With the air turning cooler, it's not too soon to think about Christmastime and the popular events that surround the City of Knoxville's Christmas in the City annual celebration.
There will be parades, ice skating, window-decorating contests and more, with festivities beginning on November 1st and continuing through New Year's Eve.
To view events that will be held throughout Knoxville during Christmas in the City, please visit www.knoxvilletn.gov/christmas.
Here are the major City sponsored events:
REGAL CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS - NOV. 23
The Regal Celebration of Lights, presented by Regal Entertainment Corporation, kicks off festivities for Christmas in the City. The lighting of the 38-foot-tall Christmas tree will take place at 6:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23rd, in Krutch Park Extension. Free activities include pictures with Santa Claus, face painting, balloon art and marshmallow roasting.
In addition, the City is asking dozens of businesses and organizations to turn on hundreds of brightly-lit rooftop Christmas trees through its "Up on the Rooftops" program. The trees adorn buildings downtown and across the city and will also be lighted at 6:15 p.m. "Up on the Rooftops" began in 1995 with 11 trees and has grown to include more than 400.
Prior to the lighting of the Christmas tree, the WDVX Ho-Ho-Hoedown will begin on Market Square at 5 p.m. There will be performances by Freddy Smith and his Christmas Chicken, Figgy Pudding Bottom Boys & Girls, Step Above Dance School, and King Super & the Excellents!
KNOXVILLE'S HOLIDAYS ON ICE - NOV 23 TO JAN 6
Knoxville's Holidays on Ice, presented by Home Federal Bank, opens at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, and will remain open, rain or shine, through Jan. 6, 2013. It will be closed Christmas Day. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for children, 12 years old and younger, and includes skate rental. For more information about hours and rates please visit
www.knoxvillesholidaysonice.com.
COMCAST CHRISTMAS AT CHILHOWEE PARK - NOV. 30
On Friday, Nov. 30 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., visit Comcast Christmas at Chilhowee Park to view a winter wonderland and see a forest of lighted trees floating on the lake. Come and listen to performances from Knox County Schools Arts Department, take free pictures with Santa Claus, and enjoy hot cocoa, face painting, and marshmallow roasting for children of all ages. Feel free to take a nightly self-guided tour through the park from Nov. 1 through Jan. 1.
WIVK / MCGHEE TYSON AIRPORT CHRISTMAS PARADE - DEC 7
On Friday, Dec. 7th, the WIVK and McGhee Tyson Airport Christmas Parade will run through the streets of downtown Knoxville beginning at 7 p.m. One of Knoxville's favorite Christmas activities, the parade will consist of decorated vehicles and floats, marching bands and dancers and a special appearance from Santa Claus himself.
WINDOW DECORATING CONTEST
New to the Christmas in the City celebration, the city will be hosting a window-decorating contest for downtown businesses to coincide with this year's theme of "A Knoxville Christmas Carol." Downtown businesses will have decorated window displays that the public will vote on from Nov. 23 - Dec. 14. Voting will take place on the City of Knoxville's Office of Special Events Facebook page. Those who are interested can view the participating businesses in a flier that will be distributed throughout downtown. The window decorating contest winners will be announced on WATE, Channel 6, on Dec. 14.
COMMEMORATIVE CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY ORNAMENT
For the first time during the celebration's history, there will be a commemorative Christmas in the City ornament. This limited edition souvenir will be available at Tea & Treasures, located on Martin Mill Pike in South Knoxville. The ornaments portray downtown Knoxville during the holiday season.