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📰 Connecting Knox Community Festival at Ancient Lore Village

📰 Ready to Make a New Best Friend? Friendship Speed Dating Is Coming to Hi-Wire

🗓️ Treasures, Antiques & Handmade Finds at Vintage Market Days

🗓️ Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival Returns to Oak Ridge

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🗓️ Upcoming Events

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The Connecting Knox Community Festival — an inaugural, free gathering celebrating all things Knoxville — takes place at Ancient Lore Village on June 8th from 1:00 PM–5:00 PM.

If you've never visited Ancient Lore Village, this is the perfect reason to finally make the trip. It's a fantastical, storybook setting nestled in the foothills of the Smokys where the grounds themselves feel like stepping into a different world.

The festival fills that setting with 40+ booths featuring social clubs, community nonprofits, local artisans, and small businesses — a wide-open window into the organizations and people shaping Knoxville's future. Kids will love the face painting and lawn games, while adults can explore who's doing interesting work across the city.

Whether you're brand new to Knoxville or a lifelong local who's still discovering what your city has to offer, this is a beautiful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. More Info

New2Knox's Friendship Speed Dating event takes over Hi-Wire Brewing (2020 Barber Street) on June 11th from 6:30 PM–8:00 PM — and the concept is exactly as fun as it sounds.

New2Knox, Knoxville's go-to community for people who want to go deeper into the city and the people who love it, hosts these friendship speed dating nights as part of their New2Knox Hops program — and by popular demand, they're opening this one up to anybody and everybody.

You'll rotate through short, low-pressure conversations with new people, with the goal of finding folks who just get you — new neighbors, adventure partners, people to text when you're hunting for a good happy hour spot.

Whether you just moved to Knoxville or you've lived here for years and want to expand your circle, this is one of the warmest, most clever ways to meet real humans in real life. The event is completely free (beverages from Hi-Wire are on you), and New2Knox asks that you fill out a quick RSVP form so they can get ready for the crowd. More Info

Vintage Market Days sets up shop at the Knoxville Expo Center (5441 Clinton Highway) for a full three-day run from June 5th-7th — and if you've never been to one of these events, prepare to be delighted.

Vintage Market Days is far more than a flea market. It's an upscale, curated shopping experience featuring original art, antiques, vintage and vintage-inspired clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home décor, outdoor furnishings, seasonal plantings, and all kinds of delicious edible treats — all gathered under one roof in a setting that's equal parts boutique shop and community celebration.

June 5th is the Early Buying Event (10:00 AM–4:00 PM), with General Admission continuing on June 6th from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM and June 7th from 10:00 AM–3:00 PM.

Admission for children under 12 is free, and your ticket is good for re-entry all weekend. Cash and credit cards are accepted at the gate.

Whether you're hunting for the perfect vintage find or just love supporting local makers, this one is worth the trip. More Info

Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary in Oak Ridge June 5th-6th — and this landmark year's lineup is genuinely special. The festival brings together four of the country's most acclaimed storytellers: Sheila Arnold, Josh Goforth, Bil Lepp, and Elizabeth Ellis, making her very first Flatwater Tales appearance.

Together they'll perform across seven shows held primarily at the Oak Ridge Conference Center (1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike), with the finale on Saturday evening — a special collaboration with the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association presenting "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: 250 Years of America's Stories" at the Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center at 7:00 PM.

A $60 weekend pass gets you into all seven shows plus admission to the American Museum of Science and Energy, the Oak Ridge History Museum, a guided history tour, and the Oak Ridge Art Center — a remarkable value for an immersive weekend. Individual show tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children, with a $5 "Taste of the Tales" sampler option on Friday evening. More Info

Interested in learning about how a VIP Pass can help your business? Reach out to [email protected] for more information!

Recurring events

🗓️ May 29th - guests are invited to “Yoga at the Zoo,” a special after-hours fundraiser designed to create a relaxing and memorable experience while supporting wildlife conservation efforts. The evening will begin with a surprise up-close animal encounter before transitioning into an all-levels yoga class surrounded by the unique sights and sounds of the zoo. Event details and tickets are available through Blue Ridge Yoga Events.

🗓️ May 29th-30th - Dragonfly Aerial & Circus Arts is celebrating 15 years of circus arts in Knoxville with a whimsical new production, “Circus Extravaganza: Small World Under the Big Top.” Performances will take place May 29 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and May 30 with two performances scheduled from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and again from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Doors open one hour before each performance. More Info

🗓️ May 29th-30th - Comedian Heather McMahan is bringing The Bamboozled Tour to the Bijou Theatre (803 S. Gay Street) for two nights, at 8:00 PM - and both shows are being filmed as her live comedy special. More Info for May 29th | More Info for May 30th

🗓️ May 29th-June 1st - Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit makes two local stops: first at the Food City in Newport (181 Western Plaza Drive) on May 29th-30th from 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, then closer to home at the Food City at Deane Hill Center (284 Morrell Road), on May 31st-June 1st from 10:00 AM–6:00 PM. More Info

🗓️ May 30th - KnoxWalls Murals & Music Festival - Get ready for a day bursting with creativity as Dogwood Arts transforms Emory Place into a vibrant open-air art and music experience on May 30 from noon to 8 p.m. More Info

🗓️ May 30th - The Discover Knoxville Expo comes to the Hardin Valley Event Center (2620 Willow Point Way) from 11:00 AM–3:00 PM, presented by BeLocal K-Town. It features 50+ local vendors showcasing the businesses, services, and resources that make this community feel like home, plus a live local band and BeLocal Bingo. More Info

🗓️ May 30th - The Marble City Opera 2026 Summer Festival opens at the Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge with Josephine — a stunning one-woman opera by composer Tom Cipullo. More Info

🗓️ May 30th - Knoxville's Largest Kids' Party returns to the World's Fair Park Performance Lawn from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM — and it lives up to the name. More Info

🗓️ May 30th - Knoxville Margarita Festival - Get ready to raise a glass at the third annual Knoxville Margarita Festival on May 30th at The Mill & Mine. This lively evening event invites guests to sample creative margaritas from some of the area’s favorite restaurants as they compete for the title of Best Margarita in Knoxville. More Info

🗓️ May 30th - Lace up your running shoes and get ready for a one-of-a-kind race experience at the brand-new Red Panda Run 5K on May 30 at Zoo Knoxville. More Info

🗓️ May 31st - Amadeus Concert Ensemble closes its 2025–2026 season in grand fashion with Rachmaninoff & Friends - a free concert at 5:30 PM at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (711 S. Northshore Drive). More Info

🗓️ June 1st - This day marks Tennessee's 230th Statehood Day, commemorating the day in 1796 when Tennessee became the 16th state in the union — a moment that happened at Blount Mansion in downtown Knoxville. More Info

🗓️ June 1st-24th - Camp Webb runs June 1st through July 24th and offers more than 70 summer camps - welcoming kids from age 4 (Camp Wonderoo for pre-K) through rising 7th graders for a summer packed with adventure, sports, specialty skills, and memories. More Info

🗓️ June 2nd - Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening comes to the Tennessee Theatre at 7:30 PM — a full night of Zeppelin's greatest music performed with the reverence, power, and authenticity that only Jason Bonham can bring. More Info

🗓️ June 2nd-July 30th - Concerts on the Square, presented by First Century Bank, returns to Market Square for its summer series of free Jazz Tuesday concerts, running every Tuesday in June and July from 7:00 PM–9:00 PM. More Info

🗓️ June 3rd - The City of Knoxville's Kid A' Riffic Fun in the Park series launches from 10:00 AM–1:00 PM at Chilhowee Park, kicking things off with Touch-A-Truck, kazoo fun, hands-on arts and crafts, and a food truck on site. More Info

🗓️ June 4th - It's not just bourbon with a different label — and this class will prove it. Tennessee Whiskey 202 is coming to The Vault Room at 6:30 PM, presented by Liquor Vault and Whiskey University - and this isn't your average tasting. You'll sample six Tennessee whiskeys side by side, with a shared appetizer included to complement the experience. More Info & Tickets

🗓️ June 5th - First Friday ArtWalk transforms the streets, galleries, and shops of downtown Knoxville into a free, walkable arts experience on the first Friday of each month. The festivities kick off around 5:00 PM and run through the evening, with galleries and creative spaces staying open late, local artists displaying their work, and performance art popping up throughout the district. More Info

🗓️ June 5th - Used Book Sale at the Corryton Branch Library (7733 Corryton Road, Corryton) | 1:30–5:00 PM More Info

🗓️ June 5th - 7th - Shoppers and vintage lovers are invited to experience a weekend of unique finds and local flair as Vintage Market Days® of Knoxville returns June 5–7 with its spring event, “The Vintage Passport.” More Info

🗓️ June 5th-6th - Rhinestone Fest takes over Knoxville's Historic Old City for a free, family-friendly celebration of all things Dolly Parton. Expect a Dolly-themed marketplace packed with handmade and fabulous finds inspired by the glitz, glamour, and charm of the one and only, alongside live music on the main stage. More Info

🗓️ June 5th-21st -If you have ever dreamed of stumbling upon a Golden Ticket, now's their chance to live it. Knoxville Children's Theatre is staging a live production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory running June 5th-21st. More Info

🗓️ June 5th-21st -Knoxville Children's Theatre is presenting The Hobbit — Patricia Gray's stage adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved classic — with multiple showtimes throughout the run. Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 7:00 PM, Saturdays at 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM, and Sundays at 3:00 PM, giving families plenty of chances to catch it. More Info

🗓️ June 6th - The Saving Grace 5K takes place at Victor Ashe Park (4901 Bradshaw Road) on June 6th — and whether you're a seasoned racer or someone who just wants to walk a mile for a meaningful cause, there's a distance for you. More Info & Signup

🗓️ June 6th - Marble City Opera is bringing its beloved annual Opera in the Park concert to Lakeshore Park (6410 S. Northshore Drive) from 6:00 PM–8:00 PM — and admission is completely free. Food trucks will be on-site to round out the evening, making this a true community gathering in one of Knoxville's most beautiful outdoor settings. More Info

🗓️ June 6th - Fountain City Town Hall, in partnership with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and HawgMolly Fishing, is hosting Bobby Wilson Fishing Day at the Fountain City Lake "Duck Pond" from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM — and it is completely free to attend. More Info

🗓️ June 6th - Margo Price — the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter who has become one of the most celebrated voices in American roots music — brings her tour to the Bijou Theatre. More Info

🗓️ June 6th - The Knoxville Ice Cream Festival returns to the World's Fair Park Festival Lawn from 11 AM–6 PM — and it's completely free to attend. This is the kind of event that checks every box for a perfect summer day out: cold treats, sunshine, live entertainment, and something fun for every member of the family.

🗓️ June 6th - Grammy-Nominated, award-winning country artist Brandon Maddox - a Nashville songwriter with a catalog of around 2,000 original songs and a sound that's pure, down-home country - is performing at Iron Works Grille on the River (1641 Cherohala Skyway, Tellico Plains), running 6:00 PM–9:00 PM. More Info

🗓️ June 6th - Blount Mansion Association invites you to Martinis at the Mansion - their annual garden party fundraiser - at 5:30 PM at the Blount Mansion Visitors Center (200 W. Hill Ave). More Info

🗓️ June 6th - The Knoxville Firefighters Association presents Long Run Rocks — A Tribute to the Eagles at Chilhowee Park at 8:00 PM. Expect a full night of Eagles classics — "Hotel California," "Take It Easy," "New Kid in Town," and more — performed live in one of Knoxville's most iconic outdoor venues. More Info

🗓️ June 6th - Marble City Opera heads outdoors for its beloved annual Opera in the Park — a free concert at Lakeshore Park. More Info

🗓️ June 10th - Sesame Street Live: Elmo's Got the Moves comes to the Tennessee Theatre (604 S. Gay Street) at 6:00 PM — an interactive live stage show that puts kids right in the middle of the action from the very first moment. More Info

🗓️ June 11th - Paul Thorn, the Mississippi-born singer-songwriter beloved for his warm, witty, deeply human take on life, love, and the South, comes to the Bijou Theatre at 8:00 PM - presented by local music legend WDVX. More Info

🗓️ June 12th-13th - Summer Book Fest, presented by Knox Social Club, is bringing a full weekend of literary fun to Crafty Bastard Brewery (6 Emory Place). More Info

🗓️ June 12th-13th - Used Book Sale at the Cedar Bluff Branch Library (9045 Cross Park Drive) | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM More Info

🗓️ June 13th - Cowboy Junkies: Celebrating 40 Years and Beyond comes to the Bijou Theatre at 8:00 PM — a milestone anniversary tour from one of the most quietly influential bands of the last four decades. More Info

🗓️ June 13th - The Water Lantern Festival — voted the #1 Festival in the World by USA Today — is coming to Chilhowee Park and Exposition Center (3301 E Magnolia Ave), with gates opening at 6:00 PM and the lantern launch happening from 9:00 PM–10:00 PM. Get Tickets

🗓️ June 13th - The Red, White & Bloom Makers Market takes over the Hardin Valley Event Center Pavilion (2620 Willow Point Way) from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM, bringing together 70 local artisans, bakers, and crafters under one roof - plus food trucks. More Info

🗓️ June 14th - Fashion, nature, and a whole lot of Technicolor - this year's Fleurish might be the most stunning one yet. Fleurish, Ijams Nature Center's annual sustainable fashion show, returns from 6:00–9:00 PM on the Ijams lawn. More Info

🗓️ June 18th, 20th - The season closes with two performances of The Tragedy of Carmen — a 90-minute adaptation of Bizet's iconic Carmen - at the Historic Grove Theatre in Oak Ridge. More Info

🗓️ June 18th-28th - PAT, the acclaimed one-woman play written and performed by Lisa Soland, returns for a limited engagement, now making its debut at the Jenny Boyd Theatre on the campus of the University of Tennessee - UT's newly opened performance space. More Info & Tickets

🗓️ June 19th - The Annual MLK Jr. Parade/March and Juneteenth Celebration returns with a full day of community, history, and joy honoring the end of slavery in the United States. The parade steps off at 10:00 AM from Chilhowee Park and makes its way to Dr. Walter Hardy Park (2089 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave), where the Juneteenth Celebration runs from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM with live music, dancing, food, local vendors, and more. More Info

🗓️ June 19th - Dancing Machine: A Tribute Band to the Jacksons takes the stage at Market Square from 7:00 PM–9:00 PM as part of the City of Knoxville's Variety Thursdays – Concerts on the Square series. More Info

🗓️ June 20th - Solstice Forest Bathing takes place at Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum (2743 Wimpole Ave) from 6:00 PM–8:00 PM — a guided evening of shinrin-yoku, the Japanese practice of mindful immersion in nature that has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and restore a sense of calm. More Info

🗓️ June 20th - Taste of Summer: Wine and Food Festival returns to the Knoxville Museum of Art (1050 World's Fair Park Drive) from 5:00 PM–9:00 PM — an elegant, immersive evening where the culinary scene takes center stage. More Info

🗓️ June 20th - RiverView Family Farm (12130 Prater Lane) is throwing a Barn Dance on from 6:00 PM–9:30 PM - an open-to-the-public evening of live line dancing instruction, great food, and the kind of genuine good time that's hard to find. Admission is just $10 per person, and children under 5 get in free.

🗓️ June 20th - Celebrate summer in full bloom at the Lavender Festival from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Jackson Square. This free, family-friendly event transforms the historic district into a vibrant day of shopping, music, food, and fun. More Info

🗓️ June 20th - Knoxville Brewfest returns to World's Fair Park, with 60+ local and regional breweries pouring from 4:30 PM–8:30 PM — including gluten-free and non-alcoholic options. Live music, local food vendors, and a beautiful outdoor setting make this one of Knoxville's most beloved annual events. More Info

🗓️ June 23rd - Used Book Sale at the Carter Branch Library (9036 Asheville Highway) | 1:00–7:00 PM More Info

🗓️ June 24th-27th - Nief-Norf SYNNERGY comes to Knoxville - a four-day contemporary music festival and conference that's genuinely unlike anything else happening in East Tennessee this summer. Think cutting-edge new music performed live by world-class artists, with 12 free public concerts woven throughout the week. No ticket required. Just show up and listen. More Info

🗓️ June 25th - Music for Seniors: Love Notes - A Musical Afternoon of Romance comes to the Episcopal Church of the Ascension (800 S. Northshore Drive) from 2:00 PM–3:00 PM, presented by the acclaimed Knoxville Opera. More Info

🗓️ June 26th - Kathleen Madigan - The Day Drinking Tour comes to the Bijou Theatre at 7:00 PM — and if you've ever caught her on a late-night show, her Netflix specials, or heard her on the radio, you already know what you're getting: razor-sharp, relatable, laugh-until-it-hurts comedy delivered by someone who has been doing this at the highest level for three decades. More Info

🗓️ June 27th - The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony comes to the Tennessee Theatre (604 S. Gay Street) — one of the most prestigious nights in women's basketball, and it happens right here in Knoxville, home of the WBHOF. More Info

🗓️ June 27th - Used Book Sale at the Karns Branch Library (7516 Oak Ridge Hwy) | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM More Info

See Recurring Weekly & Monthly Networking Events

🗓️Free Veterans’ Breakfast: The United Veterans Council of East Tennessee presents 17 free breakfasts for Veterans and guests on four Saturdays, monthly. Coffee line starts at 8am, Chow line starts at 8:30am. Locations and Dates

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