City of Knoxville - Festivals and Events

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Knoxville.org Calendar of Events
Tennessee's Events Listing

The Knoxville area is home to many enjoyable festivals and events through the year. Here are a few to look out for:

Alive After Five
39 weeks per year
Music series to help Knoxvillians "come alive after five" in the Friday evenings.
At Knoxville Museum of Art

Auto Show
April
See the best that Knoxville and local car dealers have to offer. Produced by the Knoxville News Sentinel.
At Knoxville Convention Center

Bark in the Park
June
Fund-raiser for the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley, featuring thousands of dogs and their two-legged companions.
Market Square

Biscuit Festival
May
The International Biscuit Festival celebrates the amazing biscuit and consists of biscuit-related activities, special foods, entertainment, artwork and more.
Downtown Knoxville

Boomsday
September
Food, beverages, entertainment and one of the largest fireworks show in the Southeastern United States.
At Volunteer Landing

Brewer's Jam
October
Annual regional Craft Beer & Music Festival. Unlimited craft beer samples from regional brewers. Great entertainment and fantastic local food.
At World's Fair Park Performance Lawn

Cherokee Heritage Festival
June
The Cherokee demonstrate tomahawk throwing, blow gun weaponry and the chores associated with everyday life. Experience friendship dancing, storytelling, crafts, face painting and open hearth cooking.
At James White Fort

Christmas in the City
November through December
Two-month celebration featuring the annual Riverlights Festival's Boat Parade, Fantasy of Trees, performance of The Nutcracker by the Appalachian Ballet and the Santa Claus Parade
Throughout Knoxville
865-215-4248

Country Market Days
September
Kick off fall at Ramsey House Plantation as you explore over 50 craft dealers, view historic craft demonstrations, and listen to local music - a full weekend of crafts, food, music, and fun!
At Ramsey House Plantation

Davy Crockett's Birthday Party
August
Each year on the second Saturday of August, the East Tennessee Historical Society hosts a birthday party fit for a "King of the Wild Frontier"-- and your family is invited! The party promises something for family members of all ages with hands-on crafts and games, storytelling, and, of course, birthday cake.
At East Tennessee Historical Society

Dogwood Arts Festival & Parade
April
Annual celebration features dogwood trail, open gardens, arts and crafts shows, food, music and family fun.
Throughout Knoxville

Dragon Boat Festival
June
Event features the adrenaline-pumping action of dragon boat racing. Enjoy the fun and community spirit as you cheer on teams that consist of 20 paddlers, a drummer, and a steerer all in a 46-foot long dragon boat.
At Cove at Concord Park

Earthfest
April
Sponsored by the city of Knoxville's Solid Waste Office, event features live entertainment, arts and crafts, environmental exhibits and food
At World's Fair Park

East Tennessee History Fair
August
Celebrate history in downtown Knoxville with live music, children's activities, craft demonstrations, living history timeline, trolley tours, free admission to historic sites and much, much more.
At East TN History Center and Downtown Knoxville

Fantasy of Trees
November
A wonderland of holiday decorations and lights along with event-long entertainment, children's activities and shops.
At Knoxville Convention Center

Feast with the Beasts
August
Enjoy the tastiest offerings from area restaurants while in the company of exotic animals.
At Knoxville Zoo

Festival on the Fourth
July 4
An American celebration, complete with food, refreshments, a performance by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, games and, of course, fireworks.
At World's Fair Park
865-215-4248

Foothills Craft Guild Fall Show
November
See over 135 booths of traditional & contemporary crafts by Tennessee's finest artisans at the Foothills Craft Guild Annual Fall Show.
At Chilhowee Park

Foothills Fall Festival
October
The #1 family event in East Tennessee. Enjoy music from local and famous entertainers, works from over 75 artists and crafters and the kids can explore Children's Adventure Land.
At Maryville, Tennessee

Greek Fest
September
Enjoy authentic Greek cuisine, live Greek music and folk dancing and shop for imported Greek items.
At St. George Greek Orthodox Church

Halloween
October
Knoxville has several spooky events in October. Boo! at the Zoo with the Knoxville Zoo, Ghosts & Ghouls Walking Tours with Blount Mansion, and Hearth Scares Walking Tours with James White Fort, provide alternatives for Halloween fun.

Hola Festival
September
The Hola Festival, organized by Hola Hora Latina, celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by dedicating a full day to showcasing Hispanic culture, traditions and heritage while providing a hands-on educational experience.
At Several Locations in Knoxville

Jazz on the Square
May-August
Enjoy amazing jazz outdoors at Market Square in this free concert series.
At Market Square

John Sevier Days
September
This living history weekend will feature demonstrations of late 18th and early 19th-century life.
At Marble Springs

Kuumba Festival
June
Names for the Swahili word that means "creativity," event showcases visual arts, folk arts, dance, theater, music, storytelling, games and food.
At Chilhowee Park

Mardi Growl Dog Parade
March
Annual parade that's for the dogs! Parade prizes and all kinds of pet product vendors afterwards at Market Square.
At Gay Street and Market Square

Market Square Concert Series
May-June
Enjoy free concerts on Market Square from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays during the Market Square Concert Series.
At Market Square

Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January
Celebration includes a parade and many events in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Throughout Knoxville

Meadow Lark Music Festival
June
A day of incredible Americana music at beautiful Ijams Nature Center, just minutes from the heart of downtown Knoxville.
At Ijams Nature Center

Nativity Pageant of Knoxville
December
A professionally directed pantomime drama, combines a cast of over 90, moving narration, realistic sets, authentic costumes, and live animals to create a beautiful and powerful presentation of the Christmas story.
At Knoxville Civic Coliseum

OutDoor KnoxFest
August
A three-day urban adventure packed with events and activities for the avid adventurer, weekend warrior, the novice outdoor enthusiast, and everyone who loves to Get Out and Play! The event benefits Legacy Parks Foundation, a Knoxville-based non-profit working to expand and promote outdoor recreational venues and opportunities throughout East Tennessee.
At Downtown Knoxville

PrideFest
June
The Knoxville PrideFest is an open celebration of music, entertainment and speakers focused on promoting Equality and Inclusion of ALL people.
At Gay Street and Market Square

Rossini Festival Italian Street Fair
May
Annual event draws thousands to celebrate the color, fun and excitement of Italian opera; featuring food, beverages, artisans, activities, amusements and multicultural entertainment on three outdoor stages.
At Gay Street

Shakespeare on the Square
July-August
Shakespeare play festival presented annually by the Tennessee Stage Compnay.
At Market Square

Tennessee Fall Homecoming
October
The most extensive and authentic gathering of old-time musicians and pioneer-type craftspeople in the country. It features hundreds of people engaged in frontier, mountain, and rural activities, along with over 300 traditional, folk, early country and bluegrass musicians.
At Museum of Appalachia

Tennessee Statehood Day
May
Celebration of Tennessee's birthday, featuring period crafts and skills demonstrations and tours.
At Blount Mansion, Crescent Bend, James White's Fort, Mabry-Hazen House, Marble Springs and Ramsey House Plantation

Tennessee Valley Fair
September
Exhibits, tractor pulls, livestock contests, music, food, rides and more!
At Chilhowee Park

Tulip Time at Crescent Bend Festival
March-April
More than 20,000 tulips will be in bloom during this fifth annual springtime event
At Crescent Bend

U.S. Constitution Week
September
Blount Mansion, a National Historical Landmark and home of a signer of the U.S. Constitution, hosts a series of special events in honor of U.S. Constituion Week.
At Blount Mansion

Vestival
May
Vestival is the festival that honors and celebrates the heritage of the South Knoxville community of Vestal. The festival includes music, numerous arts, crafts and food vendors, children's activities, and history info about Vestal and South Knoxville.
At Candoro Marble

WinterFest
November-February
Winterfest annual winter celebration is a four-month festival filled with special events, light displays and Southern hospitality to keep the whole family happy during the holidays
At Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Gatlinburg

Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Induction
June
Silent/live auction, dinner, autograph session culminate with inductions ceremony at Bijou Theater.
At Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

Women Today Expo
March
The Women Today Expo, produced by Knoxville News Sentinel, brings the largest gathering of products and services for women in East Tennessee to Knoxville.
At Knoxville Convention Center

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