1.) Atrium lighting at Crosstown Concourse – 12/6/24 from 10:00am-4:00pm. There is so much to do here at Crosstown, and it is even more special during the holidays!
2.) Christmas tree at The Peabody Hotel – Our favorite hotel in Memphis, we love going to the Peabody. The kids all love it too and talk about it often. Kids can watch the ducks march and swim in the fountain. The deli has amazing treats for kids and adults. And the kids can enjoy a hot chocolate in the lobby while watching the ducks. If your’e staying the night, they have an indoor pool and hot tub that the kids love too. You will never get bored here!
3.) A holiday show at the Orpheum – 11/26/24-12/1/24 is Peter Pan, 12/7/24 is Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage, and 12/13-15 is the Nutcracker. Make sure you check out one of their great holiday performances. The Orpheum is even more magical this time of year! We take the kids every year, and it’s always so special!
4.). Zoo Lights at Memphis Zoo – A favorite of ours year round, but I love going when it’s not so crowded and so hot. Cue winter time! There are also still several indoor areas where you can warm up in between walking. The herpetarium and the animals of the night are both indoors. The Zambezi River Hippo Camp has a covered area where you walk around and look at the hippos and the fish. There is a large indoor dining area, and the gift shop is indoors too. I just took the 3 kids, and they love it. I think they love the playground as much as they love the animals. And starting on 11/29/24, you can see Zoo Lights and go ice skating!
5.) Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees at the Pink Palace – I take the kids here often, and they loved looking at the exhibits all throughout the museum from the dinosaurs to the gemstones. And of course they just had to see a movie on the giant screen. They sometimes have holiday movies. And don’t forget to check out the festival of trees. You can get snow globe pictures with Santa at the end, and they usually have fun little scavenger hunts too! It starts on 11/16/24.
6.) Holiday Wonders at Memphis Botanic Garden – The majority of the garden is outdoors, but their main building is large and also has a cafe inside. It’s a great place to walk around and look at all the gardens and My Big Backyard. And then you can warm up inside and grab some lunch afterwards. I just took all 3 of the kids, and they always have a blast here. And starting 11/29/24, select nights they have Holiday Wonders with all different themes. You can meet Santa some nights and even enjoy some hot chocolate and festive treats.
7.) Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park – If you prefer to see your lights while in the comfort and warmth of your own vehicle, then Starry Nights are for you! Grab a hot chocolate and snacks for the kiddos, tune your radio onto Christmas music and drive through and see over 3.5 million Christmas lights at Shelby Farms. We do this most every year with the kids, and they love it! And we love the convenience of it.
8.) Christmas tree farm at Priddy Farms – We always visit Priddy during the holiday season. We love to let the kids play outside, buy some treats and check out the gorgeous trees. Even if you buy artificial trees (like we do with us all having allergies), they have so many great, fun-filled activities there for the entire family at a great price! We love visiting this time of year!
9.) Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid – I just took all 3 of the kids here for the holidays, and they loved it. We rode up the elevator which they all loved so much! We went outside to the lookout and got the coolest view of the Mississippi River, the bridge and downtown Memphis. Then we looked at the ducks, alligators and did a little shopping. You can easily spend an entire day here. And don’t forget to get Christmas pictures with Santa!
10.) Christmas at Graceland – Why have a white Christmas when you can have a blue Christmas?! Graceland is Elvis’ home, and not only is it a fun place to visit and tour, but it is also decorated for Christmas right now. They also have some special events and fun Christmas music on select days. Matt and I love going, but if you have older kids, they would also love it too! I am planning on taking Leighton soon and think she will love it. Graceland is even more special at Christmas time with all the decor! Christmas at Graceland start 11/21/24. They will have a holiday lighting ceremony, movie showings and other fun events for the holiday season. Plus Graceland will be decorated for Christmas, and it’s the perfect time to take a tour and then have night away at the Guest House at Graceland.
What are your favorite kid friendly spots in Memphis during the holidays? What’s on your list?
