All Things Holiday in Memphis: Lights, Events, & Parades
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 local events.
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.
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 28 – December 30, 5-8:30 p.m., select nights (last entry 7:30 p.m.) $15/members, $17/non-members, $20/same-day tickets, free for children under 2
Winter Wonderland
7777 Walnut Grove Road, Memphis, TN 38120
December 12-21, 4:00 pm-8 pm on weeknights, 11 am-8 pm on weekends
Adults are $25 and children are $15, but they offer family packs that make things a bit less.
Winter Wonderland brings holiday magic to Memphis with indoor attractions for all ages. This family-focused holiday festival features a 20′ inflatable slide, bumper tubes, hands-on activities, festive displays, live performances including Magic Mr. Nick’s magic show, and plenty of picture-perfect moments for everyone!
Memphis Zoo Lantern Festival
2000 Prentiss Place, Memphis, TN 38112
November 14 – February 1, 5:00-9:30 p.m., select nights
$23/members, $25/non-members
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 28 – January 3, 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 20-22. Guests can experience Christmas Graceland Tours from November 20-December 23. Graceland will be decorated for the holidays from November 20, 2025, through January 10, 2026.
Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees
Pink Palace, 3050 Central, Memphis, TN 38111
November 15 – December 28, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday; {closed Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day}
*New this year: special nights on 11/28, 12/5, 12/12, and 12/19 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 20, 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 Friday, December 5, from 5 to 7 pm, Crosstown Concourse will host a holiday lights display in the Central Atrium. Enjoy hot chocolate from Global and a seasonal cocktail from Crosstown Arts’ Art Bar. Watch Muppet Christmas: Letters to Santa for free in the Crosstown Arts Theater.. Theater doors open at 6 pm, and the films begin at 6:30 pm. There will also be games, caricature portraits, ornament-making, card-making, and more!
Sensory Santa at Crosstown
Crosstown Concourse
Church Health is hosting a sensory Santa on Sunday, December 14, from 2:00-6:00 p.m. Meet with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and special elves. Connect with other caregivers. Enjoy a holiday story time, games, crafts, and take home a gift from the North Pole!
Winter Wonderland at CMOM
2525 Central Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
November 29-January 4
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.
Dixon Holiday Open House
4339 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN 38117
Dixon members (Not a member? Join here.) are invited to usher in the season with an afternoon of fun for all ages. On December 7, from 2-4, enjoy hot cocoa, wine, festive music, crafts, and holiday treats, surrounded by beautiful decorations provided by the Memphis Garden Club. Keep an eye out—you might even spot Santa roaming the galleries!
Dixon Christmas Fiesta
4339 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN 38117
The annual Christmas fiesta returns on December 13, from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. In partnership with Cazateatro and Opera Memphis, enjoy a festive day filled with music, dance, and holiday cheer while exploring the vibrant Christmas traditions of Latin America and the Caribbean. Free and open to all ages.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Orpheum Theater
203 S. Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103
Discover the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale as it comes to life on stage. Showings are December 16-21.
Get Merry on Main Street
The South Main District is turning into a holiday wonderland, complete with live music, carolers, a golf cart parade, Santa’s Workshop, and a tree lighting. Market opens at 12:00 p.m. on November 29, with local vendors and is open all day long.
Lights on the Farm
Bobby Lanier Farm Park, 2660 Cross Country Drive, Germantown, TN
Bobby Lanier Farm Park Lights on the Farm Festival is a magical holiday experience for the whole family! Enjoy enchanting sleigh rides through beautifully illuminated trails, perfect for making lasting memories. Kids will love the face painting, while everyone can groove to live music that will fill the air with festive cheer. Capture the magic with photos with Santa and immerse yourself in the joyous atmosphere that only this special time of year can bring.
December 6, 5:00 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 29, and December 6, 13, and 20.
Southern Lights
Central Park, 7651 Tchulahoma, Southaven, MS 38671
This is a drive-thru holiday event that runs every night, Thanksgiving Day, November 27th, 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 28-January 1 this year from 6-9:45 p.m.! It’s closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Prices vary.
Christmas Tree Lightings:
- November 21, Arlington Tree Lighting, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
- November 25, Collierville Tree Lighting, 5:30-8:00 p.m.
- November 28, Peabody Tree Lighting following the 3:00-6:30 p.m. **Hotel guests only
- November 28, Holiday Tree Lighting, City of Germantown, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
- November 29, South Main Tree Lighting, 5:10 p.m.
- December 4, City Hall Tree Lighting, Olive Branch, 5:00 p.m.
- December 6, Overton Square Tree Lighting, 5:00 p.m.
Christmas Parades:
- Whitehaven Christmas Parade, November 22, 10:00 a.m.
- Lakeland Christmas Parade, November 29, 2:00 p.m.
- Hernando Christmas Parade, December 1, 6:30 p.m.
- 73rd Annual West Memphis Christmas Parade, December 2, 7:00 p.m.
- Marion Christmas Parade, December 4
- Collierville Christmas Parade, December 5, 7:00 p.m.
- Southaven Christmas Parade, December 6, 10:00 a.m.
- Olive Branch Christmas Parade, December 6, 2:00 p.m.
- Millington Christmas Parade, December 6, 6:30 p.m.
- Arlington Christmas Parade, December 13, 11:00 a.m.
- Memphis Christmas Parade, December 13, 2:00 p.m.
- Germantown Holiday Parade, December 13, 2:00 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
Similar to Christmas Cove in Collierville, this started out as one house and over the years has taken over a whole cove as more and more houses got involved. The original house is at 5724 Glenwild Avenue and the owner started decorating back in 1985. This would be a fun adventure one night!
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
- honestly any Germantown neighborhood usually shows out
- There’s a fun house on Perkins, between Walnut Grove and Poplar that’s always a favorite with my kids (it’s usually Whoville themed!)
- This Facebook group has a ton of good, up-to-date info: https://www.facebook.com/901christmaslights/
The Arlington Christmas Parade is at 11:00 am on the 14th, not at 5:00 pm.
Fire Pit Fridays on the riverfront
Festival of Trees! The Carl Perkins Center has an annual event in Fayette County. It’s been at Reach 360 Church activity building in Somerville the past two years and that space is perfect!
Come see our lights! The Cove of Many Colors. 9450 Gypsy Cove, Bartlett, TN. Listen on 94.3FM or using the PulseMesh app on your phone.
Alpine Village at Trinity Baptist Church is a huge event! It’s free and tickets are limited. They have several “shops” set up inside and you get to go to the North Pole to see Santa. It looks like the enchanted Forrest only escalated in the “North Pole.” They have fake snow where kids can play and play. It’s so much fun!