Come for the barbecue and stay for – everything else. From hot wings to crawfish to beer, if you can consume it, we probably have a Memphis food festival to honor it. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite annual culinary festivals here.
Come for the barbecue and stay for – everything else. From hot wings to crawfish to beer, if you can consume it, we probably have a Memphis food festival to honor it. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite annual culinary festivals here.
Memphis Cocktail Festival
April 4, 2026
One of Memphis' newest festivals celebrates the craft of cocktails! The Memphis Cocktail Festival features unlimited cocktail tastings from international brands, regional mixers and the local bar artisans. Get your tickets.
Then, check out the best cocktail spots around town.
Taste The Rarity
April 11, 2026
If you're a craft beer connoisseur, Taste the Rarity is a must. This four-hour beer festival at Wiseacre Brewing Co. features food trucks, live music and unlimited beer tastings from a variety of brewmasters. It's one of the best and largest beer festivals in Memphis. Guests must be 21 or older.
Love craft beer? Be sure to check out Memphis' bustling brewery scene. Here's our beer lover's weekend guide to Memphis.
Mimosa Festival Memphis
April 12, 2026
Raise a glass along the Mississippi River at Tom Lee Park for the ultimate Mimosa Festival. This riverfront brunch bash is all about the bubbles, with expertly crafted mimosas included in your ticket and poured all day long for true mimosa lovers. Add in live music and unbeatable downtown views, and you’ve got a sparkling celebration worth toasting.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP HOT WING CONTEST & FESTIVAL
April 18, 2026
Organizers of the World Championship Hot Wing Contest & Festival say that they do for the chicken what the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest does for the pig. Every year, thousands of participants demonstrate that they agree. The wing appreciation event celebrates every part of the chicken wing – “the drummy, the flap, the flat and everything in between” – with nearly 100 teams, a cornhole competition, live entertainment and more. Attend the next event.
In the meantime, learn why Memphis is the "wing capital of the world."
Vintage 901 Food & Wine Festival: The Grand Tasting
April 18, 2026
Back for its 10th year, this festival infuses community with a wine, food and music experience combining fun, culture and education with a purpose. The Grand Tasting features an array of wine vendors from numerous Old World and New World wine producers. Get your tickets now.
Mid-South Food Truck Fest
April 19, 2026
Head to IKEA Memphis for all kinds of food truck fare, as well as live music, DJs and a kids zone, at the 11th annual Mid-South Food Truck Festival. Dig into barbecue, quesadillas, sweet treats and so much more at this unique festival.
Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival
April 19, 2026
Crawfish festivals have become a spring tradition in Memphis. But you don't have to love crawfish to have a good time. The Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival attracts over 35,000 attendees every year in an over-the-top display of all things Cajun. Adult guests can enjoy margaritas, hurricanes and more. Plus, there’s plenty of carnival food, grilled corn and barbecue to round out your experience. You can even compete in a bob for crawfish contest!
Overton Square Crawfish Festival
April 25 2026
Can't make it to the Rajun Cajun Crawfish Fest? No worries! Memphians love their crawfish festivals, so you'll get a second crack at it with the Overton Square Crawfish Festival. This local-favorite festival is back in one of Memphis' most popular entertainment districts. Come enjoy live music, local vendors, craft beer and a whole lotta' crawfish.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BARBECUE COOKING CONTEST
May 13-16, 2026
Dubbed “America’s most prestigious barbecue cooking competition,” the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is the ultimate competition for pitmasters from around the world. Individual tents (some three stories tall!) set up for invite-only tastings by day and dance parties by night. While you'll need a personal invitation to access team tents, non-competitors can buy tickets for entry into the festival grounds. Dying to try the 'cue? Look into tasting experiences, like the Kingsford Tour of Champions and BBQ Alley.
Get a taste of our world-famous ribs, pulled pork and more at 100-plus barbecue restaurants around Memphis. To make your barbecue-tasting experience even easier, follow our BBQ Trail with this free passport.
Margarita Festival
May 30, 2026
Get your tickets to the Memphis Margarita Festival on Overton Square to sample 12 margaritas from restaurants around town. Sip the mixes and concoctions from the best margarita-makers in Memphis and vote for your favorite. Plus, food and full-sized drinks will be available for purchase.
Feeling cheery? Find 15 happy hours to try in Memphis and our favorite Memphis bars.
Memphis Brewfest
June 29, 2026
Beer lovers will want to circle Memphis Brewfest on the calendar! Shelby Farms Park is welcoming the best breweries from around the region for an evening of live music, food trucks, wrestling and unlimited craft beer samples. Get your tickets today.
Memphis Chicken & Beer Festival
August 8, 2026
What’s better than chicken and beer? Sample chicken dishes from local restaurants and sip on beer from national and local breweries at the annual Chicken & Beer Festival at Tiger Lane in Liberty Park.
Zoo Rendezvous
September 2026
Travel through the Memphis Zoo at night, tasting your way through high-quality food samples from dozens of local restaurants while sipping on cocktails along the way. Expect a fun party with live music and more. Tickets generally go on sale in July.
Asian Night Market 2026
September 26–27, 2026
Celebrate asian cuisine and culture at the 4th annual Asian Night Market at Agricenter International. This year, the fest is expanding! Don't miss two days packed with authentic recipes from more than 80 vendors, family-friendly entertainment and cultural performances.
Craft Food & Wine Festival
September 2026
This fest is jam-packed with locally produced breads, cheeses, fruit preserves, cured meats and more from dozens of vendors. An on-site shop offers attendees an opportunity to purchase sampled foods and drinks, and it wouldn't be a Memphis festival without live music entertainment! Stay tuned for ticket sales — this event is sure to sell out.
COOPER-YOUNG BEERFEST
October 2026
Grab your official mug at the gate and fill it up as many times as you’d like during this afternoon festival. The annual Cooper Young Beerfest features dozens of breweries from across the region for beer tastings, music, food and fun in the Cooper Young neighborhood. All attendees must be 21+, and no pets are allowed. Rain or shine, come party with us in one of the most eclectic entertainment districts in Memphis. Learn more.
Memphis Whiskey Festival
November 21, 2026
Memphis Whiskey Festival is coming to The Kent Memphis this fall. The fest includes whiskey tastings, whiskey cocktails from local mixologists, live music, local food, a cigar lounge and photo ops. General admission and VIP tickets are on sale now.
