Along with the change in temperatures (or, really just the changes in the calendar) comes the return of fairs and festivals. Yes, that means your favorites are back, but so are some new ones, and maybe some that just haven’t been on your radar. Don’t worry, babe, we’ve got you covered here in this guide.
SEPTEMBER
Orion Free Concert Series
I don’t know why you say “Goodbye,” I say “Shello, shello, shello,” to the Orion Free Concert Series’ lineup of free concerts.
Overton Park Shell, various dates in September and October
Delta Fair & Music Festival
This festival is a fair shot at a great time, with games, rides, and all your fair classics.
Agricenter International, through
September 8
30 Days of Opera
Thirty days of free opera? That’s music to my ears. And surely it’s music to your ears, too.
Various locations, through September 30
Germantown Festival
Weenies are all the rage at the Germantown Festival, where the annual dachshund race takes place along with arts and crafts, rides and games, live stage entertainment, car exhibits, and more.
Germantown Civic Club Complex, September 7-8
Goat Days Festival
If loving goats is baaaaad, I don’t want to be good. After all, the Goat Days Festival is all for the love of the goat, with a goat beauty pageant and a goat show, plus some non-goat activities.
Millington Sports Complex, September 7
Medical District Wellness Festival
Well, well, well, what do we have here? A wellness festival with heath-focused activities, community outreach, and live entertainment.
Morris Park, September 7
Southern Heritage Classic Cultural Celebration
Sure, there’s the rivalry football game between Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Tennessee State, but there’s also a ton of non-football events to check out, from the parade to an exhibit at the National Civil Rights Museum to a concert starring Tamia & Joe.
Various Locations, September 12-14
Mighty Roots Music Festival
Might I interest you in a mighty good time? Full lineup at mightyrootsmusicfestival.com.
Stovall, MS, September 13-14
Cooper-Young Festival
At the corner of Happy and Healthy — wait this isn’t Walgreens — at the corner of Cooper and Young is the festival where happiness and a healthy amount of art, music, and crafts flourishes.
Cooper-Young Historic District,
September 14
Memphis Fitness Fest
You’re gonna want to fit this festival into your schedule. It’ll have workouts, nutrition insights, inspiring speakers, a marketplace, and more.
Ambishun Fitness, September 14
Mid-Autumn Festival
Celebrate the beauty of Asian culture with live music, traditional lion dance performances, a fashion show, and more.
Crosstown Concourse, September 14
Memphis Yoga Festival
It’s not a stretch to say that this festival will have all the yoga you could ever dream of.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art,
September 15
Mid-South Fair
Life isn’t fair, but life is better when there’s a fair around. The Mid-South Fair is a prime example, with rides, entertainment, and the best fair fare.
Landers Center, September 19-29
Memphis Greek Festival
Celebrate this fest’s 65th anniversary with Greek food, free Greek dancing lessons, vendors, and more.
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, September 20-21
Oktoberfest(s)
Listen, I’m going to be real with you: There are several Oktoberfests happening around town, and for me to write each one out and give them their own little blurb is just soooo much work. So here’s a short list because not to include any Oktoberfest would be a disservice to you, my reader.
• Oktoberfest | Soul & Spirits, September 21
• Wiseacre Oktoberfest | Wiseacre Brewing Company, September 28
• Zootoberfest | Memphis Zoo, every Saturday and Sunday in October
• Oktoberfest | Grind City Brewing Company, October 5
• Crosstober Fest | Crosstown Brewing Company, October 12
• Overton Square Oktoberfest | Overton Square, October 12
Fantasy Faire
Once upon a time, in a faraway land called Cordova, a library hosted a fantasy-themed fair, with a story time, local artists and vendors, demonstrations by the Memphis Armored Fight Club, a costume contest, crafts, games, and more.
Cordova Library, September 21
51st Annual Pink Palace Crafts Fair
In the words of the great Chappell Roan, I’m gonna keep on dancing at the Pink Palace Crafts Fair. (I’m pretty sure those are the lyrics.) With a petting zoo, choo choo train ride for the kids, artist demos, live music, food trucks, and more than 125 master craftspeople and artists, everyone will find something to dance to.
Audubon Park, September 27-29
8th Annual Free Shout-Out Shakespeare Series: The Comedy of Errors
You make me want to shout! Shout Shakespeare, that is. This year’s Free Shout-Out Shakespeare Series features The Comedy of Errors.
Outdoor stages throughout West Tennessee and indoors at TSC, September 27-October 20
Memphis Bacon & Bourbon Festival
Bacon, good. Bourbon, good. Memphis Bacon & Bourbon Festival, very good.
Metal Museum, September 20
High Point Arts Fair
I’ll get straight to the point: artists, artisans, crafts people, and food.
The Point, September 21
Inaugural Memphis Pizza Festival
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby, but don’t you dare take another little piece of my pizza, especially at the inaugural Memphis Pizza Festival, where local makers will make all types of pizzas.
Agricenter International, September 21
Latin Fest
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with live Latin music, Latin food and drinks, activities for kids, and vendors.
Overton Square, September 21
Gonerfest 21
Oh yeah, you’re gonna wanna go to this fest with a unique and wide-ranging bill from Memphis and around the world.
Railgarten, September 26-29
Third Annual Memphis Black Child Book Fair
Promote literacy with authors from across the country and 100 Black Women of Memphis.
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, September 28
OCTOBER
Bartlett Festival
Expect music, arts and crafts, a car show, children’s activities, a barbecue contest, a 5K, and more.
W.J. Freeman Park, October 4-5
Black Arts & Wine Festival
Experience visual art by Black creatives and sample wines and liquors from Black brands.
Museum of Science & History, October 5
Mempho Music Festival
Headliners Jack White, Trey Anastasio & Classic Tab, and Cody Jinks will take the stage for this festival.
Radians Amphitheater, Memphis
Botanic Garden, October 4-6
V&E Greenline Artwalk
You can talk the talk, but can you walk the Artwalk? Yeah, you can! The event is full of artist booths, entertainment, children’s activities, artist demonstrations, and more.
V&E Greenline, October 5
Wine on the River Memphis
Jesus didn’t turn water into wine for nothing, so drink up at the Wine on the River where you can sample wine from national and international vineyards.
Tom Lee Park, October 5
King Biscuit Blues Festival
Hear ye, hear ye, King Biscuit Blues Festival is back for its annual three-day event, complete with lots of blues music — on six stages.
Helena, AR, October 9-12
Tambourine Bash
Music Export Memphis presents a night of Memphis music collaborations you won’t soon forget.
Overton Park Shell, October 10
Soul of the City
Romance isn’t dead, but the residents at Elmwood Cemetery are. Yet this year’s Soul of the City won’t let their love stories die, as crowd-favorite characters regale you with tales of passion, devotion, longing, and a dash of heartbreak and scandal.
Elmwood Cemetery, October 11-12
Edge Motorfest
Vrooom, vrooom, MFers (read: Memphis Flyer readers). You’ll be on the edge of your seat as more than 150 cars compete for 25 different awards.
Edge Motor Museum, October 12
Paint Memphis 2024
Sometimes making plans can be a paint in the butt, but when Paint Memphis is happening, you’re painted in a corner ’cause you gotta go. A hundred or so artists will be painting murals all day long and it’s a spectacle to behold.
Willet and Lamar, October 12
Ska-Tober Fest 2024
What even is ska? Find out at this fest.
Meddlesome Brewing Company, October 12
Memphis Pickle Fest
This fest will tickle your pickle with pickle-themed drinks and pickle-themed food.
Growlers, October 13
Deep Blues Festival
Hopelessly devoted to the blues? This festival is for you. It goes deep.
Clarksdale, MS, October 17-20
Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival
This one is for the players and the play lovers. Enjoy screenings, lectures, and performances.
Clarksdale, MS, October 17-19
Fall Fest
Benefiting Room in the Inn, this festival will have live music including a performance by 38 Special, a barbecue contest, a cash raffle giveaway, a car show, vendor fair, food truck fair, carnival, and more.
St. Brigid Catholic Church, October 18-19
Wolf River Conservancy Fall Fest
Take part in an arboretum scavenger hunt, meet some creepy crawly critters, participate in a costume parade, and more.
Wolf River Greenway, Shady Grove Trailhead, October 18
Spirit Fest
Don’t get too spirited away at this metaphysical and holistic expo.
Agricenter International, October 19-20
Cooper-Young Beerfest
Beer me, this festival brings all your favorite regional breweries to town.
Midtown Autowerks, October 19
RiverArtsFest
Ain’t no river wide enough, to keep me from getting to RiverArtsFest, the largest juried artist market and urban festival in the Mid-South.
Downtown Memphis, October 19-20
Memphis Tequila Festival
If tequila makes your clothes fall off, you’re gonna have a real problem at this festival where 50-plus types of tequila and mezcal will be available for tasting.
The Kent, October 25
Chêne Film Festival
This festival kicks off with a concert featuring Jordan Davis followed by the premiere of five short films showcasing the waterfowl community.
Live at the Garden, October 26
Memphis Comic Expo
This expo shines a spotlight on artists and writers in the world of comics, bringing the best local and regional talent.
Renasant Convention Center, October 26-27
Arts & Crafts Festival
Expect art, music, food, and, of course, fun at this second annual festival put on by Lakeland’s Arts Council.
Lakeland Town Square, October 26, 12-6 p.m.
NOVEMBER
Broad Ave. Art Walk
Any old broad will tell you that the Broad Ave. Art Walk is the place for artists and makers, live music, a craft area, and fun activities. Listen to that broad.
Broad Ave. Arts District, November 2
Día de Los Muertos Parade and Festival
Honor your ancestors and celebrate the cycle of life and death at this festival of art-making, face-painting, music, performances, and more.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art,
November 2
Memphis Japan Festival
Celebrate Japan at this family-friendly, interactive, and hands-on experience of Japanese culture featuring food, entertainment, games, crafts, and more.
Memphis Botanic Garden, November 3
Memphis Monster Con
This graveyard smash will catch on in a flash. There will be food trucks, the cast of Return of the Living Dead, merchandise, cosplay, an artists alley, panels, and much more.
Pipkin Building at Simmons Bank
Liberty Stadium, November 9-10
Memphis Crafts & Drafts Festival: Holiday Market
This festival crafted the perfect experience; no, this isn’t a rough draft. Crafts & Drafts showcases local artists and makers for you to shop from for all your holiday gifting needs.
Crosstown Concourse, November 9
India Fest
Enjoy vibrant displays, Bollywood dancing shows, henna painting, Indian cuisines, shopping, and more.
Agricenter International, November 9
Indie Memphis Film Festival
You look like a movie, and I could watch you all day long. That pickup line probably won’t get far at this fest, but you will be watching movies all day long.
Various locations, November 14-19
Holiday Spirits: A Christmas Cocktail Festival
Have yourself a merry little cocktail, so says the tagline of this festival since that’s what you’ll be doing.
The Kent, November 22
DECEMBER
Raised by Sound Fest
Sound the alarm! Raised by Sound Fest is back. That means free live music all the day long, culminating in a fundraising performance.
Crosstown Concourse, December 7
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
This is THE Liberty Bowl, where football, parties, and more happen.
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium,
December 27