Tour de Lights 2025

Complimentary Bike Valet will be available again this year at Tour de Lights! Bike Valet will be located outside of Mary Costa Plaza off of Howard Baker Ave., and will offer secure and supervised bike storage so you can enjoy all the festivities!

What is Bike Valet? 

• A Bike Valet is essentially a coat check for bikes. Bike valets are unique because they feature a secure and efficient parking area where only staff can enter. No need to bring a bike lock!

How to use the Bike Valet: 

• Bring your bike to the Bike Valet station located outside of Mary Costa Plaza.
• Fill out a short form/waiver online (there will be a QR code located at the station. If you do not have a smartphone, there will be a tablet available for use!). This form will give you a corresponding number that will be referenced when you come back to pick up your bike. 
• Leave your bike at the Bike Valet. 
• Enjoy the holiday market and festivities!
• Pick up your bike from the Bike Valet using the number you received when you filled out the form. All bikes must be picked up by 7:30 PM. 

We encourage you to take advantage of this complimentary service in order to reduce bike congestion on the Plaza! Bike Valet will be available from 3:30 - 7:30 PM. 

Tour de Lights 2025 will follow the same route from our 2024 event. The ride will be approximately 5 miles roundtrip, beginning and ending in front of Mary Costa Plaza and the Knoxville Civic Auditorium & Coliseum. Riders will line up on the eastbound side of Howard Baker Jr. Ave. between the Knoxville Civic Coliseum and Hall of Fame Dr.

The route will explore East Knoxville, including the Parkridge neighborhood, as well as downtown Knoxville with a grand finale down Gay St. Make sure to come early and stay after to join in all the fun and support the local businesses at our Holiday Market!

We will begin staging riders at the start line at 5:00 pm. The ride will begin promptly at 5:30 pm. Late arrivals will not be able to join the ride. 

Click here for the interactive route map

This year's route includes portions of the following streets: Howard Baker Jr. Ave, E Hill Ave, Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, Bertrand St, E 5th Ave, Spruce St, Washington Ave, Winona St, E Magnolia Ave, Gay St, and Church Ave. 

Safety Tips

We want everyone to be safe and have fun while participating in the Tour de Lights bike ride! There are some challenges that go along with riding with over a thousand other bicyclists. Please check out the safety tips below:

• Wear a helmet! Not only is this for your safety, but you’ll be serving as a good role model for the kids. Kids under age 16 are required to wear a helmet by law.  
• By law, your bike should be equipped with a front white headlight and red rear reflector or tail light.
• Make sure your bike is safe and in good working condition before the ride. We recommend taking your bike for a short test ride the week before the event. Make sure your tires have enough air!
• We want everyone to join in the festivities and dress up themselves and their bike! Please make sure your costume does not include loose items that could tangle in your bike (or someone else's) and create a safety hazard. 

When riding in a large group:

• Maintain a safe distance between yourself and the people around you, especially when going downhill.
• Faster bicyclists should pass on the left; slower bicyclists should stay to the right. Move all the way to the right and get off the road if you have to stop for any reason.
• Use hand signals when turning or stopping unexpectedly. Signal with your voice before passing — call out "on your right" or "on your left" if you are passing someone closely.
• Control your speed and slow down for congestion and hazardous conditions.
• Crashes can occur when inexperienced riders don’t have adequate bike-handling skills or when kids don’t pay attention to their surroundings (if you aren’t confident about your child’s handling skills/attention, consider bringing them in a tag-along/trail-a-bike or bike trailer). When kids swerve unexpectedly on a crowded street, it is dangerous for other bicyclists.
• Please make sure children stay with an adult. It will be dark and there are a lot of people, which makes it easy to get lost. Talk to your child ahead of time and make sure they understand that they need to stay with you.
• Remember to shift to lower gears as you approach a hill, not while you are climbing the hill.

 

Ride marshals: There will be volunteer ride marshals throughout the group to provide support. They will be identified by Bike Walk Knoxville reflective vests. Their job is to monitor safety and etiquette along the route – please listen if they ask you to follow the rules. There will also be some in the rear who ensure that no one is left behind or gets lost.

Road Closures and Parking Information
Tour de Lights participants are recommended to park in the A or B garages at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum. Parking in these garages will be $10, card only. Closure on Eastbound Howard Baker Jr. Drive at Hall of Fame Drive to Hill Avenue starting at 4pm. 
PLEASE NOTE: There are other events taking place around this time including the Nativity Pageant of Knoxville at 3pm at the Coliseum and the Oak Ridge Academy of Dance Holiday Spectacular at 7pm at the Auditorium, so plan accordingly.

What is Tour de Lights?
Tour de Lights is a signature holiday event presented by Visit Knoxville and Bike Walk Knoxville!

Prepare to immerse yourself in holiday joy with Tour de Lights, the fantastic, free, and family-friendly holiday bike ride presented by Visit Knoxville and Bike Walk Knoxville. Tour de Lights serves as a unifying celebration, engaging neighborhoods, local businesses, and the community, who gather to bask in the festive atmosphere. We encourage all participants to get into the holiday spirit by decorating themselves and their bikes.

How many years has Tour de Lights been taking place?
2025 marks the 19th year of Tour de Lights in Knoxville! 2019 was Bike Walk Knoxville's first time hosting the event in collaboration with Visit Knoxville. 

Do I need to register for the ride?
To be entered to win a full bike service package (cost of parts not included) from Two Bikes, be sure to register all riders in your group individually. Stay tuned for the registration link!

Is there a fee to participate in Tour de Lights?
Participating in the Tour de Lights ride is completely free! However, if you'd like to make a purchase from the local makers at the Holiday Market or indulge in some delicious offerings from food vendors, there will be a cost associated.

Do I need to dress up to participate?
No. Costumes and decorations are not required, but highly encouraged! If you plan to dress up, you can enter to win fun prizes through our costume contest!

To participate in the contest, you MUST register online by 3:15 PM Saturday, December 13th.

I don't ride fast — is this for me?
Tour de Lights is not a race or a competition. The ride has been thoughtfully crafted to accommodate participants of all ages and cycling skill levels, even those who are towing children in trailers. We will travel at an average speed below 8 mph, which is generally a comfortable pace for most casual riders and an easy pace for experienced cyclists. Should you find that you can’t keep up with the group, you can leave the ride at any time and join us back at Mary Costa Plaza for post-ride fun.

Is there a minimum age for the ride?
Your child's ability to participate depends on their proficiency with biking. Some 5-year-olds can easily handle the five-mile ride, while there are 10-year-olds who may struggle. If your child has never ridden on the street, or has never ridden five miles (on greenways, for example), this is not the time to try it. Make sure to review the route ahead of time, as it includes several hills. If you aren’t sure if this event is right for your child, try a practice ride of similar distance. We want everyone to be comfortable and have fun at Tour de Lights!

If your child doesn't have strong bike handling skills, they can participate in a trailer or on a tag-a-long/trail-a-bike. With over 1,000 people cycling together, crowded streets pose a safety risk when kids have difficulty controlling their bikes and might unexpectedly swerve. 

It cannot be stressed enough that children must be able to pay attention to those around them and follow instructions from their guardians, particularly in a crowded and dimly lit environment. Make sure your child knows the importance of staying close to you!

What time should I arrive?
We invite everyone to enjoy the Holiday Market at Mary Costa Plaza, beginning at 3:30 pm and featuring food, drinks, and holiday gifts! If you plan to join us only for the bike ride, we will begin lining up at the start line at 5:00 pm. Please be sure to allow enough time to find parking (if you are driving), unload your bike, put your gear and helmet on, and get to the staging area on Howard Baker, Jr. Ave before the ride begins promptly at 5:30 pm.

Where should I park? Tour de Lights participants are recommended to park in the A or B garages at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum. Parking in these garages will be $10, card only. 

I need a bike for the ride! Where can I rent one?
There are several places in Knoxville to rent bicycles! Check out this guide from Visit Knoxville and Legacy Parks for more information. 

Do I need to wear a helmet?
Children under age 16 are required to wear a helmet by law. We strongly encourage riders of all ages to wear helmets, for their own safety and to set a positive example for younger riders. 

Do I need a headlight?
By law, your bicycle must be fitted with a front white headlight and a red rear reflector/light to ensure safe riding in low-light conditions. It's important to note that Tour de Lights will conclude after sunset, making these lighting requirements especially vital for the event. 

What happens if it rains?
Come rain or shine, Tour de Lights is on! However, in the event of severe weather, please stay tuned for comprehensive updates. Our primary concern is to guarantee a safe environment for all participants to relish the ride.

What NOT to bring:

• No outside food and beverage
• Large backpacks (all bags are subject to search)
• Flammable or explosive items of any kind
• Glass bottles or containers

If you have additional questions, please contact Bike Walk Knoxville Executive Director at lindsey.kimble@bikewalktn.org.