KNOXVILLE, TN (November 6, 2024) – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Visit Knoxville is pleased to announce the return of community favorite Tour de Lights in partnership with Bike Walk Knoxville, taking place December 14, 2024. This free family-friendly event will feature the annual holiday bike ride along with a Holiday Market & Expo at Mary Costa Plaza at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum. The ride begins at 5:30pm, inviting participants of all ages to embrace the holiday spirit by decorating themselves and their bikes in creative, festive themes.

The Holiday Market & Expo returns again this year to add to the festive atmosphere, taking place from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. Attendees can enjoy holiday treats from local vendors, such as marshmallow roasting, hot chocolate and beer for purchase, and food trucks including Alebrijes Mexican Cuisine, Ronchini’s Paninis, and Your Sugar Therapy. Tour de Lights will also include a costume contest, a special visit from Santa at Peppermint Village, and much more.

Participants must register separately for the Tour de Lights Ride and the Costume Contest. Both registrations can be found on our event website at tourdelightsknox.com. Registering for the ride offers the chance to win a mountain bike courtesy of the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club.

Register for Tour de Lights here: tourdelightsknox.com

“We found great success hosting Tour de Lights at Mary Costa Plaza last year, and we’re looking forward to this year’s event,” said Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville. “This location and route allow us to provide an excellent experience pre and post-ride – the perfect place for this annual holiday favorite.”

“We’re excited to continue our partnership with Visit Knoxville to host Tour de Lights,” said Lindsey Kimble, Executive Director of Bike Walk Knoxville. “This iconic event is beloved by so many in Knoxville and beyond, and our efforts are rewarded year after year with the joy that it brings.”

Schedule of Events

3:30pm - 7:30pm - Holiday Market & Expo and Peppermint Village
3:30pm - 6pm - Appearance & Photos with Santa at Peppermint Village (Nominal Fee for photo)
4:15pm - Costume Contest Judging**
5:30pm - 
Ride Starts*
5:45pm - 7:00pm - 
Stage Performances
7:15pm - Appalachian Mountain Bike Club (AMBC) Mountain Bike Drawing*
7:20pm - 
Costume Contest Winners Announced**

*Ride & AMBC Mountain Bike Contest: Must register for the bike ride for a chance to win a new mountain bike in the AMBC drawing.  Each registration (whether individual or group) counts as ONE entry, and duplicate entries will not be accepted. Must be present at 7:15pm for the drawing.

**Costume Contest: Participants will be judged on their creativity for a chance to win prizes from local businesses. Please note that registration for the contest is separate from the ride registration and does not enter participants for the AMBC mountain bike drawing. Must be present at 7:20pm for the announcement.

2024 Costume Contest Categories:
Most Creative Bike
Best Themed Group (2-6 participants)
Most Festive Helmet 

Contest Rules:
Check-in by 4:00pm behind the stage at Mary Costa Plaza (MUST be in costume upon check-in).
Costume judging begins at 4:15pm (Categories will be judged one at a time).
Ride begins at 5:30pm. 
Winners will be announced after the ride on the stage. You must be present to win.
No onsite registrations will be accepted for the Costume Contest.
Pre-registration is required.

Safety Information
It is the goal of Visit Knoxville and Bike Walk Knoxville for everyone to be safe and have fun while participating in the Tour de Lights bike ride. There are some challenges that go along with riding with over a thousand other bicyclists. Please check out safety tips here.

Road Closures and Parking Information
Tour de Lights participants are recommended to park in the A, B, or C garages at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum. Please note there are other events taking place around this time – the Nativity Pageant of Knoxville at 3pm at the Coliseum, and the Oak Ridge Academy of Dance Holiday Spectacular at 7pm at the Auditorium, so plan accordingly.

Closure on Eastbound Howard Baker Jr. Drive at Hall of Fame Drive to Hill Avenue starting at 4pm. Attendees can park in the A and B garages by entering westbound Howard Baker Jr. Drive at Hill Avenue, or park in the C garage by Historic Preservation Drive. Parking in these garages will be $5.

More information can be found here: https://www.visitknoxville.com/tour-de-lights/

Additional FAQs can be found here: https://www.bwknox.org/tdlfaq

Media: Click here for route map.

ABOUT VISIT KNOXVILLE
Visit Knoxville (Knoxville Convention and Visitors Bureau) is the official CVB for the City of Knoxville and Knox County. Visit Knoxville is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, private company that works together with the community, business leaders and local and state government to further develop Knoxville as a premier leisure, meetings and travel destination. Tourism is the second highest grossing industry in the state of Tennessee. Knoxville/Knox County annually produces over $1 billion in travel spending. For more information, visit visitknoxville.com and follow on FacebookInstagram, and Twitter.

ABOUT BIKE WALK KNOXVILLE
Bike Walk Knoxville works to make the Knoxville region a better place to bike and walk for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving as the active transportation subject matter expert to the Knoxville region. Our signature annual events include Tour de Lights and Open Streets Knoxville. To learn more, visit bwknox.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Kristen Combs
Director of Communications
Visit Knoxville
865.306.4341
kcombs@knoxville.org