Elvis Presley’s Graceland to Host First-Ever Holiday Concert Weekend Dec. 15-16

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Elvis Presley's Graceland® has announced the very first holiday concerts ever to take place Dec. 15-16 in the Graceland Soundstage at Graceland’s new Elvis Presley’s Memphis entertainment and exhibit complex.

This special weekend of holiday concerts features Elvis live in concert and on the big screen, accompanied by a live orchestra, legendary gospel greats and an all-star rock ‘n’ roll band.

Christmas with Elvis at Graceland – With Live Orchestra

8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 at the Graceland Soundstage

With this holiday season marking the 60th anniversary of “Elvis' Christmas Album,” the perennial classic that's become the top-selling holiday album of all-time, Sony Music's Legacy Recordings is releasing a new album in October that unites classic Elvis holiday performances with a brand-new orchestral accompaniment. These new arrangements will be brought to life in an all-new concert production debuting a Graceland, featuring the full, rich sound of a live orchestra on stage accompanied by Elvis’ best-loved holiday performances. The performance will be under the musical direction of, and conducted by, Robin Smith, who created many of the arrangements on the new Christmas album release, plus arrangements for the chart-topping “Elvis: If I Can Dream” and “Elvis: The Wonder of You” albums with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 2015 and 2016. Smith conducted the critically-acclaimed live orchestra tour of Elvis Live in Concert performances throughout the United Kingdom, continental Europe and the United States in 2016 and 2017.

An Elvis Gospel Christmas – Live at Graceland

5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Graceland Soundstage

This show will feature two legendary gospel groups - Terry Blackwood and The Imperials and The Blackwood Brothers Quartet - performing some of Elvis' favorite Christmas and gospel songs. Terry Blackwood was a member of The Imperials and toured with Elvis from 1969 to 1971 and recorded with Elvis for his GRAMMY® Award-winning gospel album, “He Touched Me,” in 1971. The original Blackwood Brothers Quartet, led by James Blackwood, sang at Gladys Presley’s funeral at the special request of Elvis and Vernon Presley.  James’ younger son Billy Blackwood now continues the Blackwood Quartet legacy.

Elvis Live in Concert – with an All-Star Band

8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Graceland Soundstage

Celebrate the King of Rock 'n' Roll's greatest hits with Elvis live in concert and on the big screen, in the tradition of Elvis’ legendary, live concert tours.  A live, rock ‘n’ roll band of all-star greats will accompany Elvis and bring this stage production to life for the first time at Graceland. 

Original Graceland Piano in 1960s-Era Graceland Music Room to be Unveiled

In addition to the holiday shows, Graceland will unveil the 1960s-era décor in the Music Room at Graceland Mansion on December 16, featuring the re-acquired, original, white, baby grand piano Elvis purchased for Graceland in 1957. This legendary, white piano, returning to the Mansion after a 50-year absence, is the most significant piece of original furnishings to come home since Graceland opened for tours in 1982.

Guests will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this legendary artifact up close and to capture the moment by having their photo taken with the piano before it is placed on display in Graceland’s restored music room.  This opportunity will be available on the night of Dec. 15 for VIP weekend ticketholders only.

The Guest House at Graceland Packages

To celebrate the Holiday Concert Weekend, the AAA Four-Diamond Guest House at Graceland™ resort is offering special packages for the weekend. The VIP Package (with very limited availability) includes two nights in a specialty suite plus VIP (first two rows center seating) tickets for two people to all three concerts at the Graceland Soundstage. This package includes a special reception and musician meet and greet between concerts on Saturday night. The Standard Package includes two nights in a standard guest room plus Deluxe section tickets for two people to all three concerts. Additional information on hotel packages available here.

Tickets are also available without hotel stay, including VIP ticket packages that include the photo opportunity with the original, white, baby grand piano. For more information on the weekend and ticket information, visit www.Graceland.com/Holiday.

About Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.

Elvis Presley’s Graceland, in Memphis, is music’s most important and beloved landmark, with hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world visiting the historic home each year. Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) manages the operations of Graceland and its related properties, including Elvis Presley's Memphis, Graceland's new entertainment and exhibition complex over 200,000 square feet in size; the AAA Four-Diamond Guest House at Graceland 450-room hotel; and the Graceland Archives, featuring thousands of artifacts from Elvis’ home and career. EPE also produces and licenses Elvis-themed live events, tours and attractions worldwide. Graceland Holdings LLC, led by managing partner Joel Weinshanker, is the majority owner of EPE. In 2015, Graceland was named the world’s “Best Musical Attraction” and “Best Historic Southern Attraction” in the USA Today 10 Best Reader's Choice Awards and in 2013, voted the #1 “Iconic American Attraction” in the same poll. For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit www.graceland.com.

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