Elvis Week: 12 events fans of the King shouldn't miss, from concerts to candlelight vigil

The 2024 edition of Elvis Week will mark the 47th anniversary of the passing of Elvis Presley.

Running Aug. 9-17, the annual festivities are expected to draw tens of thousands of fans from across the U.S. and all over the world to the home of the King for a mix of concerts, panels, presentations, fan events, film screenings and more, including the annual Candlelight Vigil.

Here is a selection of a dozen events that will honor Elvis in music and memory over the coming week. For a full schedule, more information or to purchase tickets, go to ElvisWeek.com.

An Ultimate Tribute: Salute to the '50s

7 p.m. Aug. 9, Graceland Soundstage

Hosted by SiriusXM Elvis Radio DJ Argo, five past winners of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest celebrate the early roots of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll with a show dedicated to Elvis’ 1950s performances. The show will feature performances by past Ultimate winners Brandon Bennett, Cote Deonath and Ben Thompson, along with others, all backed by the EAS Band. Tickets: $45-$80.

Memphis Bus Tour

9 a.m. Aug. 10, departing from The Guest House at Graceland

Fans will embark on a journey through Elvis’ life in the Bluff City. The tour will be hosted Tom Brown and Angie Marchese, vice president of Graceland Archives and Exhibits. The tour will take in locations that were part of Elvis’ life growing up and living in Memphis, including the Overton Park Shell, which is celebrating the 70th anniversary of Elvis’ first public performance at the venue. Tickets: $80 per person (limited availability).

Elvis Gospel Show

11 a.m. Aug. 11, Graceland Soundstage

Elvis fans can start their Sunday with a concert honoring the musical genre Elvis loved the most — gospel. This celebration of Presley’s spiritual side will be hosted by David Lee, and feature performances by Elvis tribute artists Dean Z, Pat Dunn, Ben Thompson, Brandon Bennett, Jay Dupuis, Victor Trevino Jr., Shawn Klush and Cote Deonath singing timeless gospel songs that inspire. Tickets: $40 to $50.

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Final Round

7 p.m. Aug. 12, Graceland Soundstage

The final round of Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest will see judges crown a new winner who will take home the title along with a grand prize of $20,000. The top 10 finalists from earlier rounds will compete in the finals. Hosted by Ultimate winner Dean Z, the show will also feature a performance by 2023 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Cote Deonath. Tickets: $47-$85.

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Elvis: Back in Memphis

7 p.m. Aug. 13, Graceland Soundstage

The Graceland Soundstage will host a concert celebrating the music made during Elvis’ many recording sessions in his hometown of Memphis over the years. From historic recordings that kickstarted Elvis’ career at Sun to the soulful sounds of American Sound, Stax, and his intimate sessions in the Jungle Room at Graceland, the show will serve as a sonic journey through some of Elvis’ most beloved songs. Hosted by Andy Childs, alongside vocalists Terry Mike Jeffrey and Pat Dunn, this concert will blend live music with stories and  guests. Among those set to appear are American Sound drummer Gene Chrisman and vocalist Donna Rhode, bassist Norbert Putnam from the Stax and Jungle Room Sessions, and former JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet member Larry Strickland, as well as songwriting legend David Porter, who will share his memories of Elvis at Stax. Tickets: $52-$90.

Sony’s 'Memphis' Q&A and Listening Event

2 p.m. Aug. 14, Guest House Theater

Enjoy a Q&A and listening event about Sony’s new “Memphis” release. Coinciding with the 70th anniversary of Presley’s first sessions at Sun Records in 1954, "Memphis" includes 111 tracks spanning his recordings in the city, with 88 of those tracks newly remixed by local Grammy-winning engineer/producer Matt Ross-Spang at his Crosstown studio, Southern Grooves. The deluxe package also features liner notes from fellow Grammy winner and Memphis author/essayist Robert Gordon. This event is free, but you must reserve a ticket to attend.

Elvis Fan Choice Awards

7 p.m. Aug. 14, Graceland Soundstage

The Elvis Fan Choice Awards will honor everything from Elvis’ Best On-Screen Kiss to Favorite Co-star and beyond. Hosted by DJ Argo, Tom Brown, Pat Dunn and Dean Z, the program will include various presentations and performances, as well as special guest appearances by the likes of Jerry Schilling and others. Tickets: $52-$90.

Conversations on Elvis

10 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 15, Graceland Soundstage

Hosted by Tom Brown, Conversations on Elvis offers a talk-show style panel experience, as Elvis’ friends, co-stars, fellow musicians and more share their memories and stories. Confirmed guests include Elvis’ former girlfriend Linda Thompson, along with her brother Sam Thompson. Shirley Dieu, Joe Esposito’s girlfriend and Elvis’ friend from 1974-1977, Jerome Stump Monroe, drummer for the Sweet Inspirations who opened nearly every Elvis show from 1969-1977, Larry Geller, Elvis' hairstylist and spiritual advisor; and co-pilot of the Lisa Marie airplane, Ron Strauss. Tickets: $57.

Candlelight Vigil

8:30 p.m. Aug. 15, Gates of Graceland

The annual Candlelight Vigil serves as the emotional climax of Elvis Week, drawing thousands of fans to the gates of Graceland on the eve of Presley's passing. Following a brief opening ceremony, fans are invited to walk up the driveway to Elvis' gravesite and back down carrying a candle in quiet remembrance. Gates will remain open until all who wish to participate in the procession have done so — which typically takes until the early morning hours of Aug. 16, the anniversary of Elvis' passing. The Candlelight Vigil will be open for all to attend. No special passes or wristbands are required to participate. All guests will be required to pass through a security checkpoint, however.

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Elvis: Return to Vegas

7 p.m. Aug. 16, Graceland Soundstage

This special concert event will celebrate Elvis’ triumphant and record-breaking return to the stage at the International Hotel in Las Vegas in 1969.  Presley will perform via a big screen backed by a live band on stage. Also providing backing vocals for the show will be Terry Blackwood, who performed with Elvis in 1969 in Las Vegas as a member of The Imperials, along with a special appearance by fellow Imperials alum Jim Murray. Tickets: $65-$95.

Elvis: Behind the Music

2 p.m. Aug. 17, Guest House Theater

Hosted by Elvis Radio DJ Argo, this event will offer a deep dive into Elvis Presley’s various Memphis recordings, the subject of a new multi-disc release. Guests include Grammy-winning music historian Robert Gordon, who wrote the liner notes for the new box set, and Mike Moran, master recording engineer on Elvis’ Jungle Room session, while The Imperials’ Terry Blackwood and Jim Murray will share stories of working on stage and in the studio with Presley. Tickets: $32.

50s Flashback: Drive-In, Dinner & Sock Hop

6-10 p.m. Aug. 17, Graceland Soundstage

Elvis Week 2024 will conclude with a nostalgic evening at the Graceland Soundstage. Fans can watch Elvis on the big screen in his 1957 movie “Loving You,” while enjoying a Beale Street buffet featuring Southern favorites. Following the film, the dance floor will open up as DJ Argo spins Elvis tunes. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite ‘50s attire with prizes set to be awarded for the best dressed. Tickets: $100.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Elvis Week 2024: A guide to events at Graceland in Memphis