KNOXVILLE, Tenn. —
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Actors at the Clarence Brown Theatre are performing ‘People Where They Are’ Oct. 2 through Oct. 20. The play, which is inspired by true events, dramatizes the famous Highlander Center's expansion into the Civil Rights movement.
The Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair is in town through Oct. 27. The Gatlinburg Convention Center will be full of vendors sharing their talents every day.
BOO! At the Zoo is back for the month of October. Kids are invited to trick-or-treat in their Halloween costumes as they make their way through the zoo. Tickets are $10 per person. Children under four are free. BOO! At the Zoo happens every weekend through October 27.
Taste of Anderson County is back! The annual United Way fundraiser will feature food from local restaurants, beer, wine, moonshine and liquor tastings, a Super Smash Brothers tournament, kids' activities, face painting and more. It also has a celebrity guest: rescue squirrel, Vol for Life and social media influencer Sinan the Squirrel will be there to take pictures with fans. It’s at Oak Ridge’s Jackson Square from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Oct. 17.
Visit one of Downtown Knoxville’s scariest landmarks. James White’s Fort is hosting its Hearth Scares Tours Oct. 17, 18, 22, 24, 28, 29 and 30. Tours begin at 7 p.m. each night. Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for children.
The Knoxville Horror Film Fest is going all day Saturday at Central Cinema and Regal Cinemas Downtown West 8. Tickets to the full day of frights cost $40.
The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra’s latest Masterworks concert highlights folk music, memory, and heritage. Performances are Thursday and Friday at the Tennessee Theatre. Tickets start at $16.
Friday, October 18, 2019
Fall Heritage Fridays return to the Museum of Appalachia throughout the month of October. Students and families get to enjoy hands-on educational experiences while learning about Appalachian history and culture. This week’s activities include sorghum making, canning, gardening and more. Fall Heritage days cost $30 per family and last from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There is a Fall Festival and Haunted Woods Trail at Walnut Hill Baptist Church that runs through Oct. 31. Tickets to the haunted trail cost $6 for adults and $3 for kids. There’s also food, games, raffles, and more. Walnut Hill Baptist Church is located off Pleasant Hill Road.
It’s Circus time in Knoxville! The Kerbela Shrine Circus will be at Thompson-Boling Arena Friday through Sunday. This is the 43rd year for the three-ring spectacular. Tickets cost $12.
The Big Heights Rooftop Crawl raises money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee. Guests check-in at the Langley Garage at 6 p.m. on Friday and make their way to various rooftop bars for delicious, food, drinks, and live music. Tickets cost $66.
Admire the changing leaves by boat. Park Rangers at Norris Lake are offering leisurely boat rides Oct. 18 through 31. Don’t forget your binoculars. Tickets cost $5 to $8, and the rides leave at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Maryville College is celebrating its bicentennial with two days of Homecoming festivities. There will be a parade, tailgates, reunions, and athletic events. On Saturday, the Harvest Craft Festival and Bake Sale are going on inside the Alumni Gym from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Wears Valley Fall Fest returns to Sevierville for the sixth year. There will be arts and crafts, live entertainment, and more southern food than you can eat. The fest opens at 10 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The WorldPlayers present ‘Over the River and Through the Woods.’ The play runs Oct. 10 through 25 at Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville. Tickets are $15.
The All Hallow’s Eve special is pulling into the station this month. Climb aboard the Three River’s Rambler for a two-hour trip out to the Forks of the River while listening to a Halloween-themed story. The train runs on weekends in October.
Trick-or-Treat inside Cherokee Caverns Oct. 18-20 and Oct. 25 – 27. The cave will be decked out in spooky decorations and lights. Admission costs $10 per person.
Fanboy Expo 2.0 is this weekend at the Knoxville Convention Center. Meet stars from the Addams Family, Gremlins, Scream, and more. Tickets range from $18 to $28 for general admission or you can buy a three-day weekend pass for $53.
The Knoxville Ice Bears face the Evansville Thunderbolts on Friday at 7:30 p.m. There’s now a clear bag policy at the arena. Tickets start at $11.
Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! The quirky Halloween movie is showing in Market Square on Friday as part of the Knox County Public Library’s free movie series. The movie starts at sunset.
The Tennessee Archive of Moving Image and Sound is showing off a year’s worth of archiving with a screening of some of the recent films they’ve acquired or restored. TAMIS Tales From the Vault is Friday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the East Tennessee History Center. The event is free.
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Ijams Nature Center hosts its weekly Creature Feature on Saturday at 10 a.m. It’s always a surprise to see what animal ambassador shows up.
Arrrrrrrr you ready for Pirate Fest? It’s the final weekend for the swashbuckling festival in Harriman. Enter the costume contest, show off your sword fighting talents and walk the plank. Tickets range from $8 to $16.
The Smoky Mountain Storytellers Association presents ‘Spooky Tall Tales’ on Saturday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Vienna Coffee House in Maryville. Guests will hear Native American folklore, fairytales, and scary stories that are perfect for Halloween.
Are you a Scrabble master? The Knox County Jaycees are hosting Scrabble Scramble to raise money for Friends of Literacy. The scrabble tournament takes place on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Knoxville High. It costs $35 per person to play.
Head to the Anderson County Fair Grounds on Saturday for a free fire safety event hosted by the Clinton Fire Department. There will be inflatables, food, and demonstrations from the National Guard, Sheriff’s Department, and more.
If you want an excuse to show off your Halloween costume early, the Museum of East Tennessee History is hosting a free event on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. called Monsters at the Museum. Children will Trick-or-Treat around the museum and make creepy crafts and hear spooky stories.
The 12th annual October Sky Festival is Saturday at Arrowhead Park in Oliver Springs. Check out the dozens of historical booths, demonstrations, craft vendors, children’s activities and more.
It’s time for UT Arboretum Society’s Fall Plane Sale. The sale is on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Oak Ridge. Dr. Will Witte, the Society’s ‘Answer Man’ will be there to answer all your plant questions.
GO! Contemporary Dance Works is raising awareness for human traffic through its upcoming show, ‘Words Unspoken.’ The powerful display will feature 15 dancers moving as a group from victim to predator to a society turning its back on this overlooked crime. Tickets are $15 to $18. Showtimes are Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Pay a visit to Downton Lenoir City this weekend for its Fall Harvest event. There will be crafts, music, and food on Friday and Saturday.
UT Gardens hosts ‘Bewitching Beasts,’ a food-free Halloween Festival aimed at kids with allergies. Admission costs $8 per child, and kids will learn all about the spooky, scary, slimy, slither beats and plants that start with the letter S. The festival runs from noon to 2 p.m.
The Clinton 5K and one-mile fun run are Saturday at 9 a.m. The event raises money for Clinton City and Anderson County Schools.
UT Veterinary Medical Center is hosting its sixth annual IronDog 5K on Saturday at 9 a.m. The racecourse follows the Third Creek Greenway near the UT Gardens. Registration is $25.
Ijams Nature Center is taking its program on the road to Farragut for a Spooktacular Night Hike. The hike begins at 7 p.m. at the Burnside Pavilion at Founder’s Park. Tickets are $5 for individuals or $10 for families.
The Chalking Festival is going on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. Stop by to check out the artwork and visit the local food and craft vendors.
Wear your pink on Saturday. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure begins at 8:30 a.m. The annual 5K celebrates breast cancer survivors and raises awareness about the deadly disease. The race begins and ends at World’s Fair Park.
The Halls Branch of the Knox County Public Library is hosting a used book sale on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visit the Tennessee Theatre on Saturday for a day of costumes, cartoons, candy, and tours. The open house pays homage to those memorable Saturday morning cartoons. Stop by between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The event is free.
The Washington Presbyterian Church’s 42nd annual Fall Apple Festival is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by for fresh apple cider, fried pies, apple butter, and more. The church is located at 7405 Washington Pike in Corryton.
Stanley’s Greenhouse in South Knoxville is hosting a Fall Festival on Saturday. It features pumpkin carving, fall garden tips, and other family events. The festival is free and runs from 10 a.m. to noon.
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Dress up your pooch in his or her best costume for the UT Gardens sixth annual Howl-O-Ween Pooch Parade and Pet Expo. The event includes a judged costume parade, an expo of educational booths, food trucks and more. The four-legged fun starts at 1 p.m.
‘Gremlins’ is turning 35 years old, and the Bijou Theatre is celebrating with a special showing of the Halloween classic on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $6. Costumes are encouraged.
MAW’s Cause ‘Moving For Mason’ 5K is Sunday at 3 p.m. The event raises money in the fight against SIDS and SUDC. Registration costs $35. The race takes place on the Songbird Trail near Norris Dam.
The C.W. Cansler Family YMCA is putting a twist on a Halloween tradition with its Floating Pumpkin Patch. They’ll fill the pool with pumpkins and guests will dive in, pick their pumpkin, and then decorate it. It’s free for members and $8 for nonmembers. The event begins on Sunday at 3 p.m.
Harper Auto Square’s Cars and Coffee is Sunday at West Town Mall from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. All cars are welcome.