Elvis Presley birthday festivities: Here are 5 things to do to celebrate the King

This Jan. 8 marks what would have been Elvis Presley's 89th birthday. Each year, faithful fans gather at Presley’s Graceland estate in Memphis to celebrate his life — which began in Tupelo, Mississippi, in 1935 and ended in Memphis in 1977 at age 42.

As is custom, Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises will commemorate the late King of Rock 'n' Roll and his birthday with several days of events, reflections and concerts in Memphis.

From Jan. 5-8, Graceland will host programs, panels and other retrospectives, including the annual Elvis Birthday Proclamation Ceremony, a Memphis Symphony Orchestra concert with Terry Mike Jeffrey, an evening dedicated to Elvis' hometown American Sound Studio sessions, a Conversations on Elvis panel, plus numerous film screenings and more.

Here are five ways for fans to join in the celebrations. Some events are free while others have fees. Tickets can be purchased and details can be found at Graceland.com.

Elvis Movie Marathon

Jan. 5, Guest House Theater, The Guest House at Graceland

Kick off the Elvis birthday celebrations with screenings of two of his classic films from 1969. At 10 a.m. Elvis stars with Mary Tyler Moore in “Change of Habit.” At 1 p.m. the film fest continues with “The Trouble With Girls,” featuring Marlyn Mason. Admission is free.

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Conversations on Elvis

10 a.m. Jan. 6, Guest House Theater, Guest House at Graceland

Hosted by Tom Brown, this talk show-style event will solicit stories from those who knew the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll best. Confirmed guests include radio and television personality Wink Martindale, who witnessed the historic night at Memphis radio station WHBQ in July of 1954, when Sam Phillips brought DJ Dewey Phillips the acetate copy of Elvis' first Sun record, “That's All Right,” to be played on "Red, Hot, and Blue.” Others appearing include Sandra Gimpel, who danced in 15 Elvis movies and is one of the oldest living stunt women working in Hollywood today. Gene Chrisman, the drummer for the famed studio musicians The Memphis Boys, who played on Elvis’ recordings at American Sound, will also appear along with the Holladay sisters, Mary and Ginger, who recorded with Elvis at American Sound in 1969. Tickets: $30.

Viva Elvis Birthday Pops Concert

7 p.m. Jan. 6, Graceland Soundstage, Elvis Presley's Memphis.

In 1969, Elvis returned to the live stage and Las Vegas where he broke attendance records and performed more than 600 shows. In honor of the 55th anniversary of Elvis’ return to the performing, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, along with musician and singer Terry Mike Jeffrey, presents its annual Pops Concert live at the Graceland Soundstage featuring the music Elvis brought to Las Vegas in ‘69. Tickets: $40-$70.

A Night at American Sound

7 p.m. Jan. 7, Guest House Theater, The Guest House at Graceland

This year marks the 55th anniversary of Elvis’ recording at the Memphis-based American Sound Studio. Along with the Memphis Boys and producer Chips Moman, Presley recorded numerous classics including “Suspicious Minds,” “Kentucky Rain” and “Don’t Cry Daddy.” To mark the American Sound sessions, The Guest House will host a concert featuring musician and singer Andy Childs, with an appearance by Pat Dunn, backed by the Sixwire Band, along with some special guests who were personally in the studio with Elvis — including American drummer Gene Chrisman and backup singers the Holladay sisters, Ginger and Mary. Tickets: $40 and $50.

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Elvis Birthday Proclamation Ceremony

8:30 a.m. Jan. 8, North Lawn, Graceland Mansion

Enjoy a ceremony, birthday cake cutting and a proclamation of Elvis Presley Day by Memphis and Shelby County officials, plus a special appearance by Wink Martindale as part of a free event held on the North Lawn of Graceland. Fans who are unable to attend can watch the ceremony online via Graceland's livestream. Immediately following the ceremony, complimentary birthday cake and coffee will served at Vernon’s Smokehouse, located across the street from the mansion at Elvis Presley’s Memphis.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Elvis Presley birthday week 2024: What's planned at Graceland