The Daily Memphian’s new Holidays in Memphis newsletter series will be your helping hand this season with recipes, holiday events, gift ideas and more. Sign up here to receive holiday tips in your inbox.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year; it’s also the busiest time of the year. Despite the inner call to retreat into the cozy warmth of your house during the holiday season, there’s a constant pull from outside to tour holiday lighting displays, shop from local makers’ markets and attend parties, parades, concerts and theater productions. So, we’re here to help you sleigh (eh?) your holiday plans straight through Christmas Day (and beyond).

Latkes (Credit: Sharon Fox O’Guin)

What to make for Hanukkah

Hanukkah starts Thursday, Dec. 7, and runs through next Friday, Dec 15. So, before we dive into the city’s many Christmas events, here’s a latke recipe you’ll want to make this week. Sharon Fox O’Guin, the deputy film commissioner and project specialist for the Memphis and Shelby County Film and Television Commission, shared her memories of growing up Jewish in Midtown, along with instructions to make her favorite potato pancakes.

All of the lights: Holiday lighting displays

It’s hard to be a Scrooge when you’re surrounded by twinkling lights, so get out and explore some of the city’s finest holiday installations. 

The first-ever Autozone Park “Deck The Diamond” Holiday Spectacular features more than 190 lighting structures and an ice-skating rink. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)

Deck The Diamond Holiday Spectacular at AutoZone Park:

AutoZone’s left field has been transformed into an ice-skating rink for this inaugural holiday event, and the ballpark is a winter wonderland with more than 190 lighted holiday displays and a 60-foot tree. Runs through Dec. 31. 200 Union Ave. Read our Daily Memphian story on this here, or click here for more information. 

Holiday Wonders at the Garden at Memphis Botanic Garden:

The Memphis Botanic Garden’s seasonal lighting exhibition, presented in partnership with Memphis Light, Gas and Water, features photo ops, holiday characters, themed nights, food trucks and more. Runs through Dec. 30. 750 Cherry Road. Click here for more information.

Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park:

This annual, drive-through lighting exhibition benefits the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy and the Shelby Farms Greenline. Runs through New Year’s Eve on select nights. Also, look for walk/bike nights throughout the holiday season. 6903 Great View Dr. North. Click here for more information.

Zoo Lights at the Memphis Zoo:

The zoo’s annual holiday event features light displays, a gingerbread forest, Chinese lanterns and an ice-skating rink, among other attractions. Runs through Jan. 6. Open from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. 2000 Prentiss Place. Click here for more information.

Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees at the Museum of Science and History:

Explore this indoor forest of sparkling trees decorated by professional designers, individuals and local organizations. You’ll also find animatronic holiday-themed characters, miniature train sets and gingerbread houses, as well as photo ops with Santa. Runs through Dec. 31. 3050 Central Ave. Click here for more information.

Season of Delight at Crosstown Concourse:

Check out Crosstown Concourse’s massive holiday lighting installation in the building’s central atrium, and then enjoy holiday films at Crosstown Theater. The lighting installation is viewable any time before the holidays, but the films will screen Friday, Dec. 8 (“Home Alone”), and Friday, Dec. 15 (“Die Hard”), at 6:30 p.m. 1350 Concourse Ave. Click here for more information.

Shop til you drop from local makers

Sure, you could order all of your holiday gifts online from the comfort of your home — in your pajamas and without even needing a shower. In fact, that sounds pretty great. But local artists could use your support, and your giftee would probably rather have something made with love than that Amazon gift card you put about 10 seconds of thought into. Need even more ideas? Check out our Daily Memphian gift guide.

The Winter Arts Market offers handmade gifts from local makers through Christmas Eve. (The Daily Memphian file)

Homegrown Holiday Market at the Memphis Farmers Market:

This special off-season market will feature food goods from local farms and locally made arts and crafts. Saturday, Dec. 9, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 566 S. Front St. Click here for more information.

Holiday Bazaar at Tom Lee Park:

Local makers will gather on the north lawn of the newly redesigned riverfront park to sell jewelry, textiles, home goods, accessories and more in this Cynthia Daniels-organized event. Saturday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Click here for more information.

Lil’ Hollywood Holiday Market at Memphis Current:

Neighbors and businesses along North Hollywood Street are coming together for this outdoor sale with live music, food trucks and demonstrations by local businesses. Saturday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 497 N Hollywood St. Click here for more information.

Southwest Twin Holiday Market:

Family-friendly market with local vendors, activities, food trucks and more at the old Southwest Twin drive-in theater in Westwood. Saturday, Dec. 9, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Click here for more information. 

Made in Memphis x Soul and Spirits Holiday Market:

Drink beer from Soul and Spirits Brewing while you shop for locally made goods. Saturday, Dec. 9, 1-7 p.m. 845 N. Main St. Click here for more information.

Marketplace in Motion at Arrow Creative: 

This sale of locally made gifts is advertised as a last-minute shopping option for all of you procrastinators. Saturday, Dec. 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 17 from noon-4 p.m. 653 Philadelphia St. Click here for more information. 

Memphis Arts Collective Holiday Artist Market at Ridgeway Trace Shopping Center:

Holiday market featuring works by more than 30 local artists, including painters, potters, printmakers, soap makers, candlemakers and more. Runs through Christmas Eve. 3484 Poplar Ave. See hours and learn more here.

Winter Arts Market:

The annual Winter Arts Market will be stocked with glassware, metal art, wood carvings, clay pottery, handmade jewelry, blown glass, quirky coffee mugs, vases, ceramic art, bottle cap projects, stuffed animals, photography, home decor, purses and more. Open daily through Christmas Eve. 870 S. White Station Road. See hours and more here. 

The holiday show must go on

From “The Nutcracker” to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, these holiday events will help make the season merry and bright.

Dion Chavis got into the holiday spirit during the 2019 Memphis Holiday Parade on Beale Street. This year’s parade is on Saturday, Dec. 9. (Jim Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Ballet Memphis presents “The Nutcracker” at the Orpheum Theatre:

For nearly 40 years, Ballet Memphis has performed this Christmas classic during the holiday season. The production is choreographed by Steven McMahon. Opens Saturday, Dec. 9, and runs through Sunday, Dec. 17, on select days. 203 S. Main St. Go here for tickets and hours. 

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!” at Germantown Community Theatre:

In this Christmas play, based on the classic Barbara Robinson book of the same name, the Herdmans, six “bad kid” siblings, show up at church for the free snacks and decide to take over the Christmas pageant, to the horror of the other children. Runs Friday, Dec. 8, through Sunday, Dec. 17, on select days. 3037 Forest Hill Irene Rd, Germantown. See here for tickets and times.

Bluff City Christmas Parade, starts at Winchester and Hickory Hill roads:

This annual holiday parade is hosted by entrepreneur Telisa Franklin and Heal The Hood Foundation CEO Ladell Beamon. Shelby County Commission chair Miska Clay Bibbs is the grand marshal. Live entertainment will be provided by Evie McKinney, Bird Williams and Kristen Amani. Saturday, Dec. 9, 11 a.m. The parade route starts at Winchester and Hickory Hill roads and ends at Castleman Street. Click here for more information.

Tuba Christmas at Crosstown Concourse:

More than 100 tuba and euphonium players will gather to play classic holiday tunes. Saturday, Dec. 9, 1 p.m. 1350 Concourse Ave. Click here for more information. 

Memphis Holiday Parade on Beale Street: 

Marching bands, steppers, twirlers, floats and, of course, Santa will parade along Beale Street in this annual event. Saturday, Dec., 2 p.m. Route goes along Beale Street. Click here for more information.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve” at FedExForum:

Heavy metal meets classical music and pyrotechnics in this touring Christmas-themed concert. Thursday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m. 191 Beale St. Click here for more information.

The Ho Ho Ho Burlesque Show and Silent Auction at the Hi-Tone:

The Memphis Roller Derby hosts this annual burlesque show with a silent auction and music by DJ Bloody Elle. Saturday, Dec 16, 8 p.m. (doors), 9 p.m. (show). 282-284 N Cleveland St. Click here for more information.

Family Fun Christmas Bowling Tournament at Uncle Bucks Fish Bowl:

Looking for something to do with the fam on Christmas Day? Uncle Bucks, inside Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid, is hosting a bowling contest where each frame offers a new challenge: granny-style, opposite-hand and backwards bowling. Monday, Dec. 25, 1-2 p.m. 1 Bass Pro Drive. Click here for more information.

A peek at New Year’s Eve

If you’re the planning-ahead type, you might already be thinking about New Year’s Eve. We’ll be sending out a full New Year’s guide later this month, but here are a few ways you can ring in 2024.

The New Year’s Eve party on Beale Street will feature fireworks and a disco ball drop. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

New Year’s Eve on Beale Street:

Spend the last night of 2023 and your first moments of the New Year in the bars of Beale Street. A giant disco ball will ascend a 50-foot tower as it gets closer to midnight, and the new year will ring in with fireworks, confetti and music by DJ Tree. Click here for more information.

New Year’s Eve at Lafayette’s Music Room:

This Overton Square venue will host a concert with Memphis Soul Remedy and Aquanet. A VIP package also offers butler-passed hors d' oeuvres, champagne toast at midnight and party favors. Sunday, Dec. 31, 5 p.m. 2119 Madison. Ave. Click here for more information.

“New Year’s Eve Rooftop Rendezvous” at Beck and Call:

The rooftop lounge of the Hyatt Centric will feature a red carpet, live music, light appetizers and a balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight. Sunday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m. 33 Beale St. Click here for tickets and more information. 

New Year’s Eve at the Peabody Hotel:

This annual celebration features live music by Seeing Red, SouthBound and DJ A.D. VIP tickets include party favors, an appetizer buffet, valet parking and champagne. Sunday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. 149 Union Ave. Click here for tickets and more information.

.....