Memphis Creative Week: October 1–7, 2026

Best Bets

• Eraserhead with a live score by Artificer — Thursday: David Lynch’s film accompanied by an original, in-theater performance.

• The Avett Brothers with Drive-By Truckers — Thursday: The week’s biggest roots-rock double bill.

• It’s Raining Queens — Friday: Martha Wash, Anita Ward and Marsha Warfield in a staged evening of music, comedy and storytelling.

• Drivin N Cryin — Friday: A free outdoor concert from the durable Southern-rock band.

• Paint Memphis and the Gumption Revival Lantern Parade — Saturday: Two free, highly visual celebrations of public art and neighborhood creativity.

• Lakecia Benjamin — Saturday: A commanding alto saxophonist bringing a high-energy jazz quartet to GPAC.

• Twelfth Night — Sunday: Closing performance of Theatre Memphis’s playful Shakespeare production.

• Dale Watson Birthday Bash — Tuesday and Wednesday: Two different nights of honky-tonk programming at Hernando’s Hide-A-Way.

Thursday, October 1

• 4–10 p.m. — Mid-South Fair: opening day
  Landers Center, 4560 Venture Dr. — Southaven · Free Thursday; parking $5
  [FREE] [FAMILY-FRIENDLY] [OPENING DAY]
  Opening day adds Dillon Carmichael and Tyler Nance to the fair’s rides, circus acts, magic, pig races and midway attractions. Landers Center

• 6–7:30 p.m. — Listen Up: Will Presley’s Emerge
  Memphis Listening Lab, Crosstown Concourse — Crosstown · Admission not posted
  Presley leads an audiophile playback and discussion of his atmospheric new album—more album salon than ordinary listening party. Memphis Listening Lab

• 6:30–8 p.m.; gates 5:30 p.m. — Southbound
  The Grove at GPAC — Germantown · $13 adults; $8 ages 5–18; under 4 free; $23 table seating
  [FAMILY-FRIENDLY] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  A compact outdoor set of Southern rock, blues and country from a veteran regional band. Germantown Performing Arts Center

• Doors/sign-up 6:30 p.m.; show 7 p.m. — Speaker Box Slam
  Hattiloo Culture Box, 37 S. Cooper St. — Overton Square · $10 advance/$12 door; performers free
  [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Memphis poets compete in a live spoken-word slam, making this one of the week’s best grassroots performance options. hattiloo.org

• 6–9 p.m.; film 7:15 p.m. — Playback: Eraserhead with live score by Artificer
  Giant Screen Theater at MoSH/Pink Palace — East Memphis · $18
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Artificer performs an original score beneath Lynch’s industrial nightmare; Dinosauria supplies a preshow set, and admission includes a custom poster. Memphis Museums of Science and History

• 7 p.m. — Freedom Award
  Orpheum Theatre — Downtown · $236.75–$528.20
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  The National Civil Rights Museum’s major annual program features host Larenz Tate, a performance by Tamela Mann and honors for Fred Gray, Nneka Ogwumike and other civic leaders. The Orpheum Theatre Group

• 7 p.m.; gates 5:30 p.m. — The Avett Brothers with Drive-By Truckers
  Grind City Amphitheater — Uptown riverfront · Current price at checkout
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  A formidable pairing of the Avetts’ harmony-rich Americana and Drive-By Truckers’ literate, hard-edged Southern rock. Grind City Amp

• 7 p.m. — Umphrey’s McGee
  Satellite Music Hall — Crosstown · Current price at checkout
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  The progressive-jam sextet is known for tightly executed improvisation, sudden genre shifts and elaborate concert lighting. Memphis Concert Venue

• Doors 7 p.m.; show 8 p.m. — Keaton Adams, Eastwoods and Mike Hewlett
  Growlers, 1911 Poplar Ave. — Midtown · $10–$15
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  An affordable three-act local and regional bill in one of Midtown’s essential small rooms. 901growlers.com

• Doors 7:30 p.m.; show 8 p.m. — Bluff City Liars Improv
  Hi Tone Small Room, 282–284 N. Cleveland St. — Crosstown · $13.50
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Memphis’s local improv troupe builds rapid-fire scenes from audience suggestions. Hi Tone Cafe

Friday, October 2

• 5:30–9:30 p.m.; music from 6 p.m. — Bartlett Festival and BBQ Contest
  W.J. Freeman Park — Bartlett · Free
  [FREE] [FAMILY-FRIENDLY]
  Friday’s opening session combines live music, food vendors, a barbecue contest and family activities; the festival continues Saturday. Bartlett, TN - Official Website

• 7:30 p.m. — The Depths: Grey & Karr in Recital
  Harris Concert Hall, Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music — University District · Free
  [FREE] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
  Contralto Megan Esther Grey and pianist Stephen Karr explore unusually dark vocal registers in a free recital. Megan Esther Grey, contralto

• 7:30 p.m. — Twelfth Night — closing weekend
  Next Stage at Theatre Memphis — East Memphis · $30 adults; $25 seniors/military; $15 students
  [CLOSING-WEEKEND] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Shakespeare’s shipwrecks, disguises, gender play and romantic confusion receive a brisk, intimate production. Final performance is Sunday. broadwayworld.com

• 7 p.m. — It’s Raining Queens
  Halloran Centre — South Main · $58.65–$82.75
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Martha Wash and Anita Ward supply the disco and R&B vocals while Marsha Warfield adds comedy and storytelling. The Orpheum Theatre Group

• 7:30 p.m. — Bridging Worlds: International Black Theatre Festival launch
  Hattiloo Theatre Main Stage — Overton Square · Current price at checkout
  [OPENING NIGHT] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Hattiloo inaugurates a Pan-African collaboration connecting Memphis with theatre artists and companies from Norway, Nigeria and South Africa. Hattiloo Theatre

• 8 p.m.; doors 7:30 p.m. — Corey Lou and DaVillage
  Hattiloo Culture Box — Overton Square · $20 advance/$25 door
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  A locally rooted live-band showcase presented in Hattiloo’s more intimate cabaret-style room; a late show follows at 10:30 p.m. Hattiloo Theatre

• 7–9 p.m. — Drivin N Cryin
  Overton Park Shell — Overton Park · Free
  [FREE] [FAMILY-FRIENDLY] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
  The veteran Atlanta band brings its mix of jangling roots rock and loud guitar anthems to the Shell’s free series. Overton Park Shell

• 7:30–9 p.m.; doors 7 p.m. — Dave Soldier, Alex Greene and friends: The LeWitt Etudes
  The Green Room at Crosstown Arts — Crosstown · $25 advance/$32 door
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Musicians interpret conceptual scores built from rule systems inspired by artist Sol LeWitt—an unusually rigorous intersection of music and visual art. Crosstown Arts

• Doors 7 p.m.; show 8 p.m. — Dungeons & Drag Queens
  Hi Tone Big Room — Crosstown · $23.50–$28.50
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  A touring combination of fantasy role-playing, drag, comedy and audience-driven theatrical storytelling. Hi Tone Cafe

• Doors 8 p.m.; show 9 p.m. — Subteens, Deaf Revival, Ryan Kidd & Kobras and Armed Spiders
  Hi Tone Small Room — Crosstown · $13.50
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  A dense four-band local rock bill in the downstairs room, led by long-running Memphis punk-rock institution the Subteens. Hi Tone Cafe

• Doors 6 p.m.; show 6:30 p.m. — Convictions, Afterlife, Stray View, Taken by Tides and Collective Dust
  Growlers — Midtown · $20–$22
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Five heavy acts fill an early-starting metalcore and post-hardcore package. 901growlers.com

• 8 p.m. — Drake White
  Minglewood Hall — Midtown · Current price at checkout
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  White’s country-soul approach favors a forceful live band and energetic, gospel-tinged delivery. SeatGeek

• 8 p.m. — Amy Grant with Mac McAnally
  Graceland Soundstage — Whitehaven · Current price at checkout
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Grant’s pop and contemporary-Christian catalog is paired with acclaimed songwriter, guitarist and longtime Jimmy Buffett collaborator Mac McAnally. SeatGeek

• Doors 6 p.m.; show 8 p.m. — Joecephus & the George Jonestown Massacre with the Driftwood Ramblers
  Hernando’s Hide-A-Way — Whitehaven · $10–$15
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  A collision of punky outlaw country and rough-hewn roots music in a historically appropriate roadhouse. Hernando's Hideaway

Saturday, October 3

Saturday’s events overlap heavily; treat these as competing choices.

• 10 a.m.–4 p.m. — V&E Greenline Artwalk
  Kirby Station grounds, 1625 Tutwiler Ave. — Vollintine-Evergreen · Free
  [FREE] [FAMILY-FRIENDLY] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
  More than 70 artists line the greenway alongside children’s art activities and live music from Jeff Hulett and friends. The V&E Greenline

• 11 a.m.–noon — Cazateatro: The Ant and Mr. Q
  Sea Isle Park, 5220 Sea Isle Rd. — East Memphis · Free
  [FREE] [FAMILY-FRIENDLY] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
  Cazateatro stages a bilingual family play inspired by a Mesoamerican story about Quetzalcóatl and a brave ant. Cazateatro

• 11 a.m.–3 p.m. — Evergreen Street Fair
  Overton Park Avenue between Willett and Avalon — Evergreen · Free
  [FREE] [FAMILY-FRIENDLY] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
  A neighborhood-scale festival with local bands on the Shell on Wheels stage, art vendors, food and children’s activities. Live Music and Memphis History

• Noon–6 p.m. — Paint Memphis
  Broad Avenue between Summer and Holmes — The Heights · Free
  [FREE] [FAMILY-FRIENDLY] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
  More than 50 artists create murals in public while visitors watch, take workshops and explore the surrounding art district. Bringing Art Outside

• 5–8 p.m.; parade 7 p.m. — Tom Lee Gumption Revival Lantern Parade
  Tom Lee Park — Downtown riverfront · Free
  [FREE] [FAMILY-FRIENDLY] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
  Giant illuminated puppets and community-made lanterns process through the park to music from the Lucky 7 Brass Band. MEMPHIS RIVER PARKS

• 6 p.m. — Tennessee Shakespeare Company: Love’s Labor’s Lost
  Elmwood Cemetery — South Memphis · Ticketed; current price at checkout
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  TSC condenses Shakespeare’s verbal battle of romance and wit into a 90-minute outdoor production amid Elmwood’s historic landscape. Tennessee Shakespeare Company

• 6–8:30 p.m. — Hispanic Heritage Celebration
  Overton Park Shell — Overton Park · Free
  [FREE] [FAMILY-FRIENDLY] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
  Los Kumbia Brotherz, DJ Mala Leche, Horacio Méndez and Danza Azteca Xochiquetzal fill an evening of cumbia, dance and cultural performance. Overton Park Shell

• 7:30–10 p.m.; doors 7 p.m. — Troy Roberts with the Ted Ludwig Trio
  The Green Room at Crosstown Arts — Crosstown · $25 advance/$30 door; $10 students
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Saxophonist Troy Roberts, a multiple Grammy nominee, joins guitarist Ted Ludwig’s trio for an intimate contemporary-jazz set. Crosstown Arts

• 8–9:30 p.m. — Lakecia Benjamin
  Highland Capital Hall at GPAC — Germantown · Current price at checkout
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Benjamin’s explosive alto saxophone work connects Coltrane-rooted jazz with funk, soul and hip-hop energy. Germantown Performing Arts Center

• Doors 6 p.m.; show 7 p.m. — The Satin Hour
  Growlers — Midtown · $20–$25
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Dedrick, Alexis Norman, Ozioma and Ricky Davine perform in a polished local R&B showcase hosted by DJ Solo. 901growlers.com

• 8 p.m. — Xavier Wulf: Cool World Tour
  Minglewood Hall — Midtown · Current price at checkout
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  A hometown-area appearance from the East Memphis rapper, whose murky production and rapid delivery helped define underground Southern internet rap. SeatGeek

• Doors 6 p.m.; show 8 p.m. — Dolly Parton Tribute starring Alexis Grace
  Hernando’s Hide-A-Way — Whitehaven · $15–$20
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Memphis singer Alexis Grace leads a full-band salute to Parton’s country, pop and bluegrass catalog. Hernando's Hideaway

Sunday, October 4

• 1–5 p.m. — Mallory/Wurtzburger: 80 Exhibitions, 18 Years — opening day
  Dixon Gallery & Gardens — East Memphis · Free
  [FREE] [FAMILY-FRIENDLY] [OPENING DAY]
  More than 100 regional artists return for a retrospective celebrating 80 exhibitions staged in the Dixon’s community gallery. Dixon Gallery & Gardens

• 2 p.m. — Twelfth Night — closing performance
  Theatre Memphis Next Stage — East Memphis · $30 adults; $25 seniors/military; $15 students
  [CLOSING PERFORMANCE] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  The final opportunity to catch Theatre Memphis’s intimate production of Shakespeare’s romantic identity farce. broadwayworld.com

• 3 p.m. — Love’s Labor’s Lost
  Dixon Gallery & Gardens — East Memphis · Free
  [FREE] [FAMILY-FRIENDLY] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
  Tennessee Shakespeare Company gives its 90-minute outdoor comedy a free Sunday performance; bring a chair or picnic blanket. Tennessee Shakespeare Company

• 3 or 7 p.m. — Back to the ’90s: A Soulful Murder Mystery Experience
  Halloran Centre — South Main · $87.45 · Ages 18+
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Audience participation, ’90s R&B atmosphere and live theatrical sleuthing are combined in a 90-minute interactive production. The Orpheum Theatre Group

• 7 p.m.; doors 6:30 p.m. — Hannibal Buress
  Crosstown Theater — Crosstown · $35 advance general admission; $42 advance orchestra
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Buress brings his deliberately off-center stand-up and storytelling to an unusually intimate theater date. Crosstown Arts

• 7 p.m. — John Crist
  Orpheum Theatre — Downtown · $37.15–$61.10
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  A large-scale touring stand-up show built around Crist’s clean, observational comedy about church and contemporary culture. The Orpheum Theatre Group

• Time not posted — Chicken Sh*t Bingo with Hillbilly Mojo
  Hernando’s Hide-A-Way — Whitehaven · Free/no cover
  [FREE]
  Included despite being recurring because few Memphis experiences are more specifically local: live roots music paired with livestock-determined bingo. Hernando's Hideaway

• Doors 7 p.m.; show 8 p.m. — The Sweet Kill
  Hi Tone Small Room — Crosstown · $13.50–$18.50
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  A compact late-weekend option for dark alternative rock in Hi Tone’s downstairs room. Hi Tone Cafe

Monday, October 5

• 4–10 p.m. — Mid-South Fair: Mississippi Day
  Landers Center — Southaven · Free with Mississippi ID; parking $5
  [FREE WITH MISSISSIPPI ID] [FAMILY-FRIENDLY]
  Monday includes multiple Fearless Flores circus shows, illusionists, pig races and midway entertainment without admission for Mississippi residents. Landers Center

• 7:30–9:30 p.m. — Guest Artist Recital: Philip Snyder, Austin Smith and Amanda Johnston
  Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music — University District · Free
  [FREE] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
  Flute, oboe and piano take the spotlight in a free chamber recital featuring three visiting performers. The University of Memphis

Tuesday, October 6

• 10–11 a.m. — Adult Tap Class
  Watkins Studio Theater at GPAC — Germantown · $20 drop-in
  [ADVANCE TICKET]
  A participatory performance option for adults interested in making movement rather than only watching it. Germantown Performing Arts Center

• 4–6 p.m. — Taste of the District
  Medical District Park, Madison Avenue at Dunlap Street — Medical District · Current price at checkout
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Restaurant tastings are accompanied by DJ Bizzle Bluebland, DJ Swan and the Grizzlies Prep Boys Choir on the Shell on Wheels stage. Live Music and Memphis History

• 6–7 p.m. — The Mystic
  The Green Room at Crosstown Arts — Crosstown · Price not posted
  An experimental gathering built from live music, storytelling, silence and audience dialogue rather than a conventional concert structure. Crosstown Arts

• 6:30–8:30 p.m. — Fright-Tober: Carnival of Souls
  Crosstown Theater — Crosstown · Free
  [FREE] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
  A theater screening of Herk Harvey’s eerie, dreamlike 1962 independent-horror landmark. Crosstown Arts

• 6:30–8:30 p.m. — Toy Box R&Bingo and Karaoke
  Hattiloo Culture Box — Overton Square · Pay what you can · Ages 21+
  A social, audience-led mixture of R&B trivia, bingo and karaoke in Hattiloo’s cabaret room. hattiloo.org

• Doors 6 p.m.; show 7 p.m. — Dale Watson Birthday Bash: The Lone Stars
  Hernando’s Hide-A-Way — Whitehaven · $20–$25
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Memphis-based honky-tonk stalwart Dale Watson begins a two-night birthday celebration with his Lone Stars band. Hernando's Hideaway

• 7:30 p.m. — Bryson Tiller: Neo Trapsoul Tour
  FedExForum — Downtown · Current price at checkout
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Tiller revisits the nocturnal R&B sound of Trapsoul with Majid Jordan, Ty Dolla $ign and Austin Millz. Ticketmaster Page 3 - Ticketmaster

• Doors 7 p.m.; show 8 p.m. — Greyson Turner, Tobias Lund and Rowdy
  Growlers — Midtown · $10
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  A low-cost three-artist bill that provides Tuesday’s strongest small-room alternative to the arena show. 901growlers.com

Wednesday, October 7

• 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m. — STEAM Fest
  MoSH/Pink Palace — East Memphis · Museum admission/current ticket price
  [FAMILY-FRIENDLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Hands-on stations connect science and engineering with visual art, design and creative problem-solving. Memphis Museums of Science and History

• 10 a.m.–10 p.m. — Mid-South Fair
  Landers Center — Southaven · Free admission 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; regular admission afterward
  [FREE BEFORE 4 P.M.] [FAMILY-FRIENDLY]
  Wednesday’s free daytime window is the most economical opportunity to explore the fair’s midway and continuous live attractions. Landers Center

• 6 p.m. — Dinner on Stage
  Orpheum Theatre — Downtown · $110 individual/$880 table of eight
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Guests dine directly on the historic Orpheum stage after cocktails, theater lore and stories about the building’s resident ghost. The Orpheum Theatre Group

• 6:30 p.m. — Bayway
  1884 Lounge at Minglewood Hall — Midtown · Current price at checkout
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  A touring hardcore show in Minglewood’s smaller room for listeners seeking the week’s heaviest option. SeatGeek

• Doors 6 p.m.; show 7 p.m. — Dale Watson Birthday Bash: Swang Thang with Twang
  Hernando’s Hide-A-Way — Whitehaven · $20–$25
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Night two pivots toward Watson’s western-swing side, giving the birthday run a different repertoire and feel. Hernando's Hideaway

• Doors 6:30 p.m.; show 7 p.m. — Laugh Box featuring Tracey Jay and Ricky Franklin
  Hattiloo Culture Box — Overton Square · $12 advance/$15 door
  [ADVANCE TICKET]
  Hattiloo’s intimate comedy series pairs two local stand-ups in a room built for close audience interaction. Hattiloo Theatre

• Doors 7 p.m.; show 8 p.m. — Earl Hondo
  Growlers — Midtown · $7.50–$15
  [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY] [ADVANCE TICKET]
  An inexpensive local-club show rounds out Wednesday for anyone seeking live music rather than a larger staged event.