Elvis Presley birthday festivities: 5 ways to celebrate the King at Graceland

MEMPHIS – Jan. 8 marks what would have been Elvis Presley's 87th birthday. The late "King of Rock and Roll" was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, in 1935. He died in 1977 at age 42.

Each year, faithful fans gather at his estate to celebrate his life. As is custom, Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises will commemorate his birthday with several days of events, reflections and concerts in Memphis, Tennessee.

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

►The Elvis archive: Go inside Graceland's private vaults

►Going to Graceland?: Tips for visiting Elvis Presley' home

Elvis Presley poses for a portrait at Graceland in March of 1960.
Elvis Presley poses for a portrait at Graceland in March of 1960.

Thursday

Elvis birthday bash & evening Graceland mansion tours

5 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Graceland and Elvis Presley's Memphis Entertainment Complex

Graceland will host a special guided evening tour starting at 5 p.m. at the mansion house. Fans will also be able to view the exhibits at Elvis Presley's Memphis (Car Museum, Presley Cycles, Archives Exhibit, Army Exhibit, ICONS Exhibit and Elvis: The Entertainer). At 6 p.m. a birthday party will commence featuring an Elvis dance party hosted by SiriusXM's Elvis Radio DJ Argo at Presley Motors. There will also be an appearance and book signing with Dixie Locke Emmons — who dated Elvis in the 1950s — at the Elvis: The Entertainer Gift Shop. The party will include complimentary appetizers and cash bars, a scavenger hunt for prizes along with the Elvis trivia prize wheel. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Cost: $90 for adults (11 and up); $58 for youth (5-10); children 4 and under are free.

►Elvis trivia: Think you know everything about the King? Try to answer these questions

Friday

Elvis Presley and actress Ann-Margret shown in an MGM Studios-supplied publicity photo for the 1964 film, "Viva Las Vegas." (AP Photo/MGM Studios)
Elvis Presley and actress Ann-Margret shown in an MGM Studios-supplied publicity photo for the 1964 film, "Viva Las Vegas." (AP Photo/MGM Studios)

“Viva Las Vegas” movie screening and sing-along

1 p.m. Guest House Theater, The Guest House at Graceland

One of Elvis' most beloved feature films, “Viva Las Vegas,” gets a free daytime screening at the Guest House at Graceland. Fans can enjoy Elvis as the "go-go" guy and Ann Margaret as the "bye-bye" gal as they rollick through the fun capital of the world — and attendees can sing along to the movie’s many memorable tunes. Seating is on a first-come basis.

Cost: Free

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Saturday

Elvis Presley Day proclamation ceremony

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

It’s an annual early morning tradition, as friends and family of Elvis — including Priscilla Presley — cut a birthday cake on the north lawn of Graceland in memory of the King. A proclamation of Elvis Presley Day by Memphis and Shelby County officials will also be read. Following the ceremony, fans can go across the street to Vernon’s Smokehouse at Elvis Presley’s Memphis, where complimentary birthday cake and coffee will be served.

Cost: Both events are free

Priscilla Presley cuts the birthday cake during the Elvis Birthday Proclamation Ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, on the North Lawn at Graceland.
Priscilla Presley cuts the birthday cake during the Elvis Birthday Proclamation Ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, on the North Lawn at Graceland.

Conversations on Elvis

1 p.m. Guest House Theater, The Guest House at Graceland

The much-beloved and always informative Conversations on Elvis panel format will get a special birthday edition at The Guest House, as fans can hear stories from those who knew the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll best. Hosted by Tom Brown, the event will include appearances by Priscilla Presley, Terry Blackwood — who performed with Elvis as part of The Imperials — and Elvis' jeweler, Lowell Hays.

Cost: $25

Elvis Presley stands beside his piano at Graceland in this 1965 photograph. Elvis had misgivings about allowing pictures to be taken in his home. "It's not that I don't want pictures," he said. "You know what I mean. Some people might think I am looking for publicity or trying to exploit my home. I certainly don't want anyone to think that."
Elvis Presley stands beside his piano at Graceland in this 1965 photograph. Elvis had misgivings about allowing pictures to be taken in his home. "It's not that I don't want pictures," he said. "You know what I mean. Some people might think I am looking for publicity or trying to exploit my home. I certainly don't want anyone to think that."

Elvis Birthday Pops Concert featuring Terry Mike Jeffrey and The Memphis Symphony Orchestra

7:30 pm. Graceland Soundstage

There’s no better way to celebrate Elvis than with his music. The Graceland Soundstage will host The Memphis Symphony Orchestra as they present their annual Elvis Pops Concert. Singer Terry Mike Jeffrey and his band will join members of the MSO for a musical salute touching on all the various corners of Elvis' catalog and career. The concert will feature a special appearance by Priscilla Presley.

Cost: $38 to $68

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Tributes are seen beside the grave marker for Elvis Presley in the Meditation Garden where he's buried alongside his parents and grandmother at his Graceland mansion in this file photo from August 12, 2017.
Tributes are seen beside the grave marker for Elvis Presley in the Meditation Garden where he's buried alongside his parents and grandmother at his Graceland mansion in this file photo from August 12, 2017.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Elvis Presley's birthday: Graceland events celebrate the King

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