Christmas at Graceland means a lot to Elvis fans, and every year the season kicks off with the flip of a switch. This year that moment comes on Thursday, Nov 19. You won’t need a plane ticket to be there, and you won’t need to spend a dime.
Graceland’s Holiday Lighting Weekend runs from Thursday, Nov 19 through Saturday, Nov 21. The big event is the very first night. Graceland calls it “Graceland’s annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony, a free event that will also be livestreamed for fans around the world.”
So here’s what you need to know.
The ceremony starts at 6 PM Central, which is 7 PM Eastern. It takes place on the Plaza Green at Elvis Presley’s Memphis, across from the mansion. If you can’t make the trip, Graceland will stream it live on its Graceland Livestream channel, so fans can watch from their own living rooms.
Wondering what you’ll be tuning in for? Graceland posted its own video of last year’s switch-on, and it’s the best preview of the night you’ll find.
Last year’s lighting ceremony at Graceland
When the switch is flipped, the lights run down the long driveway toward the house. In Graceland’s words, the moment ends up “illuminating the Mansion driveway and bringing Elvis’ beloved holiday decorations to life.”
The event page lists what lights up. There are hundreds of blue driveway lights, a life-size nativity scene and Elvis’s Santa and sleigh lawn decorations. Longtime fans will know those blue lights well.
Families who go in person get a bonus. “Following the ceremony, families can enjoy photos with Santa and holiday crafts,” the release says. The Santa photos and kids’ crafts are free too, from 6:30 to 7:45 PM Central (7:30 to 8:45 PM Eastern) at the Enesco Gallery & Gift Shop.
Memphis station Action News 5 covered the ceremony’s return in this report, a good look at the event from a hometown news crew.
A Memphis TV report on Graceland’s holiday lighting
The rest of the weekend does cost money, if you’re planning a trip. Afternoon Christmas Tours of the mansion run from 3 to 5 PM Central (4 to 6 PM Eastern) each day, at $100 for adults and $69.50 for ages 5 to 10. Kids 4 and under get in free.
On Friday, Nov 20, the Jingle Jam Holiday Party ($35) brings in Elvis Radio DJ Argo along with Finley Watkins, the 2026 Ultimate Elvis champion. A one-night “Graceland Unwrapped: After Dark Christmas Tour” inside the mansion runs on Nov 19 only, for $350. The whole-weekend package is $458 per person.
But you really don’t have to buy anything to share the best part. The lights are the main event, and they’re free for everyone.
If one ceremony isn’t enough, Graceland has also put together a highlight reel from earlier years.
Highlights from past Graceland lighting ceremonies
Once the lights are on, the mansion stays decorated “throughout November and December,” according to Graceland. So even if you miss the livestream, there’s time to see it all.
Times can change, so check Graceland’s event page before the big night. Then mark your calendar for 7 PM Eastern on Thursday, Nov 19, grab some cocoa and watch Graceland start its Christmas season.