Every year it seems we say amongst ourselves, what is there to do and where can we see fireworks?  Some have an annual routine and others like to switch it up.  Today’s post is going to recap Knoxville’s offerings so you can have a game plan! 

  1. Festival on the 4th   ***Fireworks***
  2. 4th of July Celebration at James White's Fort
  3. Town of Farragut Independence Day Parade 
  4. Independence Day Celebration and Anvil Shoot 
  5. Fourth of July on Mabry's Hill 
  6. 4th of July Dinner Cruise on the Volunteer Princess
  7. Independence Day Cruises on the Tennessee Riverboat
  8. Sunsphere Events - 4th of July Celebration
  9. Mighty Musical Monday at the Tennessee Theatre
  10. Other Events & Visitor Center Hours

Festival on the 4th   ***Fireworks***

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Celebration on the 4th   ***Fireworks*** 

When? Thursday, July 4 (5pm-10pm, fireworks at 9:45pm) 
Where? World’s Fair Park 
How Much? Free 

City of Knoxville 4th of July Logo

Festival on the 4th is a free, family-friendly event including activities like water wars, axe-throwing, mini-golf games and paddle boats. Food vendors will be located on both lawns.

The free festival begins at 5 p.m. and ends at approximately 10 p.m. at the conclusion of the fireworks display. This event is RAIN OR SHINE.

Festival Lawn stage
Knox Vegas DJs. 5-6 p.m.
Bary Jolly. 6-7:45 p.m. 

Performance Lawn stage
Mike Snodgrass Band, 6-7:45 p.m.

Tennessee Amphitheater
Knoxville Symphony Orchestra's 40th Annual Free Lawson Family Foundation Independence Day Concert, 8 p.m. 

Fireworks launch from the Henley Bridge at approximately 9:45 p.m.
 

FREE CONCERT - no ticket required!
FREE PARKING at World's Fair & Blackstock Parking Lots, 11th Street, Locust Street, Walnut Street, State Street & Market Square Garages and ADA Parking will be available.
NO PETS - NO ALCOHOL
NO PERSONAL TENTS / TENT CANOPIES
RAIN OR SHINE

4th of July Celebration at James White's Fort

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Sons of the Revolution at James White's Fort shooting guns in the air

4th of July Celebration 

When? Thursday, July 4 (10am-11am) 
Where? James White’s Fort 
How Much? Free 

 

The Knoxville Chapters of the Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution and Children of the Revolution honor the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

 

Town of Farragut Independence Day Parade 

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Little girl with a red, white and blue cowboy hat waving to the crowd at the Farragut parade

Town of Farragut Independence Day Parade 

When? Thursday, July 4 (9:30am)
Where? Starts at Kingston Pike at Stadium Drive
How Much? Free 

The Town of Farragut’s annual Independence Day Parade returns at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 4. The parade begins on Kingston Pike at Stadium Drive and continues to Boring Road, just east of Farragut Towne Square Shopping Center (former Ingles store site).

Due to the Independence Day Parade, Kingston Pike from Lendon Welch Way to Federal Boulevard will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to approximately noon on Tuesday, July 4. Options for parade detours are as follows: North side - Campbell Station Road to Grigsby Chapel Road to Smith Road to Kingston Pike (going west) or Campbell Station Road to Parkside Drive to Lovell Road (going east). South side - Concord Road to Turkey Creek Road to Virtue Road to Kingston Pike.

Also, S. Campbell Station Road from Kingston Pike to Brooklawn Boulevard and Municipal Center Drive will be closed from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. for the Farragut Freedom Run.

This year's Grand Marshals are Marianne McGill, Joyce Moran and Dot LaMarche.

 

Independence Day Celebration and Anvil Shoot 

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Independence Day Celebration and Anvil Shoot 

When? Thursday, July 4 (9am-3pm)
Where? Museum of Appalachia 
How Much? See website for ticket prices

Anvil shoot

While most Americans celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, the Museum of Appalachia marks the occasion with an old- fashioned “anvil shoot”. Every 4th of July, the Museum uses gunpowder to launch a 200-pound anvil hundreds of feet into the air! 

Anvil shoots were once a common way for pioneers to commemorate holidays, elections, and other special occasions. While the tradition of anvil-shooting is nearly obsolete, the Museum has made it a nearly 30-year tradition, striving to keep this piece of history alive for a 21st century audience. 


The anvil shoot is the centerpiece of an all-day celebration that includes a national bell-ringing ceremony, flag procession, live music, southern food, demonstrations from blacksmiths, beekeepers, dulcimer makers, spinners, weavers, rail splitters, and more. 

Event Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. with anvil shoots occurring throughout the day.

 

Fourth of July on Mabry's Hill 

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Exterior of the Mabry-Hazen House

Fourth of July on Mabry's Hill 

When? Thursday, July 4 (5:00pm-10pm)
Where? Mabry-Hazen House 
How Much? $5/children $15/adults 

Gather with us to celebrate Independence Day, the Declaration of Independence, and our community. Enjoy great views, good food and beer, live music, fun games, great company, and tours of the 1858 house museum. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and spread out on our 7 acres of greenspace near downtown and right off I-40!

Our event recalls the spirit of 19th century Independence Day celebrations when communities gathered for patriotic revelry and enjoyment. Overlooking downtown Knoxville to the west and the Great Smoky Mountains to south, historic Mabry's Hill enjoys a spectacular view of the fireworks presented by the City of Knoxville and revelers around the city and county. Take it easy with this laid-back celebration.

It is the perfect time to come chill on the hill!

  • Savor delicious local fare.

  • Quench your thirst with beer, kombucha, and more!

  • LIVE MUSIC (New Market Train Wrecks) for attendees to groove to and enjoy.

  • The historic house museum will be open for self-guided tours.

  • A reading of the Declaration of Independence and document about the unfinished revolutions of the United States.

Schedule of activities:

  • 5:00pm — Food Trucks & Bar Open (back parking lot)

  • 6:00 - 7:45pm — Live Music (gazebo)

  • 6:15pm — House Tour

  • 6:30pm — Three-legged Race

  • 7:00pm — Seed Spitting Contest

  • 7:30pm — Sack Race

  • 8:15pm — Cake Walk

  • 8:45pm — Reading of the Declaration of Independence

  • 9:30ish — Fireworks Fired Around City

Tickets for adults (16+) are $15 and include one drink ticket for the event bar. Adult beverages will be served to ages 21+ only.

Tickets for children (ages 5-15) are $5, and children under 5 get in for free.

All proceeds benefit our educational and preservation missions!

Event will occur rain or shine.

 

4th of July Dinner Cruise on the Volunteer Princess

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Fourth of July Dinner Cruise 

When? Thursday, July 4 (6:30pm-9:00pm)
Where? Volunteer Princess 
How Much? $49.95/children $84.95/adults 

Volunteer Princess cruising in the water

Take a seat at your private table and enjoy an all-American four-course meal. Enjoy a two and a half hour cruise around Knoxville and celebrate America’s birthday. Visit our bar on the upper deck and grab a cocktail. Make your night extra special with a celebration package! We promise the most exciting Fourth of July cruise in Knoxville!

**What’s Included**
– 2.5 hour cruise around Knoxville
– Passed appetizers
– Four-course dinner
– Sparkling wine at boarding and more!

*Get it now for our special early bird price of $84.95!*

**Boarding:** 6:00 p.m. | **Cruising:** 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

*Dockside 9:00 pm – Fireworks end.*

We will do our best to position the boat for the best view of the fireworks. Guests are free to depart the boat and watch from the marina as well.

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**Dress Code:** Casual attire. We recommend bringing along a light jacket or wrap as it may get breezy on board.
**Weather Conditions:** Cruise sails rain or shine!
**Atmosphere:** It’s the Fourth of July! Friends, family, and celebrations!

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**Menu:**
– Crab Cakes
– Caesar Salad
– Beef Tenderloin and Shrimp Scampi
– Mashed Potatoes
– Seasonal Vegetables
– Cheesecake with Fruit Compote

 

Independence Day Cruises on the Tennessee Riverboat

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Tennessee Riverboat in the water

Independence Day Cruises 

When? Thursday, July 4 (7:00pm)
Where? Tennessee Riverboat 
How Much? $72.75 Adult 13 and up, $19.95 Child 3-12, Child under 3 free

 

Celebrate the Fourth of July with a special Independence Day Dinner Cruise on the Tennessee River followed by front row, dockside seats to the amazing Henley St. Bridge fireworks show!

What's included:

– River Cruise (7-9PM) - Fireworks (9-10P)
– Dinner (please check menu below)

Menu:  

BBQ Pork, Blackened Chicken, Baked Beans, Mac & Cheese, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Rolls & Butter, Apple Cobbler, non-alcoholic beverages

All Cruises require a minimum amount of passengers to set sail.

Sunsphere Events - 4th of July Celebration

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Sunsphere Events 4th of July

Sunsphere Events - 4th of July Celebration

When? Thursday, July 4 8:00-10:00pm
Where? Sunsphere Events (6th Floor)
How Much? $75

 

Sunsphere Events and Rosa's Catering, along with event sponsor, Loud Media,  invite you to Knoxville's  3rd Annual July 4th Celebration.  We are opening the 6th floor of Knoxville's most iconic  event venue, Sunsphere Events, to host the most memorable Summer 2024 event in East Tennessee. 

Price of ticket includes a PRIVATE VIEWING OF KNOXVILLE'S FIREWORKS SHOW, an evening of relaxed, out of the heat, plenty of food, drink and dessert, filled with music, July 4th celebrating . Rosa's Catering will be providing a buffet of Summer favorite foods, drinks, ice cream station and a cash bar . 

Mighty Musical Monday at the Tennessee Theatre

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Mighty Musical Monday

Mighty Musical Monday at the Tennessee Theatre

When? Monday, July 3 (12:00pm)
Where? Tennessee Theatre
How Much? Free

 

Join us at noon on Monday, July 3rd for a FREE concert you won't want to miss! Mighty Musical Monday is back with House Organist Freddie Brabson on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. Share with your friends and family - we hope to see you there!

Please note that we will not be providing lunch, but concessions will be available for purchase.

Other Events & Visitor Center Hours

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The Visit Knoxville Visitor Center will be open:

July 1st-3rd: 8:30-5

July 4th: 9-3

July 5th: 8:30-7 (First Friday)

Other events that are also taking place 4th of July weekend can be found here.   

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Independence Day!

Knoxville Visitors Center goods (apron, local products)