Spring Events 2026
You're in store for lots of festivals and events in Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee this spring. Invite your family and friends to enjoy a variety of good times, from worldwide music events and international street fairs to more intimate gatherings and exciting adventures. Scroll on to see what awaits you in Spring 2026!
#LoveDowntownKnox
🎨 First Friday ArtWalk | first Friday of each month
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!
🐶 Mardi Growl Pet Parade & Festival | March 7
Register your pet or join thousands of spectators along the route for the famous Mardi Growl Pet Parade. The fan-favorite paw-rade begins in the Old City on Saturday, March 7 at 11am and makes its way to World's Fair Park. Following the parade, the fun continues with a dog-gone fun festival of pet loving-vendors, food trucks, live music, games and more.
🇮🇪 Shamrock Fest | March 14
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at Knox Shamrock Fest! The family-friendly event at World's Fair Park from 10am-6pm includes live Irish music, dancing, inflatables, cultural events, food, Irish whiskey and more. Plus the Lucky Kidney Run benefitting East Tennessee Kidney Foundation! Join families, runners, and festival goers for an afternoon of celebrating all things St. Patty's Day.
☘️ St. Patrick's Parade | March 14
Let's celebrate St. Patrick's Day in style! Join us for a Parade on Saturday, March 14 at 1pm on Gay Street. Knoxville native & NFL star, Harrison Smith will be the Grand Marshal. Fill the sidewalks of Gay Street, or grab some food on a surrounding patio, and watch the parade go by!
🥳 Family Day at KMA | March 21
It's going to be a fun-filled day of family entertainment at Knoxville Museum of Art on Saturday, March 21 from 11am-3pm. The biannual Family Day features food, live music, and free, hands-on art activities. Plus an opportunity to check out permanent collections and visiting exhibitions. Admission to the KMA—and to this event—is free.
🎶 Big Ears Festival | March 26-29
Big Ears Festival brings extraordinary performances and arts experiences to Knoxville, Tennessee, connecting more than 40,000 locals and visitors of all ages to incredible performances at a variety of venues, from big to small! The New York Times calls it, "One of the world's greatest music bashes!" And it's right here in our backyard, March 26—29.
✨ Chalk Walk | April 11
A beloved event every year, this year's Chalk Walk is sure to keep the fun going! The street painting festival turns Market Square's sidewalks into a seemingly infinite canvas for the region’s most talented professional and student artists. Thousands of art lovers head Downtown each year to experience this live art competition in Market Square.
🏃 Knoxville Marathon | April 12
Thousands of runners race through the streets of Downtown Knoxville for the Knoxville Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay Races, Kids Fun Run, and more. Even if you're not participating, it's fun to watch. Grab a patio on Gay Street and cheer the racers on to victory!
🎭 Rossini Festival | April 18-19
Double the fun with two days of Rossini! The Rossini Festival is one of East Tennessee’s most popular events, combining a vibrant International Street Fair with world class opera performances and art exhibitions...all for FREE! Witness non-stop entertainment on outdoor stages showcasing opera, classical, jazz, gospel, and ethnic music; ballet, modern, and ethnic dance. Taste street food from many vendors and peruse more than 75 artisan booths. See y'all April 18-19!
🌼 Old City Market | starts April 19
Old City Market transforms historic Jackson Ave into a curated, outdoor market with beautiful handmade gifts, local gourmet goods, and more. Markets take place the second Sunday of every month with opening day on April 19 from 11am to 4pm. What a way to kick-off spring!
🌸 Dogwood Arts Festival | April 24-26
The famous Dogwood Arts Festival is fun for the entire family! It's a weekend full of regional artists selling unique creations including mixed media, pottery, painting, photography, glass, jewelry, and sculpture. Held on the World’s Fair Park's Performance Lawn, you'll find over 100 fine art vendors, live music, entertainment, children's activities, food and beverage vendors, and more.
🍅 Market Square Farmers Market | starts May 2
Kick off the 24th season of the Market Square Farmers Market on Saturday, May 2. Everything is grown locally or made by a vendor in the East Tennessee region! Find vegetables, fruit, eggs, honey, herbs, pasture-raised meats, breads, baked goods, salsas, coffee, artisan crafts, and much more. Every Wednesday and Saturday, May through November, rain or shine!
📚 Children's Festival of Reading | May 16
Kick off summer reading with a full day of music, storytelling, arts, crafts, science exploration, food, and fun designed for kids—but a unique experience for all. The Children’s Festival of Reading is Saturday, May 16 at World's Fair Park from 10am–3pm. This FREE event boasts music and storytelling tents, costumed storybook characters, children's dance, and more!
🚦 Open Streets Knoxville | May 17
Come downtown on Sunday, May 17th from 2–6 PM as Open Streets Knoxville returns for an exciting afternoon of car-free streets, community connection, and active fun! Experience Gay Street like never before as it opens up to people instead of cars, from Summit Hill Dr. to Hill Ave., and extending across the Gay St. Bridge. Walk, bike, roll, dance, explore and more in the street at this free, family-friendly event!
🌟 Knoxville's Largest Kids' Party | May 30
Join the non-stop fun with exciting kids activities, appearances by favorite princesses and superheroes, 80-foot obstacle course, water slide, and so much more at Knoxville's Largest Kids' Party. Portion of the proceeds will benefit children in our community.
Stay tuned for more!
Check the calendar for more events and festivals coming to Downtown Knox throughout the spring, summer, and fall!