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If you’re serious about your Halloween frights, get your fix downtown throughout the month of October. Go full-on zombie if you dare—we have not one, but two outdoor events for the wannabe undead—or scare yourself silly watching classic tales of horror on stage or screen. Plus tours, crawls, concerts, and more.
Join Escape Game Knoxville for The Final Evaluation! This 75-minute asylum-themed escape room challenges your group to work together, uncover clues, and solve puzzles in an eerie setting. All bookings are private, and reservations are required.
Plus, they carry spooky murder mystery board games and detective-themed escape room games—perfect for a Halloween game night. We've also just added an entire line of t-shirts. Their spooky lobby sets the mood from the moment you walk in! Stop by to browse the games or make an evening of it with an escape room experience.
Wicked Cool October Special: Take 10% off The Final Evaluation with code WICKED10 when booking online. Valid for games played October 1–31, 2026. Reservations required. Cannot be combined with other offers.
Take on these challenge and more at Escape Game Knoxville. All month. Find more info and reserve your spot here.
Looking for your new favorite horror movie? Us too! And Regal Riviera on Gay Street has a full slate of spooky flicks for the month of October. Take your pick from The Other Mommy, Resident Evil, or Clayface. Find dates, times, and purchase tickets here. And then spend some time exploring the Wicked Cool things that Downtown has to offer.
Discover the scary secrets lurking through Market Square on a Paranormal Adventure Tour! This tour visits ground zero locations including: where a famous 3 way homicide took place, where the dead were prepared, and where the Children’s spirits are at play. Book your tour online. Every Friday and Saturday in October, plus private tours available.
Gather up your Ghouls for First Frightday in the Historic Old City! The Maker City is bringing a haunted twist to the First Friday block party in the Old City on October 2nd from 5-8pm. Shop spooky creations from local makers, get crafty with goulish activities, explore participating (maybe haunted) galleries, dance to the sounds of DJ Mini Tiger Time, and stick around around for the Haunted Story Corner for some local lore.
Something wicked is brewing in the Old City as Brother Wolf once again transforms into Brother Werewolf, Knoxville's first Halloween pop-up bar. Prepare yourself for a spine-tingling, intoxicating experience featuring pop punk music, ghoulish glassware, decor inspired by classic horror movies, and transformative elixirs that will send your inner beast howling into the night! See what the hocus pocus is about October 1 — November 2.
In need of some fall festivities for the littles? Nourish Knoxville will be hosting a special Nourish Kids event during KCS Fall Break at the Market Square Farmers Market! Join them on Wednesday, October 7 from 10 AM – 1 PM for a free and fun activity for kids!
Nourish Kids is a FREE program for children ages 2-12! All participants have the chance to sample fresh, local produce and will receive $5 in Produce Bucks to spend at any Nourish Market! Bucks can be spent on fruits, veggies, herbs, mushrooms, and food-producing plants.
Celebrate the season with Old City Fall Market! Head to the Old City on Sunday, October 18, from 11 AM – 4 PM for an afternoon of fall festivities, local shopping, and seasonal fun. Browse an assortment of autumn-inspired goods, shop for unique finds from local vendors, and pick out the perfect pumpkin to take home. Enjoy live music while soaking up the crisp fall weather and exploring everything the Old City has to offer. It's the perfect excuse to spend a Sunday afternoon downtown and get into the spirit of the season!
Be a part a globally synchronized dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller!" The 17th Annual Thrill the World takes place on Saturday, October 24 at 6 PM in Market Square, and will run in conjunction with the Knoxville Creature Gathering. Dress up as a zombie, learn the dance, and thrill the world. Watch videos that teach the choreography and follow along with the Facebook event.
Calling all monsters! Museum of East Tennessee presents Monsters at the Museum on October 31 from 10 AM – 3 PM. This free, family-friendly event features a variety of Halloween-themed children’s crafts, story times, and walking tours. Wear your costumes and fill your treat bags while trick-or-treating and learn about Halloween histories and eerie Victorian morning customs. For more information, click here.
Bring your little ghouls and goblins to Market Square on Saturday, October 31 for a fun night of trick-or-treating! Businesses on Market Square and along Union Avenue will hand out candy from 5 – 8 PM. Participants can pick up a free trick-or-treat bag at 17 Market Square, while supplies last. Meet your favorite characters, play games, and more! Bring the whole family for a magical night! See the full event details here.
Things are getting spooky at Pour Taproom this Halloween! Join the fun at their House of BOOOS event on Saturday, October 31, starting at 9 PM, for a night of drink specials, house music, and a costume contest. Dress to impress and compete for the scariest, most creative, or best couples/group costume of the night. Grab your friends, show off your Halloween looks, and get ready to pour one!
Come one, come all to the annual Freaker’s Ball Pub Crawl on Saturday, October 31! Join Southbound, Hanna’s Old City, Old City Sports Bar,Wagon Wheel, and Cowboy Cantina for a night of live music and Halloween festivities in the Old City. One wristband gets you access to all five participating venues, with wristbands available for purchase at the door on the day of the event. Each location will be holding a silent costume contest, with secret judges roaming the venues and awarding cash and prizes to their favorite costumes! Contest times are Cowboy Cantina (8:45 PM – 9:30 PM), Wagon Wheel (9:45 PM – 10:30 PM), Old City Sports Bar (10:45 PM – 11:30 PM), Hanna’s Old City (11:45 PM – 12:30 AM), and Southbound (12:45 AM – 1:30 AM).
An annual tradition! The Tennessee Theatre presents The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Friday, October 30 at 11 PM. Come dressed to impress as your favorite Rocky Horror character and you could win door prizes, plus the bar will offer thematic drink specials! Find more info and purchase tickets here.
Join the scariest bar crawl ever on Saturday, October 31! Bar crawl adventures await at 9 Market Square and Gay Street venues, 2-3 drinks or shots with ticket, exclusive drink specials, food specials, waived cover charges, awesome after party, professional photographers, and more! Get tickets here. For the event page with venue locations, click here.
