Travel South for Festivals & Fun
It's festival season down South, and there's a lot in store for those of the partying persuasion. We know how to have a great time here in the South, and we invite you to come share it with us!
Bands and Barbeque in Memphis
The party begins in Memphis, Tennessee, an icon of Southern music, the birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll and home to one of the South's greatest festivals. Memphis in May is a month-long series of celebrations that stretches from April 29 through May 28, so come when you can and stay as long as you want!
April 29-May 1: Catch world-class performances at the Beale Street Music Festival with more than 60 acts taking the stage in one wild weekend. This year's talent ranges from the hottest Top 40 artists to hip-hop, alternative, blues and more.
May 2-8: Belgium is the focus of this year's International Festival, so if you're a fan of chocolate, beer or waffles, you need to be here. Check out the Belgian art and history exhibits throughout the city and sample the culture with the "Belgium on Beale" music and dance performance.
May 12-14: Taste your way through three days of mouthwatering goodness at the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. Hundreds of teams assemble to grill, smoke and simmer their way to top honors in this culinary competition.
May 28: Cap it all off with the Sunset Symphony, complete with an air show, fireworks and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra accompanied by Memphis legends The Bar-Kays.
Even if you never set foot in a festival, there's still plenty of fun to be had. Stroll down Beale Street on any given night, and you'll find it's a festival in its own right–catch a live blues concert, delicious dinner and drinks. Take in the unique sights and history of Memphis with guided tours and visit the Stax Museum, Sun Studio and the venerable Graceland.
Revelry on the River in Little Rock
From Memphis, it's just a two-hour jaunt on I-40 West to another fabulous festival destination - Little Rock, Arkansas. Little Rock offers three great festivals in May, so you can choose your party!
May 6: Craws for a Cause is one of the largest crawfish boils around bringing in more than 15,000 pounds of crawfish and enough people to fill a baseball stadium. This year features live entertainment by Boom Kinetic and more. Tickets are good for unlimited food and cold drinks and children 10 and under get in free! Ticket sales benefit the Baptist Health NICU.
May 20-22: Little Rock's beloved Greek Food Festival is the largest ethnic festival in Arkansas. This weekend celebration promises a full plate of Greek music, dancing, crafts and, of course, hearty portions of glorious Greek grub. Visitors wanting to take home a piece of the culture can shop in the festival's Old World Market where vendors sell jewelry, furnishings, tapestries, Greek groceries and more!
May 27-29: The main event in Little Rock each May is Riverfest, a visual and performing arts festival that brings more than 250,000 revelers to the banks of the Arkansas River every year. This weekend of music, dancing, art, food and fireworks has something for everyone. Headline acts such as Nelly and Widespread Panic will take to the stage. Children can learn art techniques at the Artzone. Teens can enjoy video-gaming fun at the Teen Extreme tent, and the entire family can get together for the spectacular fireworks show on Sunday night.
You'll find fun all year round in the River Market district, Little Rock's epicenter of entertainment. Discover a vibrant music scene and some of the finest dining and shopping in all of Arkansas. Head to the Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings for fresh produce and local art or explore Arkansas history at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and the Historic Arkansas Museum. Between the River Market's two open-air pavilions and 10,000-seat amphitheatre, there's always something happening!
May 1-June 5: Nestled in the Ozark Mountains in Northwest Arkansas, Eureka Springs is a quaint little town with a distinctly European flair. The town's May Festival of the Arts is an annual celebration of art in all forms, from music and sculpture to poetry and cooking. The scope of this festival is truly expansive– anyone who considers themselves an artist will find their niche here. The festival kicks off on May 1 with a culinary theme and activities that include food sampling and wine tasting. On June 3-5, the May Festival of the Arts ends on a high note as the Eureka Springs Blues Weekend brings top musicians to town.
Here in the South, you'll find big-city bustle without all the hustle. Take the time to bask in the revelry of a night on the town or take a break and get away to natural beauty. These Southern scenes give you the chance to party at your own pace.
Kick up Your Heels on Beale Street
Beale Street may only take up a few blocks on the west side of Memphis, but you could spend an entire night making your way from one end to the other (and we recommend it). This world-famous street is overgrown with the roots of rock ‘n' roll and blues music. Fiery guitar licks roll out onto the air from the live music joints that line the street, unique shops offer only-in-Memphis merchandise and the sheer number of unforgettable bars and top-notch restaurants is staggering. From the glow of the neon signs to the rumbling of rock ‘n' roll bands, the atmosphere on Beale Street is nothing short of electrifying.
Stunning Scenery at Garvan Woodland Gardens
Tucked away in world-famous Hot Springs, Arkansas, Garvan Woodland Gardens is a testament to nature's brilliance. The garden's 210 wooded acres are painted with streams, waterfalls and breathtaking floral masterpieces. Come explore the grounds on the shoreline of sparkling Lake Hamilton, admire the pavilion designed by world-renowned architect E. Fay Jones and the Jones-inspired Anthony Chapel. The garden contains thousands of plant species, including rare shrubs and trees that are decades old.
