May is a month full of music, food, festivals, and excitement in the Bluff City. With our hopes of the Grizzlies making their way through playoff season, our love of warm weather, live music, and great food, and our powerful belief in the 901, this is a great great time to be a Memphian! Make sure you fully immerse yourself into Memphis this month with these 40 events.

Thursdays Squared – May 1 at 6 pm at Tower Courtyard in Overton Square

Come out to Overton Square to enjoy a block party with all your friends! Mighty Souls Brass Band & Ghost Town Blues Band will be the live performance of the night! The covers will be affordable ($5 to $15 depending on the headlining band), beer and wine will be for sale and there will be ample parking in the parking garage.

Taste of Memphis – May 1 at 6:30 pm at Central Station

There will be 18 local restaurants highlighting Memphis cuisine, a silent auction, and a wine pull. Tickets are $20 ahead of time or $25 at the door. All proceeds go to Young Life’s inner city ministry.

Food Truck Friday – May 2 at the Dixon

From 11:30 am-1:30 pm, Food Truck Fridays return to the Dixon! Enjoy Gourmet Grillers & Millie’s Garden this Friday. Admission to the garden is free and seats will be available.

Beale Street Music Festival – May 2-4 at Tom Lee Park

Enjoy a three-day music festival in downtown Memphis. This is the most diverse line up to play for the music festival, so don’t miss out! You can purchase tickets online.

Springtime Handmade Market – May 3 at 11 am in Overton Square

This market will be in the courtyard in front of Sew Memphis and Maggie’s Pharm in Overton Square. Everyone loves handmade items, so make sure to go pick up something that was perfectly made for you.

Kentucky Derby Gala – May 3 at 3 pm at Local on the Square

You are cordially invited to grab your biggest hat or your sharpest bow tie for an afternoon filled with Southern fare, cold drinks, Derby finery, silent auction and 140th running of the Kentucky Derby! A portion of the proceeds will go to Mid-South Food Bank. Tickets are $40 per individual and $75 per couple. Purchase your tickets online. Tickets include all drinks and food.

Memphis Music Monday – May 5 at 6 pm at Hard Rock Cafe

Come be a part of Memphis’ longest running live music showcase features family friendly entertainment and networking opportunities for local artists. It’s a free event with free appetizers!

Thursdays Squared – May 8 at 6 pm at Tower Courtyard in Overton Square

Come out to Overton Square to enjoy a block party with all your friends! Kevin & Bethany Paige, with special guest will be the live performance of the night! The covers will be affordable ($5 to $15 depending on the headlining band), beer and wine will be for sale and there will be ample parking in the parking garage.

Memphis Greek Festival – May 9-10 from 11 am-8 pm at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

For $3, besides food and marketplace items, festival goers will enjoy learning about the Greek Orthodox faith during the sanctuary tours with the parish priest, listening to live Greek music, and taking in the performances of both traditional and modern Greek dancing.

Bristerfest benefits Grow Memphis and will have 40 performances by talented local blues, soul, rock, bluegrass, reggae, hip-hop, R&B, folk, jam and funk groups. More than a music fest, Bristerfest includes: a film festival, live art, theatre, dancing, art vendors, yoga, music workshops, DIY jams, and poetry. Of course there will also be plenty of food trucks and local beer.

Food Truck Friday – May 9 at the Dixon

From 11:30 am-1:30 pm, Food Truck Fridays return to the Dixon! Enjoy Iron Horse Skillet & Revival this Friday. Admission to the garden is free and seats will be available.

National Public Gardens Day – May 9 from 9 am-6 pm at Memphis Botanic Garden

Join the celebration to raise awareness of America’s public gardens and their important role in promoting environmental stewardship, plant and water conservation, and education in communities. Guided tram tours and special garden-related activities will be scheduled throughout the day and are free with garden admission. Admission is $8 per adult and $5 per child under 12 years of age.

Visible Music in May – May 9 at 4:30 at Visible Music College

Visible Music College will be hosting their first ever Visible Music in May. This one of a kind FREE mini music festival will feature Visible students, artists from Madison Line Records (the college’s record label), local musicians, and more.

Dance on Broad Launches – May 10th, 7pm

From May 10-June 28, have fun on Broad Ave every Saturday with some free community dance parties! These free events, supported by Artplace and Collage Dance Collective, will showcase several different forms of dance throughout the series. Whether you can dance or not, this will be a fun event for everyone.

This beer festival will feature a variety of breweries from across the country. Live music will be provided by the Mighty Souls Brass Band. This event will also feature plenty of games, food trucks, and more! Be sure to reserve your ticket now and enjoy plenty of local brews from around the US.

Junior League of Memphis’ 5th Annual 5K for Kids – May 10 at 9 am

The race will be at Junior League of Memphis. The race benefits JLM’s mission to end childhood obesity. The race costs $20 and $10 for kids under 15 years old. Register here.

Dog-A-Roo Festival – May 10 from 10 am-2 pm at Shelby Farms Park

Join all dog lovers at Shelby Farms dog park May 10th for a awesome dog festival! Events include a talent and costume contest, rescue parades, a four-legged 4k fun run, pet specialist information, and more! Admission is free, but there is a $5 donation for parking.

Symphony in the Gardens – May 10 at 6 pm at Dixon Gallery and Gardens

Enjoy a magical evening in the splendor of the Dixon with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Food, beverages, lawn chairs and creative picnics are welcome. Tickets cost $20 for non-members and $12 for members.

Mother’s Day Jazz Brunch – May 11 from 10:30 am-2 pm at Memphis Botanic Garden

Treat your mom to an unforgettable experience in the Japanese Garden, featuring a gourmet buffet, live music by the Memphis Jazz Orchestra, roses for moms, and children’s crafts. Early seating will be at 10:30 am and late seating will be at 12:30 pm. Tickets cost $30 for members, $40 for non-members, and $10 for children under 12 years of age. Purchase tickets online.

Transplant Fore Life Golf Classic – May 12 at 11 am at Chickasaw Country Club

Registration and lunch begin at 11 am with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Snacks and beverages will be served throughout the day. Proceeds benefit the Transplant Resource Center, the fundraising arm of Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute. You can also register online.

Food Truck Garden Party – May 13 at 5 pm at Memphis Botanic Garden

Have an awesome time at the Food Truck Dinner Party, where you’ll enjoy dinner al fresco, live music, a cash bar, and local food trucks. Tickets are $5 for members and $10 for non-members, which also includes one drink. Purchase tickets online.

Spring Wine Dinner – May 14 at 6:30 pm at River Oaks Restaurant

The evening will showcase some of the best French wines for the season. The first course will feature passed hors d’oeuvres with champagne. The price for the dinner with wine pairings is $75 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Seating is limited, so guests are asked to make reservations by calling the restaurant at (901) 683-9305.

Thursdays Squared – May 15 at 6 pm at Tower Courtyard in Overton Square

Come out to Overton Square to enjoy a block party with all your friends! Bluff City Backsliders & Dead Soldiers will be the live performance of the night! The covers will be affordable ($5 to $15 depending on the headlining band), beer and wine will be for sale and there will be ample parking in the parking garage.

Barbecue Festival – May 15-17

Hundreds of teams compete for over $110,000 in prizes and supreme bragging rights. Teams adorn their areas with elaborate decoration, trophies attesting to their boasting rights, and as one can imagine, clever and creative team names. Hang out at Tom Lee Park with the best barbecue in the 901. Purchase tickets online.

Food Truck Friday – May 16 at the Dixon

From 11:30 am-1:30 pm, Food Truck Fridays return to the Dixon! Enjoy Stickem & A Square Meal on Wheels this Friday. Admission to the garden is free and seats will be available.

Bikesploitation 4 – May 17 from 12 pm-11 pm at the Metal Museum

Bikesploitation 4 kicks off with a group ride at noon from Midtown into Downtown then on to the Metal Museum (check out the ride map) with a return ride at 10:30pm. From 2pm on the events get started from art activities and displays to the mobile music machine (15 foot bicycle with live musicians), and the film festival. Check out the full, detailed schedule. This is a FREE event.

Memphis Music Monday – May 19 at 6 pm at Hard Rock Cafe

Come be a part of Memphis’ longest running live music showcase features family friendly entertainment and networking opportunities for local artists. It’s free to attend and we even throw in free appetizers!

Thursdays Squared – May 22 at 6 pm at Tower Courtyard in Overton Square

Come out to Overton Square to enjoy a block party with all your friends! Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster, with special guest Muck Sticky will be the live performance of the night! The covers will be affordable ($5 to $15 depending on the headlining band), beer and wine will be for sale and there will be ample parking in the parking garage.

Zoom through the Zoo – May 22 at 6:30 pm

Even though this isn’t a 5K, this 4-miler is awesome. The race goes starts at the Memphis zoo and runs through Overton Park. Before race day, it costs $25 and on race day is costs $30. Register here.

Food Truck Friday – May 23 at the Dixon

From 11:30 am-1:30 pm, Food Truck Fridays return to the Dixon! Enjoy Central BBQ & Memphis Dawgs this Friday. Admission to the garden is free and seats will be available.

Autozone Sunset Symphony – May 24 at 4 pm at Tom Lee Park

Grab some friends and head to Tom Lee Park to enjoy great live music and a beautiful view of the Mississippi River. Several artists will perform. Check out the schedule of events. You can purchase tickets online.

Time Warp Drive-In – May 24 starting at dusk at Summer Drive-In

There will be a monthly movie marathon at the Summer Drive-In this season. For May, Guerilla Monster Films will be shown, like “Elvis Meets the Beatles” (short, 2000), “Cigarette Girl” (2009), “Teenage Tupelo” (1995), “The Sore Losers” (1997), and “SUPERSTARLET A.D.” (2000). The marathon is $10 per person.

MORRISSEY – May 27 at 8 pm at the Orpheum Theatre

This is Morrissey’s first time to Memphis, so let’s show him some love. His first new album in 5 years is being released this year, so stay on the lookout. Purchase your tickets online.