The Daily Memphian’s 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 through New Year’s Eve.

The holiday season has arrived, and it’s tempting to stay in on cold nights with a cheesy Netflix Christmas movie and a glass — or two – of mulled wine while you check off your online shopping list. But resist your cozy couch and go see the lights, hit up some local holiday markets and catch a Christmas-themed play. Let us be your guide.

HOLIDAY PARADES

Hernando Christmas Parade, Monday, Dec. 1: 
Annual parade with floats, cars, marching bands, fire trucks and Santa. The parade will begin at the corner of Mt. Pleasant Extended and Commerce Street in Hernando, Mississippi. 6:30 p.m. More information here.

Millington Christmas Parade, Thursday, Dec. 4:
Millington will light its city Christmas tree at 6:15 p.m. outside Fire Station 1, and the parade kicks off at 6:30 p.m. The parade route runs along Navy Road, Newport Road and Church Street. More information here.

A dancer with an LED baton led the way during the 43rd annual Collierville Christmas Parade on Dec. 6, 2019. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

Collierville Christmas parade, Friday, Dec. 5:
Collierville’s 48th annual Christmas parade lines up on Byhalia Road north of White Road and marches toward West Collierville Middle School. 7 p.m. More information here.

Southaven Christmas Parade: Candy Cane Lane, Saturday, Dec. 6:
Southaven’s 45th annual parade starts on Main Street with floats, walking groups, high school bands and more. Starts at 10 a.m. More information here.

Olive Branch Christmas Parade: A Merry Movie, Saturday, Dec. 6:
Olive Branch’s holiday parade is holiday movie-themed this year. Starts at 9123 Pigeon Roost Road at 2 p.m. More information here.

Aiden Ramsawack was The Grinch during the Bartlett Christmas Parade on December 7, 2019. (Ziggy Mack/The Daily Memphian file)

Bartlett Christmas Parade, Saturday, Dec. 6:
The theme for this year’s parade is “A Storybook Christmas,” and parade participants will dress as characters from children’s books. The parade runs through neighborhoods along Kirby Whitten Road and Yale Road. 4 p.m. More info here.

Arlington Christmas Parade, Saturday, Dec. 13:
This year’s parade theme is “The Spirit of Christmas, The Heart of Arlington,” and parade floats will embody visions of what the holiday season means to residents. The parade will start on Airline Road in front of Arlington High School and travel west to the Memphis-Arlington Road intersection. 11 a.m. More information here.

Dion Chavis got into the holiday spirit during the 2019 Memphis Holiday Parade on Dec. 14, 2019. (Jim Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Downtown Christmas Parade, Saturday, Dec. 13:
Marching bands, dance troupes, steppers, twirlers, floats and Santa will parade along Beale Street, weather depending. Want to be in the parade? Applications are open through Dec. 5. 1 p.m. More info here.

A trombone player performed in the Germantown holiday parade on Dec. 14, 2019. (Mike Kerr/The Daily Memphian file)

Germantown Holiday Parade, Saturday, Dec. 14:
Christmas parade with floats, horses, school groups, marching bands and more. Porter-Leath will be collecting new, unwrapped toys to support local children in need. Begins at Kimbrough Road and Farmington Boulevard at 2 p.m. Click here for more. 

PERFORMANCES & EVENTS

“A Tuna Christmas” features Michael Gravois, left and Daniel Stuart Nelson, right. (Courtesy Photography by Halo/Circuit Playhouse)

‘A Tuna Christmas’ at Circuit Playhouse, runs through Dec. 21:
Comedy set in the fictional town of Tuna, Texas, where the annual Christmas Yard Display Contest is about to commence. Only two actors play more than 20 characters in the show. 66 S. Cooper St. More info here.

Tony Thomas, the Orpheum’s house organist, will play holiday songs on the Orpheum Theatre’s Mighty Wurlitzer. (Courtesy The Orpheum Theatre)

Merry Melodies on Main: A Wurlitzer Holiday Celebration at the Orpheum Theatre, Tuesday:
Celebrate the spirit of the season as house organist Tony Thomas plays holiday songs on the historic Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. Pre-show activities start at 6:15 p.m.; show at 7 p.m. 203 S. Main St. More info here.

‘A Neighborly Christmas’ with Drew and Ellie Holcomb at the Orpheum Theatre, Friday, Dec. 5:
Singer-songwriters and married couple Drew and Ellie Holcomb will take the stage together in their annual holiday performance. 8 p.m. 203 S. Main St. Click here for more.

‘A Christmas Carol ’25’ at Theatre Memphis, runs Dec. 5-23:
Annual stage production of the Charles Dickens classic. Times vary. 630 Perkins Extd. More info here.

‘Cabaret Noel 10: An Emerald Christmas Special’ from Emerald Theatre Co., Friday-Sunday, Dec. 5-7:
Emerald Theatre Co. presents a holiday variety show with winter songs and campy slapstick humor. Friday-Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. 2085 Monroe Ave. Click here for tickets.

Simon Hill (left) and Morgan Suarez (right) took part in the 2024 Stumbling Santa Pub Crawl. (Bianca Phillips/The Daily Memphian file)

Flying Saucer Stumbling Santa Pub Crawl on Saturday, Dec. 6:
This 21st annual pub crawl starts at Flying Saucer. Attendees are encouraged to dress as Santa and bring a toy for the Porter Leath toy drive. The group will move to different bars around Downtown. 130 Peabody Place. Click here for more. 

Ballet Memphis' ‘The Nutcracker’ at the Orpheum Theatre, Friday-Sunday, Dec. 12-14:
Ballet Memphis performs its annual production of the Tchaikovsky classic. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. 203 S. Main St. More info here.

The Woodruff-Fontaine House will host a holiday tea with ghost stories. (The Daily Memphian file)

Victorian Christmas Tea with Ghost Stories at Woodruff Fontaine House, Saturday, Dec. 13:
Sip afternoon tea and listen to Victorian Yuletide ghost stories. 4-7 pm. $60. 680 Adams Ave. More info here. 

Germantown Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Concert at the Germantown Performing Arts Center, Saturday, Dec. 13:
Armee Hong performs Vivaldi’s “Winter” violin concerto from The Four Seasons. And choruses from Germantown High School and Houston High School lead the crowd in a sing-along. 7 p.m. $35. Tickets are available here.

‘Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical’ at the Orpheum Theatre, Tuesday-Sunday, Dec. 16-21:
The touring Broadway production of Dr. Seuss' family favorite comes to the Orpheum stage. Times vary. 203 S. Main S. More info here.

‘One Man’s Christmas Carol’ at Woodruff-Fontaine House, Thursday, Dec. 18:
Local actor Marques W. Brown presents a unique take on the traditional Dickensian Christmas. 7 p.m. 680 Adams Ave. More info here. 

HOLIDAY MARKETS

Holiday Shopping Expo & Christmas Market at Bert Ferguson Community Center, Saturday, Dec. 6:
Market with local vendors, organized by Kim Wiley-Durham of KM Fashions. Noon-3 p.m. 8505 Trinity Road. More info here.

Medical District Holiday Market at Ugly Art Co., Sunday, Dec. 7:
Local vendors, plus live music from the Grizzlies Prep Boys Choir and DJ Michael Adrian Davis. Kinfolk, Bar Limina and Boycott Coffee will serve food and drinks. Noon-3 p.m. 635 Madison Ave. More info here.

Yule Holiday Market at Flyway Brewing, Saturday Dec. 13:
Celebrate the Winter Solstice and shop from goods by local makers. Noon-6 p.m. 598 Monroe Ave. More info here.

Holiday Hoppy Market at Crosstown Brewing Co., Saturday, Dec. 20:
Local artists sell their wares, and Crosstown Brewing serves its new Evergreen All Day IPA. 1-4 p.m. 1264 Concourse Ave. More info here.

Mint Cream’s Christmas Market at Memphis Made Brewing Co., Sunday, Dec. 21:
Last-minute market with arts, oddities, crafts and more. Noon-6 p.m. 16 S. Lauderdale St. More info here.

Memphis Arts Collective Holiday Artist Market on Summer Avenue, runs through Dec. 24:
This annual sale features work from local artists, soap makers, candlemakers, jewelers and others. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; Noon-5 p.m. Sundays. 4998 Summer Ave. More info here.

Selena Nause (center) tried on clothes at WinterArts in 2019. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

WinterArts at Shops of Saddle Creek, runs through Dec. 24:
Annual holiday market with work by local artists in glass, metal, wood, fiber, clay and more. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays; Noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. 7509 Poplar Ave. More info here.

‘Gifts of Green at the Garden’ at Memphis Botanic Garden, runs through Dec. 30:
Seasonal pop-up sale of plants, pots and other botanical novelties. Open during MBG hours. 750 Cherry Rd. More info here.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS

Pola Wypych, 4, had her picture taken with Santa at the Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees in 2023. (Brad Vest/The Daily Memphian file)

Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees at the Pink Palace Museum, runs through Dec. 28:
This annual exhibit of holiday trees benefits Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Animated holiday characters greet guests as they stroll through a forest of decorated trees, and Santa will be waiting at the end for photo ops. 3050 Central Ave. More info here.

Holiday Wonders at the Garden at Memphis Botanic Garden runs through Dec. 30. (Courtesy MBG)

Holiday Wonders at the Garden at Memphis Botanic Garden, runs through Dec. 30:
The Memphis Botanic Garden’s seasonal lighting exhibition, presented in partnership with Memphis Light, Gas and Water this year, features photo ops, holiday characters, themed nights, food trucks and more. Santa will make an appearance on opening night. 750 Cherry Road. Click here for more information.

Visitors drove through Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park. (The Daily Memphian file)

Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park, runs through Jan. 3:
This annual, drive-through lighting exhibition benefits the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy and the Shelby Farms Greenline. Also, look for motorcycle, bicycle and walk/bike nights through the holiday season. 6903 Great View Dr North. Click here for more information.

Holiday Wonders at the Garden at Memphis Botanic Garden runs through Dec. 30. (Courtesy MBG)

Winter Wonderland at the Children’s Museum of Memphis, runs through Jan. 4:
Whether or not it snows in Memphis this winter won’t matter, because kids can throw snowballs, skate (in socks), write letters to Santa and so much more at this annual exhibition. 2525 Central Ave. Click here for information.

The Memphis Zoo is launching a new Lantern Festival this year. (Courtesy Memphis Zoo)

Memphis Zoo Lantern Festival at the Memphis Zoo, runs though Feb. 1:
The Memphis Zoo’s first-ever Lantern Festival replaces the long-running Zoo Lights. The exhibition, created with Tianyu Arts & Culture, features 60 larger-than-life illuminated animals, plants and other fixtures. Open from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on selects nights through Feb. 1. 2000 Prentiss Place. Click here for more information.

Crosstown Concourse’s Season of Delight holiday lighting party is on Friday, Dec. 5. (Jamie Harmon/Courtesy Crosstown Arts)

Crosstown Concourse’s Delight, Friday, Dec. 5:
Crosstown will flip the switch on its massive lighting installation in the central atrium. Plus, there will be an iceless skating rink, live music, holiday crafts, face painters, a visit from the Grinch and more. 5 to 8 p.m. 1350 Concourse Ave. Click here for more information.

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