Knoxville Festivals & Events
The culturally rich Knoxville and Greater Smoky Mountains Region has many public festivals.
Deborah Korlin, CENTURY 21 MVP, Sevierville, Tennessee
Alive After Five Summer & Fall Music series during the Summer and Fall to help Knoxvillians "come alive after five" in the evening. At Knoxville Museum of Art
American Indian Celebration and Powwow May Sponsored by the East Tennessee Indian League, this event features champion American Indian dancers and singers, crafts and food. At Knoxville Convention Center
Auto Show April See the best that Knoxville and local car dealers have to offer. Produced by Knoxville News Sentinel. At Knoxville Convention Center 865-342-6863
Autumn on the Square September-October A free concert series in the heart of Downtown Knoxville. Live music, rain or shine, every Thursday night Sept-Oct. from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. At Market Square 865-523-2665
Bark in the Park April Fund-raiser for the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley, featuring thousands of dogs and their two-legged companions. At Chilhowee Park 865-573-7627
Bearden Village Festival of Art April Street fair featuring music, songwriters and storytellers, food and beverages, crafts and art activities and children's events At Homberg Drive/Bearden Village 865-637-4561
Boomsday September Food, beverages, entertainment and one of the largest fireworks show in the Southeastern United States. At Volunteer Landing 865-215-4248
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 865-522-1604
Cherokee Heritage Days August 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 865-525-6514
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 865-546-0745
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 865-215-8824
Dogwood Arts Festival April Annual celebration features dogwood trail, open gardens, arts and crafts shows, food, music and family fun. At Throughout Knoxville 865-637-4561
Dogwood Arts Parade April Annual parade along Church Avenue, Gay Street and Depot Avenue. At Downtown Knoxville 865-637-4561
Dogwood Village House and Garden Show February See the finest in the house and garden trade. Part of the Dogwood Arts Festival. At Knoxville Convention Center
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 865-215-2872
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 865- 541-8000
Feast with the Beasts August Enjoy the tastiest offerings from area restaurants while in the company of exotic animals. At Knoxville Zoo 865-637-5331
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 865-470-0669
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 Fall_Festival@ci.maryville.tn.us
Fountain City Festival April Part of the Knoxville Dogwood Arts Festival. Crafts, music, entertainment and dogwood trails. At Fountain City Park 865-637-4561
Greek Fest August Enjoy authentic Greek cuisine, live Greek music and folk dancing and shop for imported Greek items. At World's Fair Park 865- 522-5043
Halloween October Knoxville has several spooky events in October. Boo! at the Zoo with the Knoxville Zoo, Ghosts & Ghouls Walking Tours with Blount Mansion, Hearth Scares Walking Tours with James White Fort, and KPD's Safety City Halloween event provides alternatives for Halloween fun.
Head of the Tennessee Regatta October Nearly 2,000 rowers from at least 15 states converge on Fort Loudoun Lake to compete in one of the oldest rowing events of its kind in the United States. At Sequoyah Park 865-633-9214
Holston River Festival April Part of the Knoxville Dogwood Arts Festival. Live music, children's activities, food and displays featuring local artwork, plants and gardening. At Holston River Park 865-637-4561
Honda Hoot Rally June More than 20,000 motorcycle enthusiasts zoom in for five days of events. At Chilhowee Park 800-727-8045
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 865-215-1450
Mardi Gras March Hosted by Community Shares, the downtown event celebrates Mardi Gras with a parade, a Fat Tuesday party and a 5k walk. At Downtown Knoxville
Martin Luther King Jr. Day January Celebration includes a parade, memorial service, a Black Inventors Exhibit and a tribute featuring the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Choir by the Knoxville Symphony and Chamber Orchestra. At Throughout Knoxville
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 865-579-5323
Ragin' Cajun Cookout May Cajun cuisine and entertainment. At Volunteer Landing 865-558-9040
Rossini Festival Italian Street Fair April 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 865-524-0795
Saturday Night on the Town June Knoxville's grand street party features live music, food, refreshments and a kid's area. At Gay Street 865-588-6511
Shakespeare on the Square July-August Shakespeare play festival presented annually by the Tennessee Stage Compnay. At Market Square 865-546-4280
SKA Weekend April Concert of multiple bands benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank - held at Market Square.
Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival September-October Every fall the Great Smoky Mountains come alive with a burst of color. This countywide festival, which includes cities of Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, celebrates with decorating contests, special events, local craft shows and much more. At Sevier County Sevierville 888-738-4378 Pigeon Forge 800-251-9100 Gatlinburg 800-568-4748
SpringFest Spring Enjoy springtime activity as the city celebrates the second annual Springfest with outstanding entertainment and unique special events. At Pigeon Forge
Statehood Day May Celebration of Tennessee's birthday, featuring period crafts and skills demonstrations and 18th century tavern food. At Blount Mansion 865-525-2375
Sundown in the City April-June Outdoor concert series featuring local, regional and national bands. Thursday nights. At Market Square 865-523-2665
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 865-494-0514
Tennessee Valley Fair September Exhibits, tractor pulls, livestock contests, music, food, rides and more! At Chilhowee Park 865-215-1470 fair@tnvalleyfair.org
Tulip Festival March-April More than 20,000 tulips will be in bloom during this fifth annual springtime event At Crescent Bend 865-637-3163
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 865-525-2375
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 865-633-9000
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 865-342-6864
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