KNOXVILLE, Tenn. —
Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019
Follow the Peppermint Trail along the sidewalks in Downtown Knoxville from Friday, Dec. 13 through Jan. 5th. Discover special features at restaurants, coffee shops and bars such as candy cane coffees, desserts, cocktails and more.
A Christmas Carol continues through this weekend at the Clarence Brown Theatre. Follow Scrooge's magical journey as he transforms into a better person. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday evening. Tickets start at $18.
Founders Park at Campbell Station is aglow with holiday lights each night from dusk until 10 p.m. Light The Park runs through Dec. 31.
What happens when Buddy, a young orphan, accidentally crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and finds himself at the North Pole? He grows up thinking he is an oversized elf. The actors and actresses at Knoxville Children's Theater will perform Elf Jr. The Musical at their North Knoxville theater Dec. 6 - 22. Opening night is already sold out, but there are plenty of tickets left to the remaining performances. They cost $10 - $12.
Theatre Knoxville Downtown is performing 'It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play' Dec. 6-22, 2019. Audience members will sit back like families listening to the radio in the 1940s and hear the story told in its entirety with sound effects and even commercials.
Zoo Knoxville is open late for the holidays. Winter Nights runs Thursday through Sunday and the zoo will remain open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. each night. People will decorate cookies, take photos with Santa and will be able to admire thousands of twinkling lights.
River & Rail Theatre Company presents "The Unusual Tale of Mary and Joseph’s Baby" Dec. 11 through 22. The Christmas Folk musical has become a tradition for the theater group.
PJ Masks save the day! Watch the heroes in action during a live show at the Tennessee Theatre. Tickets start at $29. The show starts at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
Circle Modern Dance is performing its winter show on Thursday, Friday and Sunday at the Laurel Theater. Tickets start at $10.
Visit with Santa at the War Memorial Building in Lenoir City on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The evening includes crafts, games, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Friday, Dec. 13, 2019
Enjoy a live nativity at Tanner Place in Clinton on Friday and Saturday. Live animals, caroling, hot cocoa, cookies and more will be there to enjoy with your friends and family. The event begins at 6 p.m.
A Christmas event will be held in downtown Morristown Friday evening from 5 - 8 p.m. Carolers, marshmallow roasting, carriage rides and more with be available on Main Street.
The 2019 Christmas Lantern Express runs this weekend and next. The Three Rivers Rambler train rides last about two hours and will include festive decorations, holiday treats, storytime with celebrity readers and, of course, Santa. Rides are at 9:45 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. Tickets range from $7.50 to $28.50 depending on age.
Christmas in the Cave at the Historic Cherokee Caverns runs this weekend. Visitors will be able to stroll along the cave path and enjoy thousands of twinkling lights. Tickets cost $10.
Talented actors and actresses from Bearden Middle School will perform Beauty & the Beast Dec. 13 through Dec. 15. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Showtimes are Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019
Enjoy Christmas in the Park at the Panther Creek State Park in Morristown. Grab some hot chocolate and treats while making crafts and playing games. The festivities will begin at 1 p.m. and go on until 4 p.m.
Travel through time at the Holiday Homecoming Celebration at Norris Dam State Park. Discover the holiday traditions of the 1930s and look at the historically decorated, rustic cabins. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. at the historic East Side of the Norris Dam State Park.
The Nativity Pageant of Knoxville begins on Saturday at 3 p.m. The performance is free of charge and family-friendly. The pageant continues through Dec. 16 at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum.
Bike Walk Knoxville is partnering with Visit Knoxville to bring you the 2019 Tour de Lights. Enjoy a fun, free and family-friendly bike ride through downtown Knoxville. Participants are encouraged to decorate themselves and their bikes. The ride starts at 5:30 p.m.
Under the Streetlamp is performing songs from their PBS Specials and studio album, Hip to the Holidays, at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Greeneville. Sing along to your favorite holiday tunes. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets start at $35.
The Oak Ridge Christmas Parade is Saturday at 6 p.m. This year’s theme is ‘Christmas Around the World.’ The parade steps off at 151 Lafayette Drive.
The Rockin’ Santa Half Marathon and Sunshine Santa 5K are Saturday at Victor Ashe Park. The races raise money for Sunshine Ambassadors, an organization that enriches the lives of people with disabilities through dance.
Sip some warm apple cider while you walk around the exhibits at the East Tennessee History Center. The historical society is hosting a holiday open house on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be local authors there, storytelling and ornament making throughout the afternoon.
Decorating a gingerbread house is a beloved holiday tradition you can experience on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the University of Tennessee South Greenhouse. This is the first year for the Gingerbread House-making party.
The Knoxville Jingle Bell Run is Saturday at 9 a.m. in World’s Fair Park. It raises money for the Arthritis Foundation.
James White’s Fort is hosting a Christmas Candlelight Evening on Saturday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Enjoy waffles with Santa on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Centennial Golf Course in Oak Ridge. Tickets are $5.
Brrrrrrr. The second annual Pigeon River Polar Plunge is Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. at Camp Riverslanding. The event raises money for United Way of Sevier County. It costs $25 to take the plunge.
Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019
Find some Christmas spirit for the Santa Hustle Smokies 5k and Half Marathon. The run will start at the Wilderness at the Smokies at 7:30 a.m. for the half marathon and 7:45 a.m. for the 5K.
Make a festive felted scarf at Ijams Nature Center on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. This winter weather workshop costs $65 and includes all the materials and instructions.
Santa will be popping into area breweries with a pack of adorable puppies on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. If you already have a dog, bring him/her for a picture with the big man himself during the Santa Paws Pup Crawl.
It’s a Knoxville holiday tradition! “It’s A Wonderful Life” is playing at the Tennessee Theatre on Sunday at 2 p.m. and again at 6 p.m. It’s free to attend.