Summer Events 2024
Summertime in Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee promises lots of festivals, events, and things to do. Check out this list of summer events to enjoy with your family and friends, from month-long scavenger hunts to beer festivals and more. Scroll on to see what awaits in Summer 2023!
#LoveDowntownKnox
🎊 Knoxville's Largest Kids' Party | June 1
A huge party for families to kick off summer! This year’s event will be packed full of fun and excitement an eighty food obstacle course, water slide, kids' entertainment, and more! A portion of the proceeds from Knoxville’s Largest Kids’ Party will benefit Childhelp TN to aid in their mission of caring for the children of East Tennessee. Tickets available at the gate.
🦋 Rhinestone Fest | June 7-8
A weekend full of celebrating Dolly Parton, our queen of East Tennessee! The 4th annual Dolly-themed festival is expanding to encompass all artists, musicians, and do-gooders that Dolly has inspired throughout her rhinestone-studded career. Rhinestone Fest will take place on June 7-8, 2024 at various locations in and around the Old City, including a special Rhinestone Old City Market on June 8 at 11am. Rhinestone Fest is a family friendly event and is free to attend. 😎💃🌈
🏠 Downtown Home Tour | June 8
Ever wanted to peek inside beautifully decorated homes in Downtown Knoxville? Now's your chance! The popular Downtown Home Tour—a 30-year tradition—is now hosted by the East Tennessee Historical Society. Come see what urban living has to offer! ✨
🧒 Kid A’ Riffic Fun in the Park | June 26 & July 31
Kid A’ Riffic Fun in the Park is an event for children age 2-12 offering hands on crafts and activities! It's held on Wednesdays in June and July from 10am-1pm at a different park each week with two dates in Downtown Knoxville: Fort Kid on June 26 and World's Fair Park on July 31. Let's make fun memories over summer vacation. All activities are free!
🔍 Waldo Scavenger Hunt | July 1-31
Waldo is back in more than 3 dozen locations in Downtown Knoxville from July 1–31. Kids and adults alike have a blast searching for the guy in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs. Pick up your Waldo Passport at any of the participating locations, collect a store stamp at each sighting, and enter our photo contest!
🎆 Festival on the 4th | July 4
Festival on the 4th is a family-friendly celebration with fireworks, food options, and more at World's Fair Park from 5-10pm. The Festival Lawn will be filled with activities, like miniature golf and paddle boats, plus live music. The musical finale will be performed by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra starting at 8pm. Fireworks begin at 9:35pm!
🥘 International Food Fest | Aug 10
If you like trying new foods, this festival is for you! The 21st annual International Food Fest celebrates food, culture, and community with over 25 countries represented with restaurant vendors, plus fun activities like henna tattooing, bounce houses, balloon animals, on-stage performances, and a day full of fun for the entire family.
🍗 Big Kahuna Wing Festival | Sep 1
This year, the 11th annual Big Kahuna Wing Festival celebrates the creation of the “Buffalo Wing”, which has become a national food icon. The festival promises some of the best wings in the south, a wing eating competition, wing cooking competition, live music, kid's corner, fireworks, and over 20,000 lbs of wings. All for the love of the “Buffalo Wing” and to raise money for charity.
🐲 Knox Asian Festival | Sep 8
The 11th annual Knox Asian Festival is sure to be spectacular! The Asian Cultural Parade starts at 10:30am at World's Fair Park's splash pad and will follow a route to the amphitheater, where there will be ongoing cultural performances. Lots of food vendors representing a dozen countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and more. There will be FREE Ninja demonstrations and photo opportunities!
🥁 Kuumba Festival | July 26
Be a part of Kuumba Festival—the largest cultural heritage and music festival in East Tennessee that celebrates African Culture. The Kuumba Marketplace will open the day's event with food and merchandise vendors from all over the world. Relish in the cultural spirit of the African Marketplace with traditional crafts, clothing, and foods, followed by West African Drum and Dance Community Circle - everyone is welcome to participate!
🪕 History Hootenanny | Aug 17
Hootenanny (n.): 1. An informal gathering where folk music is played in a party-like atmosphere (1950-60s). Visit the East Tennessee History Center for History Hootenanny—an all-day celebration of East Tennessee history with music, activities, genealogy workshops, local history authors showcase, walking tours, shuttles to historic museums, and more. A FREE family-friendly event!
Stay tuned for more!
Check the calendar for year-round events in Downtown Knoxville – and more festivals coming this fall!