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📰 Downtown Art Night - First Friday ArtWalk

📰 Shop Local, Handmade, and Knoxville-Made at Old City Market

🗓️ All Dogs Go to Heaven Is Screening Under the Stars at Ijams

🗓️ The Knox Asian Festival - 14 Countries Come to World's Fair Park

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If you've been meaning to get out and actually explore downtown Knoxville — the galleries, the studios, the tucked-away shops and live music spilling out onto the sidewalks — First Friday ArtWalk is the invitation you've been waiting for. And next month's edition falls on July 3rd, making it the perfect way to launch your Fourth of July weekend.

First Friday ArtWalk happens on the first Friday of every month, starting at 4:00 PM, across various locations throughout Downtown Knoxville. Galleries open their doors, shops host artist pop-ups and open houses, performers and musicians take to the streets, and downtown comes alive in a way that feels less like a scheduled event and more like a city deciding to celebrate itself. Walk through an art gallery, catch live music at a venue you've never tried, grab a drink somewhere new, and let the evening take you wherever it goes.

The event is self-guided and free to explore. Parking is available at all downtown garages. More Info

Old City Market transforms West Jackson Avenue into an outdoor showcase of Knoxville makers, artists, bakers, and crafters on the 3rd Sunday of every month from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM — and the next edition is July 19th.

This market is genuinely curated. You'll find ceramics, textiles, candles, handmade jewelry, original artwork, plants, specialty foods, and more — all made by people who live and work here. It's the kind of shopping that feels good, because you know exactly where the thing you're buying came from and whose hands made it. Regulars like KnoxFill, Oh Hush Handmade, and Dogwood Carpentry are fixtures of the market, and the vendor mix rotates with fresh faces most months.

No admission fee, no wristbands, no tickets — just show up. The market runs rain or shine, and West Jackson Avenue has plenty of nearby coffee shops and restaurants if you want to make a morning of it. Vendor applications for the summer market are still open if you make something and want to join. More Info

Movies Under the Stars returns for its 14th year at Ijams Nature Center, and the July screening is a classic that'll hit different under an open sky. All Dogs Go to Heaven screens on July 10th at the Ijams Visitor Center Lawn (2915 Island Home Ave.) Doors open at 7:00 PM, and the movie begins at dark — roughly 9:00 PM in July. Arrive early to grab a good spot.

The evening is a partnership between Ijams and Central Cinema, Knoxville's independent film house, and it has all the right ingredients: a food truck on-site, the Ijams beer garden for adults, and a relaxed, come-as-you-are atmosphere. Dogs are welcome, as long as they're on a leash. If you've never brought your dog to an outdoor movie, this is the one.

Tickets are $12 per person (or $10 for Ijams and Central Cinema members). Space is limited per screening, and the organizers note that advance tickets are strongly recommended — walk-up availability is not guaranteed. If July 10th doesn't work, the series runs through October with more films on the way.

Before heading out, check the Ijams calendar for any weather-related updates. More Info

The Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association named The Knox Asian Festival the Best Festival in the State in 2024. On August 30th at World's Fair Park, you can see why.

Presented by the Asian Culture Center of Tennessee, the festival brings together the cultures of Japan, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, Nepal, and Pakistan — all in one day. The celebration is organized around "Asian World," a series of country-specific booths where you can sample traditional foods, watch live performances, and participate in hands-on activities. The first 3,000 visitors receive a real passport book to stamp at each cultural booth. It's an educational experience that actually feels like a celebration.

The Asian Cultural Parade kicks things off at 10:30 AM at the Water Fountain on the Festival Lawn. Running until 6:30 PM, the full day includes the Columbus Koto Ensemble (performing traditional and contemporary Japanese koto music), Matsuriza (Japanese traditional Taiko drumming), Gamelan music from UT Knoxville's Professor Jonathan Adams, and a Green Tea Ceremony House built by UT Interior Architecture students. The Asian Foods Market spreads across both World's Fair Park lawns.

In 2026, the festival layout shifts slightly due to construction at the World's Fair Park Amphitheater — main performances will be on the Festival Park Lawn, with vendors around the water fountain area. Tickets are available through Eventbrite, and the VIP Night is August 29th (6:00 PM–8:00 PM) at the Knoxville Museum of Art for those who want a special preview experience. Note: VIP ticket sales end August 16th. More Info

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

Recurring events

🗓️ June 21st - Make Music Knoxville returns on June 21st for a full-day citywide celebration featuring more than 60 free performances at venues, parks, galleries, breweries, shops, and public spaces all across the city. Presented by the Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville as part of the international Make Music Day initiative. More Info

🗓️ June 21st - Looking for a Father's Day that's a little more epic than brunch? B&B Indoor Foam Dart Arena (6709 Maynardville Pike) is making it easy to give Dad an unforgettable day with their Father's Day Special from 11:00 AM–8:00 PM. More Info

🗓️ June 21st - Get ready for a citywide celebration of music as Make Music Knoxville returns! For one exciting day, music will fill the streets, parks, patios, stages, sidewalks, and public spaces across Knoxville, transforming the city into one giant free music festival. More Info

🗓️ June 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 21st-24th - Camp Webb 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 21st-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 21st-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 21st-27th - Steve Kaufman's Acoustic Kamp celebrates its 30th Annual Bluegrass Week June 21st–27th at Maryville College — and it's widely considered one of the finest acoustic music camps in the country. More Info

🗓️ June 22nd - Zoom Room (10938 Spring Bluff Way) is hosting a special educational event on June 22nd at 6:30 PM: Trainer Talk: A Calm 4th of July with Dr. Taylor Martin of Purrfect Practitioner. Sign up by calling (865) 378-7200 or emailing [email protected]

🗓️ June 23rd - The Farragut Museum's History Hour continues at 11:00 AM at Farragut Town Hall (11408 Municipal Center Drive, Farragut) — and this month's featured speaker is someone who really knows his history. Tim Holder — author, radio host, and history professor — will take the audience through the lives and legacies of the nation's first six presidents in what promises to be an engaging, accessible, and genuinely fascinating hour. More Info

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

🗓️ June 24th - AJ Lee & Blue Summit play the Bijou Theatre (803 S. Gay Street) on July 24th, with doors at 7:00 PM and the show at 8:00 PM. Tickets start at $25–$35+ and are available at the link below. More Info

🗓️ June 24th - The next Maker Mingle drops in at Real Good Kitchen (2004 E. Magnolia Avenue) on June 24th from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The format couldn't be simpler: show up, meet makers, talk about what you're building. No agenda, no panels, no pressure. Just Knoxville's creative community in the same room, doing what creative communities do best. More Info & Register

🗓️ June 24th-27th - The 2026 AAU Girls Basketball World Championships comes to Knoxville from June 24th–28th, with games taking place at the Knoxville Convention Center (701 Henley Street) and the adjacent World's Fair Exhibition Hall. 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 - A room full of Knoxville neighbors will sit down together over a shared meal — and then decide, by popular vote, where hundreds of dollars in community funding goes. That's the idea behind Knoxville SOUP, and it's as simple and powerful as it sounds. Doors open at 5:30 PM at Kerbela Temple (315 Mimosa Ave.) Come hungry, stay curious, and leave knowing your evening meant something. More Info

🗓️ June 25th - B&B Indoor Foam Dart Arena (6709 Maynardville Pike) is hosting their premier summer event of the season: the Blitzfire Summer Battle Event, running from 3:00 PM–10:00 PM. This isn't a regular open-play day. Blitzfire brings extended play sessions, special game modes, and a competitive format that gives everyone — from first-timers to regulars — something to rise to. The event is recommended for ages 12 and up. 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 - Summer is peak boating season, and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Knoxville-First Flotilla wants to make sure you're out there safely. Their full-day BOAT AMERICA recreational boating safety course is coming at the Church at Sterchi Hills (904 Dry Gap Pike) from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Registration deadline is June 26th. To sign up, contact Flotilla Staff Officer Randy Woods at [email protected]. More Info

🗓️ June 27th - The Third Annual Blackberry Festival and 5K takes over 2910 W Emory Road in Powell from 9:00 AM–2:00 PM, hosted by Powell Presbyterian Church — and the lineup is everything a perfect summer Saturday should be. 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

🗓️ July 1st - Josiah & The Bonnevilles bring their Redline North American Tour to the Bijou (803 S. Gay Street) at 7:30 PM — and if you haven't heard this band yet, you're in for a treat. More Info

🗓️ July 1st-31st - The "Where's Waldo?" Scavenger Hunt is returning to Downtown Knoxville, and it's free for the whole family. Starting July 1st and running all month long, Waldo will be hiding inside dozens of downtown businesses — shops, restaurants, museums, galleries, and more — just waiting to be spotted. More Info

🗓️ July 4th - The City of Knoxville's Festival on the 4th returns to World's Fair Park Performance and Festival Lawns from 5:00 PM–10:00 PM — and with free admission, free parking, live music, and fireworks over the downtown skyline, this is the quintessential East Tennessee Fourth of July. More Info

🗓️ July 10th-12th - FanBoy Expo takes over the Knoxville Convention Center (701 Henley Street) for three action-packed days — and with over 30,000 fans attending each summer event, this is one of the biggest and most electric weekends on the Knoxville calendar. More Info

🗓️ July 11th - WIVK's Southern Life Expo, presented by Visit My Smokies, is coming to the Knoxville Expo Center from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM — and the best part? It's completely free to attend. More Info

🗓️ July 11th - Mark your calendar: the America's 250th Anniversary Celebration at the Cove comes to The Cove at Concord Park for a full day of free, family-friendly festivities presented by Visit Knoxville and Knox County, starting at 11:00 AM. More Info

🗓️ July 29th - One of the most celebrated voices in rock history is coming to Knoxville. Graham Nash brings his Live on Tour 2026 to the Bijou on July 29th at 7:30 PM — and with a career spanning more than six decades, this is as close to a living history of contemporary music as you can get in one evening. More Info

🗓️ July 31st-August 1st - The Kuumba Festival — East Tennessee's largest African American Cultural Arts Festival — returns to Market Square, and it is exactly what it sounds like: a full, joyful, free celebration of culture, community, craft, and creativity in the middle of the city. More Info

🗓️ July 31st-August 2nd - CreepyCon 2026 celebrates its 10th Anniversary at the Knoxville Convention Center (701 Henley Street) from July 31st through August 2nd — and Tennessee's biggest Halloween and horror convention has never looked better. More Info

🗓️ August 8th - Irish Fest on the Hill returns at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in downtown Knoxville, from 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM. The event honors Knoxville's deep Irish heritage through an afternoon of live Irish bands, traditional Irish dancers, kids' games, and classic Irish food — the kind of spread that leaves everyone happy and full. More Info

🗓️ August 9th - The Back-to-School Bash at B&B Indoor Foam Dart Arena (6709 Maynardville Pike) is happening from noon to 4:00 PM. More Info

🗓️ August 15th - History Hootenanny returns to the East Tennessee History Center (601 S Gay St) and Krutch Park, running 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM — and the best part is that it's completely free and open to the public. More Info

🗓️ August 22nd - GermanFest Knoxville returns to First Lutheran Church (1207 Broadway) from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM — a full nine hours of German culture, Southern hospitality, and the kind of sheer, wholehearted fun that you can only find at a festival that includes competitive dachshund racing. More Info

🗓️ August 28th - Appalachian Arts Craft Center is hosting Appalachian Voices: Stories, Laughter & Creativity — a special community luncheon celebrating creativity, storytelling, and the rich culture of Appalachian life. The event takes place at the Oak Ridge Conference Center (1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge) from 11:45 AM to 1:15 PM. More Info & Tickets

🗓️ August 30th - The 13th Annual Knox Asian Festival takes over World's Fair Park and the Knoxville Museum of Art from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Presented by the Asian Culture Center of Tennessee, this is one of the most genuinely immersive cultural events in the entire state — and it's right here in Knoxville. More Info

🗓️ September 16th - Big Kahuna Wing Festival at World's Fair Park; Thousands of pounds of wings; Competitive wing cook-off; Wing eating contest; Live entertainment; Kids activities; Pyro musical fireworks show. 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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