First Friday Knoxville Logo

Knoxville First Friday

Knoxville is home to a diverse community of artists, arts organizations and cultural institutions. 20 years ago, the community came together on the First Friday of every month in downtown Knoxville. Over recent years, the celebration has extended throughout the city, encouraging people to venture out and enjoy great art and great company throughout all of Knoxville.

A growing number of galleries and venues throughout the city feature a variety of artists’ displays and live music. Downtown anchors include The Art Market, The Emporium and the downtown Visitors Center, home of the WDVX Blue Plate Special – all conveniently located on Gay Street. Stroll, sip and shop throughout the evening! Meander over to Market Square and the Old City for additional art, entertainment and dining options.

Support Knoxville’s local artists and enjoy a night on the town… at First Friday.

A variety of businesses, arts organizations, and galleries host artists and makers in their downtown spaces. If you are interested in exhibiting your work, visit Downtown Knoxville to view a list of venues that are actively looking to connect. 

First-Timer's Guide to First Friday Knoxville

Knoxville is a the perfect place for curious art enthusiasts, and at no time is that more evident than on First Friday.

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The University of Tennessee Downtown Gallery changes its exhibitions every month on the First Friday.
Market Square

Events

Support Knoxville’s local artists and enjoy a night on the town every first Friday of the month.  Enjoy a variety of events encompassing art, music, food, and fun. Watch Knoxville come alive for an enjoyable evening of creative art in all forms.

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Art Bicycles

FAQ

Q: When is First Friday? A: Knoxville First Friday happens year around on the First Friday of the month.

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The University of Tennessee Downtown Gallery changes its exhibitions every month on the First Friday.

Contact

Please reach out to us with any questions or comments about First Friday events or how to participate.  You can email Shera for more information. 

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Chalk walk

Transportation

There are so many ways to get around Knoxville on First Friday.  Downtown is conveniently located only 12 miles from the McGhee Tyson Airport and also offers FREE trolley rides around downtown and campus areas. You can also hop a ride on one of our KAT buses or see the sites downtown on one of our scooters.

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Downtown Knoxville Skyline at Night

Plan

Knoxville is exactly what people declare it to be: a hidden gem. First-time visitors are typically amazed by all the city has to offer. In this one, unique location, mountains meet music… art meets adventure… culture meets cuisine… and no one meets a stranger.

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FIRST FRIDAY DOWNTOWN

Featured Article

A bright, daylight photo of the Visit Knoxville building on a city street corner under a clear blue sky. The three-story building features a red-brick exterior and a prominent green-painted corner section with a large, vertical arched window. The words "VISIT KNOXVILLE" are displayed in large, white marquee-style letters across the green ground-floor facade, which also has several large arched windows. A black vintage-style street lamp stands on the sidewalk in front. In the background, a tall, white multi-story building rises to the left, and a lush green tree borders the street to the right. The entire building facade is uniformly lit with no visible shadows.

Knoxville Visitors Center

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Urban Wilderness

Far out adventure in the heart of it all. Over 50 miles of trails for every adventure just a few…

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301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902

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