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? Friday, 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 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
Matt Stillwell: 5:45pm-7:45pm

Performance Lawn stage
12Eleven Band: 6:00pm-7:45pm

Tennessee Amphitheater
Knoxville Symphony Orchestra's 41st Annual Free Lawson Family Foundation Independence Day Concert, 8 p.m. 

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

This is a  FREE CONCERT - no ticket required!

FREE ARKING 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

ROAD CLOSURES:
• World's Fair Park Drive between Clinch & Grande will be closed from 2pm-11pm
• Clinch Ave between Henley & 11th Street will be closed from 2pm-11pm
• Henley Street between Sevier Ave and Hill Ave will be closed from 4pm-Midnight
• Gay Street Bridge is still closed per TDOT
• Southbound travelers should utilize detours at Summit Hill Drive to Hill Avenue to James White Parkway, as well as Church Avenue to Howard Baker Drive to Hill Avenue to James White Parkway.
• Northbound travelers on Chapman Highway should take Moody Avenue to James White Parkway.

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? Friday, July 4 (10am-12pm) 
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? Friday, July 4 (9:30am-12pm)
Where? Starts at Kingston Pike at Stadium Drive to Boring Road
How Much? Free 

Join us at our annual Independence Day Parade! Enjoy floats, dancers, bands, antique cars and more!

The parade begins at the Farragut High School junior lot and proceeds down Lendon Welch Way. It continues to Boring Road, just east of Farragut Towne Square Shopping Center (former Ingles store site). 

FARRAGUT FREEDOM RUN

Also, please join us in our annual July 4th 1 & 2 Mile race brought to you by Fleet Feet Knoxville. Participants will race just ahead of the Town of Farragut's annual Independence Day Parade.

Monday, July 4, 2023. 9:00 AM. Farragut, TN 37934
Start Location: On S. Campbell Station in front of First Citizen Bank (100 S Campbell Station Rd, Farragut, TN 37934);
Course Description: Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome to enjoy a relatively flat/fast 1 and 2 mile course. Both courses are USATF* certified (1 Mile - TN16035MS, 2 Mile - TN16036MS).
 

Independence Day Celebration and Anvil Shoot 

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Independence Day Celebration and Anvil Shoot 

When? Frisday, July 4 (10am-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: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. with anvil shoots occurring at the top of every hour 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? Friday, July 4 (5:00pm-10pm)
Where? Mabry-Hazen House 
How Much? $5/children $15/adults 

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 beverages from local breweries and kombucha.

  • LIVE MUSIC for attendees to groove to and enjoy.

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

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

We recommend buying pre-sale tickets early, as the event sells out. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door starting at 5:00 PM on July 4th. Adult tickets at the door will cost $20.

Pre-sale Ticket Prices

General Admission (16+): $15.00

(Includes one drink ticket for the event bar. Adult beverages will be served to ages 21+ only)

Children aged 5-15: $5.00

children under age 5: FREE!

Members of Mabry-Hazen House: 2 tickets for $10.00 each

VIP Tickets: $65

Includes premier, reserved seats for the fireworks show, a VIP drink line, three (3) cake walk tickets, and three (3) drink tickets for the event bar. (Adult beverages will be served to age 21+ only).

Purchase Tickets

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? Friday, July 4 (6:30pm-9:00pm)
Where? Volunteer Princess 
How Much? $49.95/children $89.95/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!

**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.

______

**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!

______

**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? Friday, July 4 (7:00pm)
Where? Tennessee Riverboat 
How Much? $77.75 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? Friday, July 4 8:00-10:00pm
Where? Sunsphere Events (6th/8th Floor)
How Much? $75

 

Sunsphere Events and Rosa's Catering invite you to celebrate Independence Day in style at Knoxville's most iconic venue! Join us for a private viewing of the city's spectacular fireworks show. VIP tickets include a delicious buffet of summer favorites foods and drinks, an ice cream dessert station, and access to a cash bar. Dance the night away with music provided from our preferred DJ. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience! Limited tickets available, so get yours today!

You are invited to spend July 4th with us at our iconic Sunsphere. Enjoy the many Independence Day festivities on the World's Fair Park grounds during the day and then head on up to the 6th floor of Knoxville's gold disco ball in the sky to take in the city's fireworks show. Ticket price includes food and drinks, cash bar, DJ, private viewing of July 4th Fireworks, air conditioning, and clean restrooms.

Mighty Musical Monday at the Tennessee Theatre

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Mighty Musical Monday

Mighty Musical Monday at the Tennessee Theatre

When? Monday, July 7 (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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Visit Knoxville Visitor Center hours:

July 1st-3rd: 8:30-5 (normal hours)

July 4th: 9-3

July 5th: 9-5 (normal hours)

Sunsphere hours:

July 1st-3rd 10-5 (normal hours)

July 4th 9-3

July 5th 9-5 (normal hours)

Please note there are no First Friday events at either the Visitors Center or the Sunsphere on July 4th.

July 4th is also on First Friday of July this year, please note the ArtWalk in Downtown Knoxville has moved to July 11 due to the holiday festivities.

All other events taking place this weekend can be found here.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Independence Day!

Knoxville Visitors Center goods (apron, local products)