You think you know Memphis. You're probably picturing a neon-soaked stroll down Beale Street with a plastic cup in one hand and a rack of dry-rub ribs in the other. Look, that’s a classic for a reason, but if that is your entire plan for memphis tn things to do this weekend, you are basically eating the garnish and leaving the steak on the plate.
January in the Bluff City isn't just about shivering through the humidity or hiding from the wind off the Mississippi. It’s actually one of the most intellectually and culturally dense times to be here. This specific weekend—January 17 through January 18, 2026—is a collision of the International Blues Challenge, a high-energy "Masquerave," and the somber, powerful lead-up to MLK Day.
Honestly, the "off-season" is where the real Memphis hides. No massive lines at Central BBQ. No fighting for a view of the ducks at the Peabody. Just pure, gritty soul.
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The Blues are Taking Over Beale (And It's Not Just for Tourists)
Right now, the International Blues Challenge is reaching its peak. If you wander down Beale Street this Saturday, you aren't just hearing the "standard" house bands. You're hearing the best blues musicians from across the planet—literally everywhere from Norway to Australia—competing for the top spot.
Most people make the mistake of just standing on the sidewalk. Don't do that. You’ve gotta get into the clubs like Rum Boogie Cafe or B.B. King’s Blues Club to see the actual showdowns. The energy in these rooms is electric because these artists are playing for their lives. It culminates Saturday night with the final round at the historic Orpheum Theatre. Seeing the blues in a gilded, 1920s movie palace is a vibe you can’t replicate.
If the "traditional" blues feels a bit too slow for your Saturday night, the Masquerave at The Cadre Building is the move. It starts at 7:00 PM on January 17. Imagine a massive, elegant downtown ballroom filled with immersive visuals, projection mapping, and a heavy dose of EDM. It’s the polar opposite of a smoky blues dive, and that’s exactly why it works. Memphis has layers.
Science, Suds, and Civil Rights
People often forget how much "brainy" stuff there is to do here. If you’re looking for memphis tn things to do this weekend that don't involve a hangover, head over to the Memphis Museum of Science and History (MoSH). They are running a specific exhibit called Last Whistle: Steamboat Stories of Memphis.
It’s easy to look at the river today and just see a big brown snake of water. This exhibit reminds you that the river was once a chaotic, dangerous, and incredibly wealthy highway. Plus, if you're there on Saturday, they’re doing a "Science of Beer" event. You get to drink local craft brews from places like Ghost River or Wiseacre while learning about the chemistry of carbonation. It’s "educational." Tell yourself that.
MLK Weekend: More Than a Day Off
Monday is the 40th anniversary of King Day at the National Civil Rights Museum, but the events start this weekend. Honestly, the museum is the most important building in the city. Standing on the sidewalk looking up at the balcony of the Lorraine Motel is a heavy experience, but the interior exhibits are world-class.
They are hosting the MLK Showdown sports tournament at the Memphis Sports and Events Center at Liberty Park all weekend. It’s a massive gathering of youth athletes that brings a huge amount of energy to the Midtown area. Even if you don't have a kid in the game, the atmosphere around Liberty Park is going to be buzzing.
The Food Scene: Moving Beyond the Rib
You’re going to eat BBQ. We both know it. But please, don't just go to the one place you saw on the Travel Channel ten years ago.
This weekend, Magnolia & May in East Memphis is doing a Mardi Gras Pop-Up. If you want a break from the smoke, their wreath-building workshop on Sunday is a surprisingly chill way to spend an afternoon. For a quick lunch, check out the buzz around The Salad Chop Shop pop-up. It's a fresh counterpoint to the "everything-is-fried" stereotype of Southern food.
If you really want to lean into the local culture, Sunday is for the Patriots vs. Texans NFL watch parties. Head to High Life Sports Bar or any of the spots along Brookhaven Circle. Memphis is a basketball town first, but we take our playoff football—and the accompanying wings—very seriously. Speaking of basketball, the Memphis Tigers take on UTSA at the FedExForum on Sunday at 5:00 PM. The atmosphere at a Tigers game is arguably more intense than a Grizzlies game. It’s a religion here.
Don't Miss These Smaller Gems
- Artist Talk with Brantley Ellzey: Saturday at 1:00 PM at Crosstown Arts. If you haven't seen the Crosstown Concourse building, you need to. It’s a vertical village in a renovated Sears warehouse.
- Elmwood Cemetery Tour: "Memphis Music & Elmwood" on Saturday at 1:00 PM. It sounds macabre, but Elmwood is one of the most beautiful Victorian "garden cemeteries" in the country.
- The Linda Ronstadt Experience: Saturday night at the Bartlett Performing Arts Center. A bit of a drive from downtown, but worth it for the vocal nostalgia.
What Most People Get Wrong About Memphis
The biggest mistake is staying in one neighborhood.
If you stay Downtown, you miss the hip, artsy vibe of Cooper-Young. If you stay in Midtown, you miss the polished, upscale feel of East Memphis. Memphis isn't a "walkable" city in the sense that you can see everything on foot. You need a car or a very active Uber app.
Also, the weather. It’s January. It might be 60 degrees (15°C) and sunny, or it might be a literal ice storm. Check the forecast before you pack those suede shoes. Memphis humidity makes the cold "sink into your bones" in a way that dry cold just doesn't.
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Actionable Next Steps
To make the most of your time, start by grabbing tickets for the International Blues Challenge finals at the Orpheum; they sell out fast. If you're planning on the National Civil Rights Museum, book a timed entry slot online for Saturday morning to avoid the Sunday/Monday crowds. Finally, download the Explore Memphis app or check the Choose901 listings on Friday morning for any last-minute "secret" pop-up concerts that haven't been announced yet.