KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Out with the old and in with the new! As the year comes to an end, people across East Tennessee gathered to welcome the start of 2022. Some gathered in cities and stopped by bars, while others held family-friendly events.
Of course, it wouldn't be a proper new year celebration without fireworks, and both Knoxville and Gatlinburg made sure there was plenty of thunder to ring in 2022!
If you missed out on the festivities, you can watch those below.
Sevier County
33rd Annual New Year's Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks Show in Gatlinburg (starts at 10 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Gatlinburg Space Needle): For the 34th straight year, Gatlinburg will usher in the new year with its annual event, otherwise known as the "Best New Year's Eve Show in the South." The event will specifically be at traffic light #8 in the Space Needle area.
Knox County
New Year's Eve at the Sunsphere (9 p.m. Dec. 31 at World's Fair Park): A class New Year's classic, this is the event many people will go to in Knoxville. It starts at 9 p.m. at World's Fair Park and includes food trucks, free activities, music from a DJ and live performances. At midnight, the new year's ball will drop from the Sunsphere.
New Year's at Noon (11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Farragut Community Center): Not everyone wants to stay up until midnight to celebrate New Year's! Instead, families can celebrate New Year's at noon at the Farragut Community Center. There, they can enjoy dancing, snacks and child-friendly drinks. Pre-registration is required.
New Year's Eve in the Old City (5 p.m. - 2:30 a.m.): This Old City bar crawl will take participants to some of the most popular destinations in the city, including Wagon Wheel, Old City Sports Bar, Hanna's Old City and Southbound. Wristbands can be purchased online.
This story will be updated as WBIR learns about more events across East Tennessee.
Morgan County
New Year's Eve Festive Follies (12 a.m. - 1:30 a.m. Jan 1 at 1331 Rugby Parkway): This sold-out event is presented by the Actors Co-Op, New Year's Eve in Rugby. It is meant to show up Hollywood glamour and the historical variety show with a selection of songs, acts and stories. It benefited both Historic Rugby Inc. and musicians with The Actors Co-Op.
Loudon County
"Winter Wonderland" New Year's Eve Celebration (7:30 p.m. - 11:59 p.m. Dec. 31 in The Venue at Lenoir City): The Venue at Lenoir City will have fancy food stations, a live band, dancing, casino games and celebration space inside and outside. There will also be a cash bar with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, as well as a late-night breakfast biggest. Tickets at $75 per person, or $700 per person.
Greene County
Midnight On Main Celebration (begins at 8 p.m. in the downtown Greeneville area, on Main Street): Midnight On Main, the Town of Greeneville’s New Year’s Eve celebration, will offer fun for the entire family as it returns to ring in 2022. Following a year in which everything was canceled except a virtual ball drop, the eighth annual celebration will feature live entertainment, movies, fireworks, and other festivities beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31. There will also be food trucks.