In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Weather | Sunny with a High of 82

📰 Cool Cars Rally in the Valley Rolls into Hardin Valley

📰 Celebrate Trails, Community, and Adventure at AMBC Fall Festival

🗓️ Theater 23 Presents The Last Flight of the Electra at The Grove Theater

🗓️ Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics

🏆 September Giveaway - Whole-Home Carpet + Stairs DeepClean, by On the Spot Carpet Cleaning (Giveaway entry ends on 9/30)

🗓️ Upcoming Events 

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

✅ Advertising Opportunities
 

Celebrate Trails, Community, and Adventure at AMBC Fall Festival

The 16th annual AMBC Fall Festival, presented by Harper Auto Square, charges into Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness from October 31st through November 2nd at Baker Creek Preserve. This signature weekend brings together mountain bikers, outdoor lovers, and community advocates for a full slate of rides, live music, food, vendors, a silent auction, and more—all in support of trail building and outdoor access across the region.

More than just a festival, Fall Fest is AMBC’s largest annual fundraiser, with proceeds directly fueling trail maintenance, volunteer programs, and efforts to expand access to outdoor recreation. Attendees can camp onsite (bring your gear!), explore social rides across varying skill levels, take part in jump clinics, and enjoy the pump track under lights Friday night. Add to that a massive bike raffle, silent auction, and nightly live music, and the event offers something for trail riders, families, and casual visitors alike.

Whether you plan to ride, shop, listen, or just soak in the wilderness energy—this is the weekend East Tennessee’s outdoor community comes together. For the full schedule, vendor info, and ticketing, visit the official festival site. More Info

Cool Cars Rally in the Valley Rolls into Hardin Valley

Car lovers, mark your calendars! The Cool Cars Rally in the Valley returns to the Hardin Valley Event Center, 2620 Willow Point Way, on Sunday, October 5th, from 4:00–7:00 PM (gates open at 3:00). This exciting showcase will feature a wide range of stunning vehicles parked under the pavilion, with plenty of food, drinks, and family fun to enjoy.

Drivers can secure a guaranteed pavilion parking spot for $20 in advance at ticketsource.com/hvec, which also includes two raffle tickets. Day-of pavilion parking will also be available for $20, first come, first served (cash only). For everyone else, free parking will be available outside of the pavilion. Don’t miss the raffle drawings at 6:00 and 6:30 PM, with cash prizes up for grabs—additional tickets are just $10.

The rally will also feature local favorites Taco Mafia, Sippin’ Pretty Soda Shop, and The Casual Pint Northshore, serving up delicious eats and drinks while guests take in the cars and atmosphere. Whether you’re showcasing your ride or just love checking out cool cars, this event is a perfect Sunday outing for the whole community. More Info

Discover all upcoming events on our Community Events page

Upcoming Events:

Knoxville’s long-running celebration of Greek heritage returns this September with Greek Fest 2025, taking place September 26th–28th at St. George Greek Orthodox Church on Kingston Pike. On Friday and Saturday, festival hours are 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and the festivities wind down on Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. More Info 

Clarence Brown Theatre presents Sense and Sensibility, Kate Hamill’s witty, modern adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic. Running through Sunday, October 5th, the play follows the Dashwood sisters as they navigate love, loss, and social pressures, brought to life with humor and heart under director Casey Sams. More Info & Tickets

The 25th Annual HoLa Festival returns to World’s Fair Park on Sunday, September 28th from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Guests can enjoy live music and dance performances, authentic Latin cuisine, draft beer, artisan crafts, and the always-popular Parade of Nations. With heritage booths, children’s activities, and community resources, there’s something for all ages to explore and enjoy. More Info

Get ready for some friendly competition and flashing lights at the Sunday Funday Pinball Tournament, happening Sunday, September 28th at Pins & Pints Pinball Pub, 1336 E. Emory Road in Powell. The action kicks off at 4:30 PM and welcomes players of all ages and skill levels to test their pinball skills in a fun, relaxed setting.

Knoxville’s “other orchestra,” the Scruffy City Orchestra, returns this fall with Visions and Virtuosos, a special concert celebrating rising talent and rarely heard masterpieces. Under the baton of Dr. Ace Edewards, the performance takes place on Sunday, September 28th, at 5:00 PM at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (711 S. Northshore Drive). Admission is free, though donations are encouraged, and seating is limited—reserve your spot through Eventbrite at the Cathedral Concert Series site. More Info

The University of Tennessee Creative Writing Program welcomes acclaimed novelist Carter Sickels for a free public reading on Monday, September 29th at 7 p.m. in the Lindsay Young Auditorium of John C. Hodges Library. The event is part of the UT Creative Writing Series and invites the community to engage with one of today’s most compelling literary voices.

Fans of Taylor and lovers of lively nights, get ready to celebrate! Join Silent Disco Knox and Hi-Wire Brewing (2020 Barber Street) for a magical night of music and community at the Taylor Swift Silent Disco Album Release Party, happening Friday, October 3rd, at 8:00 PM. More Info

Knoxville’s favorite children’s consignment event is back! The Duck-Duck-Goose Fall/Winter Event returns October 1st–4th, at the Knoxville Expo Center (5441 Clinton Hwy), bringing a huge selection of gently used kids’ clothes, gear, toys, and more. The hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This year adds a fresh twist with Half-Price Friday and the fun Duck Dash Saturday sale.

24th Annual Clinch River Fall Antique Festival - on Saturday, October 4, from 9 AM to 5 PM. This beloved tradition transforms Clinton’s charming downtown into a bustling marketplace of antiques, artisans, live music, food trucks, and even classic cars.

Get ready to unleash your inner nostalgia! The Totally Rad Vintage Fest lands in Knoxville on Saturday, October 4th, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the World’s Fair Exhibition Hall. This retro-inspired festival brings together vintage fashion, arcade gaming, quirky relics, and so much more—all focused on 80s, 90s, and Y2K vibes. More Info

The Improvised Shakespeare Company is making a special stop at the Clayton Arts Center on Thursday, October 16th at 7:30pm, and you won’t want to miss it! This inventive troupe will perform an entirely unscripted show—creating Shakespeare-style scenes on the spot based on audience suggestions. Think “you tell us a setting, character trait, prop, or title, and we deliver a fully improvised ‘Shakespearean’ play.” The result is hilarious, unpredictable, and astonishingly theatrical. More Info

A Night Out with New Friends | Dinner with Strangers - Looking to expand your social circle and enjoy a memorable evening in great company? A Night Out with New Friends: Knoxville | Dinner with Strangers 2025 offers just that—a unique dining experience designed for mingling, connection, and making new friends over a delicious meal. These events turn the usual dinner out into something far more exciting and meaningful. More Info

Networking:

See Recurring Weekly & Monthly Networking Events

Bonfire Fridays with 2 Brothers Services. - Gather at 188 Hill Road in Knoxville on select Fridays—October 24th, November 21st, and December 19th—from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM for a night of laughter, conversation, and cozy fireside vibes. Families are encouraged to bring a snack, a drink, and a chair, and settle in for an evening where kids can play while adults network in a laid-back, welcoming environment.

Looking for a fresh approach to business networking? BizGrow Networking invites local professionals to try something new at 5 Questions Speed Networking, happening Tuesday, September 30th from 5:30–7:30 PM at Aloft Knoxville West (364 Lovell Road). This free event promises a fun, interactive way to make connections that go far beyond the typical small talk. Get Tickets (it’s free)

Veterans:

Free Veterans’ Breakfast: The United Veterans Council of East Tennessee presents 14 free breakfasts for Veterans and guests on four Saturdays, monthly. Coffee line starts at 8am, Chow line starts at 8:30am. Locations and Dates

September Giveaway - Whole-Home Carpet + Stairs DeepClean, by On the Spot Carpet Cleaning

👉 Enter now: https://offer.ots-carpetcleaningtn.com/win-insider2025

On The Spot Carpet Cleaning is giving you the chance to win their Whole-Home Carpet + Stairs DeepClean+ Giveaway. One lucky winner will receive up to five rooms and one flight of stairs professionally cleaned with their eco-friendly DeepClean+ system.

1 Big Winner… But everyone walks away with something! The Grand Prize can be used anytime up to 1 year.

Grand Prize Details:
🏆 Valued at more than $350
📅 Can be redeemed anytime within 365 days of winning
✅ Free entry, no purchase necessary

— delivered by Knoxville’s trusted local carpet cleaning team

Even if you don’t win, there’s a surprise bonus waiting for everyone who enters!

• It’s free to enter

• It only takes 10 seconds

• And someone local WILL win

👉 Enter now: https://offer.ots-carpetcleaningtn.com/win-insider2025

Theater 23 Presents The Last Flight of the Electra at The Grove Theater

Theater 23 invites audiences to an unforgettable live production of The Last Flight of the Electra, opening this October at The Grove Theater, 123 Randolph Rd, in Oak Ridge. This haunting play explores obsession, identity, and the mysteries that linger around the disappearance of Amelia Earhart.

Set in December 1968, the story follows Aileen Craigmore, a reclusive millionaire whose life unravels when her secretary becomes convinced she is none other than Earhart herself. As “evidence” piles up, the lines between truth and delusion blur, spiraling into a tense and chilling game of cat-and-mouse. The play challenges audiences to consider who we truly are versus who we choose to be—and whether there is any difference at all.

Performances run:

Oct 24 at 7:30 PM / Oct 25 at 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM / Oct 26 at 2:30 PM /

Oct 31 at 7:30 PM / Nov 1 at 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM / Nov 2 at 2:30 PM

Tickets are available now at theater23.org/tickets . For more details, email [email protected] or call (805) 701-1833. Don’t miss this riveting production that combines history, suspense, and the search for truth.

Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics

Step into the glow this Halloween as Candlelight transforms Jackson Terminal into a moody, candlelit concert hall on Thursday, Oct. 30th. Performed by the Listeso String Quartet, this 60-minute program threads together spooky-season favorites—think “Thriller,” themes from The Exorcist, Beetlejuice, The Addams Family, Halloween, Psycho, Ghostbusters, “Danse Macabre,” “Night on Bald Mountain,” a Nightmare Before Christmas medley, the Stranger Things theme, and a dash of Rocky Horror’s “Time Warp.” Seating is zoned and first-come within each zone, with doors opening 60 minutes before showtime. The venue is ADA accessible; ages 8+ (under 16 with an adult).

The experience takes place at Jackson Terminal (213 W. Jackson Ave.) in Knoxville’s Old City—an atmospheric setting that pairs perfectly with the candlelit spectacle. Multiple seatings are available on the ticket selector; grab your spot early to lock in your preferred time. More Info

Become a Knoxville Insider Sponsor

Are you a new or established business looking to become known in our Knoxville Insider community? We are looking for locally-owned businesses that would like to become a Knoxville Insider sponsor! Sponsorships can include:

• Hero or section banners

• Logo

• Video

• Print

• Spotlight Directory

• and more…

Reach out to us at [email protected].

We Want To Spotlight Local Businesses!

Would you like us to spotlight your local business in front of thousands of Knoxville area residents in an upcoming issue of Knoxville Insider? Apply Here. Not a business owner, but love a local business? Tell us all about it - send us an email at [email protected]!