Winter celebrations and summer fun are on the agenda for 2014 in Tennessee. This is the year for historical events, anniversaries, and festivals filled with music, food, and entertainment. Cities will be abuzz with activity and small towns will charm their way into the hearts of their guests. Kick off the 60th anniversary of Rock n’ Roll with Elvis Presley’s Birthday Celebration at Graceland as fans from around the world celebrate the King. Find Tennessee’s quirky side at events like Mule Day in Columbia, RC & Moon Pie Festival in Bell Buckle, and Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester. Tennessee won’t leave its guests hungry with food festivals like the National Cornbread Festival in South Pittsburg, International Biscuit Festival in Knoxville, and World’s Biggest Fish Fry in Paris.
Additional 2014 Tennessee events are highlighted for your convenience below. For more Tennessee events, visit www.tnvacation.com/calendar.
JANUARY
Jan. 8-11 – Elvis Presley’s Birthday Celebration, Memphis – Elvis Presley fans celebrate what would have been his 79th birthday, including enjoying a grand birthday cake. 800-238-2000, elvis.com
Jan. 11-12 – Tennessee Sandhill Crane Viewing Festival, Birchwood – A celebration of the thousands of Sandhill Cranes that migrate through or spend the winter at the confluence of the Hiwassee and Tennessee Rivers near Birchwood, TN. Festival activities will be held at the Birchwood Elementary School, the Hiwassee Refuge, the Cherokee Removal Memorial Park, and the Rhea County Welcome Center.
Jan. 20 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memphis – Programs at the National Civil Rights Museum celebrate the birthday of Dr. King. 901-521-9699, civilrightsmuseum.org
Jan. 25-Feb. 1 – Wilderness Wildlife Week, Pigeon Forge – The ultimate Smoky Mountain experience is a series of activities sure to connect Pigeon Forge visitors with the great outdoors. Experts share their knowledge at seminars, lectures and hands-on workshops. 800-251-9100, mypigeonforge.com
FEBRUARY
Jan. 20-Feb 1 - Winter Heritage Festival in the Smokies, Townsend – Celebrates the history, natural beauty and cultural traditions of Townsend, Cades Cove and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 800-525-6834, smokymountains.org
Feb 27-March 2 – Nashville Lawn & Garden Show, Nashville – The timeless appeal and importance of gardens will be celebrated at the 23rd annual Nashville Lawn & Garden Show at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. nashvillelawnandgardenshow.com
MARCH
March 8-16 – Shamrock City, Chattanooga – Rock City’s 7th annual Irish celebration features music, entertainment and Irish delicacies. 800-854-0675, seerockcity.com
March 15 – Irish Day Celebration, Erin – Enjoy a parade, food, entertainment and crafts at the largest Irish Day celebration and parade in this area. 931-289-5100, houstoncochamber.com
March 22-April 21 – Dollywood’s Festival of the Nations, Pigeon Forge – More than 200 performers from around the world celebrate music, dance and art. 800-DOLLYWOOD, dollywood.com
March 31-April 6 – Mule Day, Columbia – One of the world’s biggest mule celebrations. Events include mule sale, mule pulling, mule shows, pancake breakfast, flea market and parade. 931-381-9557, muleday.com
APRIL
Month-long – 52nd Annual Dogwood Arts Festival, Knoxville – Miles of trails feature some of the most spectacular dogwood trees of all kinds. 865-637-4561, dogwoodarts.com
Month-long – Awesome April, Nashville – A musical tribute to the city that promises a major event each weekend. 800-657-6910, visitmusiccity.com
April 4 – Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration, Memphis – The National Civil Rights Museum offers a special program to commemorate the late Civil Rights leader. 901-521-9699, civilrightsmuseum.org
April 17-26 – Nashville Film Festival, Nashville – With genres from drama to comedy to foreign documentaries, this festival has something for everyone. 615-742-2500, nashvillefilmfestival.org
April 21-27 – World’s Biggest Fish Fry, Paris – More than five tons of catfish are served to thousands of visitors, plus a rodeo, parade and catfish races. 731-644-1143, worldsbiggestfishfry.com
April 24-26 – Rivers & Spires Festival, Clarksville – A festival with more than 100 entertainers, kids area, car shows, food, jazz and more. 931-245-4344, riversandspires.com
Apr 26-27 – National Cornbread Festival, South Pittsburg – Visitors can experience the National Cornbread Cook-Off, art and shows. 423-837-0022, nationalcornbread.com
MAY
May 2-24 – Memphis in May International Festival, Memphis – Monthlong events include Beale Street Music Festival and World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. 901-525-4611, memphisinmay.org
May 4-10 - West Tennessee Strawberry Festival, Humboldt – This festival includes parades, live entertainment, barbecue cook-off, concerts, fireworks and more. 731-784-1842, wtsf.org
May 6 – Nov 1 - Storytelling Live! Jonesborough – Storytellers from across the United States will share stories and entertain guests. 800-952-8392, storytellingcenter.net
May 9-10 – Tennessee Strawberry Festival, Dayton – Crafts, food and cruise-in on Friday expanding on Saturday to include the parade, food competition and entertainment. 423-570-0105, tnstrawberryfestival.com
May 10 – 73rd Annual Running of the Iroquois Steeplechase, Nashville – This is the nation’s oldest continuously run, weight-for-age steeplechase. 866-207-2391, iroquoissteeplechase.org
May 15-17 – International Biscuit Festival, Knoxville – Named one of the country’s top 10 food festivals, this popular event allows guests to enjoy food, fun and music. biscuitfest.com
May 15-17 – Buford Pusser Festival, Adamsville – This annual festival honors the famous “Walking Tall” sheriff and features good music, food and family fun. 731-632-4080, bufordpussermuseum.com
May 16-17 – Sevierville’s Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass, Sevierville – This event features the Tennessee State Championship Barbeque Cook-Off, bluegrass concerts from rising stars and bluegrass legends, kids games, great food and authentic mountain crafts. visitsevierville.com/vsevents.aspx
May 17-18 – 19th Annual Iris Festival, Greeneville – A juried arts/crafts festival plus food, entertainment and more surrounded by the history of President Andrew Johnson. The Annual Woodcarving Show is held each year in conjunction with the festival.
May 22-25 - Americana Music Festival, Crawford – Enjoy a three-day camping and music festival that coincides with the taping of an episode of the “Jammin’ at Hippie Jack’s Americana Music Series” on PBS. A similar fall festival is held in September. 931-445-2072, myhippiejack.com
May 30-June 1 - Memphis Italian Festival, Memphis – This community celebration demonstrates the values of family, faith, and fellowship in the Italian-American tradition. 901-767-6949, memphisitalianfestival.com
JUNE
June 3-7 – Germantown Charity Horse Show, Memphis – An exciting all-breed event with more than 800 horses including hunter/jumpers, American Saddlebreds, Roaster and Hackney ponies and Tennessee Walking Horses. 901-754-0009, gchs.org
June 5-8 – CMA Music Festival, Nashville – “Country Music’s Biggest Party” brings country fans and artists together for four days and nights of live music. 800-CMA-FEST, cmafest.com
June 6-7 – Blue Plum Art & Music Festival, Johnson City – Outdoor music and arts festival in downtown Johnson City features children’s entertainment, music and more. Blueplum.org
June 6-14 – Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga – Multiple stages of diverse music, plus fireworks, 5K and 10K runs and a children’s village. 423-756-2211, riverbendfestival.com
June 6-Aug. 9 – Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales, Gatlinburg – This 7th annual celebration features storytellers, musicians and cloggers at different locations along the Parkway. 865-436-0500, gatlinburg.com
June 12-15 – Bonnaroo Music Festival, Manchester – A 100-acre village brings together the best performers in rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, Americana, hip-hop, electronica and more. 931-728-7635, bonnaroo.com
June 13-14 – Secret City Festival, Oak Ridge – This 10th annual citywide celebration commemorates the 67th anniversary ending of WWII and features the largest multi-battle WWII reenactment in the South, as well as tours of Manhattan Project sites, children’s festival, arts and crafts and exhibitors. 865-425-3610, secretcityfestival.com
June 19-22 – Kuumba Festival, Knoxville – This event showcases local African American art and artists, featuring entertainers performing on three stages, live demonstrations, and crafts people and food vendors. kuumbafesttn.com
June 21 – Bell Buckle RC & Moon Pie Festival, Bell Buckle – Celebrate a Southern tradition with music, cloggers, games, crafts and cutting the world’s largest Moon Pie. 931-389-9663, bellbucklechamber.com
June 21 – Jefferson Street Jazz & Blues Festival, Nashville – Great music, food and family fun. Local jazz and blues musicians perform. 615-726-5867, jumptojefferson.com