KNOXVILLE, Tenn. —
Thursday
The annual Smoky Mountain Winterfest celebration is kicking off at Patriot Park. Pigeon Forge's Winterfest Kickoff will be filled with fireworks, a veterans tribute and the illumination of more than six million lights throughout the city. The lights will shine from Nov. 9 until Feb. 18, 2024. The event is from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday is the final night of the Hispanic Film Festival. The festival will feature five independent award-winning films in Spanish with English subtitles. The event is from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Lindsay Auditorium in Hodges Library. Admission is free.
Friday
Knoxville's 98th Veterans Day Parade is taking place on Gay Street, rain or shine. The parade is organized by the American Legion Post 2 with support from the City of Knoxville Office of Special Events. There will be 105 parade units, including the famous Budweiser Clydesdales. Parade attendees are encouraged to arrive early. The parade will start at 10:45 a.m.
Enjoy delicious and authentic Asian food from food trucks and Asian food vendors at Knox AAPI Fall Night Market. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., you can choose from an array of food that includes pork adobo, lumpia, bulgogi with kimchi, bubble tea, sesame noodles, mooncakes and more. Hi-Wire Brewing Knoxville will host the event.
Get ready for a fabulous evening of music as Jeanine Fuller & The True Funk Souldiers and some very special guests perform “The Ladies of Soul Tribute!” Some of the ladies who will be honored include Etta James, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Donna Summer and Whitney Houston. The event begins at 6:30 p.m., doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Advance tickets are $10 plus a service fee. If you purchase tickets on the day of the show, it will be $15.
Saturday
UT Gardens will be hosting a Grow, Teach, Knox Outdoor Learning Symposium. From 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. you will hear from experts on gardening, composting, food and nutrition and more. This event is open to all educators, Pre-K through 12, as well as afterschool providers. You can register here.
Join the Arts & Culture Alliance for a fun and creative Kids DIY Slime and Playdough Workshop at The Emporium. Kids of all ages are welcome to come and get hands-on with slime and playdough making. Materials will be provided. Pricing is pay what you can with a suggested donation of $20 per participant. The event is from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Get ready for an afternoon of underground exploration in Ijames' cave system. Ijams will host a caving trip where people will join a team of naturalists to navigate this unique ecosystem while searching for creatures that call the caverns home. The trip is for ages 18 and up. General admission is $50. Helmets and headlamps are provided.
Sunday
Go Big Orange! Tennessee volleyball will go head-to-head against Ole Miss Rebels at the Thompson-Boling Arena. Starting at 2 p.m., tickets range from $5 to $25 via Ticketmaster. Current military and veterans who present their Military ID at the ticket window will receive complimentary admission for themselves and immediate family members.
The Knoxville Children's Theatre will host its final showing of "Sense & Sensibility." In this adaption of the classic Jane Austen novel, two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood find themselves bound by the trials of life and love. The production is recommended for ages 11 and up. Tickets range from $12 to $15.
Monday
It's Hoops for Hunger at the Thompson-Boling Arena. The Tennessee Lady Volunteers women's basketball will go head-to-head against the Memphis Tigers at 6:30 p.m. If you donate two nonperishable food items, you will receive one complimentary ticket. Donations benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank. However, if you purchase tickets, they range from $6 to $21.
The Knox Brew Hub will be hosting a Pop Up Paint Night with BreastStrokes Knoxville. BreastStrokes has a mission to empower women by encouraging them to come together in artistic expression, and second, by giving them financial aid in their time of need. The organization will also strive to raise cancer awareness, encourage cancer screenings and further support the cancer community. The event is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Their sessions are $40. You can reserve a spot on their website.
Tuesday
The third annual Seniors Got Talent is returning to the Bijou Theatre. Morning Pointe Foundation's showcase celebrates the performing talents of local seniors ages 62 and up. A variety of acts will grace the stage to sing, dance, play instruments and more. The winner receives $500. Tickets are $12.
Wednesday
Do you have a few things you need to knock off your holiday shopping list? Wednesday is the first day of Home Sweet Honey Bee's Christmas Market. The three-day Christmas market will have a hot cocoa bar, free Christmas trees (for the first 10 customers), door prizes, and more. The event is from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Madisonville.
