Beale Street Music Festival
Three days of magnificent music await at the Beale Street Music Festival. Point the RV toward the birthplace of rock and roll and hit the road!
Event information
Brush up on your Memphis dance moves and head to the Beale Street Music Festival. The performance line up is second to none with hip headliners ready to give it their all. You will sway to the melody of pop mixed with funk, R&B, ‘80s dance rock, and indie. Fans of retro-soul, blues, country, and rap won’t be disappointed either. The Beale Street Music Festival has something for everyone!
Situated in a lovely park on the Mississippi River, the festival is the kick-off to the month-long “Memphis in May” event. Beale Street Music Festival is all-ages friendly and offers an experience that every member of the family can enjoy. Plan to sample delicious food, peruse fun shops, and admire art displays. Typically a sell-out festival, four stages will showcase over 60 performers. Stage hop from genre to genre and hear the sounds of Memphis musicians alongside world-renowned acts.
The park is a beautiful backdrop for fabulous photos with friends and family. Snap a shot with your favorite tattoo artist, take a selfie at the sunglasses hut, and cap off the day by posing in perfect form with your number one dance diva or vocalist as the backdrop!
Tickets
Beale Street Music Festival tickets can be bought as single-day passes or as a three-day package. A VIP experience is available, too. Tickets for this incredible music fest sell out quickly, so avoid disappointment and order well in advance. Another advantage of ordering early is to save money. Tier prices rise the closer the festival gets. The cost to attend this fun event can range from $50 to $800.
Explore Beale Street Music Festival RV Rentals
Transportation
Driving
The Beale Street Music Festival venue is easy to find once the coordinates are set on your GPS. The 30-acre park that hosts the festival can be reached via the I-240 and the I-55. Take your time as you approach the park; there is a lot to see in Memphis, and you won’t want to miss a thing!
Parking areas
Parking for the event can be found in various locations around downtown Memphis. The Beale Street Music Festival is held in the Tom Lee Park, and with it being such a large venue there are many transit options. Getting there is a breeze, though you may want to consider if you will need to park your campervan when not at your campsite for any reason.
Public Transportation
The trolley is a unique way to navigate downtown Memphis as you make your way to the park. With convenient schedules and reasonable fares, trolley cars are a bonus for your weekend fun! The Memphis Area Transit Authority offers bus service in addition to the trolley, and for those who prefer to cab it, you can be dropped off right at the festival gates.
Where to stay
Onsite
Despite a 30-acre venue, the festival is not structured for overnight camping. Not a problem! Fully serviced RV parks and campgrounds are located just minutes away.
Nearby
Campgrounds to accommodate your needs and also give you the camping experience you seek are within an easy drive from downtown. Large, full-service RV sites with shade and lots of space for the ultimate campsite set-up can be found within easy access of the I-40 and the I-240, allowing you to make your way to Beale Street each day. Camp in comfort at night and visit local museums and landmarks, too!
Getting around
The Beale Street Music Festival covers a lot of ground, and this means a lot of walking for festival-goers. Strollers, scooters, hoverboards, and bikes are not permitted inside the venue; there are no vehicles, whether motorized or not, allowed within the gates of the park. It is a busy place and safety is a priority. Wheelchairs are permitted, and there is easy access to all stages.
What to pack
Clothing
Dress for the sun because you will probably find it at the festival! It’s traditionally a packed venue, so light and airy clothing is a must. If you forget to bring a hat, stop by one of the many hat shops downtown for a Memphis-style cowboy hat or fedora! In the event of a cooler forecast, sport comfy jeans and a t-shirt. You may want to rent a locker so that you can bring a couple of pairs of footwear. The venue is natural terrain, and a rain shower could make the grounds muddy.
Gear
Pack what you can in your small bag, including a collapsible umbrella, blankets to sit on, a still camera, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Hula hoops are permitted, too so bring one along and start a competition or choreograph a dance! Check the list of permitted items before heading to the festival as it is subject to change.
Health & Safety
Bring earplugs (especially for the children), a factory sealed water bottle or hydration pack for filling up at the water stations, and plenty of sunscreen. If you run out, look for the sunscreen stations set up around the event. Seek shade now and then and be sure to eat throughout the day to maximize your energy!
Where to eat
Cooking
The Beale Street Music Festival venue makes for a fun-filled day requiring lots of stamina. Ensure that you have filled your refrigerator and galley space in the RV with snacks like vegetables, fruit, puddings, and cold drinks so that when you return from the festival you can re-energize for an evening of fun. Streamline the meal prep by keeping simple meals in mind. Super submarine sandwiches, a pot of chili, or a chicken caesar salad all fit the bill!
Restaurants
Memphis is the destination for southern cuisine! Chefs and cooks in the region have perfected the barbecue menu, so be sure to give ribs, pork, or even barbecued spaghetti a try. Fancy a rib steak or shrimp tacos? Other ethnicities are represented as well, including Italian and Latin.
Vendors
You won’t go hungry at the Beale Street Music Festival! The food court is extensive and offers tasty fare for all ages. American, Indian, and Mediterranean are just a few of the types of food available. Munch on simple eats like pizza and corn or try a noodle bowl and sirloin tips. After getting your fill, walk it off and visit the jewelry and clothing shops or peruse the art exhibit. ATMs are onsite, and the festival accepts both cash or credit.
Safety
Security
The three-day schedule of fun is taken care of with one ticket only; organizers prefer a printed paper ticket over a cellphone ticket simply because lineups will be efficiently processed that way. You can exit and then re-enter the festival once per day by getting a re-entry ticket before you leave the park. Your bags will be checked and security staff will confiscate any items that are not allowed. Be sure to have your photo ID with you if you plan to consume alcohol. There are lockers for rent to keep your belongings secure; purchase one ahead of time.
Weather
May is not the hottest month one can experience under the Memphis skies, but the weather should be quite pleasant. Nights can get chilly, so stock the RV with cozy blankets for snuggling at bedtime. Rain will show up from time to time; bring a poncho to the festival and pack rubber boots for back at camp.
Medical
The Beale Street Music Festival is fully wheelchair accessible but be aware that the grounds may be difficult to navigate if they become muddy with rain. Service dogs are permitted; have them wear their certification vest and bring the appropriate paperwork with you. Trained medical personnel are on hand all weekend long; look for the first aid station located in the center of the park.
