The Memphis in May International Festival is a month-long event held annually in Memphis, Tennessee. It features a series of events celebrating different aspects of Memphis’ culture, including music, food, and arts. The festival’s flagship event is the Beale Street Music Festival, a 3-day music festival held during the first weekend of May at Tom Lee Park on the banks of the Mississippi River. Some of the top musicians scheduled to perform at the 2023 Beale Street Music Festival are:
Beale Street Music Festival Headliners
Some of the big name headlining acts at this year’s Beale Street Music Festival include:
- Foo Fighters
- The Lumineers
- Lil Wayne
- The Avett Brothers
- Portugal. The Man
- Three 6 Mafia
The Foo Fighters are one of the biggest rock bands in the world, led by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl. They recently canceled tour dates after the tragic death of their drummer Taylor Hawkins, making their scheduled Beale Street performance one of their first shows back. It is sure to be an emotional return for the band and their fans.
The Lumineers are a folk rock band known for hits like “Ho Hey” and “Ophelia”. Their melodic, stripped down music is perfect for singing along to at an outdoor festival.
Rapper Lil Wayne is a legend in the hip hop world, having sold over 120 million records worldwide. He’ll bring his rapid fire delivery and extensive catalog of hits to the Beale Street stage.
The Avett Brothers bring their unique blend of folk, bluegrass and country rock to Memphis. The North Carolina group are known for excellent live shows and harmonizing vocals.
Portugal. The Man had a huge hit single in 2017 with “Feel It Still”. They mix elements of psychedelic rock and pop for infectious, grooving tunes.
Legendary Memphis rap group Three 6 Mafia will offer the hometown crowd their dirty south hip hop classics like “Stay Fly” and “Sippin’ on Some Syrup.”
Other Notable Beale Street Music Festival Performers
While the headliners bring the star power, they are just the tip of the iceberg for the diverse lineup at the Beale Street Music Festival. Other noteworthy acts scheduled to perform include:
- Wu-Tang Clan – influential hip hop group known for gritty New York sound
- Lindsey Buckingham – singer/guitarist formerly with Fleetwood Mac
- Key Glock – popular Memphis rapper signed to Young Dolph’s label
- Japanese Breakfast – indie pop band led by Michelle Zauner
- Modest Mouse – indie rockers behind hits like “Float On” and “Dashboard”
- Moneybagg Yo – Memphis rapper and 2020 XXL Freshman
- AJR – indie pop trio made up of three brothers from New York
This list offers something for all musical tastes, from hip hop legends like Wu-Tang Clan to Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham playing solo. Local Memphis rappers Key Glock and Moneybagg Yo also represent the city’s hip hop scene. Indie pop from Japanese Breakfast and AJR provides a danceable counterpoint to the rock acts. As always, the Beale Street Music Festival offers an eclectic mix of major artists.
World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest
Aside from outstanding music, Memphis in May is also known for barbecue. The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is held during the festival as one of the most prestigious barbecue competitions in the world. It takes place in Tom Lee Park along with the music festival. This contest began in 1978 and has steadily grown over the decades, attracting award-winning barbecue pit masters from around the country.
Here are some key facts about the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest:
- Over 250 teams compete, using a variety of meats including pork ribs, pork, beef, chicken, and sausage.
- Each team competes in specific categories such as ribs, pork shoulder, chicken, etc.
- Judges evaluate the entries on presentation, taste, and tenderness.
- The Grand Champion earns a cash prize and the title of World Grand Champion BBQ Pitmaster.
- Over $145,000 in prizes are awarded during the competition.
- Cooking teams come from at least 35 US states and some international countries.
- An estimated 90,000 – 100,000 people attend the contest to watch teams cook and sample the BBQ.
The barbecue competition demonstrates Memphis’ place at the center of southern barbecue culture. Competitors take the craft extremely seriously, using closely guarded techniques and recipes. Visitors at the festival not only get to watch skilled pit masters practice their art, they often get to sample the mouth-watering finished products. If you like barbecue even a little bit, the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is a highlight of Memphis in May.
Other Memphis in May Events
In addition to the music festival and barbecue contest, Memphis in May includes several other popular events throughout the month. Some key events and dates include:
- Beale Street Music Festival – May 5-7
- World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest – May 17-20
- Great American River Run – May 27
- 901Fest – May 20
- Sunset Symphony – Saturdays in May
- Mighty Lights Shows – Nightly at the Hernando de Soto Bridge
The Great American River Run is one of the nation’s largest 20K foot races, starting at Beale Street and winding along the Mississippi River. 901Fest is a complimentary music festival with local artists held downtown. The Sunset Symphony offers free orchestra performances on Saturday evenings at the Cannon Center for Performing Arts. And colorful LED light shows illuminate the Hernando de Soto Bridge throughout May during the Mighty Lights Shows.
Hotels and Accommodations
With festivals and events drawing large crowds, planning ahead for accommodations is advised for Memphis in May. The city has a wide selection of hotel options, including:
Hotel | Starting Rate | Rating |
---|---|---|
The Peabody Memphis | $259/night | 4.5 stars |
Holiday Inn Memphis Downtown | $169/night | 4 stars |
Hyatt Centric Beale Street | $179/night | 4 stars |
Hampton Inn Memphis – Beale Street | $169/night | 4 stars |
SpringHill Suites by Marriott | $119/night | 3.5 stars |
Hotels like The Peabody, Holiday Inn, Hyatt Centric, and Hampton Inn place you right on or near the iconic Beale Street for bars, restaurants, and the music festival. For cheaper rates, look to chains like SpringHill Suites located downtown about 1 mile from Beale Street.
In addition to major hotels, Memphis also offers vacation rentals like houses, apartments, and condos for rent on sites like AirBnB and VRBO. These give you a more residential experience and include amenities like kitchens. Rates vary widely based on size, location, dates, etc. Shop around for the best vacation rental deals to meet your needs and budget.
Getting Around During Memphis in May
Once in Memphis for the festivals, getting around is straightforward. Here are some transportation options for visitors:
- Walk: Memphis is very walkable due to the downtown location of most major attractions and events.
- MATA Trolley: Memphis’ public transit system has three trolley lines offering $1 rides connecting downtown, midtown, and the South Main district.
- Rideshare: Services like Lyft and Uber operate in Memphis.
- Taxi: Traditional cabs can also be hailed on streets or called.
- Bicycle: Bike share services allow riders to rent bicycles at dozens of stations around the city.
Depending on where you stay, you may be able to reach Beale Street and downtown on foot. For longer distances, the trolley system, rideshares, and bikes offer car-free transportation. And cabs can provide quick point-to-point trips if needed. Memphis makes it easy to get around without a car during busy festival periods.
Parking and Road Closures
If you do choose to drive your own vehicle, be aware of parking restrictions and road closures:
- Paid parking lots and garages are available downtown, but fill up fast during events.
- Steer clear of tow-away zones and resident parking areas.
- Roads like Beale Street may have partial or rolling closures for festivals and events.
- Tom Lee Park will have parking restrictions during the music festival and barbecue contest.
- Some downtown streets close for the Great American River Run route.
Plan ahead by researching parking areas near your hotel or destination. Allow extra time when driving to navigate road closures. And consider public transportation to avoid parking hassles.
Food and Dining
Memphis offers a tasty array of dining options from barbecue joints to Southern cooking to hip local eateries. Some top places to eat include:
Barbecue Restaurants
- Central BBQ
- Rendezvous
- Payne’s Bar-B-Que
- Corky’s BBQ
- Cozy Corner Restaurant
You can’t visit Memphis without sampling its famous barbecue. Central BBQ, Rendezvous, and Payne’s serve up classic Memphis-style ribs, pulled pork, brisket and more in casual settings. Upscale Corky’s offers barbecue platters and sandwiches in a full-service restaurant. And Cozy Corner is known for rib tips and cornish hens.
Other Memphis Restaurants
- Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
- Blues City Cafe
- The Arcade Restaurant
- Felicia Suzanne’s Restaurant
- The Beauty Shop
Beyond barbecue, options include fried chicken joints like Gus’s, live music and southern food at Blues City Cafe, diner food at iconic Arcade Restaurant, and upscale regional cuisine at Felicia Suzanne’s and The Beauty Shop located downtown.
Bars and Nightlife
- Beale Street
- Alfred’s
- Earnestine and Hazel’s
- The Peabody Hotel Lobby Bar
- Loflin Yard
The lively Beale Street entertainment district offers endless bar hopping options, while Alfred’s and Earnestine and Hazel’s are popular dive bars with Memphis character. Stop by The Peabody lobby bar for a classic hotel atmosphere. And Loflin Yard provides an outdoor beer garden vibe.
From Beale Street clubbing to down home barbecue joints, Memphis dining offers something for every taste and budget. And great bars and nightlife extend the fun beyond the music festivals.
Conclusion
The month-long party of Memphis in May offers fun for all through music, food, and cultural celebrations of this iconic southern city. Festival goers can rock out to chart-topping bands at the Beale Street Music Festival, witness barbecue mastery at the World Championship, enjoy outdoor symphonies and runs, explore great local eateries, and more. With a packed schedule and so much to experience, Memphis in May provides an outstanding destination for a spring getaway.