Thursday ◊ October 13
The 6th Annual FREE Shout-Out Shakespeare Series: Macbeth
Tennessee Shakespeare Company’s Shout-Out Series presents Shakespeare’s poetic tragedy in this 85-minute adaptation, featuring six actors performing as Shakespeare’s players did while touring: with character/costume changes on-stage and sound effects accomplished by hand. No tickets are required, but feel to bring a chair, blanket, and picnic!
Various locations and times through October 23, see here for full schedule
Friday ◊ October 14
Photo: Courtesy Memphis Zoo
Zoo Boo
Halloween is taking over Memphis Zoo for its annual haunting at Le Bonheur Zoo Boo. Grab your boo crew, your costumes, and your trick-or-treat bags to make sure you score those hallowed sweets for these Stranger Things-themed nights. Activities include Magic Mr. Nick, Dracula’s Disco, candy stations, pumpkin hunt, fortune tellers, hay maze, and more.
Memphis Zoo, Friday, October 14-October 31, select nights, $13/members, $18/nonmembers
MoSH Fiesta: Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
Celebrate the influence, contributions, and cultures of Hispanic and Latine Memphians. Enjoy dynamic performances by Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group and a dance party for the whole family while learning about the proud history and bright future of Hispanic and Latine communities.
Museum of Science & History, Friday, October 14, 6 p.m., $15/youth, $20/adult
Saturday ◊ October 15
Archaeology Day
To celebrate International Archaeology Day, C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa will ave flintknapping, atlatl dart throwing contest, and pottery crafts throughout the day, plus scheduled birds of prey talks, musical story times, tours of the archaeology trench, and guided nature hikes. Free popcorn and hotdogs while supplies last.
C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa, Saturday, October 15, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Soulsville USA Festival
In addition to the stellar music line-up spread across three stages, the festival features free entry to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, kids zone with games and other fun activities for kids of all ages, health and fitness activities in Memphis Rox, craft/vendors, food trucks, and more.
Soulsville USA, Saturday, October 15, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., free
Fright-tober
Crosstown Concourse presents the next season of the annual Fright-tober film series, programmed by Crosstown Arts. The events are free and open to the public (with advance registration at crosstownarts.org). There are Halloween-themed, kid-friendly matinee screenings at 2:30 p.m. and slightly spookier film screenings at 6:30 p.m. every Saturday in October. Art Bar will be present serving refreshments and popcorn. Kid-friendly screenings include Daffy Duck's Quakbusters (October 15), Coco (October 22), and Hocus Pocus (October 29).
Crosstown Theater, Saturdays through October 31, free
Memphis Basketball Block Party
Kicking off the 2022-2023 men's and women's basketball seasons with team introductions, music, inflatables, food trucks, games, and more! After the event, the men's and women's basketball team will be signing autographs for fans.
University of Memphis Luther C. McClellan Alumni Mall, Saturday, October 15, 3-5:30 p.m., free
Thursday ◊ October 20
Drawing the Curtain: Homeschool Days
Maurice Sendak is most well-known for his children’s books like Where the Wild Things Are, but did you know he also designed sets and costumes for opera and ballet? You can learn all about it at the Brooks Museum’s special exhibition “Drawing the Curtain: Maurice Sendak’s Designs for Opera and Ballet,” on display through January 8. This exhibition brings together drawing, theater, music, and performance to create an interdisciplinary experience. At this Homeschool Day, take a tour with a docent at 10:30 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. and unleash your “wild thing” with an art-making activity available from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Thursday, October 20, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sugar Skull Decoration: Basics and Tricks with Chef Rafael Figueroa (ages 16+)
Learn the basics of decorating traditional sugar skulls, popular during Día de Muertos, and hear interesting stories about this traditional celebration.
The Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Thursday, October 20, 6-7:30 p.m., $15-$25
Saturday ◊ October 22
Halloween Spooktacular
Bringing all the not-so-spooky fun, it’s all treats and no tricks at this must-do annual festival for the family. The day will include a mini clay pumpkin sculpting station, Halloween crafts, temporary tattoo station, face-painting stations, free carousel rides, candy, music, costume parade, scavenger hunt, and more.
The Children’s Museum of Memphis, Saturday, October 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., $3/members, $20/nonmembers
River Arts Fest
RiverArtsFest has successfully presented rich, cultural artistic diversity and talent from around the Mid-South and all 50 states, in what has become the longest-running fine arts festival in this region. The festival features an artist market, art demos, and a hands-on art activity, where children of all ages can tap into their imagination and express their creative energies.
Riverside Dr., Saturday-Sunday, October 22-23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy Metal Museum
Family Fun Day at the Metal Museum
Visitors of all ages can take part in hands-on make-it stations, explore the Master Metalsmith exhibition on display in the galleries, and enjoy demos and learn how items we are around every day are made, from car parts and tools to kitchenware and ornamental objects. Saturday’s main event will be the iron pour — an exhilarating process in which iron is melted in a big furnace called a cupola and poured into molds to cool and harden, creating designs of different shapes and sizes. Visitors who want to come away with a one-of-a-kind creation can, for $20, design their own art tile that will be cast at the iron pour.
Metal Museum, Saturday, October 22, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., free
STEAMFest
See and learn about the importance of STEAM and the wide range of STEAM career paths from community partners. Hands-on activities, presentations, and demonstrations will inspire visitors to consider fascinating jobs, both current and on the horizon. MoSH will have a variety of fun activities including pendulum painting, exploding pumpkins, and balloon zipline races. Plus, you’ll get to interact with some of the animals from Lichterman Nature Center including a friendly opossum.
Museum of Science & History, Saturday, October 22, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Day of the Dead Preview
In partnership with Crosstown Concourse, Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group presents a Day of the Dead Preview celebration with music, folklore, dancers, altars, and crafts. Featuring performances by Cazateatro Catrinas/Catrines, Ballet Meztli, Mariachi Guadalajara, Don Ramon Music, DJ Alexis White, and more! Mili's Flowers and Gift Flowers will be on site.
Crosstown Concourse, Saturday, October 22, 5-8 p.m., free
Friday ◊ October 28
Kids Night Out at Arrow Creative
Drop your kids off for evening of art and fun. Your child will enjoy two hours of art followed by movie and pizza.
Arrow Creative, Friday, October 28, 5:30-8:30 p.m., $45
Cemetery Cinema Double Feature: Soul of the City & Hocus Pocus
Cemetery Cinema is back with a special double feature showing of Elmwood Cemetery's original film, The Soul of the City: Memphis Music (presented by Raymond James), and Hocus Pocus. Films are projected onto the roof of the historic 1852 Cottage. Guests should bring lawn chairs and coolers are welcome. Children aged 9 and up will be permitted.
Elmwood Cemetery, Friday, October 28, 6-8 p.m., $18
Saturday ◊ October 29
Photo: Courtesy Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center at St. Mary's Episcopal School
Magic Carpet: Mighty Souls Monster Mash
Boys and girls ages 2 to 8 are invited to grab their magic carpet and Halloween costume as they explore silly, spooky, chilling songs with the Mighty Souls Brass Band. Little ones will be transported through the wonder of their imaginations as they learn all about the fascinating instruments and styles that give this Memphis mainstay its signature soulful sound. With music, marching, singing, dancing, and storytelling, Mighty Souls Monster Mash will get everyone ready for the season with this not-so-scary show. Pay what you can with donations accepted.
Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary’s School, Saturday, October 29, 10 a.m.
Halloween Hike
Get an active start to your Halloween celebrations by taking a not-so-spooky walk through the garden. Special treat and activity stations along the way will feature Alice in Wonderland activities and crafts, pumpkin story time, bat crafts, a bone dig, and much more! Plus there’ll be family-friendly food trucks on-site for a picnic lunch. Wonderland costumes are encouraged!
Memphis Botanic Garden, Saturday, October 29, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., $10/members, $12/nonmembers, $15/same day, under 2 free.
Photo: Angel Ortez
Día de Los Muertos Celebration
Join the Brooks and Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group in this parade and festival where you and your family are invited to honor ancestors and celebrate the cycle of life and death. The community celebration at the Brooks will offer art-making activities, face painting, music, costumed performers, dance performances, and more!
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Saturday, October 29, 11:30 a.m.
Meet the Author: Jeff Kinney
Are you ready to rock?! Join Diary of a Wimpy Kid’s Jeff Kinney for “The Diper Överlöde Show,” an in-person rock concert featuring Rodrick Heffley’s band, Löded Diper. Kinney will emcee the epically entertaining show, which will celebrate his newest release Diper Överlöde and will feature performances from Löded Diper as well as opportunities for concertgoers to show off their singing, dancing, and musical talents onstage! In addition to the pre-signed book included with your ticket, pre-signed copies of all Awesome Friendly Kid and Diary of a Wimpy Kid books will be available for purchase at the event.
White Station High School, Saturday, October 29, 3 p.m., $18.50/two people+one book
Sunday ◊ October 30
Scheidt at the Shell: Frankenstein in Concert
The University of Memphis Wind Ensemble will play the 1931 classic movie score as the film plays on giant screens in high-definition. So grab your picnic baskets, chairs, and spookiest costumes and join us for this free concert at historic Overton Shell. Come early for the costume contest and Monster Mash dance party! Judging starts at 6 p.m., with awards going to the best overall costume in the kid and adult divisions.
Overton Park Shell, Sunday, October 30, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., free