KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The weather is getting warmer and warmer in East Tennessee. For families across the region, that means summer is slowly approaching, getting ready to bring the heat.
It also means that a season filled with festivals and celebrations is approaching. During the summer, families across East Tennessee get ready for cookouts, music and plenty of fun.
On the Fourth of July, people are bound to spot fireworks regardless of whether they're staying at home or if they're attending one of East Tennessee's massive events. There's even one event that sends anvils flying into the sky!
Keep reading below to learn more about some of the fun planned in East Tennessee during the summer of 2024!
June
Old City Market: This monthly event brings together local makers and creators who want to show off their skills and connect with the community. Visitors of this market can peruse stalls set up throughout Old City and connect with craft makers in their community. It is held on the second Sunday of every month from April through December.
Concerts on the Square (Through Sept. 24): Downtown Knoxville hosts several free concerts in Market Square through the summer. Jazz Tuesdays run each Tuesday in June from 7-9 p.m. Also, every third Thursday of each month will feature a different band from different music genres.
Rhinestone Fest, for the Love of Dolly (June 7-8): Also known as "Dolly Fest," people in Knoxville's Old City will be celebrating Dolly Parton with pop-up bars, a Dolly art contest, vendors and more during the weekend. You are sure to see plenty of people sporting their best Dolly Parton look!
Flower & Food Festival (through June 9): If you are still pining for spring, Dollywood will continue to showcase beautiful flowers, unique foods and new stage shows during its Flower and Food Festival.
Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration (June 15 - Aug. 11): Dollywood's hours are extended during this festival, with a celebration of summer sweeping the park with nightly fireworks and a drone show. The "Gazillion Bubble Show Aurora" is also returning this year.
Repticon Knoxville (June 15 - June 16): This reptile show at Chilhowee Park's Jacob Building brings people together to learn more about the scaled friends that may slither and skitter around outside. Anyone looking to bring home a new reptile friend can also find snakes and lizards available for purchase, as well as experts to teach them how to properly care for their pets.
Smoky Mountain Quilters of Tennessee Annual Quilt Show (June 21 - June 22): The quilt show brings together families and experts to show off their skill at one of Appalachia's oldest crafts — quilters. More than $6,500 in prize money is on the line, and exhibits from masters will be on display. The show starts at 9 a.m. each day at the Knoxville Expo Center.
East Tennessee Amateur Golf Championship (June 28 - June 30): This championship brings golfers together either in age-appropriate senior divisions or in a championship division for a 36-hole stroke play competition. It's hosted at the Elizabethton Golf Course.
Hops in the Hills Craft Beer Festival 2024 (June 22): The ninth annual celebration of fermentation is set to return at the Maryville Greenway Amphitheater. There will be games, lounging and live music along with food. Of course, there will also be opportunities to taste some of the best brews East Tennessee has to offer.
Knoxville Hardcore Fest 2024 (June 29 - July 1): This event is hosted by the Knoxville Hardcore Collective and offers a lineup of heavy rock for anyone looking to jump into a mosh pit and headbang away. Organizers said they plan to bring more than 30 hardcore, metalcore, deathcore and metal bands over the course of three days. Early bird passes are going for $50 with weekend passes normally available for $70.
July
Festival on the 4th (July 4): The annual Festival on the 4th is a celebration meant to bring families together for a day of fun on Independence Day. It is at the World's Fair Park and starts at 5 p.m., rain or shine. The lawn is packed with live music, food, and other kinds of games like mini-golf and paddle boats at the park's lake. The fun culminates with a large fireworks display.
Independence Day Anvil Shoot Celebration (July 4): On every Fourth of July, the Museum of Appalachia celebrates in a unique way — launching an old-fashioned anvil into the sky. This style of celebration was a common way for pioneers to commemorate holidays and special occasions, and the museum keeps that tradition alive with a flag procession, live music, historical demonstration and plenty more.
Gatlinburg July 4 Parade and Fireworks (July 4): Gatlinburg celebrates the Fourth of July with a large parade and a firework show starting at 11 p.m. The parade is the "first Independence Parade in the Nation," stepping off at 12:01 a.m. and stretching more than a mile. The route starts at Baskins Creek Bypass.
Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta (July 4): This competitive event takes place on the Little Pigeon River in downtown Gatlinburg. Anyone who wants to participate can rent a rubber ducky to float down the river, racing to the finish line at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies.
2024 FanBoy Expo (July 12 - July 14): This celebration of everything geeky brings together fans' favorite starts for several days of panels and presentations. This year's event features Giancarlo Esposito, who played Gus from Breaking Bad, as well as well as several cast members from the Harry Potter movies, Dolph Lundgren of Rocky IV fame, and Danny Trejo.
Kid-ical Mass by Two Bikes (July 28): This event is meant to bring together families and their kids for a short, 4.2-mile leisure ride in downtown Knoxville. The ride leads down to the World's Fair Park splash pads before heading back to Market Square for ice cream. Parents and their kids can bring bikes, as long tas they are comfortable riding on public streets.
August
Sip of Summerfest (Aug. 9): This event brings together local brews, food and live music in historic Clinton. Tickets include local brews, food and live music. This year's event will be held at the Kincaid House.
International Food Fest (Aug. 10): Happening at the World's Fair Performance Lawn — eventgoers should arrive with an empty stomach. It brings together thousands of people with dozens of food vendors at the festival representing more than 25 countries. It also features bounce houses, performances, crafts and more.
This story will be updated as we learn about more events in East Tennessee.