouraged to stop by your local food favorites in Harbor Town to grab a bite before the movie or bring it down to-go! For more information and more movie dates, check out their Facebook page.
3. Silent Disco at Overton Square - Luau Theme
Friday June 18, 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm at Overton Square
Tickets: General admission for $15 or VIP for $25 purchase tickets here
Show off your best dance moves at an outdoor silent disco party, hosted by Tiger City Entertainment and Overton Square. Dress up in your favorite Luau outfit or buy leis on site, and don't miss the Hawaiian themed photo booth! For unlimited pictures and a free drink, get the VIP tickets.
4. Canoes + Cocktails at Shelby Farms Park
Friday June 18, check-in at 7:15 pm at Hyde Lake
TICKETS: $35 - $75, food and drinks included. Purchase tickets here
Canoes + Cocktails is an event hosted by Shelby Farms Park and sponsored by Old Dominick Distillery, as a fundraiser for the daily operations of Shelby Farms Park and the Shelby Farms Greenline. Do something different this weekend and watch the sunset from a kayak, canoe or paddle board on Hyde Lake! Enjoy a guided evening sunset paddle on the lake followed by socially-distant cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, yard games and music at Hyde Lake Pavilion. Rent a canoe or kayak or BYO Boat. Check-in is at 7:15 and boats launch at 7:45. This is an adults only event, and tickets are selling fast so check for availability now.
5. Memphis Ghost Walk
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 8:00 pm, starting at The Broom Closet on South Main Streeet
Tickets: $20 Adults, $15 Ages 6-17. Reserve your spot at www.historicalhauntsmemphis.com
Guided by Historical Haunts Memphis, this ghost walk will explore the macabre and dark history of downtown Memphis. Escape into the past with one of their entertaining and knowledgeable guides. You'll visit sites of hauntings taken from local legends, official records and their own professional paranormal investigations. Maybe you'll even experience some paranormal activity of your own! The walk is less than a mile total with several stops along the way, with a short walk or trolley ride back to the starting point.
6. Sprinkler Day at the Botanic Garden
Saturday June 19, 10 am - 12 pm at the Memphis Botanic Garden
Price: Free with paid admission to the Botanic Garden
Beat the heat this summer at Sprinkler Day at the Botanic Garden! Grab some towels and splash gear, and bring your kiddos down to the Great Lawn to cool off with a variety of fun sprinklers! Concessions will be available for purchase, and the Sprinkler Day event is free with paid admission to the Botanic Garden. See their official website for more information.
7. The Fourth Bluff Latin Dance Series: Bachata on the Bluff
Saturday June 19, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm at The Fourth Bluff Park
Price: Free
Hosted by Cat's Ballroom, Downtown Memphis and Memphis River Parks Partnership, this is the
second of a three part series that is giving Memphians a chance to learn some classic Latin dance moves. The dance party kicks off at The Fourth Bluff Park downtown, located on Front Street between Court and Jefferson. This week's dance is the Bachata, so get your dancing shoes and head down to the river for some fun and spicy dance classes. See all the event details on their Facebook page for more information.
8. Virtual Meet & Greet with the Giant Pandas at the Memphis Zoo
Saturday June 19, throughout the day Online with Facebook Live
Price: Free
Don't want to get out in the Memphis Heat this weekend? Meet some giant pandas! Join a special live feed from the Memphis Zoo for a virtual "meet and greet" featuring the Memphis Zoo pandas Ya Ya and Le Le. The event is scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm; however, broadcast times depend on panda behavior, so the Live videos will begin when panda viewing is best. There may be more than one broadcast during the day. Parents are encouraged to tune in with their children and ask questions during the Live activity. If you leave your name in the discussion thread or in comments on the video you might just win some fun panda goodies. Get all the details and link to the live feed here.
9. Memphis Vegan Festival at The Fourth Bluff Park
Sunday June 20, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm at The Fourth Bluff Park
Price: Free
This isn't your standard Memphis food festival. Vegan food lovers, this is all for you! Join hosts Cynthia Daniels & Co. and Memphis Vegan Festival for a day full of vegan food, live entertainment, and a marketplace featuring local businesses, plant based health and beauty products, clothing and accessories. The live music lineup starts at 1:30 pm with Shunta Mosby, and finishes off with a performance by Jerome Chism at 3:30. For more information and Covid-19 guidelines, get all the details at 901veganfestival.eventbrite.com.
10. Outdoor Music at Delta Blues Winery: Classic Vinyl
Sunday June 20, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm at Delta Blues Winery
Price: Free
Head out to Delta Blues Winery in Lakeland on Sunday for an evening of live music with local band Classic Vinyl. Pack your chairs or a blanket and kick back and relax while you enjoy some free outdoor music paired with Delta Blues locally grown and produced wine. Weather permitting the music is either outside on the porch or in the pavilion. You can bring your own snacks, but no outside alcohol or beverages are allowed. Wine tastings and beer and wine sales are available all day, so get there early and make an afternoon out of it! For more information, see their events page.
This list gets a bonus item, as Memphis celebrates Juneteenth with an Urban Music Festival and Shop Black Festival to honor this historic event in history. Read more about the celebrations here!
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