Happy 85th birthday to the King
If you’re making the pilgrimage to Graceland, here’s what’s happening.
2020 birthday celebration Schedule of Events
Wednesday, January 8
Elvis birthday Proclamation Ceremony
9:00 AM. North lawn, Graceland. Free.
Enjoy a ceremony with Graceland/EPE officials, a birthday cake cutting and proclamation of Elvis Presley Day by Memphis and Shelby County officials. Fans who are unable to attend can watch the ceremony live via Elvis Presley’s Graceland Livestream.
Birthday cake and coffee
10:00 AM. Vernon’s Smokehouse, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. Free.
Complimentary birthday cake and coffee served at Vernon’s Smokehouse, located across the street from the mansion at Elvis Presley’s Memphis, immediately following the ceremony.
Auction at Graceland
11:00 AM. Guest House Theater, The Guest House at Graceland.
Fans and collectors from around the world will have the opportunity to participate on-site and online for this auction, featuring artifacts authenticated by Graceland Authenticated. All the items in the auction will be offered from third-party collectors and none of the items included in the auction will come from the treasured Graceland Archives. The mansion and all artifacts in the Graceland Archives continue to be owned by Lisa Marie Presley and are not for sale. All the items in the auction have been thoroughly authenticated by Graceland Authenticated, the Graceland affiliated authentication and appraisal service for collectors and fans. Registered bidders can reserve a paddle for in-person bidding by emailing auctioninfo@graceland.com. Advance registration is recommended. Online bidding starts in December. To register and bid online, visit GracelandAuctions.com. For more information about auction registration, auction fees or how to submit items for consideration by Graceland Authenticated for future auctions, visit Graceland.com/Auction. Watch the auction live via Elvis Presley’s Graceland Livestream.
Priscilla & Jerry Photo op for gold package holders
4:00 PM.
Guests who have purchased a Gold Elvis Birthday Package will enjoy photo op with Priscilla Presley and Jerry Schilling. Package holders will be emailed directly with details.
ELVIS BIRTHDAY BASH & EVENING TOUR
5:00 – 8:00 PM. Graceland Mansion Tours.
6:00 – 9:00 PM. Elvis Presley’s Memphis.
$70 for adults; $40 for children (ages 7-12); children under 6 are free.
Celebrate Elvis’ 85th birthday with a party at Elvis Presley’s Memphis and a private evening tour of Graceland Mansion decorated for the holidays. The special evening tour of Graceland Mansion will include the iPad tour and Elvis Christmas music playing throughout the mansion grounds. At Elvis Presley’s Memphis, dance to Elvis music by DJ Argo at Presley Motors while enjoying complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cash bars, Elvis trivia, scavenger hunts, and more! Tours of Graceland Mansion start at 5:00 pm, with party at Elvis Presley’s Memphis beginning at 6:00 pm. Advanced purchase only for tickets for this event are available online at Graceland.com or by calling 901-332-3322 or 800-238-2000.
Thursday, January 9
Conversations on elvis with special guests priscilla presley and jerry schilling
10:00 AM. Guest House Theater, The Guest House at Graceland. $25.
Included in Platinum and Gold packages.
Hosted by Tom Brown, join us for a very special Conversations on Elvis event featuring Priscilla Presley and Jerry Schilling. They will share some of their favorite memories and stories about Elvis and the time they spent with him at Graceland. Elvis. Archivist Angie Marchese will be a special guest as well to share artifacts from the Graceland Archives. Tickets for this event are available to purchase online at Graceland.com or by calling 901-332-3322 or 800-238-2000.
Inside the archives
1:00 PM. Guest House Theater, The Guest House at Graceland. Free.
Join host Tom Brown and Graceland’s Vice President of Archives and Exhibits Angie Marchese for a special sneak peek inside the Graceland Archives.
Private graceland tours with priscilla presley
3:00 PM & 4:00 PM. Graceland Mansion.
Only available as part of the Elvis Birthday Platinum Package. Package holders will receive assigned date/time directly from Graceland.
Priscilla Presley will take guests on a personal tour of Graceland Mansion to hear some of her favorite memories of time spent at Graceland. Before the tour, guests will enjoy a special photo opportunity with Priscilla in front of Graceland Mansion. Priscilla will be joined by Graceland’s Vice President of Archives and Exhibits Angie Marchese.
FOUNDERS RECEPTION
6:00 – 7:00 PM. Founders Lounge, The Guest House at Graceland.
Founders members only event. Founders will receive email with additional details.
a tribute to sun studio featuring john paul keith
7:30 PM. Guest House Theater, The Guest House at Graceland. $30.
Included in Platinum and Gold Packages.
Join us for a special evening at the Guest House Theater with singer, songwriter and guitarist John Paul Keith in a tribute to Sun Studio. Featuring music from Elvis Presley to Johnny Cash to Jerry Lee Lewis and others, this show will pay tribute to legendary Sun artists and the music born out of 706 Union that changed the world. Special guest performers for the show include: songwriter and recording artist Chuck Mead, who was musical director of “Million Dollar Quartet” musical and the “Sun Records” CMT series and singer/guitarist Jerry Phillips, son of Sam Phillips. Tickets for this event are available to purchase online at Graceland.com or by calling 901-332-3322 or 800-238-2000.
Friday, January 10
ELVIS BIRTHDAY PARTY ON WHEELS HOSTED BY TOM BROWN – Sold out
Departs from The Guest House at Graceland at 8:30 AM, returns to The Guest House at Graceland by 3:30 PM.
$99.00/adults, $79.00/children (ages 5-12)
See where it all began with an excursion to Elvis’ birthplace – Tupelo, Mississippi. Hop aboard the Graceland Excursions bus along with special guest host Tom Brown for a trip down highway 78 to Tupelo. On the ride, enjoy trivia, prizes, music and much more! The Elvis Birthday Party on Wheels includes visits to: Elvis’ Birthplace, including the Elvis Presley Museum, Elvis’ childhood church, the “Walk of Life” trail tracing Elvis’ career and personal life, the “Elvis at 13” statue and the Elvis Story Wall and Fountain of Life; Tupelo Hardware Company – where Elvis’ mother Gladys purchased his first guitar and put music in the hands of the boy who grew to become a musical legend; plus a driving Tour of Tupelo with a drive past some significant landmarks including The Tupelo Fairgrounds, the Elvis Homecoming Statue and schools that Elvis attended. Included is a box lunch with sandwich, bottled water, potato chips and a cookie.
Insiders meet-up
11:00 AM. Jungle Room Bar, Graceland Exhibition Center. Free for Graceland Insiders.
Come socialize and hang out with other Graceland Insiders. Enjoy some fun, camaraderie and prizes.
ELVIS FAN CLUB CELEBRATION
2:00 PM. Guest House Theater, The Guest House at Graceland. $5.
Elvis fans are invited to join us as we celebrate what it means to be a fan through this special event that will feature fans stories, prizes, competitions and more. Hosted by Elvis Radio DJ Argo, TCB Band member James Burton will also make a special appearance to talk about Elvis’ fans and share some stories. Official Elvis Presley fan club presidents will receive additional information about this event through email. $5 event ticket benefits the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation. Tickets for this event are available to purchase online at Graceland.com or by calling 901-332-3322 or 800-238-2000.
Private Graceland tours with priscilla presley
3:00 PM & 4:00 PM. Graceland Mansion.
Only available as part of the Elvis Birthday Platinum Package. Package holders will receive assigned date/time directly from Graceland.
Priscilla Presley will take guests on a personal tour of Graceland Mansion to hear some of her favorite memories of time spent at Graceland. Before the tour, guests will enjoy a special photo opportunity with Priscilla in front of Graceland Mansion. Priscilla will be joined by Graceland’s Vice President of Archives and Exhibits Angie Marchese.
RECEPTION WITH SPECIAL GUESTS PRISCILLA PRESLEY & JERRY SCHILLING
6:00 PM. Jungle Room Bar, Graceland Exhibition Center.
Included with Platinum and Gold Packages only.
Guests purchasing an Elvis Birthday Package will enjoy a pre-concert reception with light appetizers, plus a special guest appearance by Priscilla Presley and Jerry Schilling.
elvis 85th birthday pops concert with terry mike jeffrey and the memphis symphony orchestra
7:30 PM. Soundstage at Graceland. $65-35.
Included with Platinum and Gold Packages
The Memphis Symphony Orchestra brings their annual Elvis Pops Concert home to the Graceland Soundstage for Elvis’ 85th Birthday Celebration! Musician and singer Terry Mike Jeffrey and his band join the Memphis Symphony Orchestra for a special birthday salute featuring music from all facets of Elvis’ amazing career. With performances featuring his greatest hits, movie songs and love ballads, the concert will take you from Memphis to Las Vegas to Hawaii all in one evening. A can’t miss concert experience! Tickets for this event are available to purchase online at Graceland.com or by calling 901-332-3322 or 800-238-2000.
Saturday, January 11
JERRY SCHILLING TOUR OF MEMPHIS – TOUR 1 – SOLD OUT
9:00 AM. Guest House Theater/Various Memphis Locations.
This tour is reserved for Platinum Package holders only.
Hosted by Tom Brown along with special guest Jerry Schilling, enjoy stories and memories of time Elvis and Jerry spent in Memphis. Following a short discussion at the Guest House Theater, guests will board the Graceland Excursions shuttle for a driving tour of Memphis with Jerry and Tom.
JERRY SCHILLING TOUR OF MEMPHIS – TOUR 2 – SOLD OUT
1:00 PM. Guest House Theater/Various Memphis Locations. $100.
Hosted by Tom Brown along with special guest Jerry Schilling, enjoy stories and memories of time Elvis and Jerry spent in Memphis. Following a short discussion at the Guest House Theater, guests will board the Graceland Excursions shuttle for a driving tour of Memphis with Jerry and Tom. This event is now sold out.
TCB Band Photo Op
5:00 PM.
Included with Platinum Packages only. Platinum package holders will be emailed directly with details.
ELVIS: LIVE IN CONCERT FEATURING SPECIAL GUESTS PRISCILLA PRESLEY, JERRY SCHILLING AND THE TCB BAND
7:30 PM. Graceland Soundstage. $70-$40.
Included with Platinum and Gold packages.
Join us for a special concert experience featuring amazing on-screen performances from the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, backed live on stage by a live band with special appearances by TCB Band members James Burton, Glen Hardin and Ronnie Tutt, plus Terry Blackwood & the Imperials. In addition to an amazing performance, the evening features special appearances by Priscilla Presley and long-term Elvis associate Jerry Schilling. A one-time only performance to celebrate Elvis’ 85th Birthday! A can’t-miss experience! Tickets for this event are available to purchase online at Graceland.com or by calling 901-332-3322 or 800-238-2000.
ADDITIONAL AND MULTIPLE DAY EVENTS
Meet ‘n’ Greet with Betty Harper
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM January 8 – 11. The Guest House at Graceland Gift Shop
Meet artist Betty Harper and see her latest Elvis works of art.
GRACELAND TOURS
Tours of Graceland Mansion and Elvis Presley’s Memphis will be available daily. Graceland Mansion will be decorated for the holidays indoors and out through January 11. Visit the Graceland Tickets page for prices and details.
free walk-up times for meditation garden
Daily throughout the year there is a period for free-admission walk-up visits to the Meditation Garden at Graceland, where the grave sites of Elvis and members of his family are located. Then the area becomes part of the regular ticketed Graceland Mansion tours for the rest of the day. The winter hours for free walk-up visits are 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. daily. During the Elvis’ Birthday Celebration, there will also be nightly walk-ups from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on January 9, 10 and 11.
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