The 1969 Sly and the Family Stone song “Hot Fun in the Summertime” must have been written about Memphis. It was, of course, because fun things to do in Memphis in 2019 can only be described as hot fun! Well, Sly and his family may not have been thinking specifically about Memphis when they recorded the hit, but you can still find many fun things to do that go beyond the traditional Memphis experience. This includes concerts, top-rated minor-league baseball, and various cultural and food festivals.
Here are some of the events and fun things to do in Memphis in 2019 this June.
Chubby Checker at Graceland
Going to Graceland mansion, the historic home of Elvis Aaron Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, is typically the highlight of every visit to Memphis. If you want to see a rock and roll legend perform at the home of a legend, plan to get tickets for Saturday, June 22, to see the one and only Chubby Checker. Plan on twisting the night away at the Graceland Soundstage, located on the grounds of the historic home.
Memphis Italian Festival
Memphis is home to many distinct and diverse cultures. June 1 is a chance to kick off the month and celebrate one of those cultures, Italy. The Memphis Italian Festival is a chance for you to join the family, experience food and music, and feel the abbondanza (Italian for abundance) of Italian culture. The festival will be held in Marquette Park (4946 Alrose Avenue) and goes from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. The cost each day of the three-day event, which begins on Thursday, May 30, and ends on June 1, is $10.
Memphis Redbirds Baseball
The Memphis Redbirds are a minor league baseball team that plays in the Pacific Coast League. The Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals is the defending PCL champion and plays home games at AutoZone Park, located in downtown Memphis (200 Union Avenue). The team has 15 home dates in June, which gives you plenty of opportunity to come out to the ballpark and watch championship-level baseball. The Redbirds face these opponents in June:
- Oklahoma City Dodgers, June 1-2.
- Salt Lake City Bees, June 12-14.
- Las Vegas Aviators, June 15-18.
- Nashville Sounds, June 25-28.
- New Orleans Baby Cakes, June 29-30.
Mid-South International Festival
The Mid-South International Festival is on June 29-30, 2019, at the Railgarten event venue (2166 Central Ave.). The event features international music, foods and dance and is an opportunity to experience many different cultures without a passport. The event is free to the public; the cover cost for large bands is $2. There is a shop for international arts and crafts, and you can experience an international wrestling event and sand soccer!
2019 Craft Food and Wine Festival
The Columns (1 South Main St.) is the home to the 2019 Craft Food and Wine Festival. Scheduled to be held Sunday, June 23, 2019, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., the tickets go for $55 to $115 per person. The proceeds from the event go to an excellent cause — to benefit Memphis’s Church Health Center, a local medical service that provides for residents who are uninsured or underinsured. The event is a chance to experience the culinary delights of Memphis, which is more than just barbecue.
This is just a small list of the fun things to do in Memphis in 2019. There are plenty of other fun things to see or do when planning to spend time in Bluff City. The best way to see all that the city has to offer in the summer is to simply plan your visit!
You might also be interested in: 5 Outdoor Concerts Not to Miss in June 2022
