FESTIVALS

Market Square has become a prime location for festivals and special events in Knoxville, whether they be annual extravaganzas or one-time affairs you don’t want to miss. Presidents have made speeches, world-famous musicians have given concerts, and celebrities from every industry you can imagine have come to show Knoxville residents what they have to offer, and you want to make sure you’re here to see it.

ON THE SQUARE

March

Mardi Growl Dog Parade
www.MardiGrowl.org
Gay Street and Market Square

Show the dogs of Knoxville just how much you love them! A parade followed by a party with prizes, vendors, and pets to go around.

May-August, and October

Concerts on the Square
www.KnoxvilleTN.gov/concerts
Market Square

865-215-4248
Satisfy that musical craving with an outdoor concert every Tuesday and Thursday evening. Experience new artists, new styles, and new songs while meeting your neighbors.

May-August

Jazz on the Square
www.KnoxvilleTN.gov/concerts
Market Square

865-215-4248
Get your foot tapping and savor some top-tier musicianship with this series of free jazz concerts at Market Square. The outdoor setting will make it memorable every time you attend.

July-August

Shakespeare on the Square
www.TennesseeStage.com
Market Square

This isn’t high school English class. Enjoy Shakespeare’s works as they were meant to be enjoyed, in the open air on a stage. Performed by the exceptional Tennessee Stage Company.

August

Asian Festival
www.knoxasianfestival.com
Market Square

Celebrate the diversity and richness of Asian cultures and traditions in an engaging way. You’re sure to learn something new and have fun doing it!

September

Hola Festival
www.HolaFestival.org
Several Locations in Downtown Knoxville

Hola Hora Latina brings us this festival, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a hands-on experience to teach visitors about Hispanic traditions and culture.

 

JUST OFF THE SQUARE AND AROUND GREATER KNOXVILLE

 

Alive After Five
www.KnoxArt.org
39 weeks per year
Knoxville Museum of Art

Bring that spice to your Friday night that only live music can provide. Local Knoxville artists help to keep the streets alive well into the evening.

January

Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration
www.MLKKnoxville.org
Throughout Knoxville

Remember the contributions and ideals of Martin Luther King Jr. with the annual parade, accompanied by other events to educate and promote tolerance.

February

Auto Show
www.KnoxAutoShow.com
Knoxville Convention Center 

If you can’t get enough of cars, you can’t miss this event. Local Knoxville dealers bring out the best they’ve got in new and stylish automobiles. Produced by the Knoxville News Sentinel.

March

Big Ears Festival
www.BigEarsFestival.com
Downtown Knoxville

A specialty arts festival that aims to bring together musicians, actors, filmmakers, photographers, and artists of all stripes, exploration connections between disciplines and genres like you’ve never seen.

Women Today Expo
www.WomenToday.com
Knoxville Convention Center

Discover products and services made just for women at the Women Today Expo. Produced by the Knoxville News Sentinel, the Expo is the largest gathering of products just for your feminine side in East Tennessee.

March-April

Tulip Time at Crescent Bend Festival
www.CrescentBend.com
Crescent Bend

See the unforgettable sight of more than twenty thousand tulips here in Knoxville and learn more about this unique and storied flower.

April

Dogwood Arts Celebration
www.DogwoodArts.com
Throughout Knoxville

An art festival focused squarely on East Tennessee culture, Dogwood Arts brings together artists of every discipline, as well as artists, chefs, and more, all displaying the beauty and creativity of our region./em>

Earthfest
www.Knox-EarthFest.org
World’s Fair Park 

Celebrate the environment and learn how you can do more to protect it with live entertainment, Earth-themed arts and crafts, and special exhibits and snacks you’ll love. Sponsored by the Solid Waste Office of Knoxville.

Outdoor KnoxFest
www.OutdoorKnoxville.com
Several Locations in Knoxville 

Spend three days packed wall-to-wall with activities for the adventurer in all of us. Outdoor recreational venues around the city will be hosting events to promote all of us to get a bit more time outside in the beautiful weather we’re afforded in East Tennessee.

Rhythm ‘n Blooms Fest
www.RhythmNBloomsFest.com
Throughout Knoxville

Celebrate the coming of Spring with a bit of music and a bit of gardening.

Rossini Festival Italian Street Fair
www.KnoxvilleOpera.com/rossini
Gay Streett

See Italian opera like you never have before. Food, drink, activities, and entertainment of all kinds will adorn three outdoor stages for a truly unique experience.

May

Biscuit Festival
www.BiscuitFest.com
Downtown Knoxville 

This event needs no introduction: the International Biscuit Festival has quickly achieved national prominence with celebrities, foods, events, and entertainment all centered around that wonderful Southern icon, the biscuit.

Tennessee Statehood Day
Blount Mansion, Crescent Bend, James White’s Fort, Mabry-Hazen House, Marble Springs and Ramsey House Plantation

Celebrate Tennessee’s birthday with crafts, demonstrations, and art depicting period pieces from Tennessee’s history.

June

Bark in the Park
www.HumaneSocietyTennessee.com
World’s Fair Park

Have fun with dogs and support their health and protection with this event put on by the Human Society of the Tennessee Valley. Thousands of dogs and their owners will have fun in the park with games, events, and treats galore.

Cherokee Heritage Festival
www.JamesWhiteFort.org
James White Fort

Learn something new and exciting as the Cherokee demonstrate traditional dancing, storytelling and crafts as well as exciting techniques like tomahawk throwing and blowgun shooting.

Kuumba Festival
www.KuumbaFestival.com
Chilhowee Park 

Kuuma is Swahili for “creativity,” and the showcases at this festival highlight art, dance, theater, food, games, and more from that culture.

Meadow Lark Music Festival
www.Ijams.org/signature-events/meadow-lark
Ijams Nature Center 

Experience heartwarming Americana music in the peaceful Ijams Nature Center.

PrideFest
www.KnoxvillePridefest.com
World’s Fair Park

Celebrate inclusion and tolerance with music, entertainment, and inspirational speakers.

Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Induction
www.WBHOF.com
Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame u0026amp; Bijou Theatre

Celebrate the sport’s best with autograph sessions, auctions, and dinner as a leadup to the induction ceremony of this year’s Hall of Fame entrants.

July

Festival on the 4th
www.KnoxvilleTN.gov/4th
World’s Fair Park
865-215-4248 

An American classic celebration with Knoxville flair. The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and a stunning fireworks show highlight a day of games, food, and fun.

August

Davy Crockett’s Birthday Party
www.EastTNHistory.org
East Tennessee Historical Society 

That old American folk hero is celebrated in an event for families and kids of all ages. Hands-on events are the name of the game, along with storytelling and — what else? — birthday cake.

East Tennessee History Fair
www.EastTNHistory.org
East Tennessee History Center and Downtown Knoxville 


Downtown Knoxville’s rich history is told with music, crafts, tours, and free admission to historical sites.

September

Greek Fest
GreekfestTN.wordpress.com
St. George Greek Orthodox Church

Join Knoxville’s Greek residents to experience live music, folk dancing, authentic Greek cuisine, and even a special shop with imported items for a truly unique experience.

John Sevier Days
www.MarbleSprings.net
Marble Springs State Historic Site

This living history weekend will feature demonstrations of late 18th and early 19th-century life.
Period fans rejoice with John Sevier Days, a special historic weekend featuring how life was like back in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Tennessee Valley Fair
www.TNValleyFair.org
Chilhowee Park 

A good slice of old Tennessee life with livestock contests, tractor pulls, and of course more food, music, and rides than you can shake a stick at.

October

Brewer’s Jam
www.KnoxvilleBrewersJam.com
World’s Fair Park

Get a taste of craft beers you’ve never had before as regional brewers show off samples of their works to accompany entertainers and, of course, fantastic food to pair it with.

Tennessee Fall Homecoming
www.MuseumOfAppalachia.com
Museum of Appalachia

Appalachian life is thrust to the forefront as country and bluegrass musicians join craftspeople and pioneer enthusiasts in recreating the rural mountain life they all love.

November

Fantasy of Trees
www.fantasyoftrees.org
Knoxville Convention Center

Get in that holiday mood by touring the events, decorations, and lights in the convention center, along with many activities for the little ones and shops for the grownups

Foothills Craft Guild Fall Show
www.FoothillsCraftGuild.org
Jacob Building at Chilhowee Park

The finest artisans of our region gather together for the Foothills Craft Guild Fall Show. Over one hundred booths mean you’ll be hard pressed to see it all!

November through December

Christmas in the City
www.KnoxvilleTN.gov/christmas
Throughout Knoxville
865-215-4248

A two-month-long event featuring lights, a Christmas parade, and other events full of holiday cheer throughout the city.

December

Nativity Pageant of Knoxville
www.knoxvillenativity.com
Knoxville Civic Coliseum 

Remember the reason for the season with a classic nativity pageant. Features over 90 actors, realistic sets, authentic costumes, and even life animals to truly bring the oldest Christmas story to life like never before.

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