JANUARY

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebrations: The city of Memphis celebrates Dr. King’s birthday with a variety of events, including concerts, art exhibits, performances, and more. 521-9699, civilrights-museum.org.

Elvis Birthday Celebration: The city comes alive with special Elvis-themed events, including a Graceland scavenger hunt, exhibits, parties, concerts, and a Graceland ceremony. Citywide, 800-238-2000, 332-3322, elvis.com.

IMAX Film Festival: Take it to the max with a smorgasbord of IMAX films housed inside the recently expanded and remodeled Pink Palace Museums, one of the largest facilities of its kind in the Southeast. 320-6362, memphismuseums.org.

FEBRUARY

Beale Street Zydeco Festival: Mardi Gras comes to Beale Street, with Zydeco bands playing in various venues and plenty to eat and drink. Beale Street, 529-0999, bealestreet.com.

International Blues Challenge: Months of regional competitions around the world culminate in the semi-finals and finals, with more than 90 acts competing for cash, prizes, and awards. Beale Street, 527-2583, blues.org.

Soup Sunday: Memphis-area restaurants offer a smorgasbord of soups, breads, desserts, coffees, and other delicious samplings at a family-fun event to support Youth Villages. FedExForum, 252-7650, youthvillages.org.

Works of Heart Valentine Auction: More than 100 pieces of heart-themed artwork created by local and regional artists benefit the Memphis Child Advocacy Center. Memphis College of Art, 888-4341, memphiscac.org.

MARCH

Great Neighborhoods: Central Gardens: Month-long series of history lectures, neighborhood stories, architectural highlights, and walking tour. Memphis Heritage Howard Hall, 529-9828.

Marguerite Piazza St. Jude Gala: Join Memphis’s opera diva at the Peabody Hotel and experience all the glamour of The Disco Ball. 800-238-6030, stjude.org.

Memphis International Film Festival: A mix of local and global with films from around the region and the world. 626-9685, memphisfilmforum.org.

Shrine Circus: Trapeze artists, animals, clowns, and three rings filled with family fun. Agricenter International, 377-7336, ringling.com, agricenter.org.

APRIL

Africa in April: A four-day celebration of African culture with a variety of festival events, including music, food vendors, exhibition booths, and more. Beale and Robert R. Church Park, 947-2133, africainapril.org.

Oktoberfest: Beer, brats, cooking contests, vendors, entertainment, and a spring afternoon with the feel of autumn. Agricenter International, 757-7777, agricenter.org.

Overton Square Crawfish Festival: Crawfish straight from the bayou with music, crafts, and plenty to eat. Overton Square, 281-6468.

Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival: Calling all mudbug lovers to an afternoon with mounds of crawfish, live entertainment, contests, cooking demos, Cajun Market, and more. Wagner Place, 577-2500, porter-leath.org.

Redbirds Baseball Season Home Opener: The AAA affiliate of the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals begins its April to September season in Memphis’s state-of-the-art AutoZone Park ballpark. 721-6000, memphisredbirds.com.

Spring’s Best Plant Sale: Everything you need for spring planting, plus expert staff and gardeners for consultations. Memphis Botanic Garden, 576-4100, memphisbotanicgarden.com.

MAY

The Blues Music Awards: Blues performers, industry representatives, and fans from all over the world celebrate the best in blues recordings and performances. Locations vary, 527-2583, blues.org.

(Big Fat) Greek Festival: Two days of Greek heritage, culture, music, food, and pastries, as well as live Greek music, dancing, Taverna, and marketplace. 327-8177, memphisgreekfestival.com.

Memphis in May: This month-long extravaganza of all things Memphis hosts the city’s largest events, such as the Beale Street Music Festival, the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, and the Sunset Symphony on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River. Sprinkled in between are extensive international and cultural events, programs, performances, exhibits, activities, and more, centered around the year’s honored country. 525-4611, memphisinmay.org.

Pickin’ Picnic Bluegrass Festival: A two-day festival celebrating the great traditions of bluegrass and paying tribute to the musical heritage of Lucy Opry. Bartlett Performing Arts Center grounds, 385-6440.

Ports of Call Gala: Set sail for Spain during an amazing evening of dining, dancing, and entertainment. Germantown Performing Arts Centre, 751-7500, gpacweb.com.

JUNE

FedEx/St. Jude Golf Classic: The tradition continues at this four-day, legendary PGA tour golf tournament. TPC at Southwind, 748-0534, hushyall.com.

Juneteenth Freedom & Heritage Festival: Three days of free live music, activities, and entertainment celebrates the ending of slavery while honoring black culture. Douglass Park, 385-4943, juneteenthmemphis.org.

Memphis Italian Festival: Celebrate the Italian-American tradition with more than 50 cooking teams, arts and crafts vendors, concessions, and a diverse entertainment lineup. Marquette Park, 767-6949, memphisitalianfestival.com.

NASCAR Racing: Craftsman Truck Series O’Reilly 200 “under the lights,” with Fan Fest, post-race concert, and more. Memphis Motorsports Park, 358-RACE, 866-40-SPEED, memphismotorsportspark.com.


JULY

Blues on the Bluff: Bring blankets and lawn chairs and settle in for an evening of blues, concessions, and a spectacular view of the Mississippi River. Part 2 happens in August. National Ornamental Metal Museum, 528-0560, wevl.org.

Downtown Memphis Fourth of July Fireworks: Celebrate Independence Day on the river with food, fun, and the city’s most spectacular fireworks show. Tom Lee Park, 529-0999, memphistravel.com.

AUGUST

Choctaw Heritage Festival: Native American culture comes alive through Indian food, dance, vendors, music, crafts, games, and more. Chucalissa Museum, 785-3160, chucalissa.org.

Elvis Film Festival: Annual film festival salutes Elvis during Elvis week in conjunction with Graceland. 761-3480, malco.com.

Elvis Week 2008: The 30th anniversary of Elvis’s passing is filled with Elvis events, including an anniversary concert, parties, and the world-famous Candlelight Vigil. Citywide, 800-238-2000, 332-3322, elvis.com

SEPTEMBER

AIA Architecture Month: A month-long celebration of architecture throughout the city, which includes lectures, art exhibits, home tour, films, and other activities. 525-3818, aiamemphis.org.

Baddour Center Annual Fashion Show: A prestigious event that features professional models sporting the latest fashions, plus silent auction and lunch to benefit The Baddour Center. Hilton Hotel, 888-4BADDOUR, baddour.org.

Clanjamfry — A Scottish Festival: A celebration of all things Scottish, including music, dance, bagpipes, food, arts and crafts, Scottish talent show, and an outdoor faire. Evergreen Presbyterian Church, 274-3740, clanjamfrymemphis.org.

Cooper-Young Festival: Live music, more than 300 vendor booths, arts and crafts, children’s area, entertainment, and plenty to eat at this Midtown festival. Intersection of Cooper and Young, 276-7222, cooper-youngfestival.com.

Grandparents Month: Grandparents enjoy free admission to the Children’s Museum of Memphis all month to create memorable experiences with their grandchildren. 458-2678, cmom.com.

Memphis Music & Heritage Festival: A Labor Day weekend tradition includes four live music stages, arts, crafts, dance, demos, speakers, and all the local music flavor you can handle. Center for Southern Folklore, 525-3655, southernfolklore.com.

Mid-South Fair: The fair is in the air with more than 50 carnival midway rides, food vendors, exhibits, concerts, livestock shows, rodeo, and more. Location TBA, 274-8800, midsouthfair.com.

Southern Heritage Classic: Festivities include a golf classic, battle of the bands, R&B concert, tailgate party, and the legendary football matchup between Jackson State and Tennessee State. Liberty Bowl Stadium, 398-6655, southernheritageclassic.com.

We Will Never Forget: Annual commemorative service for the 343 firefighters and 60 police officers who gave their lives responding to the World Trade Center’s rescue calls during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Fire Museum of Memphis, 320-5650, firemuseum.com.

WLOK Stone Soul Picnic: A free, community-oriented picnic event in its 33rd year with local and national gospel artists, games, rides, and cultural information. Tom Lee Park at Riverside Dr., 527-9565, wlok.com.

Zoo Rendezvous: Enjoy food and libations from more than 75 Memphis restaurants and live entertainment at the zoo’s largest fundraiser. Memphis Zoo, 276-WILD, memphiszoo.org.

OCTOBER

Chefs’ Celebrity Gala: A gourmet dinner prepared by the American Culinary Federation, dancing, and the ever-popular Teddy Bear Surprises benefit the Child Advocacy Center. Memphis Hilton, 888-4340, memphiscac.org.

Fall Plant Sale: Huge selection of hardy perennials, hard-to-find trees and shrubs, and garden experts to help in winter preparation. Memphis Botanic Garden, 576-4100, memphisbotanicgarden.com.

International Freedom Awards: Award dinner and ceremony honoring individuals whose accomplishments depict the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement. National Civil Rights Museum, 521-9699, civilrightsmuseum.org.

NASCAR Racing: Busch Series Sam’s Town 250, a colorful combination of horsepower and star power. Memphis Motorsports Park, 358-RACE, 866-40-SPEED, memphismotorsportspark.com.

Native American Days: Experience arts and crafts, food, drumming, dancing, and demonstrations on a Native American archeological site. Chucalissa Museum, 785-3160, chucalissa.org.

NBA Memphis Grizzlies Season Opener: This Western Conference team shoots the hoops October through April at Memphis’s newest sports arena, the FedExForum. 205-1234, grizzlies.com.

Pink Palace Crafts Fair: More than 250 booths feature fine arts and handicrafts, plus demonstrations, live entertainment, culinary delights, and more. Audubon Park, 320-6408, memphismuseums.org.

Repair Days: More than 200 metalsmiths stand by to fix dysfunctional metal items, along with an auction, opening reception events, and more. The Metal Museum, 774-6380, metalmuseum.org.

NOVEMBER

Christmas at Graceland (Nov–Jan): Graceland authentically continues Elvis’s Christmas decorating traditions with a special lighting ceremony at dusk the day after Thanksgiving. 800-238-2000, 332-3322, elvis.com.

Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees (Nov–Dec): A magical winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights, animated characters, hard-working elves, decorated trees, and Santa Claus. Pink Palace Museum, 320-6362, memphismuseums.org.

Peabody Hotel Holiday Decorations (Nov–Dec): Experience “The South’s Grand Hotel” in all its holiday finery and activities, plus the twice-daily march of the famous Peabody Ducks. 529-4000, peabodymemphis.com.

Subsidium’s Carrousel of Shoppes (Nov–Dec): More than 120 merchants countrywide offer crafts, art, and special one-of-a-kinds to benefit the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf. Agricenter Int’l, 683-6557, subsidium.org.

W.C. Handy Heritage Awards: Honoring authentic Beale Street musicians, the awards pay tribute to various musicians who have contributed to Memphis’s music heritage. 527-3427, 877-527-3428.

Zoo Lights (Nov–Dec): Spectacular light displays, live reindeer, a variety of activities, and more for the holidays. Memphis Zoo, 276-WILD, memphiszoo.org.

DECEMBER

AutoZone Liberty Bowl: This matchup between two of the nation’s top college football teams is surrounded by tailgate parties, awards luncheon, and other Bowl Week events. Liberty Bowl Stadium, 795-7700, libertybowl.org.

Beale Street New Year’s Eve: Ring in the new year with live music and entertainment among the many bars and clubs on one of the most famous streets in the nation. 526-0110, bealestreet.com.

Downtown Holiday Parade: An all-day Holiday Festival at Handy Park sets the stage for the evening Holiday Parade on Beale Street, including artisans, vendors, photos with Santa, concerts, and more. bealestreet.com, downtownmemphis.com.

St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend: A weekend of fun surrounds this Boston Qualifier course, steeped in Southern hospitality in the Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll. 800-565-5112, stjudemarathon.org.