Spring in Memphis offers a variety of activities for all. Music lovers, food connoisseurs and outdoorsmen alike can all find something special to do to celebrate the season.
Dixon Gallery and Gardens’ Tulips Exhibit
Over half a million tulips — planted back in December — are now blooming at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens for their 50th anniversary. Tulips must be planted in cooler weather to help them develop stronger roots so they can stay in bloom into mid-April. Most tulips thrive in areas with a cooler spring because it prolongs the life of the flower. The Dixon Gallery planted 102 varieties of tulips across 17 acres, creating an array of colorful blooms. This exhibit is meant to showcase the beauty of spring and is free for all visitors.
Shelby Farms Park
Shelby Farms Park offers a variety of activities for spring — paddle boarding and kayaking on the lake, running and hiking on over 40 miles of picturesque trails, like Chickasaw and Dunavant trail, and races for various causes. Shelby Farms Park covers 4,500 acres and aims to conserve the environment and educate the public about the park. The park is also hosting an Earth Day Festival on April 18th to bring people together to invest in the planet.
Big River Park
Big River Park Conservancy is a nonprofit that controls the Big River Trail System and Ducks Unlimited Park. These projects attempt to conserve the Mississippi wetlands and restore the land to its original state. The Big River Trail System encompasses five trails, varying in length. One of these trails is Big River Crossing, a pedestrian bridge that spans the Mississippi River from Downtown Memphis to West Memphis, Arkansas, providing views of the blooming Mississippi wetlands.
Wing Fest
The World Championship Hot Wing Contest and Festival is a fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House Charities and, this year, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The festival features a parade, wing eating contest, music and a dance contest. Teams also compete for the best hot wing, showcasing a multitude of flavors. This year’s festival will be held on April 18th from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The entry fee is $20, and the wings are $1 to $2 each.
RiverBeat
RiverBeat is a music festival held at Tom Lee Park during the first weekend in May, replacing the Beale Street Music Festival, which temporarily closed in 2024. This year’s headliners are the Red Clay Strays, Wu-Tang Clan and Dave Matthews Band; other performers include Lord Huran, T-Pain and local Memphis artists.
Overton Park Shell concerts
From May 9 to June 27, Overton Park Shell is hosting free concerts, featuring 18 artists from different genres and cities. This year is their 90th anniversary, and they are having a ‘Shell-ebration’ in the fall to showcase their rich history of building community through music.