Beat the Winter Doldrums in Memphis, Tennessee with these Fun Events

Here it is again: the winter doldrums. By now, the cold is getting to you and the snow/ice have lost their charm. Feel like you're fixing to go stir crazy if you don't get out of the house soon? No worries. This is the remedy for all your ills: A winter events guide tailored to you, Memphis, Here it is again: the winter doldrums. By now, the cold is getting to you and the snow/ice have lost their charm. Feel like you're fixing to go stir crazy if you don't get out of the house soon? No worries. This is the remedy for all your ills: A winter events guide tailored to you, Memphis, Tennessee.

1. Enjoy a Christmas Parade.
A perfect family event to get you in the mood for the holidays, Christmas Parades are classic fun. Enjoy the decorative floats, the bands, a cup of hot cocoa, and the company of your fellow man in the open air. Kids will love the excitement of it, as will your dogs. In Memphis, there are a variety of parades to choose from, including the Arlington, Cordova, Germantown, Bartlett, and Downtown Memphis Parades. Parades vary in location, date, and start time. Check your local papers for specific details as the event draws near. Best of all? This holiday event is free, sure to make you and your wallet happy during this expensive holiday period.

2. Take in the Sights: Starry Nights
Imagine more than 1,000,000 bulbs strung through the 4,500 acres of Shelby Farms: That's right, Memphis. In 2009, Starry Nights returned in a big way. The show ran from November 27 to January 2 in the evening hours. This spectacular show is great if you really want to enjoy the lights of the season from the warmth and comfort of your car. Or, you can enjoy the lights on foot or bicycle on the two special nights set aside by the park for pedestrians. Although admission is a little pricey--$20 per car and $35 per minivan--the costs go to support one of our community's truly great resources.

3. Let the Animal in You Out: Zoo Lights
Sure, the animals may be asleep. But the lights more than make up for it at this enchanting display of holiday cheer. The front entrance of the Memphis Zoo is covered in snow, and visitors stroll the lighted pathways to the sound of Christmas carols. Or, if you don't feel like walking, there are trams to transport you, or a horse-drawn carriage ride for the romantics out there. Stop in at the Aquarium or the new exhibit, Teton Trek, to warm up a bit. Bonus: the few animals that are awake at this after hours event don't disappoint. Check out the polar bears and seals in the Northwest Passage, and the wolves outside of the Teton Trek Lodge. Prices are $7 for Zoo non-members, and the show ran from November 20 to January 2 in the 2009/2010 season. For more information, visit www.memphiszoo.com.

4. Don't be a Scrooge: Attend Memphis' Annual Production of A Christmas Carol
Sometimes in this fast-paced, media-driven world we live in we find ourselves lost, adrift in a sea of largely meaningless actions. Never fear: take solace in the traditional production of Charles Dickens' classic novel, A Christmas Carol. For the past 20 years, Theatre Memphis has brought this holiday classic about the true values of Christmas to life. Enjoy it with family and friends alike. Play typically runs from December 17-23. For more information, visit www.theatrememphis.com.

5. Give a Little Something Back.
Despite the widespread poverty and high crime rate, Memphis has many great resources, among them the amazingly giving spirit of the populace. So this winter season, Memphis, let's give a little something back. Around Thanksgiving, volunteer at a soup kitchen or help assemble care packages for the less fortunate at a local church. During the Christmas Season, donate time or gifts to Toys for Tots, or visit the kids at Youth Villages. Best of all: It's free to you, and you'll come away feeling better about yourself and your community. For details on volunteer opportunities, visit www.volunteermemphis.org.

6. Yes, Another Light Display: Christmas at Graceland
Although by now you may be getting a little sick of the holiday light displays, this one is worth it. From November 20, 2009 to January 10, 2010, the King's former home will be beautifully lit. For a full day event, tour Graceland during the day--at $30 a person, the prices are a little steep--and then return later that evening to view the home and lights from the street (private vehicles are not allowed on the Graceland property). Or, you could simply make it a stop along your tour of the many wonderful Christmas Light displays Memphis has to offer. For details, visit www.elvis.com.

7. Get Your Game on at the Liberty Bowl.
Memphis' very own Bowl Game, the Auto Zone Liberty Bowl, is great fun. Held early in the month of January every year, enjoy the bracing cold as your favorite college football teams meet head on in Memphis. This year, the game was held January 2 at 4:30 pm. In the match-up between Arkansas and East Carolina, Arkansas emerged victorious. Next year, catch the action live. For more information, check out www.libertybowl.com.

8. Celebrate the King: Attend Elvis' Weeklong Birthday Celebration
If nothing else, Memphis is proud of its ties with the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. Don your favorite Elvis wig and costume and get to know the King a little better during his annual birthday celebration in Memphis. Events range from tours of Elvis' private stable, renditions of his music by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, to the outrageous Elvis Dnace party, and so much more. The celebration is held annually in early January. For specific events, prices, times, and all things Elvis, visit www.elvis.com.

9. Remember the Past: Martin Luther King Day Events
On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed in Memphis, TN, on the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel. Today, that hotel is home to the National Civil Rights Museum. On Martin Luther King Day, the National Civil Rights Museum and all of Memphis commemorate this terrible tragedy through various events around town. For more information on specific events, visit www.nationalcivilrightsmuseum.org.

10. Catch a Home Game: Memphis Grizzlies Basketball
During January and February, the Memphis Grizzles Basketball Team has many home games. Enjoy an evening out with your family at Memphis' famed FedEx Forum and root on the home team to victory. The dead of winter is the perfect time for you to attend a Grizzlies game for the first time, or if you've lost interest in basketball, it's the perfect time to renew your passion just in time for March Madness! For specific dates, times, and prices, visit www.fedexforum.com.

So there you have it, Memphis! Don't let winter get the best of you--enjoy it for all of the great seasonal opportunities it offers you!.

1. Enjoy a Christmas Parade.
A perfect family event to get you in the mood for the holidays, Christmas Parades are classic fun. Enjoy the decorative floats, the bands, a cup of hot cocoa, and the company of your fellow man in the open air. Kids will love the excitement of it, as will your dogs. In Memphis, there are a variety of parades to choose from, including the Arlington, Cordova, Germantown, Bartlett, and Downtown Memphis Parades. Parades vary in location, date, and start time. Check your local papers for specific details as the event draws near. Best of all? This holiday event is free, sure to make you and your wallet happy during this expensive holiday period.

2. Take in the Sights: Starry Nights
Imagine more than 1,000,000 bulbs strung through the 4,500 acres of Shelby Farms: That's right, Memphis. In 2009, Starry Nights returned in a big way. The show ran from November 27 to January 2 in the evening hours. This spectacular show is great if you really want to enjoy the lights of the season from the warmth and comfort of your car. Or, you can enjoy the lights on foot or bicycle on the two special nights set aside by the park for pedestrians. Although admission is a little pricey--$20 per car and $35 per minivan--the costs go to support one of our community's truly great resources.

3. Let the Animal in You Out: Zoo Lights
Sure, the animals may be asleep. But the lights more than make up for it at this enchanting display of holiday cheer. The front entrance of the Memphis Zoo is covered in snow, and visitors stroll the lighted pathways to the sound of Christmas carols. Or, if you don't feel like walking, there are trams to transport you, or a horse-drawn carriage ride for the romantics out there. Stop in at the Aquarium or the new exhibit, Teton Trek, to warm up a bit. Bonus: the few animals that are awake at this after hours event don't disappoint. Check out the polar bears and seals in the Northwest Passage, and the wolves outside of the Teton Trek Lodge. Prices are $7 for Zoo non-members, and the show ran from November 20 to January 2 in the 2009/2010 season. For more information, visit www.memphiszoo.com.

4. Don't be a Scrooge: Attend Memphis' Annual Production of A Christmas Carol
Sometimes in this fast-paced, media-driven world we live in we find ourselves lost, adrift in a sea of largely meaningless actions. Never fear: take solace in the traditional production of Charles Dickens' classic novel, A Christmas Carol. For the past 20 years, Theatre Memphis has brought this holiday classic about the true values of Christmas to life. Enjoy it with family and friends alike. Play typically runs from December 17-23. For more information, visit www.theatrememphis.com.

5. Give a Little Something Back.
Despite the widespread poverty and high crime rate, Memphis has many great resources, among them the amazingly giving spirit of the populace. So this winter season, Memphis, let's give a little something back. Around Thanksgiving, volunteer at a soup kitchen or help assemble care packages for the less fortunate at a local church. During the Christmas Season, donate time or gifts to Toys for Tots, or visit the kids at Youth Villages. Best of all: It's free to you, and you'll come away feeling better about yourself and your community. For details on volunteer opportunities, visit www.volunteermemphis.org.

6. Yes, Another Light Display: Christmas at Graceland
Although by now you may be getting a little sick of the holiday light displays, this one is worth it. From November 20, 2009 to January 10, 2010, the King's former home will be beautifully lit. For a full day event, tour Graceland during the day--at $30 a person, the prices are a little steep--and then return later that evening to view the home and lights from the street (private vehicles are not allowed on the Graceland property). Or, you could simply make it a stop along your tour of the many wonderful Christmas Light displays Memphis has to offer. For details, visit www.elvis.com.

7. Get Your Game on at the Liberty Bowl.
Memphis' very own Bowl Game, the Auto Zone Liberty Bowl, is great fun. Held early in the month of January every year, enjoy the bracing cold as your favorite college football teams meet head on in Memphis. This year, the game was held January 2 at 4:30 pm. In the match-up between Arkansas and East Carolina, Arkansas emerged victorious. Next year, catch the action live. For more information, check out www.libertybowl.com.

8. Celebrate the King: Attend Elvis' Weeklong Birthday Celebration
If nothing else, Memphis is proud of its ties with the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. Don your favorite Elvis wig and costume and get to know the King a little better during his annual birthday celebration in Memphis. Events range from tours of Elvis' private stable, renditions of his music by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, to the outrageous Elvis Dnace party, and so much more. The celebration is held annually in early January. For specific events, prices, times, and all things Elvis, visit www.elvis.com.

9. Remember the Past: Martin Luther King Day Events
On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed in Memphis, TN, on the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel. Today, that hotel is home to the National Civil Rights Museum. On Martin Luther King Day, the National Civil Rights Museum and all of Memphis commemorate this terrible tragedy through various events around town. For more information on specific events, visit www.nationalcivilrightsmuseum.org.

10. Catch a Home Game: Memphis Grizzlies Basketball
During January and February, the Memphis Grizzles Basketball Team has many home games. Enjoy an evening out with your family at Memphis' famed FedEx Forum and root on the home team to victory. The dead of winter is the perfect time for you to attend a Grizzlies game for the first time, or if you've lost interest in basketball, it's the perfect time to renew your passion just in time for March Madness! For specific dates, times, and prices, visit www.fedexforum.com.

So there you have it, Memphis! Don't let winter get the best of you--enjoy it for all of the great seasonal opportunities it offers you!