12 things to do in Memphis this Christmas

Lights+shine+down+on+the+Mississippi+River+during+the+holidays.+Many+Christmas+events%2C+like+Starry+Nights%2C+have+been+around+for+years.

Photo: Sean Davis

Lights shine down on the Mississippi River during the holidays. Many Christmas events, like Starry Nights, have been around for years.

1. Starry Nights
Located in Shelby Farms, this drive-through light show displays a whopping 1.5 million lights. This year, the show will run from Nov. 20 to Dec. 27 and will highlight some of the most iconic places in Memphis. Admission is 20 dollars per car into the park.

2. Snowy Nights in My Big Backyard
At Snowy Nights in My Big Backyard, snow falls from the sky of the Memphis Botanical Gardens. After watching a light show, you can roast s’mores or drink hot chocolate around a fire. Snowy Nights is open Dec. 11-12 and Dec. 18-30 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. It is 10 dollars for non-members and eight dollars for members.

3. Zoo Lights
The Memphis Zoo completely transforms during the holiday season, with an on-site ice skating rink, a ferris wheel, a light show with singing Christmas trees and live reindeer. It runs from Nov. 20 to Dec. 30 and is six dollars for members and eight dollars for non-members.

4. Singing Christmas Tree
Bellevue Baptist Church’s Singing Christmas Tree show began in 1975 as a broadway-style production, and it is now a part of a long-lasting legacy of spreading Jesus to all. The show runs from Dec. 12-14 and 16-17, and ticket prices range from five dollars to 20 dollars.

5. Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees
The Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees, an old Mid-South tradition, includes pictures with Santa, a fairytale forest and a full-scale miniature train that children can ride. Admission is six dollars for adults and five dollars for seniors and children, with all proceeds benefitting Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.

6. A Christmas Carol
If you enjoy classic holiday plays and movies, you must watch Theatre Memphis’ production of “A Christmas Carol.” The classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his hatred for Christmas comes to life on stage from Dec. 4 to 23. Admission is 30 dollars for adults and 15 dollars for students.

7. Brooks Winterfest
The Brooks Winterfest at the Brooks Art Museum in East Memphis is completely free and includes a multitude of things to do, including an interactive LED music show, a story told by the Memphis Public Library, ornament deco- rating and horse-drawn carriages for 15 dollars per ride.

8. Majestic Grille’s Sunday Supper and Movie
This holiday season, the Majestic Grille Restaurant holds special holiday-themed Sunday dinners and movies, including “Holiday Inn,” “Miracle on 34th Street” and “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

9. “If Scrooge Was a Brother”
This not-so-traditional holiday play runs from Dec. 2 to 20 at the Hattiloo Theatre, a prominent African American theater in Midtown. The play follows the plotline of “A Christmas Carol” but is set as if Scrooge was African Ameri- can. Admission for the play is 26 dollars for adults and 22 dollars for students and children.

10. Christmas at Graceland
Graceland, Elvis’ mansion, allows tourists to not only get an exclusive view of Elvis’ personal life but also see the mansion decorated with great holiday splendor. You can view holiday lights with the purchase of an admission ticket for a museum tour, which is 36 dollars for adults and 32 dollars for children and seniors. The lights can be seen from now until Jan. 9.

11. Ugly Sweater Run
Shelby Farms will be hosting the annual Ugly Sweater Run, also known as the “merriest 5k,” on Dec. 21 at 3 p.m. Put on your worst holiday apparel and walk or run. This event for all ages costs 30 dollars with pre-registration or 40 dollars on race day.

12. Santa Send-Off
On Christmas Eve at the Pink Palace, you can watch Santa leave to deliver presents to children around the world on a helicopter. The Santa Send-Off happens on the front lawn of the museum, where a Christmas parade also occurs.