Visit Able Trade for beer, bites, and local talent. Enjoy music from Tommy Bateman and Some Thieves.

5:30 PM—8:30 PM.

Works from Selected National Workshop Instructors in the permanent off-campus exhibition space.

5 PM—9 PM.

Opening reception for artist Marilyn Dwyer and sculptor Cindy Sugg. Complimentary refreshments and music. Explore the marketplace of more than 60 juried-in East TN artists.

5:30 PM—9 PM.

Awaken Coffee will host an opening reception to raise disaster relief funds for artists in Western North Carolina. A portion (amounts vary by artist) of each sale will go to Arts North Carolina disaster relief fund. All art purchases will contribute to Hurricane Helene disaster relief.

6 PM—8 PM.

Get ready to dance! It’s Andres Tapia DJ Night. Tickets at door.

10 PM.

Visit Bethie Lou’s Fabulous Gift Store for the Gift Store Galleria. Come in for a special experience of fun, laughter, and fabulous gifts. Extended First Friday hours.

Open until 9 PM.

Enjoy jazz with Monk Vibes. Great spot for dinner and cocktails.

8 PM—10:30 PM.

Music from Dean Owens and the Sinners (21+).

(Special early show) 5:30 PM—7:30 PM.

Hola Hora Latina is proud to present a showcase of 11 paintings by artist Charlie Pogue.

5 PM—9 PM.

Original oils by Robin Rohwer and photography by Christopher Rohwer.

Husband and wife artists in studio until 9 PM.

Browse work by 150+ local artists and enjoy a cocktail or bite in the Tavern during First Friday at Maker Exchange! Don't miss new work by Virginia Derryberry, Caitlin O'Keefe Robinson, Anna Grocholski, and many more on display now. 

5—7 PM.

Daché Boutique will have local art, champange, area vendors, and more.

5 PM—8 PM.

Join Dogwood Arts for the First Friday reception of 'Cyclical Nature' a solo exhibition by Megan Lingerfelt. Cyclical Nature is a rare glimpse into Lingerfelt’s studio practice. This new branch of work focuses on the repetitive patterns of botanical elements with stark shadows in the high contrast style utilized in her murals. Inherently, many murals are impermanent and these works revisit concepts that no longer exist in public spaces.

5 PM—8 PM.

Union Ave Books is excited to partner with The Cormac McCarthy Society Conference for Ron Rash’s keynote speech, “Traversing Appalachia with Cormac” at the East Tennessee History Center. A book signing will follow the address; books will be available to purchase.

Seating is limited. Register HERE.

6 PM.

The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present a new exhibition titled 50x50 in recognition of its 50th anniversary. The free gathering with exhibiting artists will also feature live music by Variego3 inside the Emporium.

5 PM—9 PM.

Grab your cowboy hats & boots and join Fiori for a Pink Pony Party. Hear DJ FLOX spin all your favorites. Wear pink and get a complementary glass of glitter champagne upon arrival, and explore the special curated, pink cocktail menu. 

October 3rd (kickoff), 4th, and 5th.

7 — 10 PM.

The Arts & Culture Alliance will host a series of First Friday block parties, featuring live music outdoors as well as artist booths/vendors by more than 20 local artists! In October, we welcome Robinella.

The Block Party aims to create a lively atmosphere in conjunction with the monthly First Friday celebrations. Closure of a portion of Gay Street will provide open pedestrian access and help build community. All are welcome!

First Friday runs 5—9 PM.

The 100 Block of Gay Street between Jackson and Vine avenues will be open to pedestrians only from 4—10 PM.

Gallery 1010 is the only fully student-run, non-profit, off-campus UTK exhibition space in the state of Tennessee. Gallery 1010 provides a location for School of Art artists to exhibit their work, curate exhibitions, and collaborate with other artists or disciplines outside of the School of Art.

October's exhibition is "Walkie Talkie: Animation Sketches" by Nyssa Collins.

5 PM—9 PM.

Local multimedia artist Sonia Jackson Summers will be showcasing her works. All pieces are for sale.

6 PM—8 PM.

A portion of W. Jackson Avenue will be closed to vehicles and the street will be filled with 20+ local makers, live bluegrass from The Boomchuckers, and much more! The Old City is a hub for art of all kinds - especially during First Friday! The Jackson Avenue Block Party is brought to you by Dogwood Arts, the Old City Market, and the City of Knoxville.

6 PM—10 PM

Hannah Doss will be October's featured maker at the Visitor's Center. Hannah is the owner of Mountain Mama’s Art & Adventure, highlighting alcohol ink, illustration, and resin on tile.

5:30 PM—7 PM.

Featured work from Gulya Elhan on display for the month of October.

5 PM—8 PM.

Smooth Sailor will be performing on the patio at 7 PM.

Tickets available HERE.

Underground @ Mirage 10.0 with house music from Carl Michaels and DJ support from Chris Marc, Bad Boy Drama, Christian Ferrer and Kevin Nowell.

6 PM—1:30 AM.

For over 22 years, the Pilot Light has been the go-to for independent and experimental music. On Friday, hear performances by King Ghoul with Seismic Sutra and TN Love Connection. Tickets at door.

8 PM.

Music by Renee Maggart (9 PM—Midnight).

Music from Reckless Threat with James Leigh & The Rest. Tickets at door.

8 PM.

Hot shop Glassblowing Demonstrations at nationally known Pretentious. Don’t miss this.

5 PM—9 PM.

RALA kicks off the Halloween season with the second annual "Haunted Art Show" curated by Esther Sitver. Join them if you dare at this family-friendly event for a collaborative exhibition of creepy, eerie, spine-tingling, and all around haunted art pieces from multiple local artists.

6 PM—8 PM.

Artists Kendra Barth and Vanessa Hartman are showcasing their exhibit, ‘Exquisite Corpse’, at RED GALLERY every Friday in October. 

Kendra and Vanessa have utilized this tool for the last year to bring to you pieces of their collective conscience. Letting their ideas frolic from one to another, on paper, in clay, through conversations and passed notes, Barth and Hartman have tapped into a thought pool all their own. Ideas of innocence and nostalgia dance alongside personification of vegetation and anthropomorphic beings to the tune of fun.

5 PM—9 PM.

Soulfinger with Oceanic will perform. Tickets at door.

8 PM. 

Matt Foster will be performing, free admission.

7 PM—10 PM.

An exhibition of new triptychs by Black Women of Print featuring work by: Deborah Grayson, Karen J. Revis, Stephanie Santana, LaToya Hobbs, Althea Murphy-Price, and Tanekeya Word.

Lore: What We Were Told | What We Saw | What We Tell Ourselves is the sophomore portfolio from Black Women of Print. With Lore, contributing artists continue to expand on personal, familial, spiritual, and creative legacies. The prints are a collection of emic narratives created by active founding members and Cohort II members.

5 PM—9 PM.