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? Tuesday, July 4 (5pm-10pm, fireworks at 9:35pm) 
Where? World’s Fair Park 
How Much? Free 

City of Knoxville 4th of July Logo

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.

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  Mikki Norwood Band.

The musical finale will be performed, starting at 8 p.m., by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. They will present the 39th 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 at World's Fair & Blackstock Parking Lots, 11th Street, Locust Street, Walnut Street, State Street & Market Square Garages and ADA Parking will be available at 11th Street Garage.

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? Tuesday, July 4 (10am SHARP-11:30am) 
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? Tuesday, July4 (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 Tuesday, 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).

​This year's grand marshals is Farragut High  School football coach Eddie Courteney.

​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.

Independence Day Celebration and Anvil Shoot 

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Independence Day Celebration and Anvil Shoot 

When? Tuesday, 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.

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.

Anvil shoots will occur at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm.

 

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? Tuesday, 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 from Dia De Foods and The Spiffy Spud.

  • Enjoy ice cream, floats, milkshakes, and other goodies from Bubbles and Cream.

  • Quench your thirst with beverages from Xül Beer Co. and other local breweries.

  • LIVE MUSIC (band TBA) 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.

We'll also have several activities for kids and the young at heart including:

  • Face Painting by Mizz Mandala will be back to create artwork on faces!

  • Purchase tickets to join in a cake walk and possibly take home a delicious dessert from a local bakery!

  • watermelon seed spitting

  • tug-of-war

  • sack races

  • three-legged races

  • bocce

  • croquet

  • corn hole

  • ... and MORE!

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? Tuesday, 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.

*We will not be able to see the fireworks from the boat.*

______

**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? Tuesday, July 4 (7:00pm)
Where? Tennessee Riverboat 
How Much? $67.75 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? Tuesday, July 4 7:00-10:00pm
Where? Sunsphere Events (6th & 8th Floors)
How Much? $95

 

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 or 8th floor of Knoxville's gold disco ball in the sky to take in the city's fireworks show.

Sunsphere Events and Rosa's Catering invite you to our 2Sunsphere Events and Rosa's Catering invite you to our 2nd Annual July 4th Celebration from our 6th and 8th floors . Price of ticket includes food, drink, music, fireworks viewing , AC and CLEAN restrooms! Limited tickets available and last year's event sold out . Get your tickets now and add us to your calendar! nd Annual July 4th Celebration from our 6th and 8th floors . Price of ticket includes food, drink, music, fireworks viewing , AC and CLEAN restrooms! Limited tickets available and last year's event sold out . Get your tickets now and add us to your calendar! 

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, and this time he'll be joined by the John T. O’Connor Singing Seniors! This talented group has been singing together for over 44 years. 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 from 9-5 on July 1, 12-4 on July 2, 8:30-5 on July 3, and 9-3 on July 4. 

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

Submit your Knoxville event to our event calendar, and don’t forget to download the Visit Knoxville app to see fun things to do on the go. 

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Independence Day! 

Visit Knoxville Logo New Green

Knoxville Visitors Center goods (apron, local products)