Memphis holiday events: Zoo Lights and Starry Nights are back. What else is planned?

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected nearly all public events in 2020, and the holiday offerings will be no different.

However, several events are still on tap for the upcoming Yuletide season, with some moving to an online format. 

Here is a look at some of the events planned in the Memphis area.

Graceland Holiday Events 

The home of the King kicked off the holiday season on Nov. 19 as Elvis Presley's Graceland hosted its annual Christmas Lighting Ceremony. This year's event was presented virtually via the Elvis Presley’s Graceland Facebook page. Guests visiting Graceland from Dec. 1-20 can also enjoy special Graceland Christmas tours daily from 2 to 4 p.m. The Graceland Christmas tours will feature live guides taking fans through the mansion and sharing stories about what holiday time inside Elvis' home was like. Displays will include traditional holiday decorations, both inside and outside the mansion, and special items direct from the Graceland Archives. Holiday-themed hotel packages for The Guest House at Graceland are also available.

For more information visit the Graceland holiday events page.

Zoo Lights

6-9:30 p.m., through Jan. 3; Memphis Zoo, 2000 Prentiss Place

Sparkling and festive displays will deck the Memphis Zoo with holiday cheer during the annual Zoo Lights. A winter wonderland of more than 1 million lights awaits, along with the big man himself, Santa Claus. In addition to all that, there will be rides on the "Enchanted Ferris Wheel," zoo tram and carousel, and hot chocolate and other treats will be served. Animals will be on exhibit in the aquarium, herpetarium and animal of the night areas.

Tickets for this year’s event are date specific. There are no refunds or exchanges. Zoo Lights capacity will be limited to 3,500 guests. Tickets are $10 for zoo members and $12 for nonmembers. To purchase tickets, visit memphiszoo.org.

Holiday Wonders at the Garden

5-8:30 p.m., select nights Nov. 27-Dec. 27, Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry Road

The Memphis Botanic Garden will once again host its family-, couples- and group-oriented holiday experience, Holiday Wonders at the Garden. The event opens Nov. 27 and runs (on select nights) through Dec. 27. Holiday Wonders features four distinct areas catering to different interests, with Snowy Nights, Under the Stars, Yuletide Yard and Northern Lights displays.

The Memphis Botanic Garden will take precautions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, with expanded operating hours to spread out flow of guest traffic, as well as a strictly enforced timed entry advanced reservation system and capacity limits. There also will be a designated pathway for guests to follow. The use of masks is required for all indoor activities and is highly recommended for outdoor activities as well. Social distancing will also be enforced at all times.  

Paperless tickets will be used. The cost is $8 for Botanic Garden members, $10 for nonmembers and $12 for same-day tickets. Children under 2 are free. To purchase tickets, visit memphisbotanicgarden.com.

Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park

Select nights Nov. 27 through Jan. 3

Feature more than 3.5 million lights, Starry Nights – a drive-through (or walk or bike-through on select nights) holiday lights experience — will be open select nights starting Nov. 27 and will run through Jan. 3. 

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit shelbyfarmspark.org.

The Peabody Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 

4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Nov. 27 at The Peabody, 118 S. 2nd St. (event is open to hotel guests only) 

The Peabody hotel's festively decorated grand lobby will be open to the public throughout the holiday season. However, due to COVID-19, the year's tree lighting ceremony event on Nov. 27 will only be open to guests of the hotel. For those interested in staying, the event will begin at 4 p.m., and feature Santa Claus lighting the 30-foot Christmas tree immediately following the 5 p.m. daily duck march. A jazz trio will be playing holiday classics and there will be candy canes, Peabody Duck gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate available.

To book a room or for more information go to peabodymemphis.com 

Germantown Virtual Holiday Tree Lighting 

Event starts at 5 p.m. Nov. 27; tree lighting 5:30 p.m. 

The Germantown Parks and Recreation Department has decided to adapt its traditional holiday celebration into a virtual event. Watching the first flicker of the white lights on the Holiday Tree is a long-standing tradition in Germantown, and this year families can gather together at home to sing holiday songs, toast marshmallows and enjoy the beginning of the holiday season. Viewers can expect a vocal performance by the Germantown Community Chorus. Merrymakers will also enjoy special video messages from Santa and a reading of a classic Christmas story by Germantown Mayor Mike Palazzolo. The event can be viewed at the Germantown Parks and Recreation Facebook page or the City of Germantown’s YouTube channel.

Christmas in Collierville

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 28, Dec, 5, 12 and 19, Town Square in Collierville

Every Saturday from Nov. 28-Dec. 19 "Christmas in Collierville" will offer different holiday events, which will be listed on the town's website. On those Saturdays, free horse-drawn carriage rides will be offered from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., weather permitting. People also can walk among a quarter of a million holiday lights around Collierville's Town Square during a Holiday Photo Stroll for visitors and residents to take pictures.

Collierville will post holiday event updates on its website or Facebook page.

Collierville Contemporary Club Virtual Home Tour

Dec. 12-24, online

The Collierville Contemporary Club home tour is going virtual this year. More information on the tour is posted on the club's website, colliervillecontemporaryclub.org. 

Bartlett 'Reverse' Christmas Parade

4-6 p.m. Dec. 5, W.J. Freeman Park, 2629 Bartlett Blvd., Bartlett

Bartlett's Christmas Parade will go on this year — except it will be a "reverse" parade. In this type of parade, spectators will drive past parade participants. Schools, civic groups, churches, businesses, neighborhoods and families are invited to take part.

For more information, visit cityofbartlett.org/629/Bartlett-Christmas-Parade.

Arlington's 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' Parade

11 a.m. Dec. 5, the parade will start at Arlington High School, 5475 Airline Road, and end at Arlington Automotive, 5769 Airline Road

Arlington will present "A Charlie Brown Christmas" Parade at 11 a.m. Dec. 5. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all participants and spectators must wear masks at all times. There will be no candy, flyers or other items distributed during the parade.

For more information, visit townofarlington.org/special_events/index.php.

Downtown Holiday Tree Lighting and Safe Santa Sighting 

4 p.m. Nov. 27, Main Street and Peabody Place

Come celebrate the annual lighting of the Downtown Memphis tree. Santa Claus will be safely greeting children from inside a snow globe adorned with artwork from St. Jude patients. Photo opportunities with Santa are available between 4 and 6 p.m. The event is free.

For more information, go to downtownmemphis.com.

Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees

Through Dec. 31, Museum of Science and History – Pink Palace, 3050 Central 

Journey through the Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees and discover spectacular trees, enchanting displays and good times for the whole family. Due to COVID-19 protocols, this year's Enchanted Forest will be limited to groups of 25 every 15 minutes with timed entry ticketing. Social distancing and mask wearing requirements will be in place. Photos with Santa will take place behind a Plexiglass shield that looks like a holiday snow globe.

For more information, go to memphismuseums.org.

Jim Brickman's Comfort and Joy at Home Virtual Tour 

6 p.m. Dec. 6, virtual through the Orpheum 

Grammy-nominated songwriter and pianist Jim Brickman celebrates the holiday season with the Comfort & Joy at Home 2020 Virtual Tour. A portion of each ticket purchased to this concert event will benefit the Orpheum Theatre. Fans and their families can enjoy this unique virtual concert experience from the comfort of home, while supporting the Orpheum Theatre during this challenging time. Tickets: $40 to $125.

Go to orpheum-memphis.com. 

Southern Lights in Southaven 

Starting 5:30 p.m. daily (except Christmas) Nov. 26 to Dec. 30 at Central Park, 7651 Tchulahoma Road in Southaven 

This drive-through holiday event starts Thanksgiving Day and runs through Dec. 30 (closed on Christmas Day). The path winds through a 116-acre park with 500,000 twinkling lights. Cars can tune to five FM radio stations playing Christmas music as they ride through the park. Proceeds will benefit local charities. Admission: cars $10, vans and hayrides $15, buses $25 and motorcycles $5.

For more information, go to https://www.visitdesotocounty.com/.

Santa at the Drive Thru 

2-6 p.m. Dec. 5, 6040 U.S. 51 North, Horn Lake

Santa and the elves will have goodies for the kids on Dec. 5 at corner of Nail and U.S. 51. This family holiday event is presented by the City of Horn Lake. 

For more information, go to visitdesotocounty.com. 

Holiday events at The Shops at Carriage Crossing

Through Jan. 10, The Shops at Carriage Crossing, 4674 Merchants Park Circle, Collierville

The holiday season will look a little bit different this year at The Shops at Carriage Crossing, but there's still plenty of fun planned.

"Wonderland: An Interactive Photo Experience by Memphis Escape Rooms" is underway through Jan. 10. You can glide on  synthetic ice, send letters to Santa, dance in snow showers in a forest of trees and much more — all of which provide a perfect backdrop for holiday photos. You can bring your own camera or buy an extra ticket for your own professional photographer. The cost is $20 per person and free for children ages 4 and under. Wonderland is located on the corner across from Forever 21 and H&M. Book online at wonderlandmemphis.com.  The experience also includes two new mini escape experiences available on their own or as an add-on for $20 for up to four people.

Also at Carriage Crossing, Socially Distant Santa will be on hand select dates through Dec. 24.

For more information, visit shopcarriagecrossing.com/events.

Commercial Appeal reporter Dima Amro contributed to this report.

If you have a holiday event you'd like included on this list, email it to bob.mehr@commercialappeal.com.