🌤️ Weather | Scattered Thunderstorms with a High of 86

📰 Ribbon Cutting for a New Custom Apparel Shop

📰 Learn to Bake Focaccia, Boule & Baguette From Scratch

🗓️ Volkswagen Drag Fest at Knoxville Dragway

🗓️ Corryton's Crossroads Pharmacy New Location Kickoff Festival

🗳️ Reader Survey - Tell Us What You Think!

🛍️ Shop Local

🗓️ Upcoming Events

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

✅ Advertising Opportunities

Reader Survey: We are curious! Why do you open and read the Knoxville Insider? We look forward to your feedback!

If your team, group, school, or organization has ever needed custom shirts and didn't love the process of getting them, Big Frog is built to fix that.

Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More of Knoxville is officially joining the community with a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 22nd from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at 10670 Parkside Drive, Suite 105, hosted by the Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce.

Big Frog specializes in high-quality custom apparel and products — t-shirts, polos, hats, and more — for whatever the occasion calls for: birthdays, fun runs, team building events, sports leagues, spirit wear, you name it. The model is designed to make custom printing straightforward and hassle-free, whether you're ordering for 5 people or 500.

The ribbon cutting is open to the public and a great way to meet the team and see what they offer firsthand. Register

The Cutting Edge Classroom is hosting The Basics of Artisan Bread Baking on July 18th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at 150 N Martinwood Road, Suite 402 — a hands-on, three-hour session with Chef Kaitlyn that walks you through the full breadmaking process from start to finish.

You'll make three breads during class: Italian Rosemary & Roasted Garlic Focaccia (soft, fluffy, and fragrant), a Dutch Oven Artisan Boule with EVOO Dipping Sauce (golden crackling crust, soft interior), and a Classic French Baguette (beautifully scored, perfectly chewy).

Along the way, Chef Kaitlyn covers the techniques that actually matter — mixing, kneading, dough development, fermentation, proofing, shaping, scoring, and baking for crust, crumb, and texture. The kind of knowledge that lets you go home and do it again on your own.

Best part: you'll eat warm bread straight from the oven during class and leave with your own handcrafted loaves in hand. Get tickets

If you drive a Volkswagen — air-cooled, water-cooled, Bug, Bus, Buggy, or anything in between, this is for you!

The VW Drag Fest & Show comes to Knoxville Dragway (160 Raceway Drive, Maynardville) on August 15th from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM for a full day dedicated entirely to the VW community. This is a Volkswagen-ONLY event with car show judging, bracket drag racing, a swap meet, camping (Friday night), and 14 hours of everything a VW enthusiast could want.

Gates open at 8:00 AM with car show registration starting then, AVCA band plays from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, car show judging from 1:00 pm to 3:00 PM, track time from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM for racers, Show Awards at 5:00 PM, and bracket racing finals from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Gate & Car Show Registration · Vendor/Swap Meet · Camping

Crossroads Pharmacy is hosting their RX Kickoff Festival on July 25th from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at their new location at 7404 Tazewell Pike in Corryton — and the whole community is invited to come shop, eat, and help them mark the occasion.

The festival packs in five hours of fun: bounce houses for the kids, food trucks, shaved ice, cotton candy, popcorn, and bakery items to keep everyone fueled, plus a mix of local boutiques and vendors selling car freshies, wreaths, and wooden décor. It's the kind of community event that doubles as a good Saturday morning out and a chance to support local small businesses all in one stop.

Want a vendor table? Spots are $20 cash. Contact Maddie at (865) 399-9068 to reserve yours.

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

Recurring events

🗓️ Through July 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

🗓️ July 9th - Zoo Knoxville's Summer Concert Series continues with a performance by the Tennessee Wind Symphony — and this one has some history behind it. The show was originally scheduled for June 18th but was rescheduled due to a storm forecast. More Info & Tickets (Free for zoo members)

🗓️ July 10th - Kick off your weekend with an evening of culture, music, and community at the Old City Block Party from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in downtown Knoxville's Old City. More Info

🗓️ July 10th - Looking for a fun way to spend your Friday evening? Head to Kern's Bakery on Friday, July 10, from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. for an energetic night of country music, line dancing, and community fun! More Info

🗓️ July 10th - Soundscapes at the Knoxville Museum of Art returns, with nationally touring saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Saxl Rose taking the stage at 7:30 PM (doors open at 6:30 PM). More Info

🗓️ July 10th - 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 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. More Info

🗓️ July 10th - GalFunction and Show Your Shine LLC are hosting a Friday Table Talk at The Hub Pro Studio (1104 Merchant Drive, Suite 103) from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM — an hour and a half of guided conversation, honest dialogue, and the kind of support that only comes from fellow female entrepreneurs who are in it alongside you.

🗓️ 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 - Holistically Rooted Health & Wellness is hosting their Grand Opening Celebration & Wellness Open House from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at 116 Hotel Rd in Fountain City, and the whole event is designed for exploration.

🗓️ July 11th - The U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Knoxville-First Flotilla invites all Jefferson County boaters to get a free vessel safety examination on Saturday, July 11th, from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM, at the boat launch at the Dandridge Municipal Park on Chestnut Hill Road and Public Drive.

🗓️ July 11th - RetroFlea returns to Retrospect Vintage Store (108 W Anderson Ave NW) on July 11th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM — six hours of browsing more than 25 vintage vendors bringing deals across all eras and varieties of vintage goods.

🗓️ July 11th - Faith Promise Church is hosting Win the City from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at 5830 Haynes-Sterchi Road, and the community giveaway includes: Free car washes, Free haircuts, Free hygiene bags, Free food, Free family portraits, Kids activities, Free oil changes (registration required for oil changes only — all other services are walk-up, no registration needed) Register for your free oil change

🗓️ July 11th - Tea & Treasures (4104 W. Martin Mill Pike) — a charming shop billed as "a unique collection of old and new" — hosts its 2nd Saturday Marketplace from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM (weather permitting).

🗓️ 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 11th - Looking for a unique summer evening the whole family will enjoy? Mark your calendar for Knoxville Aerial Arts and Ijams Nature Center present the Whimsical Woodlands Aerial Circus from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets Here

🗓️ July 16th - The Big 3 Class returns to The Vault Room (2901 Tazewell Pike) at 6:30 PM for session #252 of what's clearly become one of Knoxville's most consistently popular whiskey experiences. More Info & Tickets

🗓️ July 16th - IBN Masterclass will be held from 8:45 AM to noon at Bearden Banquet Hall (5806 Kingston Pike), Incredible Business Networking — co-hosted by Jennifer Maizel of Marvelous Maizel Marketing. More Info & Tickets

🗓️ July 18th - Rain Barrel Workshop at 9:00 AM at 100 Monterey Rd, Oak Ridge. For $50, instructors will teach you how to transform a standard 55-gallon barrel into a functioning rain barrel for your garden — and you leave with the finished product in hand. More Info & Tickets

🗓️ July 19th - Knoxville Social Circle is heading to Augusta Quarry (520 Augusta Ave) at 12:00 PM for an afternoon of swimming, floating, relaxing, and soaking up some summer sun. Whether you want to jump in, lounge by the water, or just hang out and chat, the format is as low-key as a summer afternoon should be.

🗓️ July 25th - Blitzfire — the quarterly signature event at B&B Indoor Foam Dart Arena (6709 Maynardville Pike) — is happening from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and it's unlike anything else in our area. More Info & Tickets

🗓️ July 26th - Sonny's Original Southern Pub and Nicks Moto are hosting a group ride to the legendary Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum. and you're invited to roll with them. The day kicks off with breakfast at Sonny's (2613 Adair Dr) at 8:00 AM, with kickstands up at 9:30 AM sharp. Come with a full tank of gas, and bring your own water and snacks — there's no food or drink available at the museum, though the group will be stopping at nearby restaurants along the way.

🗓️ 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 7th-9th - The 2026 Kerbela Shrine Circus returns to Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center (1600 Phillip Fulmer Way SW). More Info

🗓️ August 8th - Tea & Treasures (4104 W. Martin Mill Pike) — a charming shop billed as "a unique collection of old and new" — hosts its 2nd Saturday Marketplace from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM (weather permitting).

🗓️ 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 - 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 — additional markets are on Sept 20th, Oct 18th, and Dec 13th. More Info

🗓️ August 8th - O'Connor Senior Center is hosting a Crafters Yard Sale on August 8th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at 611 Winona Street, and shoppers get in free. The sale features new and gently used craft supplies, handmade goodies, and the kind of unexpected treasures that tend to turn up when crafters clear out their stashes. Have a table full of craft supplies you'd like to sell? Vendors are still being accepted. Register online or contact Brenda directly for details ([email protected] or (865) 523-1135.

🗓️ 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 12th-15th - Statemint Maryville is bringing their Fall Pop-Up Adult Consignment to White Star Station (133 W Broadway Ave, Maryville). The shop carries women's and men's clothing, shoes, and accessories in sizes XS–4XL. More Info

🗓️ August 13th-15th - The Flexible Jewelry Event at Fountain City Jewelers (2802 Essary Drive), and it's exactly what it sounds like: a special showcase of bracelets and rings crafted from genuine 14K gold, diamonds, and natural gemstones. The event runs all three days during regular store hours — Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM. No appointment needed. Stop in anytime August 13th–15th. More Info

🗓️ August 14th - Denise Kiernan — author of the instant New York Times bestsellers The Girls of Atomic City and The Last Castle — brings her latest book to the East Tennessee History Center (601 S Gay St) from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. The event is presented in partnership with the Friends of the Knox County Public Library. More Info

🗓️ August 14th-16th - Tattoo enthusiasts, artists, and fans of creative expression won't want to miss the Knoxville Tattoo Convention at the World's Fair Exhibition Hall. More Info

🗓️ August 15th - Celebrate summer at Loudon Riverfest at Riverside Park and Legion Park (201 Ferry St.).

🗓️ 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 29th - Flutter into a day of family fun and discovery at Stanley's Ninth Annual Butterfly Festival on from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This free community event celebrates one of nature's most fascinating pollinators while offering activities and educational experiences for all ages. More Info

🗓️ 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

🗓️ September 26th - Friends of the Knox County Public Library is hosting the Book Fair for Adults on September 26th from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the East Tennessee History Center (601 S Gay St) — and it's free to get in.

See Recurring Weekly & Monthly Networking Events

🗓️Free Veterans’ Breakfast: The United Veterans Council of East Tennessee presents 20 free breakfasts for Veterans and guests on four Saturdays, monthly. Coffee line starts at 8am, Chow line starts at 8:30am. Locations and Dates

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:

Reach out to us at [email protected].

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]!