Warm sunny weather has arrived in East Tennessee AND there are plenty of fun family festivals to look forward to this spring, summer and fall!
Dogwood Arts Festival
World’s Fair Park
525 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN 37902
Friday, 4/28/23 10:00AM-7:00PM, Saturday, 4/29/23 10:00AM-7:00PM & Sunday, 4/30/23 10:00AM-5:00PM
Cost: FREE
The Dogwood Arts Festival is one of the most celebrated cultural events in Knoxville! It will feature over 100 art vendors, live music, food trucks and entertainment for the entire family!
Mayapple Marketplace
Ijams Nature Center
2915 Island Home Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37920
Sunday, 4/23/23 10:00AM-2:00PM
Cost: FREE
This outdoor spring celebration features nurseries, gardening vendors, local handmade wares from artists and crafters, food trucks and more!
Children’s Festival of Reading
World’s Fair Park
Knoxville, TN 37902
Saturday, 5/20/23 10:00AM-3:00PM
Cost: FREE
Get in the groove for summer library club, bust a move with storybook characters Pete the Cat, Lyle Crocodile, and Pout Pout Fish, and meet favorite authors and illustrators! You’re invited to the celebration of books and imagination, music, storytelling, arts and crafts, food, live music, science and discovery, children’s performances, toddler town and more!
Southern Tequila & Taco Festival
Mayor Ralph McGill Plaza
101 N Campbell Station Road, Farragut, TN 37934
Friday, 4/28/23 6:00PM-9:00PM
Cost: $75 Early Entry Admission, $50 General Admission, $60 At the Gate
The Southern Tequila & Taco “Cinco Fest” is in its fourth and largest year! Over 100 tequilas and mezcals, every available Mexican beer and, of course, tacos from the area’s finest restaurants and food trucks!
Rossini Festival International Street Fair
Downtown Knoxville & Market Square
Saturday, 4/22/23 10:00am-9:00pm
Cost: FREE
The Rossini Festival is Knoxville Opera’s perennial celebration of the performing arts. The public is treated to non-stop entertainment on five outdoor stages showcasing everything from opera, classical, jazz, gospel and dance.
Strawberry Festival at Narramore Farms
199 Laurel Bluff Road, Kingston, TN 37763
Saturday, 5/6/23 11:00AM-4:00PM
Cost: $10.00 (Over Age 2)
Make plans to attend this “berry sweet” family time on the farm! There will be fresh strawberries, local vendors, delicious strawberry treats, food trucks and farm fun activities. You will also be able to pick your own fresh strawberries!
Vestival at Candoro Marble
681 Maryville Pike, Knoxville, TN 37920
Saturday, 5/12/23 12:00PM-5:00PM
Cost: TBA
This annual arts and music festival is held on the historic Candoro Marble Company grounds. Enjoy music, art, food and more!
Lenoir City’s Rockin’ the Docks
199 Laurel Bluff Road, Kingston, TN 37763
Saturday, 5/27/23 1:00PM-10:30PM
Cost: Free
This all-day festival takes place each year on Fort Loudon Lake. Thousands of people gather to enjoy live bands, food, fireworks and much more! There is also a children’s play area. Follow Lenoir City Parks & Recreation on Facebook for the latest information.
Rhinestone Fest for the Love of Dolly!
Old City Knoxville
Friday, 6/2/23, Saturday, 6/3/23 & Sunday 6/4/23, 11:00am-5:00pm
Cost: FREE
Dress up in your Dolly best for a weekend of art, music, history, food and fun celebrating Dolly Parton! There will also be performers, a Dolly-themed Maker’s Market and even more!
Southern Skies Music Festival
World’s Fair Park
Knoxville, TN 37902
Saturday, 5/20/23 12:30PM-11:00PM
Cost: $50-$225
This event will feature Grace Potter, The Dirty Guv’nahs, St. Paul & the Broken Bones and more. There will also be food trucks, craft beer, wine, specialty cocktails, a Maker Market and more.
Splash Pad Opening Day
Knox County Splash Pads
Opening Saturday, 5/13/23
Cost: FREE
Head out to one of your favorite splash pads as they open for the summer season! Need help finding one? Check out our past post with a list of them here!
Scottish Festival & Games
Townsend Visitor Center
7906 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend, TN 37882
Saturday, 5/20/23 8:00AM-10:00PM & Sunday, 5/21/23 8:00AM-6:00PM
Cost: $35 Two Day Pass, $20 All Day Saturday, $15 Half Day Saturday, $15 Sunday, Children 15 & under free both days.
You don’t have to be Scottish to enjoy this festival! Experience all Scottish heritage has to offer including games, performers, vendors, food and more. There will also be cultural and education presentations. There is also an impressive list of children’s activities here.
Bike, Boat, Brew, and Bark
Volunteer Landing
Knoxville, TN
Date & Time: TBA
Cost: FREE
A place for bikers, boaters, beer-lovers, and dog-lovers to unite outdoors for boating demos, craft beers, and more!
Lavender Festival
Historic Jackson Square
Oak Ridge, TN
Saturday, 6/17/23 8:00AM-4:00PM
Cost: FREE
The Lavender Festival features 120 artisan vendors, food trucks and children’s activities.
Lenoir City Arts & Crafts Festival
Lenoir City Park
City Park Drive, Lenoir City, TN 37772
Saturday, 6/3/23 9:00AM-5:00PM and Sunday, 6/4/23 10:00AM-4:00PM
Cost: $3.00 donation
Come out to enjoy the outdoors with over 200 crafters, home baked goods, and more!
Safety City Knoxville
165 S. Concord Street, Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 215-7103
Opening TBA. Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays 9:00AM-2:00pm
Cost: FREE
Bring your bikes with helmets, battery-powered cars, non-motorized scooters (no skateboards), doll buggies, or walking shoes for open riding and play through the miniature Knoxville cityscape. There are also two playgrounds and picnic areas to enjoy!
Celebrate Oak Ridge
A.K. Bissell Park
Oak Ridge, TN
Date TBA
Cost: TBA
Formerly the Secret City Festival, Celebrate Oak Ridge will offer the same family-friendly fun! Come out to enjoy local artists and craft vendors, live music, food, and a huge children’s area. More details to come regarding events and concerts.
KARM Dragon Boats Festival
The Cove at Concord Park
11808 South Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN 37922
Date & Time: TBA
Cost: FREE to Watch
Watch people take to the water in homemade dragon boats — it’s a sight to see! You can even get in on the action! Register your dragon boat team (think family, co-workers or friends) and spend a fun day on the water benefiting Knoxville Area Rescue Ministry.
Knoxville Brewfest
Area around the fountains and lake at the base of the Sunsphere and Tennessee Amphitheater, Knoxville, TN
Saturday, 6/24/23 1:00PM-9:00PM
Cost: $25.00-$50.00
Breweries, beer and enthusiasts from all over will gather for a summer afternoon sampling fresh beers of all colors, styles and flavors, all to benefit CureDuchenne. Please note children are not allowed at this event.
Kuumba Festival
Morningside Park/Haley Heritage Square
1600 Dandridge Ave., Knoxville, TN 37915
Date & Time TBA
Cost: FREE
Named for the Swahili word that means “creativity,” this event showcases visual arts, folk arts, dance, theater, music, storytelling, games and food.
Grainger County Tomato Festival
7480 Rutledge Pike, Rutledge, TN 37861
Friday, 7/21/23 12:00pm-6:00pm & Saturday, 7/22/23 9:00AM-6:00PM
Cost: FREE
Parade Magazine has named the Grainger County Tomato Festival one of the top 10 festivals in the United States! Come celebrate the delicious, juicy tomatoes we all know and love! This is a family event with plenty to do for kids of all ages.
Knox Food Fest
World’s Fair Park Performance Lawn
Downtown Knoxville, TN 37901
Date & Time TBA
Cost: FREE
This festival is bringing international flavors to the Knoxville community! There will be food, dancing, singing, games and shopping from around the world. Friends and families are welcome!
Knox Asian Festival
World’s Fair Park
Downtown Knoxville, TN 37901
Friday, 8/25/23 6:00PM-9:00PM & Saturday, 8/26/23 11:00AM-8:00PM
Cost: FREE
The festival brings together people from various cultural backgrounds, to promote peace, harmony, unity and a healthy lifestyle. Each participating country will showcase its unique music, dance, food, fashion, handicrafts and other products. See website for more details.
Big Kahuna Wing Festival
World’s Fair Park
525 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN 37902
Sunday, 9/3/23 2:00PM-9:30PM
Cost: $20 Advance Tickets, $30 At the Gate, Children under 8 are free.
Come out to sample 8,000 pounds of wings while enjoying the outdoors and live music.
Greek Fest
St. George Greek Orthodox Church
4070 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
Date & Time TBA
Cost: $2.00 Adults, $3.00 Weekend Passes, Children under 12 are free.
A celebration of Greek culture, food, singing, dancing and more! Opa!
Water Lantern Festival
Chilhowee Park
3301 East Magnolia Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37914
Saturday, 5/20/23 5:30PM-9:30PM
Cost: Early bird tickets are $26.98, Regular tickets are $35.99 until 5/12/23, late tickets are $45.99 until 5/19/23, Day of $55.99.
Water Lantern Festival is an amazing experience where you’ll witness the magic of lanterns light up the water!
HoLa Festival
Market Square
Downtown Knoxville, TN 37901
Date & Time TBA
Cost: FREE
Come out to enjoy music, dance, food, arts, crafts, heritage tables, a Parade of Nations and children’s activities in celebration of the Hispanic culture.
Lakeside of the Smokies Balloonfest
295 West Dumplin Valley Road, Dandridge, TN 37725
Saturday, 10/28/23 2:00PM-8:00PM & Sunday, 10/29/23 2:00PM-8:00PM
Cost: $10 Early Bird Day Adult Ticket, $6 Early Bird Day Child Ticket, $12 Presale Adult Ticket, $8 Presale Child Ticket, $15 Adult Week of Ticket, $10 Child Week of Ticket. Two-day tickets are also available.
This festival prides itself on promoting community, friendship and fellowship while educating about hot air ballooning. Besides hot air balloons, there will be music, food, crafts and a wine garden.
Be sure to check with organizers for the latest information about these festivals! Wishing you lots of festival fun!
