It’s the most wonderful time of the year, after football season…and after dogwood season…and…well anytime is a wonderful time in Knoxville but we admit the winter holiday season is particularly delightful. We’ve rounded up our favorite activities to enjoy your favorite traditions and make new memories along the way!
Smoky Night Lights at Zoo Knoxville
Smoky Night Lights is Zoo Knoxville’s brand-new 360° immersive music and light show celebrating the spirit of the Smoky Mountains. Created by the internationally acclaimed multimedia studio Moment Factory, this after-dark experience transforms the zoo into a glowing amphitheater where light, music, and nature come together in four captivating chapters — Awakening, Abundance, Harmony, and Mystery. From the hush of a Smoky Mountain dawn to the shimmer of a starlit night, guests will encounter the region’s wildlife, radiant landscapes, and a luminous sun display — all powered by original music inspired by Smoky Mountain culture. Smoky Night Lights invites guests of all ages to connect with the Smokies in a bold new light, sparking unforgettable memories. Reserve your tickets and find out more at zooknoxville.org/smokynightlights
- General Admission: $29.95
- Member Pricing: $24.95
- Group Pricing (Purchase of 15 or more tickets): $24.95
- Children 2 & Under: Admission is free.
November 7, 2025-March 15, 2026
The Retropolitan Craft Fair Holiday Market
The Retropolitan Craft Fair is a hand selected indie-craft marketplace featuring the South East’s finest talents in contemporary craft and design while also incorporating upcycled goods with a funky, vintage inspired, and fabulously quirky vibe. Shop til you drop at the Mill & Mine on November 23 from 11AM-6PM.
Countdown to Light the Park will take place Monday, Nov. 24, 5:30-7 p.m. at Founders Park at Campbell Station to kick off the holiday season with the Town of Farragut at this beloved event! Free live entertainment and refreshments will be offered as we wait for Founders Park to be lit up with Christmas cheer.
From 7-10PM nightly from Nov. 24 through Jan. 2, thousands of holiday lights will twinkle along Campbell Station Road from the I-40 commuter lot to Mayor Ralph McGill Plaza at the Campbell Station Inn as part of the Town’s Light the Park event. As always, kids can drop letters to Santa in the big mailbox at Founders Park at Campbell Station. There will be daily giveaways, food trucks and caroling from local organizations.
There will also be a skating rink to add to Farragut's holiday activities! It's a synthetic rink with an ice-like feel (special skates required)! Join the fun November 22 - January 3, 4-8pm on Tuesdays-Thursdays and 1-8PM on Fridays-Sundays (except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve). Food trucks will be on site Friday-Sunday from 4-8pm. $5 for 45 minutes of skating time. Campbell Station Inn at 11409 Kingston Pike. (Corner of Campbell Station Road and Kingston Pike)
Fantasy of Trees
This year marks the 41st anniversary of Fantasy of Trees! Wander through a forest of hundreds of beautifully decorated trees at the Knoxville Convention Center. Shop for holiday accessories and visit with Santa at this long-running annual event benefitting East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, taking place November 26-30.
Join us as we kick off the holiday season in Downtown Knoxville on November 28!
Music with Jingle 5 starts at 5:15pm in Krutch Park Extension, followed by the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6pm. Music will continue on Market Square Stage at 6:30-9pm. After the tree lighting, enjoy activities for all ages, free pictures with Santa Claus, free hot cocoa, and more!
Elf on the Shelf® Adventure Scavenger Hunt
The Elf on the Shelf® is a cherished Christmas tradition celebrated in households around the world. This November, for a tenth straight year, Santa will send some of these magical Scout Elves from the North Pole to Knoxville, Tennessee to be adopted by over two dozen downtown Knoxville businesses. Families are invited to explore downtown and find where these little Scout Elves have landed each night for a fun-filled holiday scavenger hunt.
Scout Elves will land in Knoxville to begin the scavenger hunt on Friday, November 28. To help guide them through the adventure, children of all ages are invited to pick up a North Pole Pass at the Knoxville Visitors Center or Mast General Store. The pass includes a list of the elves’ locations and details on the fun-filled holiday experience. As a special treat, Santa has granted permission for these Knoxville Scout Elves to remain in Knoxville until Sunday, January 4.
The 2025 event is again sponsored by Mast General Store (the Downtown Knoxville Santa-Approved Scout Elf Adoption Center), the Downtown Knoxville Alliance and Visit Knoxville. Find information about the scavenger hunt and participating merchants, pick up a North Pole Passport at either Visit Knoxville or Mast General Store. Don’t forget to share your elf sightings on social media using #elvesinknox!
Enjoy the 42-foot Christmas tree on Gay Street, decorated storefronts, and murals galore as you explore the Peppermint Trail!
Follow the trail of peppermints on the sidewalks of Downtown Knoxville to discover all sorts of treats featuring the favorite red-and-white candy. From candy cane coffees at morning brunch to craft cocktails sipped by candlelight, you’ll find peppermint treats round almost every corner – along with plenty of gingerbread, cinnamon, cranberry, apple spice, and other holiday flavors. Plus, boutiques and gift shops feature peppermint-themed t-shirts, scented soaps, candles, and all kinds of holiday surprises. Enjoy from November 28-January 4. Post photos of your favorites at #knoxpeppermint on Instagram!
Holidays on Ice
Whether with family, friends or on a date you'll love skating in the heart of Downtown Knoxville in Market Square!
Holidays on Ice presented by Home Federal Bank is a great way to make memories that will last long after the holidays are over. Enjoy skating under the stars and twinkling lights while listening to music every night. There may even be a panda sighting by our Holidays on Ice Mascot, 'Peppermint Panda'!
Rink is open November 28-January 4, weather permitting. Full details of dates, hours, pricing at link in header above.
Old City Holiday Market
The Old City Market transforms the 100 block of West Jackson Avenue into a curated, outdoor market showcasing artists, crafters, and creative makers. Enjoy their holiday market on Small Business Saturday (November 29) from 11AM-4PM. Plus enjoy restaurants, coffee shops, and a fun day in the Old City!
Lakeshore Holiday Lights
Lakeshore Park will be shining bright this holiday season. Trees throughout the park will be lit through sponsorships. Drive through November 30 until January 1.
Festival of Lights at the Cove
The Cove at Concord Park in Farragut will be lit with animated holiday-themed light features and characters. Enjoy hot chocolate as you stroll through the greenway path at this west Knoxville annual favorite from December 1-31, excluding Christmas Day.
During the Festival, The Cove’s three-quarter-mile greenway trail is illuminated by a sparkling light display coordinated to music. The Knox County Parks and Recreation Department staff does all the decorating, which includes placing displays and thousands of lights. An onsite vendor—found inside the River Sports Outfitters facility—will have hot drinks available for purchase most nights. The Cove has several fire pits available for guests to warm up or roast s’mores. Pets on leashes are welcome.
WIVK Christmas Parade
Everyone loves a parade, and this fun-filled evening of bands, dancers, lighted floats, characters, and Santa Claus is no exception! The 52nd annual parade takes place on Gay Street on Friday December 5 at 7PM, and is quite the two-fer as December’s First Friday happens to be on this day, so be prepared for a jam-packed night of art and holiday spirit!
The parade will be stepping off from Main & Gay Streets at 6:45PM, and will go down Gay Street to Jackson Ave, turning right, finishing at Jackson and Kentucky.
Knoxville Smokies Holiday Light at Covenant Health Park
The Knoxville Smokies are excited to host the Smokies Winter Wonderland Light Show at Covenant Health Park, presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union. The ballpark will be decked out in festive lights and unique displays all winter long from December 5th through January 5th from 7-10pm (except Christmas Day and New Years Eve). Attendees can walk through the displays and light show being fully immersed in the environment both on the field and all throughout the concourse. We can't wait to bring this pinnacle holiday event of family fun to Downtown Knoxville! Christmas parties can be booked in our ORNL FCU Luxury Club in conjunction with the Smokies Winter Wonderland Light Show as well!
Santa at the Sunsphere
Come see Santa at the Sunsphere December 5th-7th! Visit Knoxville will be hosting photo reservations with Santa on the 4th Floor Observation Deck—reservations must be made in advance. Photo packages range from $50-$65.
Christmas at Chilhowee Presented by Xfinity
A free holiday event on November 21 from 6-9PM in Chilhowee Park with a tree lighting in the bandstand followed by free activities, free photos with Santa, crafts and a holiday 'Touch-A-Truck' where kids will be able to see decorated construction vehicles, firetrucks and police cars up close. Also enjoy a free hayride around the park to look at the lights!
The Winter Farmers Market is an open-air, producer-only farmers market managed by Nourish Knoxville and held on Saturdays 10AM-2PM, December through March in the heart of downtown Knoxville.
Everything at the Winter Farmers Market is grown, raised, and/or made by our vendors within a 150-mile radius of Knoxville, TN. Products vary by season and include fresh fruits & vegetables, eggs, honey, pasture-raised meats, edible & ornamental plants, cut flowers, bread & baked goods, jams & jellies, coffee, artisan crafts, and more!
NO MARKET on Saturday 12/27/25, 1/3/26, and 1/10/26.
Tour de Lights presented by Visit Knoxville and Bike Walk Knoxville
Tour de Lights is a fun, free, family friendly holiday bike ride on Saturday, December 13 starting at 5:30PM! Participants are encouraged to get in the holiday spirit by decorating themselves and their bikes. The event engages neighborhoods and businesses, along with others who come out to view the festivities. The ride will start and end at Mary Costa Plaza.
Registration is free and enters participants to win a grand prize!
Schedule of Events
- 3:30pm – 7:30pm Holiday Market
- 4:15pm Costume Contest Judging (separate registration)
- 5:30pm Ride Starts
- 5:45pm – 7pm Stage Performances
- 7:15pm Grand Prize Drawing (Must be registered & present to win!)
- 7:20pm Costume Contest Winners Announced (Must be registered & present to win!)
New Years Eve at the Sunsphere
Bring in 2026 with your friends and family at World's Fair Park with food trucks, free activities including a silent disco at 9:00pm, live music Liquid Velvet on the main stage starting at 9pm, with the Ball drop from the Sunsphere and fireworks at midnight. Plan an evening enjoying the lights and restaurants in Downtown Knoxville, ice skating at Holidays on Ice will be open until 9pm and then take the short walk over to World's Fair Park to continue your evening celebrating the start of a new year!
This is a rain-or-shine event. Please feel free to bring chairs; however tents and canopies are not allowed. This is an alcohol free family friendly event.
All Christmas in the City events and updates are posted on the City of Knoxville’s website.
An updated list of county-wide holiday events including, Christmas at Cherokee Caverns, a Candlelight Christmas at the Museum of Appalachia, historic home tours, all kinds of holiday themed performances, and MORE can be found here.
