Driving around town to find the best light display has always been one of my favorite Christmas traditions. My parents drove us around every year of my childhood and my husband and I have been doing the same with our kids for the last 15 years. Always – always – with The Carpenters playing in the background (my Christmas playlist is long, but Karen Carpenter will always take the top spot). Holiday decorations have changed (a lot!) since the ’80s and the Knoxville area has some amazing light displays that you just shouldn’t miss!
Below is a list of some of our favorites and a link to a mapso you can plan out your holiday tour for all the Knoxville Christmas lights. If you know of other locations, please leave a comment – we’ll be adding to this list throughout December!
My family also added a new tradition a few years ago: a Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt. We’re slightly competitive and had a blast trying to check off all of the items on our list. I’m sharing this Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt printable with you and hope that you enjoy adding this fun tradition to your holiday season!
Villa Gardens Light Show 5610 Villa Road, Knoxville
Gray Eagle Lane (off of Bob Gray Road) Knoxville: Many houses are decorated in this neighborhood. Be prepared to wait in a line to get through the neighborhood.
Loudon County
10875 US-11, Lenoir City If you’ve ever driven down Kingston Pike past Watt Road, into Lenoir City, you’ve seen this one! Gorgeous display.
Blount County Courthouse Festival of Trees December 2, 2021 • Tree Lighting at 6:30 PM • Blount County Courthouse The Blount County Courthouse lawn will be illuminated by live Christmas trees of all sizes, colors, and themes. This unique month-long event allows the community to enjoy the festival by driving by or walking through for a closer look. The Festival opening will take place on the Courthouse lawn and will include entertainment, refreshments, and visits with Santa Claus.
City of Alcoa Tree Lighting 223 Associates Boulevard, Alcoa, TN 37701 November 29, 2021 (Rain Date: Nov. 30) • 6:15 PM • Pedestrian Bridge at the Springbrook Corporate Center
H.O.M.E for the Holidays Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, Alcoa, TN Join us on December 4th for family fun and light refreshments. If you choose to put a tree in the lower field, please do so prior to the event with the last day being December 2nd.
Reader Recommendations:
11617 Foxford Drive (same neighborhood as West Knoxville Light Show)
8506 Farmington Drive, Knoxville 37923
508 Running Brook Drive, Strawberry Plains 37871 (thousands of lights and blow mold displays)
808 Commonwealth Drive, Strawberry Plains 37871 (lights and trees set to synchronized music)
Anakeesta Enchanted Winter Wonderland 576 Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738 November 11 – February 14 Anakeesta transforms into a woodland winter wonderland! Make your winter vacation plans special this Season with twinkling lights, holiday sights, and warm cocoa around the fire – discover it all during Anakeesta’s Enchanted Winter celebration! Immerse yourself in an enchanting 1000′ tunnel of twinkling arctic lights as you stroll from Firefly Village to Vista Garden.
Zoo Knoxville Zoo Lights 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive Knoxville, TN 37914 11/26/21-1/09/21 5:00PM-8:30PM, Closed Dec. 24th, 25th General Admission: $24, $4 off for zoo members, $18 kids (aged 3-12) Children under 2 are free See Knoxville’s newest light spectacular! Light up your nights this winter when you experience the all-new outdoor lantern light-up at Zoo Knoxville. In addition to dozens of glowing lanterns, see an enchanted forest of multi-color trees, enjoy holiday refreshments like hot chocolate and delightful holiday treats. See website for more details.
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland 3540 Line Drive (Smokies Stadium) Kodak, TN 37764 November 5 – January 2; open from dusk until 10pm
Christmas in Chilhowee 3301 E. Magnolia Avenue Knoxville, TN 37914 Chilhowee Park at the Midway, Entrance at Beaman St and Magnolia 12/10/21 5:30PM-9:00PM FREE Join us for a free holiday event on Friday, December 10th in Chilhowee Park at the Midway. We will have free activities, free photos with Santa followed by a free drive-in movie of Dr Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 2000 starting at 7:00pm.
Lakeshore Park will be illuminated with a special kickoff celebration on Nov. 28th. Visitors can enjoy the decorated trees throughout the holiday season.
Founders Park (Campbell Station) 405 N. Campbell Station Road Farragut, TN 37934 November 23 – January 1st FREE From dusk to 10 p.m. nightly, the holiday lights will be on along Campbell Station Road from the I-40 commuter lot to the Campbell Station Inn Plaza at the intersection of Campbell Station Road and Kingston Pike. Maintain your social distance while enjoying the walkable holiday display.
What’s at the end of a Peppermint Trail? Holiday magic you have to see to believe! Follow the peppermints along the sidewalks in Downtown Knoxville to discover specials featuring the favorite red-and-white holiday candy. Restaurants, coffee shops, and bars will have candy cane coffees, desserts, and cocktails, while boutiques will sell peppermint t-shirts and fun gifts. A little Elf also told us there will be visits from Santa, cookie decorating classes, and more pepperminty-events! Santa’s team also decked out downtown storefronts, windows, doors, patios, trees and parks with 200,000+ lights and garland.
To sweeten the deal, take the next step and sign up for the Peppermint Trail Pass, a mobile passport that will lead you through the holiday magic of the Peppermint Trail to the best coffees, candies, cocktails, and holiday treats in Downtown Knoxville. Follow this link to sign up for the Peppermint Trail Pass.
Here’s a link to a google map of the above list – we’ll add to it and to this list as we find out about more light displays.
Hi, I’m Raven! In 2020 my husband and I celebrated 20 years of marriage, my son graduated from high school and moved into his college dorm, and my daughter started driving… So that perfectly sums up Mom Life for me right now. I’m a right brain living in a left brain world – I work full-time in Finance but do design work on the side. I love dogs, Dolly, sweet tea, and all things pretty. And if you need to find me during the holidays, chances are good I’m curled up with a Hallmark movie.
We have lights at 3008 Conner Drive, Knoxville TN 37918. Listen to the show by tuning to 91.5! You can also control the show at http://ChristmasOnConner.com.
You should add Trails End Subdivision to your list. There are a couple of homes with great Christmas decorations on Totanka Lane, Wayside Drive and Flintlock Road.
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Can you add 6531 Colossal Ln 37721?
Good decorations and others in the neighborhood also.
We have lights at 3008 Conner Drive, Knoxville TN 37918. Listen to the show by tuning to 91.5! You can also control the show at http://ChristmasOnConner.com.
Come to Strawberry Plains!
508 Running Brook Drive Strawberry Plains, TN 37871
808 Commonwealth Drive Strawberry Plains, TN 37871
Plus many more in Lyons Creek Subdivision
Please add my house. I just added a light show to my yard. 7204 larkspur ln lot 247 powell tn.
You should add Trails End Subdivision to your list. There are a couple of homes with great Christmas decorations on Totanka Lane, Wayside Drive and Flintlock Road.
check out Seven Springs Subdivision, several house throughout are decorated really nice
Christmas Light show at 520 Vivian Lee Ln.
Concord 37934
2112 pewter drive
Knoxville TN 37909
Here is a video of the light display at 520 Vivian Lee Ln. Concord off Canton Hollow in Mill Creek Manor
https://youtu.be/3RigTJ2Wxxs