Summer Events 2025
Summertime in Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee promises lots of festivals, events, and things to do. Check out this list of summer events to enjoy with your family and friends, from month-long scavenger hunts to beer festivals and more. Scroll on to see what awaits in Summer 2025!
#LoveDowntownKnox
🦋 Rhinestone Fest | June 6 & 7
A weekend full of celebrating Dolly Parton, our queen of East Tennessee! The annual Dolly-themed festival encompass all artists, musicians, and do-gooders that Dolly has inspired throughout her rhinestone-studded career. Rhinestone Fest will take place on June 6 & 7, 2025 at various locations in and around the Old City. Rhinestone Fest is a family friendly event and is free to attend. 😎💃🌈
🎨 Old City RHINESTONE Market | June 7
The Rhinestone Fest fun continues in a special Dolly-themed Old City Market on June 7 at from 1–8 PM. The Rhinestone Market is free and open to the public, and will feature an array of Dolly art, crafts, and merchandise from plenty of local makers.
🏠 Downtown Home Tour | June 14
Ever wanted to peek inside beautifully decorated homes in Downtown Knoxville? Now's your chance! The popular Downtown Home Tour—a 30-year tradition—is now hosted by the East Tennessee Historical Society. Come see what urban living has to offer! ✨
🔍 Waldo Scavenger Hunt | July 1-31
Waldo is back in more than 3 dozen locations in Downtown Knoxville from July 1–31. Kids and adults alike have a blast searching for the guy in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs. Pick up your Waldo Passport at any of the participating locations, collect a store stamp at each sighting, and enter our photo contest!
🎆 Festival on the 4th | July 4
Festival on the 4th is a family-friendly celebration with fireworks, food options, and more at World's Fair Park from 5-10pm. The Festival Lawn will be filled with activities, like miniature golf and paddle boats, plus live music. The musical finale will be performed by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra starting at 8pm. Fireworks begin at 9:35pm!
🧒 Kid A’ Riffic Fun in the Park | July 23
Kid A’ Riffic Fun in the Park is an event for children age 2-12 offering hands on crafts and activities! It's held on Wednesdays in June and July from 10am-1pm at a different park each week with one in Downtown Knoxville: July 23 at World's Fair Park. Let's make fun memories over summer vacation. All activities are free!
🍀 Irish Fest on the Hill | Aug 9
The 16th Annual Irish Fest on the Hill will be at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. See, hear, and even taste all components of Irish culture at this family-friendly event. Kid-friendly activities including face painting, balloons, and more will be on site. Make this a full day of fun while learning all about the history of Ireland.
🪕 History Hootenanny | Aug 16
Hootenanny (n.): 1. An informal gathering where folk music is played in a party-like atmosphere (1950-60s). Visit the East Tennessee History Center for History Hootenanny—an all-day celebration of East Tennessee history with music, activities, genealogy workshops, local history author showcases, walking tours, shuttles to historic museums, and more. A FREE family-friendly event!
🐲 Knox Asian Festival | Aug 23
The 12th annual Knox Asian Festival is sure to be spectacular! The Asian Cultural Parade starts at 10:30am at World's Fair Park's splash pad and will follow a route to the amphitheater, where there will be ongoing cultural performances. Lots of food vendors representing a dozen countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and more. There will be Ninja demonstrations and photo opportunities!
🍗 Big Kahuna Wing Festival | Aug 31
This year, the 12th annual Big Kahuna Wing Festival celebrates the creation of the “Buffalo Wing”, which has become a national food icon. The festival promises some of the best wings in the south, a wing eating competition, wing cooking competition, live music, kid's corner, fireworks, and over 20,000 lbs of wings. All for the love of the “Buffalo Wing” and to raise money for charity.
Stay tuned for more!
Check the calendar for year-round events in Downtown Knoxville – and more festivals coming this fall!