All Things Holiday in Memphis: Lights, Events, & Parades
I remember driving around Memphis in the back seat of my parent’s car with all my siblings when I was little looking at Christmas lights. We’d drink hot chocolate, get into our pajamas, and drive all over trying to find the best display. We did this every year, until one of my sisters got car sick and threw up. Now I’ve started this same tradition with my own three kids.
There are also so many fun holiday events and chances to look at lights indoors and outdoors. This is truly a magical time in our city and I love creating holiday memories with my kids at all of these events.
This year, you can see all the fun lights that the Memphis area has to offer! In no particular order, here is our list of where to see all the best lights:
Experiences:
Holiday Wonders at the Garden
Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry, Memphis, TN 38117
November 29 – December 28, 5-8:30 p.m., select nights (last entry 7:30 p.m.) $12/members, $15/non-members, $17/same-day tickets, free for children under 2
Memphis Zoo Lights
2000 Prentiss Place, Memphis, TN 38112
November 29 – January 4, 5:00-9:30 p.m., select nights
$16/members, $20/non-members (free for kids under 2)
Starry Nights
Shelby Farms Park, 6903 Great View Drive North, Memphis, TN 38134
Enter through Main Gate off Farm Road for pre-purchased tickets AND to purchase tickets November 29 – December 29, 6-10 p.m., select nights (most nights you pay by the carload; on walk+bike lights, it’s per person)
Christmas at Graceland
Graceland Mansion park at 3717 Elvis Presley, Memphis, TN, 38116 (fee)
There will be a special Holiday Lighting Weekend on November 21-23. Guests can experience Christmas Graceland Tours from November 21-December 23. Graceland will be decorated for the holidays from November 21, 2024, through January 11, 2025.
Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees
Pink Palace, 3050 Central, Memphis, TN 38111
November 16 – December 29, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wed., Thurs., Sat.; 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday; Noon – 5 p.m., Sun {closed Mon., Tues., Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day}
*New this year: special nights on 11/29, 12/6, 12/13, and 12/20 from 6-8 p.m.
$7/adults, $6/children ages 3-12 and senior citizens. Does not include regular admission to museum
Magic of Memphis
Canon Center for the Arts
The Memphis Symphony Orchestra, joined by a continuous collage of Memphis performing groups, performs Christmas carols and other songs. Truly kid friendly, there are can-caning Santas, interactive sing-alongs, and some of the most amazing soloists.
Saturday, December 21, 2:30 p.m., prices range from $5-$110 (there are special youth and student prices for this show)
Seasons of Delight
Crosstown Concourse
On the first Friday in December, from 5 to 7 pm, Crosstown Concourse will host a holiday lights display in the Central Atrium. As part of the first night of Season of Delight, there will be a holiday double feature in Crosstown Theater. The short film Mickey’s Christmas Carol and the feature-length Christmas Vacation will be screened for free. Theater doors open at 6 pm, and the films begin at 6:30 pm. There will also be free hot cocoa, caricature portraits, ornament-making, card-making, and more!
Season of Delight will continue on Friday, December 8, and Friday, December 15.
Winter Wonderland at CMOM
2525 Central Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
November 30-January 5
Glide across the sock skating rink at Sockefeller Center while listening to wintery tunes. Climb into a life-sized snow globe and strike a picture-perfect pose. Or take your picture making the perfect ski jump off the ramp.
Free with the price of admission.
Saturday with Santa at CMOM
Visit with Santa like never before at the Children’s Museum of Memphis. On December 7, Santa, along with his helper Peppermint Sparkle, will walk through Winter Wonderland visiting with young guests. In addition, there will be many fun activities to get you into the holiday spirit. Free with the price of admission.
Lights on the Farm
Bobby Lanier Farm Park, 2660 Cross Country Drive
Enjoy enchanting sleigh rides through beautifully illuminated trails. Kids will love the face painting and dancing to live music. Capture the magic with photos with Santa. With so much to see and do, the Lights on the Farm Festival promises an unforgettable holiday celebration for all.
December 7, 4:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., $10 per person
Christmas In Collierville Saturdays
Collierville Town Square, 96 N Center St, Collierville, TN 38017
Experience the magic and beauty of Collierville Town Square during the holiday season with a quarter-million holiday lights in the historic district from Thanksgiving to the New Year. November 30, and December 7, 14, and 21.
Southern Lights
Central Park, 7651 Tchulahoma, Southaven, MS 38671
This is a drive-thru holiday event that runs every night, Thanksgiving Day, November 28th, through December 31st, 5pm-10pm. It winds through a 116-acre park with 500,000 twinkling lights. Admission: cars $10, vans $15 and buses $30.
Light Garden Light Display
8267 Goodman Road, Olive Branch, MS 38654
This immersive holiday experience runs November 22-January 1 this year! It’s closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Prices vary.
Christmas Tree Lightings:
- November 22, Arlington Tree Lighting, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
- November 23, Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
- November 26, Collierville Tree Lighting, 5:30-8:00 p.m.
- November 29, Peabody Tree Lighting following the 3:00-6:30 p.m. **Reservations required
- November 29, Holiday Tree Lighting, City of Germantown, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
- December 7, City Hall Tree Lighting, Olive Branch, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Christmas Parades:
- Germantown Christmas Parade, November 16, 1:30 p.m.
- Whitehaven Christmas Parade, November 23, 10:00 a.m.
- Lakeland Christmas Parade and More, November 30, 3:00 p.m.
- Hernando Christmas Parade, December 2, 6:30 p.m.
- 72nd Annual West Memphis Christmas Parade, December 3, 7:00 p.m.
- Millington Christmas Parade, December 5, 7:00 p.m.
- Marion Christmas Parade, December 6, 12:30 p.m.
- Collierville Christmas Parade, December 7, 1:00 p.m.
- Germantown Holiday Parade, December 14, 2:00 p.m.
- Memphis Christmas Parade, December 14, 2:00 p.m.
- Arlington Christmas Parade, December 14, 5:00 p.m.
Drive-by Lights:
Christmas Cove in Collierville
Starting with one house in 2004, West Tuscumbia Cove has gotten bigger and more extravagant every year since. It’s definitely worth the trip just so your kids can get a ride in Santa’s sleigh!
Christmas Cove in Yorkshire Neighborhood
Neighhborhoods for Light Displays
- Bellair, across from Overton Park
- Walnut Grove Lake subdivision in Cordova
- Chickasaw Gardens (by the Pink Palace)
- Central Gardens in midtown
- Twinkle Town Road in Whitehaven
- Germantown (use this link: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1QImc8vtDE7KISKNLdS0huDTM2RHN0SE&ll=35.08266211895275%2C-89.78417209999999&z=12)
- There’s a fun house on Perkins, between Walnut Grove and Poplar that’s always a favorite with my kids (it’s Whoville themed this year!)
- This Facebook group has a ton of good, up-to-date info: https://www.facebook.com/901christmaslights/
