Activities include the Traditional Christmas Lighting Ceremony, Special Tours and Holiday Themed Concerts by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Ultimate ETA Dean Z, Josh Turner, Michael W. Smith and The Beach Boys.
This holiday season at Graceland will be filled with more festive events than ever to celebrate one of Elvis' favourite times of the year. Voted the #1 Best Historic Holiday Home Tour by USA Today's 10Best Readers two years in a row (2019 & 2020), Christmas at Graceland celebrates the King of Rock 'n' Roll's love of the season.
The festivities begin on November 18-20 during Graceland’s Holiday Lighting Weekend. The weekend kicks off with the annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony, which will feature internationally renowned songwriter and producer David Porter, along with students from the Stax Music Academy, “flipping the switch” to light Elvis’ iconic Graceland Mansion for the holiday season. In addition, the evening will include a holiday music performance by Stax Music Academy, an appearance by Santa Claus, and a concert featuring holiday music by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra's Big Band at the Soundstage at Graceland. On Friday, November 19 and 20, Graceland will host evening Christmas tours of Graceland Mansion featuring live tour guides sharing stories of spending Christmas with Elvis; and will round out the weekend with Dean Z’s Rockin’ Christmas Show on Saturday, November 20. Dean Z will perform, alongside his high energy 10-piece band and the beautiful Dynamite Singers, singing favorite holiday hits, the best rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly, and swing Christmas classics.
On December 1-20, Graceland will be offering special afternoon Christmas Tours that will feature live tour guides sharing holiday stories throughout Graceland Mansion. In addition, new this year, are the first-ever special Christmas Ultimate VIP Holiday Experience tours nightly from December 1-20. The tours allow guests to explore Graceland decorated for the holidays after-hours, hear stories of what it was like to spend Christmas with the king at Graceland and tour the grounds to see the beautiful lights and up-close looks at the festive lawn decor that was part of Elvis' annual decorating tradition. Each tour is limited to eight guests with an expert guide and will include a holiday photo ops both inside and outside Graceland Mansion. In addition, also available December 1-20, The Guest House at Graceland is offering a special package that includes two adult tickets for the Graceland Christmas Tour, access to Elvis Presley's Memphis Entertainment Complex, a tour of Elvis' planes, a Graceland Christmas ornament and a set of three limited-edition, collectible Graceland Christmas CD greetings.