I am not sure how we're already here again, but Christmas is upon us! If you've been here for a while, you'll remember I was most recently living in Memphis, TN before we moved to Knoxville a little more than a month ago. That said, my husband and I spent the last two Christmas seasons in Memphis, so I thought I would compile some of my favorite things to do during the best season of the year for you!
A walk through the lobby of The Peabody Hotel at least once during the holidays is a must. It's breathtaking.
DINING POP UPS
Miracle is a Christmas cocktail pop-up bar. Miracle partners with local businesses in many different places in the U.S. (+ a few Internationally such as one in Australia, Panama, England, Costa Rica, the Cayman Islands, and several in Canada). You'll find the same cocktail menus at each pop-up, but the businesses get to choose how they want to decorate. Each place will also serve their own food menus. You will find the same festive cocktail glasses at each pop-up, and some of them are available for purchase. Alex & I have the SantaRex Mug, and I want to add the Christmasaurus Mug to our collection!
I've made it a bit of a tradition to go to miracle pop-ups in any city I am visiting around the holidays if there's one nearby. I've now been to Miracles in Layette, Louisiana, Austin, Texas, and Memphis. I am so excited that there's one in Knoxville, and we will definitely be going. I almost got to go to one in Asheville, NC last year, but the stars didn't quite align on that one. Maybe next time!
Memphis' Miracle is at The Liquor Store. Note: The Liquor Store has two locations, but they only do Miracle at the Midtown location on Broad Avenue. They do not take reservations, so you need to get there very early or plan to go during a time when they might not be as busy. Their space is small, so they request no parties larger than six people. This is totally worth making the time for. I loved it. (My photos are from 2022).
Last year, they announced their information on November 13th, so I think we will be seeing an announcement from them any day now. They launched Friday, November 24th, 2023, which was the day after Thanksgiving. I'd guess they are going to follow suit this year, so I bet they will be launching on Friday, 11/29/24. Their hours were Sundays through Tuesdays from 7:30 am - 3 pm and Wednesdays through Saturdays from 7:30 am - 10 pm. They did host events that could be booked through a link in their Instagram bio.
There are two more Christmas pop-ups that we went to last year, and they are both returning in 2024.
Magnolia & Mistletoe is coming to Magnolia & May on November 29th. They had beautiful decor, Christmas cocktails, and absolutely delicious food. My mom and Uncle Frank came to visit us in Memphis last December so my mom could accompany me to my first look appointment with my wedding dress. We had a blast dining there with them, and my mom took her first shot ever. It was a night to remember, and I loved every minute of it.
Magnolia & May is a country brasserie located in East Memphis, and you can make reservations through Resy. They also did a Mardi Gras pop up (Magnolia & Mardi Gras) this year that we went to with two of our best friends that was also a really great time!
They do change their menu here and there, but the bottom right picture was my dish and was country fried double quail over macaroni and cheese with tobacco onions and barbecue sauce. I remember eating the. entire. dish. I never, and I mean never, do that. It was SO GOOD. I also loved their Deck the Halls Cocktail that came in a Christmas ornament that I got to pop the top off of and pour over ice - I mean, how fun is that.
Wolf River Brisket in Collierville did their first ever Christmas pop up bar in 2023, and we absolutely loved our date night there last year. We never would have known about this place had I not seen they were doing this and convinced Alex to take me after a rough work day. The service was great, the food was super yummy, the Christmas cocktails were delicious, and the Christmas decorations were gorgeous. I believe I got the WRB Grits & Brisket, and Alex got the smoked wings - would absolutely recommend either. My cocktail was from the Christmas Bar Holiday Cocktails menu, and I had the Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice! I think we sent some friends after we went that also loved it. I wish we could go this year.
COFFEE
After we ate dinner at Wolf River Brisket, we popped into Levee Coffee & Creamery for some ice cream before we headed home for the evening. I always loved going to the Levee, a place where two of my favorite things (coffee and ice cream) collide. Their Christmas decorations were also stunning, and I got an affogato that was to die for.
If you've been following me at all, you know one of my hobbies is going to local coffee shops. I got really obsessed with a coffee shop in Germantown, TN called JoJo's Espresso that I miss dearly. Not only is their coffee consistently delicious, but the baristas are always lovely, and JoJo's is, in my opinion, one of the most festive coffee shops around town. Their seasonal specials are always on point. They partner with local bakers around town to provide exceptional pastries (my two favorites being Palmer House Bakery and Artesenal de Tela). In the Fall, JoJo's transforms their space into a magical, cozy cafe decked out with all things Harry Potter. Their Christmas decor is just as dreamy, and this year, Christmas came early. I did have the Smoked Maple Latte last year, and it looks like it's on their Christmas menu again - very yummy, highly recommend. Someone please go get the Peppermint White Mocha and Gingerbread Lattes for me though!
If you're in there one day - right when you walk in on the wall to the right, there's sometimes a poster that tells their story. It is a heartbreaking read, but this is a coffee shop you want to support. They took their grief and transformed it into this beautiful space of remembrance and community and support (I told you - I am obsessed). JoJo's is located in Thornwood.
CHRISTMAS TREES
If you're wanting to buy a Christmas tree to decorate from a local farm near Memphis, Menagerie Farm is a great option for that. It is a family-owned business located at 3135 Shea road in Collierville. Last year, they started selling fresh cut Oregon Christmas trees, wreaths, and garland on November 22nd. Their Instagram is a great place to look for updates about this!
Our Christmas tree from Menagerie Farm looked great in our home! 'Tis the season!
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Looking at Christmas lights is one of my favorite things to do during the holidays. They bring so much cheer when it gets dark outside so early in the day, and there are a few different places in and near Memphis where you can do that.
Every year, the Memphis Zoo hosts Truist Zoo Lights. This year, you can go see the lights on select nights from November 29th to January 4th from 5 - 9:30 pm. Tickets are already for sale for this on the zoo's website (links below). You'll also be able to go ice skating or ride a ferris wheel, if you choose to do that, for an additional fee. There will also be a s'mores station selling s'mores and hot chocolate (including boozy hot chocolate)! This is fun to do with the family, with friends, or with your partner for a holiday date night out!
Tickets for Zoo Lights must be purchased in advance online. It appears non-member tickets are $20/person (free for ages 23 months and younger).
From Thanksgiving to New Years, the Collierville Town Square is lit up with nearly a quarter of a million Christmas lights, and it's just as beautiful as it sounds. Every year, we would go in the evening at least once or twice and just walk around. This year, the Collierville Christmas Tree Lighting is on November 26th from 5:30 - 8 pm (hot chocolate, a Christmas concert, the tree lighting, and pics with Santa!).
There's also an annual Christmas parade in Collierville that we never got around to checking out, but this year it is on December 6th from 7 - 9 pm.
Light Garden in Olive Branch, MS is an immersive light show and Christmas festival. Tickets start at $14 for adults and $9 for children (children 2 and under can get in for free; save up to 15% when you purchase your tickets online - linked below).
In 2022, we hosted both sets of our parents at our house for Thanskgiving. We were looking for something fun to do as a group the day after, and I found Light Garden. Our parents really loved walking around and looking at all of the lights!
This year, Light Garden will be running from November 22nd through January 1st. You might also be able to find holiday entertainment, and there are some local food vendors on site. We got some holiday hot drinks from Pinks Coffee House that were delicious.
It looks like they have an 18-hole mini-golf course that you can play now! They also have special nights on select evenings - check these out on their website). Dog Night is December 21st for example!
The entrance is located near the Olive Branch Library, and the park's address is 8877 College Street.
Last year, the Redbirds hosted Deck the Diamond Holiday Spectacular at AutoZone Park in downtown Memphis wherein over 190 lit structures took over the park. It was a fun little outing, but unfortunately, this event is not returning in 2024. I am including the photos for my own memories because I never got around to posting any of them. Whoops!
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