Your guide to Elvis Week 2023: 15 events fans of the King won't want to miss

This month, fans from around the world will once again congregate in Memphis to celebrate the life and legacy of Elvis Presley in and around his historic home of Graceland.

The annual Elvis Week festivities will kick off Aug. 9 and run through Aug. 17, with a variety of concerts, performances, remembrances, film screenings, panels and more marking the music of the man known as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

This year's event will be particularly emotional for fans of the Presley clan. Ahead of the traditional Elvis Candlelight Vigil on Aug. 16, there will be a special memorial tribute Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, who died in January at the age of 54.

The proceedings will also mark several significant musical and professional milestones in Elvis’ career, with the 50th anniversary of his Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite concert, and the 55th anniversary of his ’68 Comeback Special TV broadcast.

Here is a selection of 15 events that will honor Elvis in music and memory over the next couple weeks. For a full schedule, more information or to purchase tickets, go to ElvisWeek.com.

Elvis Ultimate Hits

7 p.m. Aug. 9, Graceland Soundstage, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. Tickets: $53-$85.

Hosted by 2016 Elvis Ultimate Tribute Artist winner Dwight Icenhower, four past winners of the contest will perform some of the King’s best-known hits. (A second, repeat concert will take place Aug. 10). Performers include Shawn Klush (2007), David Lee (2015), Patrick Dunn (2021) and the reigning winner Victor Trevino Jr. (2022).

Elvis Tribute Kick-Off Party

10 p.m.-midnight Aug. 9, Guest House Ballroom, The Guest House at Graceland. Tickets: $20.

Following the Elvis Ultimate Hits performance, The Guest House ballroom be the scene of a late-night party hosted by Jeff Lewis and 2013 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist winner Dean Z. Various Elvis tribute artists will be stopping by to take the stage in a jam session. Cash bars will be available.

Elvis Unplugged – Starring Dean Z & Friends

2 p.m. Aug. 10, Guest House Theater, The Guest House at Graceland. Tickets: $32-$50.

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Dean Z will take the stage of the Guest House Theater for an intimate acoustic experience, sharing music and stories with other performers including Victor Trevino Jr. and David Lee, as well as singer/musician Spencer Sutherland. An alternative performance of this show on Aug. 14 will feature a different guest lineup.

Elvis The Next Generation

2 p.m. Aug. 11, Guest House Theater, The Guest House at Graceland. Tickets: $32-$50.

Returning for its second year, the Elvis the Next Generation Concert and Showcase will feature new young artists inspired by Elvis Presley who are continuing his musical legacy. Performers include Peedy Chavis, star of “The Voice,” along with “America’s Got Talent” contestant Jesse Kramer. Other performers include jazz singer and Nashville recording artist Thea Danos, musical prodigy Finley Watkins, Australian up-and-comer Jason Russo and Brazilian Elvis expert Heitor.

Eras of Elvis

7 p.m. Aug. 11, Graceland Soundstage, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. Tickets: $53-$85.

Hosted by 2021 winner Patrick Dunn, this concert event features five past Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest winners honoring the various eras and musical incarnations of Elvis from the ‘50s through the ‘70s. Eras performers include Brandon Bennett (2008), Dean Z (2013), Jay Dupuis (2014), Dwight Icenhower (2016) and Ben Thompson (2018).

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Finals

7 p.m. Aug. 12, Graceland Soundstage, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. Tickets: $53-$85.

The 2023 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest concludes as a winner is crowned during the final round of performances at the Graceland Soundstage. The top 10 finalists from the semifinal round will compete during a concert event hosted by Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist winner Dean Z.

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Elvis Music Salute

7 p.m. Aug. 13, Graceland Soundstage, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. Tickets: $58-$90.

It’ll be an all-star celebration of Elvis Presley’s music at the Graceland Soundstage with singers and musicians performing some of their favorite hits from the King, while sharing stories and memories. This salute will include appearances by actor/singer Darlene Love, musician and entertainer Jay Osmond, actor/singer Dennis Quaid, country music star Pam Tillis and actor/singer John Schneider.

Elvis 101

10 a.m. Aug. 14, Guest House Theater, The Guest House at Graceland. Tickets: $32.

Elvis 101 presents a deep dive deep into various aspects of Elvis’ life and career. Hosted by Tom Brown, guests include VP of Graceland Archives & Exhibits Angie Marchese; musician and record label executive John Jackson, who oversaw the Elvis Presley catalog while at Sony Music; Robert Dye, who worked at Graceland for 12 years and oversaw the Graceland photography archive; and Kristi Emmons, daughter of Dixie Locke, who co-authored the book “Unlocked Memoirs of Elvis’ First Girlfriend” with her mother.

Elvis ’68 Comeback Special 55th Anniversary Enhanced Screening

7 p.m. Aug. 14, Graceland Soundstage, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. Tickets: $58-$90

Marking the 55th anniversary of Elvis’ groundbreaking 1968 NBC television special, this enhanced screening of the program will include special live guest appearances by members of the staff and crew behind the broadcast, plus video interviews with others who were there. Fans are encouraged to wear their favorite ’60s attire and step back to this historic moment in Elvis’ career.

Conversations on Elvis

10 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 15, Graceland Soundstage, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. Tickets: $55.

An Elvis Week perennial event, hosted by Tom Brown, Conversations on Elvis will feature friends, co-stars, musicians, singers and more sharing memories of Elvis. Confirmed guests include Linda Thompson, who dated Elvis from 1972-1976; Jay Osmond, a musician/entertainer and member of the Osmond Brothers group; Allan Blye, writer for Elvis’ ‘68 Comeback Special; Gene McAvoy, art director for Elvis' '68 Comeback Special; Tanya Lemani George, who danced to “Little Egypt” in Elvis’ 1968 television special; and legendary Wrecking Crew member Mike Deasy, who played both on recording sessions and in the band for the 1968 television special.

Also set to appear are TCB Band member Glen Hardin, who played piano for Elvis and was part of Elvis’ historic Aloha from Hawaii Concert; Janice Fadal, daughter of theater owner and disc jockey Eddie Fadal, who was a close friend of Elvis'; Lee Majors, actor and producer, best known for his roles in the television series “The Six Million Dollar Man” and “The Fall Guy"; and producer and researcher/historian Ernst Jorgensen, who will talk about the new “Elvis Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite 50th Anniversary” release.

A Celebration of Lisa Marie Presley

5 p.m. Aug. 15, Graceland Soundstage, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. Tickets: $25. All proceeds will benefit the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation.

Join Presley family friend Jerry Schilling, along with other special guests, for a celebration and remembrance of the life of Lisa Marie Presley as told through music, personal stories, photos and videos.

Candlelight Vigil

8:30 p.m. Aug. 15, Gates of Graceland. The event is free.

The annual Candlelight Vigil, the cornerstone event for Elvis Week, draws thousands of fans to the Gates of Graceland on the eve of Presley's passing. Following an opening ceremony at the Gates of Graceland, fans are invited to walk up the driveway to Elvis' gravesite and back down carrying a candle in quiet remembrance. Gates 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' death.

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. A livestream of the ceremony will also be available at livestream.com/elvispresleygraceland.

Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii 50th Anniversary Concert

7 p.m. Aug. 16, Graceland Soundstage, Elvis Presley's Memphis. Tickets: $63-$95.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Elvis’ groundbreaking Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite concert. Taking place at the Honolulu International Center on Jan. 14, 1973, it was the first entertainment special by a solo artist to be broadcast live around the world. Fans can now see Elvis’ Aloha from Hawaii concert live on the big screen, featuring vocals by the King himself, backed by a live band on stage — plus a special guest appearance by TCB Band member Glen Hardin.

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Elvis Gospel Week Brunch

10 a.m. Aug. 17, Guest House Ballroom, The Guest House at Graceland. Tickets: $75.

The final day festivities at Elvis Week include a brunch celebrating Elvis’ favorite music — gospel. Brunch will feature performances by legendary The Blackwood Brothers Quartet and the Tennessee Mass Choir.

Elvis Presley All-Request Show with Terry Mike Jeffrey

2 p.m. Aug. 17, Guest House Theater, The Guest House at Graceland. Tickets: $32.

Singer, musician and Elvis fan favorite Terry Mike Jeffrey takes Elvis music requests during a casual afternoon performance at the Guest House Theater to help close out Elvis Week.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Elvis Week 2023 at Graceland: Your guide to events honoring the King