On Sunday, May 17, 2026, 2-6 pm, the Knoxville community is invited to walk, bike, jog, or dance their way through town at the 12th annual Open Streets Knoxville event.
For the first time in its history, Open Streets Knoxville will be held on historic Gay Street! The route will run from Summit Hill Drive to Hill Avenue and will be completely closed to motor-vehicle traffic, allowing revelers a day of playing, exercising, and socializing in the streets. The route will include the Gay Street Pedestrian Bridge, providing a valuable connection to South Knoxville that fully encompasses the Open Streets spirit: to connect.
Open Streets Knoxville, hosted by
Bike Walk Knoxville with support from the City of Knoxville, Downtown Knoxville Alliance, First Horizon Bank, as well as many other sponsors, aims to promote physical activity and strengthen community during this free, family- and pet-friendly event.
The international Open Streets initiative promotes healthy living, local businesses, and sustainable transportation in cities around the world. Open Streets events provide opportunities to reimagine our streets as public spaces for people of all ages and abilities to use. Past Open Streets Knoxville events have brought thousands of people to the streets!
“Gay Street is downtown’s vibrant, welcoming corridor, and I’m excited to partner with Bike Walk Knoxville to open it safely to pedestrians only for this event,” says Mayor Kincannon. “The Open Streets experience connects participants with our city in a way that’s refreshing and transformative, and bringing that energy to downtown’s historic thoroughfare will be a highlight of the spring.”
At Open Streets Knoxville, attendees of all ages and abilities can participate in activities provided by dozens of local businesses and organizations, play games, or peacefully stroll the streets while enjoying live music and street performers.
Activities can be anything, and this year we are ecstatic to have
Slippery Stairs, often featured on ESPN 8: The Ocho at Open Streets, being presented by Visit Knoxville!
Slippery Stairs is a fun, comedic game show competition where contestants attempt to climb a set of stairs covered in water, soap, or lubricant. The goal is to reach the top and ring a bell while enduring falling, sliding down, and sometimes being hit with more lubricant by others.
Food and drink will be for sale from food trucks and businesses located along the route. Strollers, scooters, skateboards, and bikes are welcome – just no cars! We encourage you to walk, bike, or take transit to Open Streets to be fully immersed in the event.
Gay Street between Summit Hill Drive and Hill Avenue will be temporarily closed to on-street parking and vehicular traffic from 12:30 pm to 7 pm on May 17.