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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.
James White Fort hosts Mysteries, Whispers & Secrets of Old Knoxville – The Ghostly Tour of Downtown Knoxville. Join the spirits for a tour of some of Downtown Knoxville's scariest landmarks and best kept secrets including Burnt Flesh & Many Eyes, the Haunted Pipe Organ, the Restless Governor, and more! Tours start at 7pm on October 19, 21, 22, 23, 26, 28, and 29. Visit JamesWhitesFort.org or call 865-525-6514 for tickets or more information.
Theatre Knoxville presents The Haunting of Hill House October 8-31. Get tickets here. It's a chilling and mystifying study in mounting terror in which a small group of “psychically receptive” people are brought together in Hill House, a brooding, mid-Victorian mansion known as a place of evil and “contained ill will.” The play was adapted from the novel by Shirley Jackson.
Join the Halloween-themed Zumba class – on the rooftop – at the Lindsay Young Downtown YMCA. October 27 at 5:15pm. Costumes encouraged! Free for Y Members and Strong Challenge Participants. Child watch available.
Join Knox Box Karaoke on Wednesday, October 27, for all the tricks and treats of TWO "Out of the Box" Drag shows. Drink and be scary with the fang-tactic entertainers at 9 pm and 11 pm. 21+ with cover at the door.
Be a part a globally synchronized dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller!" The 12th Annual Thrill the World takes place on October 30 at 5pm in Market Square. 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.
Bernadette has decreed the theme of the Pub Family of Bars to be “Circus” in 2021…and we anticipate it being “The Greatest Show on Earth.” You’ll find creepy drinks along with ringmasters, cat wranglers, creepy clowns, and beautiful freaks on Halloween weekend, with the official Scruffy City Bar Crawl on October 30 from 4-10pm.
Dress in your best costume and celebrate the night! The Vault is hosting a Halloween Costume Party on October 30, a spooky night in the safe of the Holston Bank! Fill your night with music, dancing, costumes, and specialty Halloween cocktails. Come dressed in your best costume and receive a complimentary drink at the door. Find more details on the Facebook Event.
The annual Freaker’s Ball Pub Crawl is Saturday, October 30. Starts at noon at Old City Sports Bar and makes its way through the Old City with Wagon Wheel at 8pm, and Southbound and Hanna’s at 9pm. Dress your best – costume contest will have secret judges at each venue handing out $1,200 in cash prizes, plus branded swag bags courtesy of New Belgium Brewing, Bud Lite, Jameson, Altos, and Malibu! Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite or at any participating venue the night of the event. Find details on the Facebook Event.
The final concert of Sunsphere Sundays at World's Fair Park is on Halloween, October 31! It'll be a spooktacular show with the talented St. Paul & The Broken Bones! Find more info and how to purchase tickets at the Facebook Event.
It's another Halloween special tradition! An evening of eerily familiar sounds by some of the Pilot Light’s family of creative music makers. On Sunday, October 31, the annual show will be at the majestic Bijou Theatre. It’s the Pilot Light's sole annual benefit, raising funds to help support their mission to host new and original music in Knoxville. Get your tickets in advance to make sure you get a seat!
It's the first annual Monster Mash Bash at Old City Sports Bar on Sunday, October 31. Noon to 1am with games, swag bag prizes, costume contest prizes, and plenty of Halloween themed drinks (including service industry specials). It's a free event with prizes by Bud Lite, New Belgium Brewing, Yuengling, Jameson, Altos, and Malibu.
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, where the Children’s spirits are at play, and more. Go online to book your tour now.
Hanged killers, tragic fires, reanimated corpses, cold-blooded murder, and sweet revenge. It all happened in Knoxville and restless spirits still haunt the city streets. Go on one, or all three, ghost tours to discover the gruesome details: Shadow Side Ghost Tour, Ghosts of the Old City, and Side Street Shadows. Call 865.309.4522 to book your tour!
Tall Man Toys & Comics will be hosting Halloween ComicFest from October 16-31. Drop by the store in costume and get a free Halloween goodie bag. Plus be entered to win their costume contest!
Looking for a fright? Grab a team and try to escape. You'll find rooms of all difficulty levels at Escape Game Knoxville, but this time of year we recommend The Villain's Lair, The Purge (done blindfolded!), and their newest – Once Upon a Time. Trust us: these rooms are CREEPY! Find details and book your room here.
Painting With a Twist is hosting some scarily creative classes. Check out the "Zombie Yourself" class on October 15 and "A Haunted Night" on October 16. View their October class schedule to sign up for these classes and to see their Fall-themed classes too!
Bring your furry friend for Merchant of Beer's annual Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest supporting Young-Williams Animal Center on Sunday, October 17 at 2pm. These doggos are always in the cutest and most creative costumes, so even if you don't have a pet, it's a fun day to come watch!
Able Trade is hosting a two-night broom making class! Students will make two cobweb brooms in a two-night class, October 20 & 21 from 6-8pm just in time for All Hallows Eve. All tools and materials will be provided by instructor. Find more details on the Facebook Event.
The Tennessee Theatre presents The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Saturday, October 23 at 11pm. 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.
Dress as a zombie and invade Downtown Knoxville on October 23! The Knoxville Zombie Walk is an annual charity walk collecting donations for different local nonprofit organizations. Event begins at 2pm, walk starts at 5pm. Find details on Knoxville Zombie Walk's Facebook Event page.
Get ready to party like you're back from the dead on October 23 following Knoxville Zombie Walk in Market Square. Live music and after party at Scruffy City Hall starts at 7pm.
Museum of East Tennessee presents Monsters at the Museum on October 23 from 11am–3pm. It's a free event highlighting the “monsters” and superstitions of East Tennessee! The event will have Halloween-themed children’s games, crafts, and storytelling, plus trick-or-treating and a costume contest. Register for the free event here.
Join First Baptist for their yearly Trunk-Or-Treat event on Sunday, October 24 from 4–6pm, hosted in the lower parking lot. There will be face painting, games, inflatables, prizes, and refreshments. This event is free! In case of rain, the event will be moved to the Bank of America Parking Garage and Trentham Hall.
