Festivals

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The Knoxville area is home to many enjoyable festivals and events throughout the year. Listed below are a few to enjoy!

Alive After Five
www.KnoxArt.org
Knoxville Museum of Art
Music series to help Knoxvillians "come alive after five" in the Friday evenings.

Asian Festival
www.KnoxAsianFestival.com
August
World's Fair Park
This festival promotes diverse cultures and celebrates traditions and talents from the Asian continent.

Bark in the Park 
www.HumaneSocietyTennessee.com
Fall
Lakeshore Park
Fund-raiser for the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley, featuring thousands of dogs and their two-legged companions. 

Big Ears Festival
www.BigEarsFestival.com
March
Downtown Knoxville
Concert series that "explores connections between musicians and artists, crossing all musical genres while interfacing with film, performance and the visual arts."


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

Cherokee Heritage Festival
www.JamesWhiteFort.org
June
James White Fort
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. 

Christmas in the City 
www.KnoxvilleTN.gov/christmas
November through December
Throughout Knoxville 
865-215-4248
Two-month celebration featuring Celebration of Lights, Christmas at Chilhowee Park and WIVK Christmas Parade

Concerts on the Square
www.KnoxvilleTN.gov/concerts
May-August
Market Square
865-215-4248
Enjoy music outdoors at Market Square on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in this free concert series provided by the City of Knoxville.

Country Market Days
www.RamseyHouse.org
September
Ramsey House Plantation
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!

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

Dogwood Arts Celebration
www.DogwoodArts.com
April
Throughout Knoxville
Since 1961, Dogwood Arts has celebrated the natural and cultural beauty of East Tennessee by producing and featuring blooming gardens and trails, visual arts, music, crafts, theatre, culinary arts, dance, film, and literary arts.

Earthfest 
www.Knox-EarthFest.org
April
Botanical Gardens
Sponsored by the City of Knoxville's Waste and Resources Management, event features live entertainment, arts and crafts, environmental exhibits and food 

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

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

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

Festival on the 4th 
www.KnoxvilleTN.gov/4th
July 4
World's Fair Park 
865-215-4248 
An American celebration hosted by the City of Knoxville, complete with food, refreshments, a performance by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, games and, of course, fireworks. 

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

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

Hola Festival
holahoralatina.org/hola-festival
September
Several Locations in Downtown Knoxville
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.

Jazz on the Square
www.KnoxvilleTN.gov/concerts
May-August
Market Square
865-215-4248
Enjoy amazing jazz outdoors at Market Square in this free concert series

John Sevier Days
www.MarbleSprings.net
September
Marble Springs State Historic Site
This living history weekend will feature demonstrations of late 18th and early 19th-century life. 

Kuumba Festival
www.KuumbaFestival.com
June
Alex Haley Park
Named for the Swahili word that means "creativity," event showcases visual arts, folk arts, dance, theater, music, storytelling, games and food. 

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

Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration
www.MLKKnoxville.org
January
Throughout Knoxville
Celebration includes a parade and many events in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Nativity Pageant of Knoxville
www.KnoxvilleNativity.com
December
Knoxville Civic Coliseum 
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.

PrideFest
www.KnoxPride.com
June
Mary Costa Plaza
The Knoxville PrideFest is an open celebration of music, entertainment and speakers focused on promoting Equality and Inclusion of ALL people.

Rossini Festival Italian Street Fair 
www.KnoxvilleOpera.com/rossini
April
Downtown Knoxville
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. 

Secret City Festival
www.SecretCityFestival.com
June
Oak Ridge
The Secret City Festival celebrates 13 years of family fun, great entertainment, arts & crafts, and commemorates the incredible history of Oak Ridge.

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

Tennessee Fall Homecoming 
www.MuseumOfAppalachia.org
October
Museum of Appalachia
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.

Tennessee Statehood Day 
May
Blount MansionCrescent BendJames White's FortMabry-Hazen HouseMarble Springs and Ramsey House Plantation
Celebration of Tennessee's birthday, featuring period crafts and skills demonstrations and tours. 

Tennessee Valley Fair 
www.TNValleyFair.org
September
Chilhowee Park 
Exhibits, tractor pulls, livestock contests, music, food, rides and more! 

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

Vestival
www.CandoroMarble.org
May
Candoro Marble
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.

Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Induction 
www.WBHOF.com
June
Women's Basketball Hall of Fame & Bijou Theatre
The whole weekend includes autograph sessions, silent/live auctions, dinner, and induction ceremony at Bijou Theatre. 


The City of Knoxville is not responsible for content included on listed websites that are not on www.knoxvilletn.gov. Sites are listed above for information purposes. Please note that these lists are not complete and are provided to give the user a starting point in locating festivals in the Knoxville area.