Memphis is a vibrant city with lots to do in the summer months. June brings warm weather, making it a great time to get out and explore what Memphis has to offer. In the opening paragraphs below, we’ll provide a quick overview of some of the top things to see and do in Memphis in June.
Opening Overview
Some of the highlights happening in Memphis in June include:
- Outdoor concerts, festivals, and events like the Memphis Italian Festival, the Memphis Greek Festival, and the Levitt Shell Summer Concert Series.
- Sports including Memphis Redbirds baseball games.
- Attractions like the Memphis Zoo, Graceland, the National Civil Rights Museum, and river cruises on the Mississippi River.
- Arts and culture at venues like the Orpheum Theatre, Playhouse on the Square, and the Brooks Museum of Art.
- Nightlife on Beale Street with live music, bars, and restaurants.
The warm sunny days and long summer evenings make June a fantastic time to enjoy Memphis’s food, music, culture, and outdoor spaces. Read on for more details on exactly what’s happening this June in Memphis.
Festivals and Events in June
June brings plenty of annual festivals, events, and outdoor concerts to Memphis. Some of the highlights include:
Levitt Shell Summer Concert Series
This free concert series takes place in the historic Levitt Shell in Overton Park throughout June and July. Concerts include genres like indie rock, blues, soul, and more by local, regional, and national acts.
Memphis Italian Festival
Taking place in early June, this popular festival celebrates Italian culture and food. Enjoy Italian music, cooking demonstrations, pizza-eating contests, wine, and lots of delicious food from Memphis’s Italian restaurants.
Memphis Greek Festival
Later in June, the annual Greek Festival offers Greek food, music, dance, church tours, shopping, and more. Sip ouzo, watch cultural performances, and enjoy authentic Greek dishes.
Juneteenth Urban Music Festival
This annual festival celebrates Juneteenth with R&B, jazz, gospel, hip hop, and dance performances as well as vendors and family activities.
Mississippi River Town Family Fourth Celebration
Memphis celebrates Independence Day early with this huge fireworks display over the Mississippi River with live music and food vendors.
Things to Do in June
In addition to special events, June is a great time to experience Memphis’s top attractions and activities:
Memphis Zoo
The zoo hosts special events and activities in June like the Family Campout Sleepover where you can pitch a tent and camp overnight. Extended summer hours allow more time to see exhibits like the new Zambezi River Hippo Camp.
Graceland
Beat the summer heat by touring Elvis Presley’s mansion with its new exhibits on the King of Rock and Roll. You can also tour Presley Motors Automobile Museum and stroll through meditation garden where Presley is buried.
National Civil Rights Museum
This important museum built around the Lorraine Motel tells the story of the American civil rights movement. June is a great time to visit and learn more about this chapter of history.
Beale Street
Memphis’s famous musical thoroughfare really comes alive in June. Listen to blues and rockabilly at outdoor cafes and inside legendary clubs and bars like BB King’s Blues Club on this iconic street.
Mississippi River Cruises
Take sightseeing cruises or dinner cruises down the Mississippi River for unique views of Memphis. Options range from paddlewheel riverboats to breezy cruises on the Memphis Queen.
Performing Arts
From Broadway shows to ballets, June brings great performing arts to Memphis stages:
Orpheum Theatre
This historic theater presents touring Broadway musicals like Les Miserables along with concerts, comedians, and more.
Playhouse on the Square
See dramas, comedies, and musicals put on by this professional resident theater company.
Germantown Performing Arts Center
In June, performances include Sir Elton John tribute concert, Motown tribute show, and rock ballet.
Ballet Memphis
Catch contemporary and traditional dance shows at the Ballet Memphis theater in June.
Museums and Art Galleries
Explore history, art, and culture at Memphis’s excellent museums, several of which offer free admission:
Brooks Museum of Art
Permanent collections and new exhibits feature everything from Renaissance art to modern American work. Admission is free.
Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art
Global art and artifacts from Asia and Jewish communities are on display. Free admission on Wednesday evenings.
Pink Palace Museum
Learn about Memphis history from the first inhabitants through the colonial period and beyond at these family-friendly museums.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
This museum built on the site of the original Stax Records tells the story of American soul music through exhibits, films, and music.
Sports
For sports fans, June brings Minor League Baseball action:
Memphis Redbirds Baseball
Cheer for the Memphis Redbirds, the St. Louis Cardinals’ Triple-A baseball team, at their downtown stadium. Weekly promotions include fireworks nights and Star Wars theme nights.
Food and Drink
Memphis is a top food destination, known for barbecue, Southern specialties, and creative cuisine. In June, the warm weather makes al fresco dining even better. Check out these restaurants and bars:
Charlie Vergo’s Rendezvous
This basement restaurant has served Memphis’s signature dry-rub ribs and brisket since 1948 in a historic alley location.
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Spicy, perfectly-fried chicken has made this restaurant famous. The downtown location on Front Street is a good spot to grab some after visiting Beale Street.
The Beauty Shop
Get creative cocktails and New American small plates in a hip restaurant set in a former 1960s beauty salon.
Flight Restaurant & Wine Bar
Upscale contemporary American cuisine, craft cocktails, and extensive wine list make this a go-to fine dining spot.
Shopping
If you want to shop in Memphis, head to these spots offering clothes, gifts, souvenirs and more:
Location | What to Find |
---|---|
Beale Street | Unique boutiques and souvenir shops full of Memphis-themed gifts and items. |
Overton Square | Local fashions, home decor, and gift shops in an artsy entertainment district. |
Oak Court Mall | Upscale indoor shopping mall with major retailers like Gucci, Kate Spade, and Apple. |
South Main Arts District | Locally-owned shops and galleries in historic buildings on South Main St. |
Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid | Huge outdoor/adventure megastore with fishing, boating, clothing, and gear. |
Day Trips Near Memphis
Memphis makes a great home base for day trips to nearby attractions:
Tunica, Mississippi Casinos
About 30 minutes south, the Tunica area features casino resorts with gambling, spas, golf, and entertainment.
Natural Attractions
Head north to Reelfoot Lake for boating, fishing, and nature watching. Or east to Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park which has woods, trails, camping, and kayaking on the Mississippi.
Civil Rights Sites
Visit historic Civil Rights sites like the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Emmett Till Museum in Mississippi, or Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas.
Where to Stay
Memphis offers diverse hotel and lodging options convenient to downtown and major attractions:
The Peabody
Historic, elegant 4-star hotel on Main Street downtown with restaurants, shops, and the Lobby Bar.
Big Cypress Lodge
Unique lodging beside Bass Pro at the Pyramid with hunting-lodge theme rooms and suites.
Madison Hotel
Sleek and modern 4-star hotel with a rooftop lounge, pool, and city views.
Elvis Presley’s Heartbreak Hotel
Cool themed hotel across from Graceland decorated with Elvis imagery and memorabilia.
River Inn of Harbor Town
Charming rooms in a riverfront building with shops and restaurants nearby.
Conclusion
June is an ideal time to experience the energy, music, culture, and cuisine of lively Memphis. Festivals, outdoor concerts, museum exhibits, and more happening this month give visitors lots of options for entertainment and activities. Barbecues, blues bands, and riverboat cruises are part of the distinctive Memphis vibe in June. Whether you’re a family, couple, or friend group, Memphis offers something memorable for all interests during the month of June.