KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The 2023 Christmas season is about to officially kick off in Knoxville!
Christmas in the City kicks off Friday night with the Regal Celebration of Lights.
The city will be lighting the 42-foot-tall Mickey Mallonee Christmas tree in Market Square's Krutch Park Extension the Friday night after Thanksgiving. The celebration will run from 5:15 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the tree-lighting ceremony will happen around 6 p.m.
The city said there will be plenty of things to do in the square that night.
After the tree is lit, the city will have a full month of holiday events, including the Holidays on Ice skating rink in Market Square, the WIVK Christmas Parade on Dec. 1, the Tour de Lights bike ride on Dec. 9, and the New Year's Eve celebration at the Sunsphere.
The Market Square Holidays on Ice skating rink will open Friday in Market Square and stay open until Jan. 2 unless there is inclement weather. It will be open most weekdays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and open earlier in the day on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Between Dec. 21 and Jan. 2, it will operate on extended hours and open at 1 p.m. most Mondays through Thursdays. You can find the full schedule here.