Fall Events 2024
Fall in Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee promises lots of festivals, football, and exciting free activities. Check out this list of events to enjoy with your family and friends, from month-long Halloween fun to pep rallies, parades, and more. Scroll on to see what awaits in Fall 2024!
#LoveDowntownKnox
Concerts on the Square 🎶
September 3, 10, 17, & 24 (Jazz)
September 19 (Square Dancing)
Fall nights on Market Square are magical. Twinkling lights overhead, cool weather, and Concerts on the Square! Grab dinner on one of the patios and listen to brilliant musicians fill the Square. Lawn chairs and blankets are also encouraged to enjoy these free outdoor, family-friendly evenings. Don't miss Square Dancing on the Square on Thursday, September 19, a free event for square dancing enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels!
HoLa Festival 💃
September 21
The 24th Annual HoLa Festival celebrates the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month and the rich diversity of Latino culture. The fun begins Saturday at 11 AM with live music, dancing, draft beer, home-cooked food, artisan craft vendors, and fireworks at 9 PM! Bring a $3 donation to enter the Festival at World's Fair Park Performance Lawn (children under 12 are free).
Outdoor Markets 🛍️
Throughout the Fall
Downtown Knoxville is home to many weekly and seasonal markets you don't want to miss! The Market Square Farmers' Market continues throughout the fall every Wednesday (10 AM-1 PM) and Saturday (9 AM-1 PM). While the Old City Market happens on the second Sunday (11 AM-4 PM) and fourth Thursday (5 PM-9 PM) of every month. Outdoor markets in the fall! Could you ask for anything nicer?
First Friday ArtWalk 🎨
October 4, November 1, and
every First Friday—Rain or Shine
Downtown galleries and businesses showcase talented artists each month during ArtWalk. Walk through our vibrant streets, pop in and out of exhibitions and opening receptions, listen to live music, and nosh on refreshments during this FREE monthly tradition. Come see what it’s all about!
Pride Fest 🏳️🌈
October 4—5
Celebrate equality for all people at Knox Pride Fest with a weekend full of events. The weekend kicks off with a "March for Equality" down Gay Street on Friday, October 4 at 6:30 PM. The celebration continues on Saturday, October 5 at World's Fair Park with music performances, food vendors, and more!
Wicked Cool 👻
October 7—31
Wicked Cool has become an annual tradition in Downtown Knoxville! Experience the spooky season during the entire month of October. We're talking Halloween-themed specials, spooky cocktails and frightful foods, a calendar full of eerie events, a scavenger hunt, costume contest, creepy-crawly photo ops, and so many more wicked cool surprises. It’s gonna be a great Halloween — we can feel it in our bones!
Football Friday 🏈
October 11
Start your tailgate early with a historic Friday night pep rally! Enjoy local food and beer truck vendors, live music, and an appearance by the UT spirit teams! The free event will take place on Market Street between Church and Clinch Ave, behind the East Tennessee History Center. There will also be special appearances by UT’s own history makers.
KFD Open House 🚒
October 11
Bring the whole crew for this annual family-friendly event with the Knoxville Fire Department. Learn fire prevention tips, participate in training and CPR, roast marshmallows, visit with firefighters, explore a firetruck, and much more! This kid-favorite event takes place on Market Square from 5:30 — 8 PM.
Solastalgia 🦋
October 11 & 13
Join Cattywampus Puppet Council and One World Circus for Solastalgia - a spectacle of giant puppets, circus, theater, marching bands, and dancing on the side of buildings.The journey moves from the World’s Fair Park Amphitheater, to the Festival Lawn, to the walls of The Tennessean Hotel. Best of all, the performance is free and open to all ages!
Market Sq Madness 🏀
October 18
Calling all Vol Fans for the 3rd Annual Market Square Madness! The University of Tennessee Men and Lady Vols basketball teams will host their preseason fan celebration in Market Square with entertaining on-court contests. Meet the teams, mingle with Smokey and the Tennessee Spirit Squads, and get hyped for the season.
PARK(ing) Day 🚗
October 25
Honk Honk! 📢 🚘 PARK(ing) Day returns to Gay Street on Friday, October 25, 2024 from 10 AM to 4 PM! This annual event invites individuals and businesses to transform curbside parking spaces into creative pop-up parks. PARK(ing) Day is an annual event to help people re-think the use of public spaces and encourage urban parks. We hope to see you on Gay Street for a walk in the “park!"
Welcome to Hockey Top 🏒
October 25
Fall doesn't just mean football! The Knoxville Ice Bears drop the puck of their home opener "We are KNOCKSville" at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum on October 25. The celebration brings the Vols to hockey with appearances from UT Coaches, performances by UT Dance Team, and a youth jersey giveaway! It’s going to be a wild season with family-friendly theme nights including Teddy Bear Chuck, Black Friday Blackout, Corgi Races, Dino Races, Wands & Wizards Night, Star Wares Night, and more. See you there!
Veterans Day Parade 🇺🇸
November 11
You're invited to attend Knoxville's 99th Veterans Day Parade on Monday, November 11, 2024. The parade will begin at 10:40 AM at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum and continue down Gay Street. Join us for this family-friendly parade and tradition to celebrate our nation's heroes.
Stay tuned for more!
Check the calendar for year-round events in Downtown Knoxville!