Elvis Presley’s Graceland celebrates the return of the holidays with tours, concerts and more
This holiday season, Elvis Presley’s Graceland will offer more festive fun than ever to celebrate one of the King’s favorite times of the year.
Christmas at Graceland kicks off with the Holiday Lighting Weekend on Nov. 18-20, featuring the annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony and a musical 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, Nov. 19 and Saturday, Nov. 20, the iconic home will host evening Christmas tours of the mansion, complete with live tour guides sharing stories of spending Christmas with Elvis. The weekend will round out with Dean Z’s Rockin’ Christmas Show on Saturday, Nov. 20, as he performs alongside his 10-piece band and the Dynamite Singers as they enchant with rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly, and swing Christmas classics.
From Dec. 1-20, there will be special afternoon Christmas Tours with live tour guides offered. New for this year will be the first-ever, special Christmas Ultimate VIP Holiday Experience tours, happening nightly from Dec. 1-20. These tours will allow guests to explore the mansion after hours, hear stories of what it was like to spend the holidays there, and see the lights and up-close looks at the lawn décor that was part of Elvis’ annual decorating tradition.
Each tour is limited to eight guests with an expert guide, and includes holiday photo-ops both inside and outside the mansion. In addition, from Dec. 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.
Graceland Live will also get the festive fun going with a full lineup of holiday shows at the Soundstage at Graceland in November and December, including Josh Turner’s Holiday and the Hits show, Michael W. Smith’s A Very Special Christmas, and The Beach Boys Holiday Harmonies.
Those who can’t make it to Memphis for the holiday season can join in the festivities online through the Graceland Virtual Tour: Christmas Edition on Dec. 20. Angie Marchese, vice president of the Graceland Archives and Exhibits, will lead a behind-the-ropes look at Elvis’ home all done up for the holiday season. Marchese will share stories of how Elvis spent the holidays around the mansion and show off the holiday décor he handpicked and left up all the way through his birthday on Jan. 8. Virtual guests will also get a peek inside Elvis’ private jet, as well as a visit to Elvis Presley’s Memphis, the world’s largest Elvis museum. Viewers can also send in questions and comments to Marchese in real-time.
Graceland will be decorated for the holidays from Nov. 18, 2021 through Jan. 9, 2022. To learn more, visit Graceland.com/Christmas.
