Food festivals in Memphis worth planning a trip around, by month.
Food festivals in Memphis worth planning a trip around, by month.
The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest in Memphis runs each May at Liberty Park, the centrepiece of Memphis in May with global BBQ teams and the largest BBQ contest.
Focus: Memphis BBQ
Tip: Friday is the easier day to walk through the team tents. Saturday is the finals and most crowded.
The Cooper-Young Festival in Memphis runs one Saturday each September around Cooper and Young, drawing 130,000 people for food, crafts and live music in the midtown neighbourhood.
Focus: Memphis food and crafts
Tip: Park on side streets early; the main strip closes to traffic. Brunch at Beauty Shop before the crowds.
The Memphis Italian Festival runs three days at Marquette Park in East Memphis at the corner of Park and Mendenhall, with the grape stomp, gravy contest and Italian-American cooking demos.
Focus: Italian-American
Tip: Kids 10 and under and active military free. Thursday night is the cheapest entry and least packed.
The Memphis Greek Festival at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on North Highland in Memphis runs the first weekend of May with souvlaki, spanakopita and 67 years of tradition.
Focus: Greek
Tip: Adults $5; ages 5 and under free. Lines run shortest right at the 11:00 open.
Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival in Memphis runs each April at Robert R Church Park downtown, with food vendors, a parade and music spotlighting an African nation.
Focus: African and Black diaspora
Tip: Free admission. The food tent area gets busy by 13:00; arrive at 11:00 for first-out plates.
Peak food season in Memphis is year-round.
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Memphis rewards trust.