Tuesday, December 30, 2014 3:27 pm

Jumpstart 2015 with huge celebrations like Elvis Presley's 80th birthday in Memphis, Smoky Mountain Snow Down: A Winter Heritage Festival in Townsend, and the Rivers & Spires Festival in Clarksville.
Welcome warmer months with music festivals like the Rock-a-billy Festival in Jackson, CMA Fest in Nashville, and the Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga. The biggest Tennessee events are listed below.
For even more events, visit www.tnvacation.com.

JANUARY
Jan. 7-10
Memphis - Elvis Presley's 80th Birthday Celebration - Elvis Presley fans celebrate what would have been his 80th birthday, including enjoying a grand birthday cake. 800-238-2000, elvis.com

January 17-18
Birchwood - Tennessee Sandhill Crane Viewing Festival - A celebration of the thousands of Sandhill Cranes that migrate through or spend the winter at the confluence of the Hiwassee and Tennessee Rivers near Birchwood, TN.
Festival activities will be held at the Birchwood Elementary School, the Hiwassee Refuge, the Cherokee Removal Memorial Park, and the Rhea County Welcome Center.

January. 19
Memphis - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Programs at the National Civil Rights Museum celebrate the birthday of Dr. King. 901-521-9699, civilrightsmuseum.org

January 24-31
Pigeon Forge - Wilderness Wildlife Week - The ultimate Smoky Mountain experience is a series of activities sure to connect Pigeon Forge visitors with the great outdoors. Experts share their knowledge at seminars, lectures and hands-on workshops.
Call 800-251-9100, mypigeonforge.com

FEBRUARY
February 19-22
Townsend - Smoky Mountain Snow Down: A Winter Heritage Festival - Celebrates the history, natural beauty and cultural traditions of Townsend, Cades Cove and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 800-525-6834, smokymountains.org

MARCH
March 5-8
Nashville - Nashville Lawn & Garden Show - The timeless appeal and importance of gardens will be celebrated at the 23rd annual Nashville Lawn & Garden Show at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds.
nashvillelawnandgardenshow.com

March 21-April 20
Pigeon Forge - Dollywood's Festival of the Nations - More than 200 performers from around the world celebrate music, dance and art.
Call 800-DOLLYWOOD, dollywood.com

March 14
Erin - Wearin' of the Green Irish Day Celebration - Enjoy a parade, food, entertainment and crafts at the largest Irish Day celebration and parade in this area. 931-289-5100, houstoncochamber.com

APRIL
Monthlong
Knoxville - Dogwood Arts Festival - Miles of trails feature some of the most spectacular dogwood trees of all kinds. 865-637-4561, dogwoodarts.com
Nashville - Awesome April - A musical tribute to the city that promises a major event each weekend. Call 800-657-6910, visitmusiccity.com

April 4
Memphis - Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration - The National Civil Rights Museum offers a special program to commemorate the late Civil Rights leader. Call 901-521-9699, civilrightsmuseum.org

April 6-12
Columbia - Mule Day - One of the world's biggest mule celebrations. Events include mule sale, mule pulling, mule shows, pancake breakfast, flea market and parade. 931-381-9557, muleday.com

April 9-11
Jackson - Rock-A-Billy Festival - The world's largest gathering of Rock-A-Billy artists and musicians, featuring the pioneers of Rock-A-Billy music as well as new artists. 731-427-6262, rockabillyhall.org

April 10-12
Knoxville - Rhythm N' Blooms Festival - The American roots music festival features performances from world-class bluegrass, indie, and jazz artists as well as storied songwriters. The event is part of the month-long Dogwood Arts Festival. 865-637-4561, rhythmnbloomsfest.com

April 16-18
Clarksville - Rivers & Spires Festival - A festival with more than 100 entertainers, kids area, car shows, food, jazz and more. 931-245-4344, riversandspires.com

April 16-25
Nashville - Nashville Film Festival - With genres from drama to comedy to foreign documentaries, this festival has something for everyone. 615-742-2500, nashvillefilmfestival.org

April 18-25
Paris - World's Biggest Fish Fry - More than five tons of catfish are served to thousands of visitors, plus a rodeo, parade and catfish races. 731-642-3431, worldsbiggestfishfry.com

April 25-26
South Pittsburg - National Cornbread Festival - See the National Cornbread Cook-Off, plus art, music, and and shows. 423-837-0022, nationalcornbread.com

April 30-May 1
Knoxville - 2015 Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial Signature Event - Join us as presenters discuss the battles, events and stories of the Civil War. The American Bus Association's Top 100 Selection Committee named the Sesquicentennial, Blue & Gray Reunion and Jubilee as one of the best events to experience in 2015. The Symposium will be sponsored by the Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area, and Tennessee Historical Society. Patricia.Grey@tn.gov, tncivilwar150.com

MAY
May 1-23
Memphis - Memphis in May International Festival - Monthlong events include Beale Street Music Festival and World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. 901-525-4611, memphisinmay.org
May 3-9
Humboldt - West Tennessee Strawberry Festival - In its 75th year, this festival includes parades, live entertainment, barbecue cook-off, concerts, fireworks and more. 731-784-1842, wtsf.org

May 5-Oct. 31
Jonesborough - Storytelling Live! - Storytellers from across the United States will share stories and entertain guests.
Call 800-952-8392, storytellingcenter.net

May 9
Nashville - Running of the Iroquois Steeplechase - This is the nations' oldest continuously run, weight-for-age steeplechase.
Call 866-207-2391, iroquoissteeplechase.org

May 14-16
Knoxville - International Biscuit Festival - Named one of the country's top 10 food festivals, this popular event will rise again in downtown Knoxville at Market Square. Guests enjoy food, fun, music and more throughout the three days of the Festival. biscuitfest.com

May 14-16
Adamsville - Buford Pusser Festival - This annual festival honors the famous "Walking Tall" sheriff and features good music, food and family fun. 731-632-4080, bufordpussermuseum.com

May 15-16
Sevierville - Sevierville's Bloomin' BBQ & Bluegrass - This event features the Tennessee State Championship Barbeque Cook-Off, bluegrass concerts from rising stars and bluegrass legends, kids games, great food and authentic mountain crafts. visitsevierville.com/vsevents.aspx

May 16-17
Greeneville - Iris Festival - A juried arts/crafts festival plus food, entertainment and more surrounded by the history of President Andrew Johnson. The Annual Woodcarving Show is held each year in conjunction with the festival.

May 17
Chattanooga - Sunbelt Bakery IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga - The race will lead athletes through a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run on nearly the same course as IRONMAN Chattanooga. ironman.com/chattanooga70.3