Fall Events 2023
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 2023!
#LoveDowntownKnox
Concerts on the Square 🎶
September 5, 12, 19, & 26 (Jazz)
September 21 (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 21, a free event for square dancing enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels!
Football Fridays 🏈
September 8 & October 13
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.
PARK(ing) Day 🚗
September 15
Honk Honk! 📢 🚘 PARK(ing) Day returns to Gay Street on Friday, September 15, 2023 from 9 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!"
HoLa Festival 💃
September 16—17
The 23rd Annual HoLa Festival celebrates the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month and the rich diversity of Latino culture. The fun begins Saturday night at 4 PM with a Fiesta Latina: live music, dancing, draft beer, home-cooked food, and artisan craft vendors. Then continues on Sunday from 11 AM–6 PM with the Parade of Nations! Bring a $3 donation to enter the Festival at World's Fair Park Performance Lawn (children under 12 are free).
First Friday ArtWalk 🎨
October 6, November 3, and
every First Friday—Rain or Shine
Downtown galleries and businesses showcase talented artists each month during ArtWalk. This free monthly tradition—turning 20 in November—undoubtedly contributed to Knoxville’s No. 4 ranking for Best Arts District in USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice 2023. Walk through our vibrant streets, pop in and out of exhibitions and opening receptions, listen to live music, and nosh on refreshments. Come see what it’s all about!
Pride Fest 🏳️🌈
October 6—8
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 6 at 7 PM. The celebration continues on Saturday, October 7 at World's Fair Park from noon to 8 PM with music performances, food vendors, and more!
Wicked Cool 👻
October 9—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!
Market Sq Madness 🏀
October 12
Calling all Vol Fans for the 2nd 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.
Welcome to Hockey Top 🏒
October 27
Fall doesn't just mean football! The Knoxville Ice Bears drop the puck of their home opener with “Welcome to Hockey Top” at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum on October 27. The celebration brings the Vols to hockey with appearances from UT Coaches, performances by UT Dance Team, and a postgame auction of limited edition Vols hockey jerseys! It’s going to be a wild season with family-friendly theme nights including The Eras Night, Corgi Races, Baby Shark Baby Races, Pucks & Princesses, and more. See you there!
Veterans Day Parade 🇺🇸
November 10
You're invited to attend Knoxville's 98th Veterans Day Parade on Friday, November 10, 2023. 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.
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?
Stay tuned for more!
Check the calendar for year-round events in Downtown Knoxville!