If you’re planning on visiting Knoxville, TN during the holidays, you won’t be disappointed! The city has lots of fun events, Christmas light displays, and more! We love having a holly jolly time and hope you will be MERRY excited to see the fun list we have for you! This list of fun things to do for a Knoxville, TN Christmas will help you plan the most epic holiday trip!
Enjoy The Christmas Lights Downtown
Downtown Knoxville will be full of beautiful Christmas lights the day after Thanksgiving. The annual tree lighting will be on Friday, November 29th, 2024 starting at 6 pm. This event will have live music, dance performances, and free kid’s activities. Learn more on their website.
Address: Krutch Park Extension, Market Square, Market Street in Downtown Knoxville
Christmas in The City Website
Holidays on Ice
Holiday’s on Ice located in downtown Knoxville at Market Square is a holiday- must! This open-air ice skating rink is for kids and adults alike. It runs from November 29th, 2024 to January 5th, 2025. It will be open 7 days a week but will be closed on Christmas Day. Adults are $12 and children under age 12 are $9. Admission includes skate rental, entry fee, and unlimited time on the ice. Buy your tickets online before going.
Address: 17 Market Square in Downtown Knoxville, TN 37902
Holidays on Ice Website
Walk The Peppermint Trail
Every year this is a favorite in Knoxville especially for kids! The Peppermint Trail runs from November 29th, 2024 to January 5th, 2025. You will follow peppermints all over downtown Knoxville streets. As you follow the peppermints, you will be taken to local businesses that will be offering fun peppermint treats, coffees, hot chocolate, cocktails, and more. This is fun for families and date nights! Learn more on their website! This is a free event!
Address: Downtown Knoxville on various streets
Downtown Knoxville Website
Fantasy of Trees
The Knoxville Convention Center becomes a Christmas wonderland every holiday season. East Tennessee Children’s Hospital puts on this event as it raises money for their hospital. The event starts on November 27th, 2024 and runs until December 1st, 2024.
They have more than 350 decorated Christmas trees, holiday accessories, crafts & activities for kids, a gingerbread village, live music, performances, and more! Tickets must be purchased online. Adults are $10 per person and children ages 4-12 are $5. Purchase your tickets on their website.
Address: 701 Henley Street Knoxville, TN 37902
Fantasy of Trees Website
The Elf on the Shelf® Adventure
Pick up a North Pole pass at Mast General Store or the Knoxville Visitors Center in Downtown Knoxville and go on a scavenger hunt to find Scout the Elf. This event will start on November 29th, 2024 and run until January 5th, 2025.
Over 20 elves will be hidden in local businesses downtown and the first 5,000 participants will get special holiday stamp to self-stamp their passes. If you find 20+ elves, you can enter to win prizes. Learn more on their website! This is a free event!
Address: Downtown Knoxville
Downtown Knoxville Website
Watch The Christmas Parade
Every year the WIVK Christmas Parade is hosted in downtown Knoxville. This year the parade will be on December 6th, 2024 at 7 pm. This parade features tons of floats, dancers, bands, Santa, and more! It is a must-see. The parade will start on Gay Street in downtown Knoxville, TN. Learn more on their website.
Address: Gay Street in Downtown Knoxville
WIVK Website
Visit Zoo Knoxville
Zoo Knoxville is a great zoo to visit year-round but especially at Christmas time!
You can read our Kidding Around review of Zoo Knoxville.
During the holiday, the zoo is decorated with tons of beautiful Christmas lights, plus you can visit with Santa. He will be visiting on the following dates:
- November 29 & 30 2024
- December 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, & 22 2024
- Hours 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Included with your zoo admission ticket and free for zoo members
Go See The Classic “A Christmas Carol” Play at Clarence Brown Theatre
The classic “A Christmas Carol” play by Charles Dickens is performed every year at the Clarence Brown Theatre in Knoxville. This is an amazing play that will have you laughing, crying, and will leave you with a warmed heart just in time for Christmas. Showings start on November 21st, 2024 and run until December 21st, 2024. Tickets start at $24. Get your tickets on their website and learn more.
Address: 1714 Andy Holt Avenue Knoxville, TN 37916
Clarence Brown Theatre Website
Walk Through The Festival of Lights at Cove Park
Cove Park in Farragut, TN is hosting their Festival of Lights starting on December 1st, 2024 and running until December 31st, 2024. You can walk through the park every night from 6-9 pm. Santa will visit on Friday and Saturday nights during the month of December. This event is free but they do kindly ask for canned goods for the Love Kitchen organization. Learn more on their website.
Address: 11808 S. Northshore Drive Knoxville, TN 37922
Festival of Lights at Cove Park Website
Visit Christmas in The Cave 2024 at Cherokee Caverns
Take a journey through the historic Cherokee Caverns where you’ll see the stalactites among thousands of Christmas lights and scenes. Santa will also be there for a photo with the kids. They will also have concessions and holiday craft vendors. Learn more and get your tickets on their website. This event starts on December 6th, 2024, and will be open every weekend until the weekend before Christmas.
Address: 8524 Oak Ridge Highway Knoxville, TN 37931
Christmas in The Cave Website
Heritage Center Christmas In The Village
Take a short drive from Knoxville to Townsend, TN (close to the Gatlinburg area) to visit the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. They are hosting their Christmas In The Village event where they show what life would have been like in Christmases past. You can enjoy living history interpreters, hand-crafting demonstrations, craft stations for kids and families, hot cocoa, and more. This event is on November 29th, 2024 and November 30th, 2024. The event starts at 5:30 pm each evening. Admission is $15 for adults (ages 13+), $10 for children (ages 5-12), and $12 for Seniors (ages 60+). Purchase tickets online.
Address: 123 Cromwell Dr. Townsend, Tennessee 37882
Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center Website
Looking for more fun things to do this holiday season in Tennessee? Don’t miss Winterfest in Pigeon Forge. Just about 45 minutes from Knoxville, TN is Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg, TN.
Check out our Kidding Around guide to Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg.
Enjoy the South’s Best Christmas Towns