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 seasonal tips in your inbox through New Year’s Eve.
Christmas decor seems to hit store shelves earlier and earlier every year, well before Halloween. And you know what gets lost in all of that commercialism? Thanksgiving — that humble holiday that’s less about stuff and more about gratitude and, well, food. It’s also about lots and lots of food. But no worries; we’ve compiled your menu so that you can spend less time planning and more time basking in gratitude.
We’ve also compiled lists of local restaurants serving Thanksgiving meals, as well as Thanksgiving races and holiday-light exhibitions.
ON THE MENU
 Break the turkey down before you cook it, and you can get it out of the oven in about an hour and a half. (Jennifer Biggs/The Daily Memphian file)
The turkey
We only have one turkey recipe on our site, and that’s because the late Jennifer Biggs’ Ultimate Thanksgiving Turkey is the only recipe you’ll need. Biggs shares her turkey-prep pointers, including a time-saving tip to make the turkey on Wednesday. And should you feel frustrated along the way, she offers these wise words: “Take your time and feel your way. Remember: It’s just a big chicken.”
 Wild Rice-stuffed Acorn Squash is a meat-free Thanksgiving centerpiece. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
The vegetarian turkey alternative
If you or someone in your family doesn’t eat meat (like me), you can always buy one of the many vegan roasts on the market. (The classic Tofurky is my personal fave.) Or, you can get creative with a veggie-based centerpiece, like Mrs. Hippie Eats’ Wild Rice-stuffed Acorn Squash. This festive main is made by stuffing half a winter squash with a pecan and cranberry wild-rice blend. It can be made vegan by leaving out the goat cheese or subbing with a dairy-free goat cheese or feta alternative.
The cranberry sauce
No Thanksgiving main dish — turkey or otherwise — is complete without cranberry sauce. And while the congealed canned stuff holds a special, nostalgic place in many of our hearts, there’s really no excuse not to make a sauce from scratch. It’ll be the simplest recipe on your Thanksgiving table, and we’ve got two versions from Biggs: a Fresh Cranberry Relish and a Cranberry and Pear Chutney.
 Dressing is a must-have at every Southern Thanksgiving table. This is Bianca’s vegan version, which is adapted from her mom’s original meaty one. (Bianca Phillips/The Daily Memphian)
The dressing
Turkey and dressing go together like peanut butter and jelly, soy sauce and rice, marshmallows and graham crackers … you get the idea. And don’t even get me started on the abomination that is stuffing; this is the South, and we eat dressing down here. We have two versions for you: Mane Street OG cornbread dressing, which features two of Moreno McCalpin’s Mane Street Seasoning blends, and my own family recipe (a non-vegan one from my mom and my veganized spin on her recipe).
 “Your house will smell amazing pulling these from the oven,” JEM Dining’s chef Josh Mutchnick said. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
The bread
Dinner rolls are a must-have for sopping up all the juices on your plate. JEM Dining’s soft and fluffy homemade yeast rolls are not available in the restaurant anymore, so here’s your chance to impress your guests with a rare treat. We have Chef Josh Mutchnick’s roll recipe, which is best served with the included recipe for lemon compound butter.
The salad
The Thanksgiving plate is famously brown, thanks to the turkey, the dressing, the rolls and all of cornflake- or fried-onion-topped casseroles. So, add some color — and some fiber — to your meal with a fresh salad. Make it decadent with homemade, buttermilk-herb ranch dressing from Hard Times Deli. If you really pressed for time though, they do sell it by the jar. We won’t tell.
 For a truly local experience, buy your pie pumpkins at Jones Orchard. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
The pie
Pumpkin pie may be as important to the Thanksgiving table as the turkey. And who should you trust more for a recipe than the folks who grow our pumpkins? Jones Orchard’s jam and jelly maker Juanita Jones shared her recipe, which she recommends making with fresh, roasted pumpkin over using canned — though you can certainly make this recipe with canned pumpkin to save time.
DON’T WANT TO COOK? GO HERE
 A number of local restaurants will be open and serving Thanksgiving meals on Thursday, Nov. 26. (Larry Crowe/AP file)
Thanksgiving Brunch at The Peabody Memphis, Thursday, Nov. 26:
This brunch buffet includes hundreds of items, including made-to-order omelets; a carving station with prime rib, roasted lamb and glazed ham; seafood and sushi; salads and sides; and a 32-foot-long dessert table. 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. $144 for adults, $51 for children (ages 5-12). 149 Union Ave. See the menu and make a reservation.
Thanksgiving Feast at The Guest House at Graceland, Thursday, Nov. 26:
The Guest House serves roasted turkey with all the trimmings, cornbread dressing, mac and cheese, and a dessert cart. And there’s live music throughout dinner service. Seatings are at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Adult tickets are $106.03, youth (ages 5 to 12) are $43.68 and children 4 and under eat free. The Guest House will also be offering Thanksgiving plates to go. Learn more here.
Thanksgiving at Paulette’s, Thursday, Nov. 26:
Paulette’s will serve a holiday meal that starts with gumbo and salad before the traditional turkey or the less traditional salmon or filet mignon (your choice). Dessert is a caramelized sweet potato pie. Reservations are required. Service is available between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. 50 Harbor Town Square.
Thanksgiving Afternoon Tea at The Peabody Memphis, Thursday, Nov. 26:
This three-course tea inside Chez Philippe includes scones with clotted cream, tea sandwiches and petit fours, plus a visit from Santa. $78 per adult and $48 per child. 149 Union Ave. Learn more here.
Thanksgiving Dinner at Capriccio Grill, Thursday, Nov. 26:
Choose from a specially crafted Thanksgiving menu that includes the classics, as well as the restaurant’s signature steaks. 5-10 p.m. Prix fixe menu is $85. 149 Union Ave. Learn more and make a reservation.
Thanksgiving Dinner at Chez Philippe, Thursday, Nov. 26:
The four-course menu includes Chef Keith Clinton’s butternut squash agnolotti, squab and turkey breast. For dessert, there’s a vanilla pumpkin petit gateau from Executive Pastry Chef Konrad Spitzbart. 5-10 p.m. $150 per person, $55 additional for wine pairing. 149 Union Ave. Learn more and make a reservation.
TURKEY TROTS
 Pam and Dennis Hebner awaited the start of the Memphis Turkey Trot while at Shelby Farms Park on Nov. 23, 2023. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)
Turkey Trails at Shelby Farms Park, Sunday, Nov. 22:
Can’t do a turkey trot on Thanksgiving Day? This pre-holiday race includes a 5K, 10K, half-marathon and kids’ dash. Every entry comes with a football-themed Thanksgiving medal and long-sleeved shirt. 6903 Great View Drive North. Register here.
Memphis Turkey Trot at Shelby Farms Park, Thursday, Nov. 26:
Annual Thanksgiving Day race with an option for 4 miles or a 2-mile relay. The top three male and female winners will receive a $50 Fleet Feet Memphis gift card, and the first 2,500 finishers will get a medal. 9 a.m. 6903 Great View Drive North. Learn more and register.
LIGHT IT UP
 The Memphis Zoo’s new Lantern Festival is back this year. (Courtesy Memphis Zoo)
Memphis Zoo Lantern Festival at the Memphis Zoo, opens Friday, Nov. 13
The Memphis Zoo is back with its Lantern Festival for the second year. The holiday lighting experience replaced the long-running Zoo Lights last year. The exhibition, created with Tianyu Arts & Culture, features larger-than-life illuminated animals, plants and other fixtures. New this year are a Christmas maze and a zipline. Open from 5 to 9:30 p.m. on nights through Feb. 1. The zoo also offers an overnight Lantern Festival experience for large groups. 2000 Prentiss Place. Click here for more information.
Holiday Lighting Weekend at Graceland, Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 19-21:
Graceland flips the switch on its holiday lights on Thursday, Nov. 19, in a free public event at 6 p.m. Later that night, there’s a new, ticketed event called Graceland Unwrapped: After Dark that gives an after-hours look at Christmas inside Graceland. Friday, Nov. 20, brings the Holiday Jam Jingle Party with Elvis Radio DJ Argo and Finley Watkins, the 2026 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist winner. And on Saturday, Nov. 21, Dean Z’s Rockin’ Christmas Show features classic Elvis holiday songs. 3764 Elvis Presley Blvd. More info here.
 Kennison Kyle, dressed as Santa, interacted with kids at Enchanted Forest in 2025. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees at the Pink Palace Museum, opening Saturday, Nov. 21:
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. Runs through Dec. 27. 3050 Central Ave. More info here.
 The lighting of the Downtown Christmas tree happens on Saturday, Nov. 21. (Ziggy Mack/The Daily Memphian file)
Downtown Holiday Tree Lighting on the Main Street Mall, Saturday, Nov. 21:
The Downtown Memphis Commission lights its holiday tree with a party from 4 to 6 p.m. There will also be free cookies and hot cocoa, photos with Santa and live music. Plus, local vendors will be set up selling gifts. The lighting is set for 4:50 p.m. Free, but register here. Corner of Peabody Avenue and Main Street.
 Starry Nights opens on Friday, Nov. 27. (The Daily Memphian file)
Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park, opening Saturday, Nov. 21:
Starry Nights is getting a glow-up this year with a whole new show featuring lights timed to music, light-up golf carts and a light-up dance floor at the Woodland Discovery Playground. The drive-thu lighting exhibition benefits Shelby Farms Park Conservancy and the Shelby Farms Greenline. And it runs through Jan. 3. 6903 Great View Drive North. Click here for more information.
Collierville Christmas Tree Lighting at Town Square, Tuesday, Nov. 24:
The Town of Collierville lights its tree in a free event from 5:30 to 8 p.m. See more info on Collierville Christmas events, including the town’s Christmas parade, here.
 Keystone Elementary School students sang next to the Christmas tree in the lobby of the Peabody Hotel. (The Daily Memphian file)
Peabody Tree Lighting at The Peabody Memphis, Friday, Nov. 27:
Christmas events at The Peabody begin with a Gingerbread Village unveiling in the Grand Lobby at 11:15 a.m. The giant holiday tree in the lobby will be lit in a ceremony that runs from 3 to 7:30 p.m., and live holiday music begins at 6 p.m. and runs until 8:30 p.m. 149 Union Ave. More info here.
 Holiday Wonders at the Garden at Memphis Botanic Garden opens Friday, Nov. 27. (Courtesy MBG)
Holiday Wonders at the Garden at Memphis Botanic Garden, opens Friday, Nov. 27:
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. This year, the show is expanding into the Herb Garden. Santa will make an appearance on opening night. Runs through Dec. 30. 750 Cherry Road. Click here for more information.
Winter Wonderland at the Children’s Museum of Memphis, opens Saturday, Nov. 28:
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. Runs through Jan. 3. 2525 Central Ave. Click here for information.
 Crosstown Concourse’s Season of Delight holiday lighting party is on Friday, Dec. 4. (Jamie Harmon/Courtesy Crosstown Arts)
Crosstown Concourse’s Delight, Friday, Dec. 4:
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. This year, there will be live music by the Mississippi Boulevard Choir and the Nick Black Band. 5-8 p.m. Event parking will be free until 9 p.m. 1350 Concourse Ave. Click here for more information.
..... |
