Top Fourth of July Festivities in Knoxville

The Festival on the 4th delivers a wide variety of family fun including entertainment, activities and treats at the City of Knoxville's 4th of July celebration at the World's Fair Park.

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 on the 4th Throughout the day festival goers will be treated to good music, good food, good fun and good times on the Festival and Performance lawns of the World's Fair Park. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Festival Lawn will be filled with fun activities to please kids of all ages such as miniature golf with Holes to Go and Paddle Boats in the lake at World's Fair Park. Join us at 5 p.m. for some live music on the Festival Lawn with Jenna Rose and Vibraslaps at 6:00pm.

The musical finale will be performed, starting at 8 p.m., by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. They will present the 38th Annual FREE Pilot Flying J Independence Day Concert on the World's Fair Park's Performance Lawn. This is a FREE concert - no ticket required!

Fireworks start at 9:35 p.m.

FREE PARKING: World's Fair & Blackstock Parking Lots, 11th Street, Locust Street, Walnut Street, State Street & Market Square Garages - ADA Parking at11th Street Garage

NO PETS - NO ALCOHOL

NO PERSONAL TENTS / TENT CANOPIES

RAIN OR SHINE

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. 

Anvil shoots are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. 

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. 

Gather to celebrate Independence Day, the Declaration of Independence, and community. Enjoy great views, good food and beer, live music, fun games, great company and tours of the 1858 house. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and spread out on our 7 acres of greenspace near downtown and right off I-40. The day 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 around the city and county. Take it easy with this laid-back celebration. It is the perfect time to come chill on the hill! Take in the surrounding natural beauty and history while savoring food from food trucks and beer from a local brewery.  

There will be several activities for kids and the young at heart including sack races, watermelon seed spitting contests, three-legged races, bocce, croquet, corn hole, and much more. They will have a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Purchase tickets to join in a cake walk and possibly take home a delicious cake from a local bakery! Trotta Montgomery Realty Company will offer a cool treat for everyone with a pony and cart to hand out ice cream! And the historic house museum will open for self-guided tours. Click the link for schedule of activities.