Top 14 Festivals In Knoxville, Tennessee

1. KARM Dragon Boat Festival

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Towards the beginning of June each year, the country turns its eyes towards the calm waters of the enchanting Tennessee River for the exciting KARM Dragon Boat Festival. A fun-filled festival with an honorable course, this event brings out several corporate and community teams who race 41-ft-long (12.49 m) dragon boats to compete for a variety of awards while still serving as a casual fundraiser for the underprivileged and homeless families in and around Knoxville. Held at the Cove in Concord Park, this intoxicating festivity features delicious eats and energetic music, offering the perfect opportunity to socialize with the friendly locals and meet the communities in and around Knoxville.

KARM Dragon Boat Festival

Address:10960 Concord Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37922, United States

Website: KARM Dragon Boat Festival

Takes place: June

2. Knoxville Dogwood Arts Festival

Every year, artists and art lovers get their time in the spotlight at Knoxville Dogwood Arts Festival. Running for three days, this event aims to promote art in an age where many young people are attached to their smartphone screens. A colorful affair that livens the world of art, this spring celebration features live music and an exquisite art market showcasing a wide range of eerie paintings and prolific drawings from thousands of artists across the city. Held in the bustling area of Market Square and adjoining Krutch Park, this festival also features engaging hands-on activities for kids and adults alike.

Knoxville Dogwood Arts Festival

Address: Market Square, Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee

Website: Knoxville Dogwood Arts Festival

Takes place: April

3. Rossini Festivals

Every year towards the end of April, the quiet city of Knoxville comes to life. Huge crowds throng here for one reason only: the adrenaline-pumping Rossini Festivals. A long-running International street fair that attracts thousands of locals and tourists to the rustic charms of Downtown Knoxville, this unique festival aims to celebrate international culture with delicious cuisines and a live opera. It features all-day entertainment, including intriguing arts and crafts, music, and a plethora of exotic dishes from Italy, the Mediterranean, and everything in between.

Rossini Festivals

Address: Downtown Knoxville, TN 37902 United States

Takes Place: April

4. Knoxville Brewfest

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If having a cold bottle of beer on a lazy weekend is your cup of tea, then invite your family, friends, or work colleagues to join you in sampling some of the best craft beers in the entire state at Knoxville Brewfest. Held annually every last week of June at the lively downtown area of Knoxville in East Tennessee, this fascinating festival attracts stalwart beer enthusiasts and globe trotters who all flock here in large numbers for a taste of Tennessee’s most exquisite brews. Brush shoulders with beermakers and brew managers as you engage them in a friendly conversation and learn a great deal about how different brews are processed.

Knoxville Brewfest

Address: Downtown Knoxville, TN 37902 United States

Website: Knoxville Brewfes

Takes Place: June

5. Big Ears Festival

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Big Ears Festival, often held in March, is a four-day celebration of open-minded music, which brings out some of Tennessee’s best talents and most creative minds in music and arts, creating a transformative experience for festivalgoers. A weekend of awe-inspiring music performances centered on celebrating the city’s historic theaters, nightclubs, and museums, this is where local artists, composers, and actors come to showcase some of their best work. Hailed by the New York Times as the “widest-angle music festival in the country”, this event explores the connection between different genres of music and is undoubtedly the place to enjoy some of Knoxville’s remarkable music scene.

Big Ears Festival

Address: Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Website: Big Ears Festival

Takes Place: March

6. Southern Tequila & Tacos Festival

The name says it all: Southern Tequila & Tacos Festival is a weekend of soulful eats and signature drinks put together by different organizers and stakeholders from communities in Knoxville, East Tennessee. Now in its 6th year, this fun event is held conveniently in Turkey Creek Public Market and aims to help raise funds for Remote Area Medical. It is the largest annual tequila and taco celebration in the country. Grab a bite of ridiculously delicious tacos - or, better yet, relish a sip of your favorite margarita or handcrafted tequila as you listen to great music.

Southern Tequila & Tacos Festival

Address: 11221 Outlet Dr. Knoxville, TN 37932 · Knoxville, TN

Website: Southern Tequila & Tacos Festival

Takes Place: April

7. Hola Festival

One of the most popular festivals in Tenessee, Hola Festival is an exciting, two-day celebration of Hispanic diversity in Knoxville and a salute to East Tennesse for organizing a local celebration aimed at embracing the rich blend of Hispanic cultures and heritages in the community. This enchanting festival, held towards the end of September, kicks off on a Saturday evening at the lively Market Square in Downtown Knoxville. Come on down and enjoy an eclectic mix of uplifting music, traditional songs, dance, arts, crafts, and of course, tantalizing food and drinks.

Hola Festival

Address: Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Website: Hola Festival

Takes Place: October

8. Knox Asian Festival

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Planned for August 30th this year, the much-anticipated 6th annual Knox Asian Festival is one that you shouldn’t miss. This is a fascinating festival that brings together different Asian countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, and India to showcase their rich cultures in Knoxville. This lively event makes a perfect getaway for culture and food buffs looking to explore the intrigues of the Asian realm. The festival also features various martial art demonstrations, a ravishing bonsai exhibition, cultural booths with stunning displays, and mind-blowing cosplay contests with breath-taking performances.

Knox Asian Festival

Address: World’s Fair Parks, Knoxville, Tennessee

Website: Knox Asian Festival

Takes Place: August

9. Knoxville Film Festival

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Tennessee filmmakers feature their creative talents at Knoxville Film Festival, an exciting event that premiers new films, music videos, and documentaries. If you happen to be in the city during the festival, take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy watching local talent, which is definitely up to the task of taking on the likes of Hollywood.

Knoxville Film Festival

Address: 1640 Downtown W Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37919, United States

Website: Knoxville Film Festival

Takes Place: September

10. Rhythms N Blooms Festival [Last event in 2019]

If you are looking to get acquainted with the city’s music scene, then the annual Rhythms N Blooms Festival is for you. A brilliant festival that’s just as much about the beautiful city of Knoxville as it is about its captivating music, this exciting event draws music lovers of all genres from across Tennesse (and the world), who come to listen to some great beats. Featuring nearly 50 acts from an enticing line-up, you will get to dance to uplifting jams and uncover some new favorites during the electric performances.

Rythms N Blooms Festival

Address: 123 W Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902, United States

Website: Rythms N Blooms Festival

Takes place: May

11. Knoxville Pride Fest

Held annually, in June, Knoxville Pride Fest is an electrifying celebration focused on promoting equality and inclusivity of all people from different walks of life in the lively communities of Knoxville in East Tennessee. An open celebration filled with inspiring music and cheerful entertainment, this festival aims to sensitize the public and to help promote the inclusion of LGBTQ citizens in Knoxville and surrounding towns. Held in Downtown Knoxville, this colorful event features speakers who share their opinion about this minority and also includes several vendors with engaging displays about related organizations and businesses.

Knoxville Pride Fest

Address: 500 Howard Baker Jr. Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915, United States

Website: Knoxville Pride Fest

Takes Place: June

12. Corn and Tomato Festival [Last event in 2019]

As the name alludes, Corn and Tomato Festival is an event held annually at the New Farmers’ Market to celebrate nutritious varieties of corn and tomato produced in the gorgeous city of Knoxville. Now in its 5th year, this free, family-friendly event aims to share a plethora of mouthwatering signature meals crafted from different varieties of corn. The event, much like its predecessors, will feature a kids’ zone with crafts and games, a cornbread cook-off, a youth eating competition at the pavilion, tomato tasting, giveaways, and more! Expect to see vendors selling tasty corn and tomato products.

Corn and Tomato Festival

Address: 4775 New Harvest Ln, Knoxville, Tennessee 37918

Takes Place: July

13. Knoxville Earth Fest [Last event in 2019]

Even though we are people of different complexions, we are all the same under the sun, and that is precisely what Knoxville Earth Festival is all about - bringing communities from different backgrounds together to help the environment. This event held every April at Knoxville Botanical Gardens provides a family-friendly environmental education. This festival also features engaging speakers and inspiring music. Of course, like many of Knoxville’s other festivities, tantalizing food and exquisite drinks are aplenty. Join in on the celebration and help contribute to creating a better and more sustainable Knoxville for future generations.

Knoxville Earth Fest

Address: 2743 Wimpole Ave, Knoxville, TN 37914, United States

Website: Knoxville Earth Fest

Takes Place: April

14. Knoxville Sunflower Festival

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If you adore looking at beautiful sunflowers, then Knoxville Sunflower festival may be worth your while. An enthralling festival where you can surround yourself in the quiet respite nature provides, this is undeniably a feast for the senses. Set at the picturesque confines of the Forks of River Wildlife Management Area, this festival boasts a beautifully sculptured landscape covered in 70 ac (28 ha) of sunflowers. A perfect spot for a remarkable photo-taking opportunity, this festival draws out many visitors and nature lovers from across Tennessee who come to enjoy the ravishing beauty of its eye-catching sunflower fields.

Knoxville Sunflower Festival

Address: 3140 McClure Ln, Knoxville, TN 37920, United States

Takes Place: July

Join in on the cheerful celebrations

If you thirst for a remarkable experience that will open your eyes to the fascinating cultures and elating traditions of Knoxville, there are festivals here to appease you. Contrarily, if you are searching for something a bit more contemporary, then perhaps Knoxville Film Festival is your thing. Wherever your fancy lies, Knoxville’s festivals are bound to serve up some fun and excitement to all of its attendees.