Festivals in Tennessee
Music is a year-round event in Tennessee, so here are some festivals throughout the year - the soundtrack to your Tennessee holiday!
Elvis Birthday Celebration
Celebrate Elvis' Birthday with four days of events for an unforgettable fan experience. It is a special time to be in Memphis as Graceland will still be decorated for the holidays and there is always an epic birthday cake on display. Tickets for all activities are available online at Graceland.com.
Memphis in May, Memphis
The three-day Beale Street Music Festival, the kickoff to the annual Memphis in May International Festival, is the ultimate coming-together of people and music. Since 1977, festival-goers have gathered to hear national and local acts including B.B. King, who performed at the inaugural event, and Stax Records artists Booker T. & the MG's, a vanguard of intergrated bands. Other past artists have included Memphis native Aretha Franklin, The Black Keys, John Mayer and Alabama Shakes, to name just a few. They also gather to sample some of the best barbecue around at the popular World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.
For the first time in their 43-year history, this year see's Memphis honouring their own hometown! Memphis is taking centre stage during the 2019 festival as part of the city's 200-year celebration and bring everyone together for an anniversary party like no other! Big things will be announced over the coming months, so make sure you're following their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date and let the countdown to May begin!
Fuse TV named Beale Street Music Festival one of the Top 26 music festivals in the USA and for good reason. Click here for details on the Beale Street Music Festival or click here for further information on Memphis in May.
Cooper-Young Festival, Memphis
Memphis’ largest historic district, Cooper-Young, welcomes thousands of visitors and more than 400 artists from around the US during September to share their art. Music performances range from R&B to reggae to pop and gospel.
Elvis Week, Memphis
Each August, Elvis fans from around the world gather for Elvis Week. Memphis sees an influx of Elvis fans for a celebrations of the music, films and the legacy of Elvis Presley. Elvis Week includes traditional events such as the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest and an Elvis candlelight vigil plus special concerts, discussions, dances and more. The cornerstone event of Elvis Week every year is always the Candlelight Vigil, which begins in the evening and lasts well in to the morning of the next day as fans walk up the driveway to Meditation Garden holding a candle in quiet remembrance of Elvis. It's a wonderful sight to see and experience. Photos from previous events and further information is available on graceland.com.
CMA Music Festival, Nashville
The CMA Music Festival is held every year in mid-June in downtown Nashville. Over four jam-packed days, Nashville's signature music event features concerts, autograph signings, family activities, and more. For 38 years, the event has been an unparalleled celebration of America's music, drawing thousands of fans and media from all corners of the globe to Nashville. CMA Music Festival was dubbed the "crown jewel of Country Music Festivals" by USA Today. Click here for further information.
Americana Music Festival, Nashville
Thousands of artists, fans and industry professionals make their way during September to various venues around Nashville. Jewel, The Vespers, Patty Griffin, Glen Hansard, Buddy Miller and Parker Millsap are just some of the artists who have previously participated. With more than 165 showcases in venues around downtown Nashville it gives visitors an insight on why Nashville truly is Music City.
Music City Jazz Festival, Nashville
The Music City Jazz Festival every July in downtown Nashville's Public Square Park is more than an outdoor concert. It's an event of eating, drinking, mingling, relaxing, soaking in the rays and amazing music performed by national recording smooth jazz artists.
The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, Manchester, Tennessee
The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is a four-day, multi-stage camping festival held on a beautiful 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee every June. Bonnaroo brings together some of the best performers in rock and roll, along with dozens of artists in complementary styles such as jazz, Americana, hip-hop, electronica, and just about any contemporary music you can think of. In addition to dozens of epic performances, the festival's 100-acre entertainment village buzzes around the clock with attractions and activities including a classic arcade, on-site cinema, silent disco, comedy club, theater performers, a beer festival, and a music technology village. For its peaceful vibe, near-flawless logistics, and unrivaled entertainment options, Rolling Stone magazine named this revolutionary entertainment experience one of the 50 moments that changed the history of rock and roll. Click here for further information.
Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga, Tennessee
The Riverbend Festival is a nine day music festival located in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee every June. The festival is located on the 21st Century Waterfront along the Tennessee River. Boasting five stages with over 100 bands featuring world class entertainment ranging from classic rock and jam bands to country, urban and bluegrass, the festival draws over 600,000 patrons annually. Riverbend has a Children's Village, Mobile exhibits, Bluecross Riverbend Run and Walk, a Marketplace, Fireworks Finale and much more! Click here for further information.
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Bristol, Tennessee
The Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion brings every September quality national, regional and local music and entertainment to Bristol, “the Birthplace of Country Music,” in celebration of its musical heritage and culture. Four blocks of historic downtown Bristol Tennessee/Virginia are closed off to traffic during the 3-day festival. Fans literally are stepping into/out of Tennessee and Virginia as they enjoy the festival. There are three outdoor stages, one dance tent and 16 indoor stages, with music at each throughout the weekend. Click here for further information.
Big Ear Festival, Knoxville
Musicians and artists come together to hold one of the most "earth-shattering, subtly luminous festivals the world over," as described by The Oxford American Magazine. It's part interactive experience / part music festival / part artistic performance with film and visual arts that all comes together into a very unique festival. Taking place during March in a variety of venues around Knoxville which includes the Historic Tennessee Theatre, The Mill & Mine, The Standard and Knoxville Museum of Art.
Rhythm & Blooms Music Festival, Knoxville
Thousands of fans are drawn to this festival, set in Knoxville's Historic Old City. Eight stages are filled with musicians as a homage to the culture of Knoxville.
Memphis Music & Heritage Festival
Keep your eyes and ears on five stages over two days in early September for some of the best in Memphis' music and culture.
Fire on the Water Music Festival, Gallatin
If you like a laid back festival, this is it! Enjoy two stages of more than 10 acts, craft brews from local breweries, bonfires, fire entertainers, food trucks and more early August on the banks of Old Hickory Lake. You can listen while floating on a boat or lounging on land as the festival celebrates Sumner County as the home of Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison.
Tina Turner Heritage Days, Brownsville
World icon and Nutbush Tennessee native, Tina Turner, is celebrated every September at the Tina Turner Heritage Days. There’s live music, tours of Nutbush and the Tina Turner Museum at Flagg Grove School to visit with food and fans gathering around.
Christmas Holiday Events in Memphis
Here are some of the holiday events that take place over Nov/Dec/Jan: Zoo Lights and Zoo On Ice, Starry Nights, Christmas at Graceland and Snowy Nights at My Big Backyard.
