So many sparkly and exciting holiday events are meant for families to enjoy this holiday season. Load up the kids and have Mamaw and Papaw meet you there.
A Christmas Carol
Join Ebenezer Scrooge and friends for a reminder about the joy of Christmas when Clarence Brown Theatre brings A Christmas Carol to stage now through Dec. 18. Tickets for kids 12 and under are just $12 and the show sells out fast, so move like Marley’s ghost is chasing you and get tickets today. You can order them here.
Holidays on Ice
While you’re downtown, strap on some skates for Knoxville’s open-air Holidays on Ice skating rink. It will be open on Market Square through Monday, Jan. 2. For schedule and details, click here.
Christmas Parade
Bundle up for the WIVK annual Christmas Parade down Gay Street at 7 pm Friday, Dec. 2. Lighted floats, bands, dancers, and even Santa will pass by! Dec. 2 is also First Friday, so be sure to stop in downtown’s art galleries and shops for some shopping and holiday cheer!
If you can’t make the Knoxville parade, the Sevierville Christmas Parade is a must see on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 11 a.m. More info here.
A Pioneer Christmas
For a more tender Tennessee Christmas, head to the Museum of Appalachia Dec 9 and 10 from 4 to 9 pm for a pioneer Christmas experience. Enjoy an evening tour of the museum’s pioneer village decorated the old-fashioned way. Activities will include storytelling, music, wagon rides, a live Nativity, and artisan demonstrations. Tickets and info here.
Zoo Lights
Zoo Knoxville is lighting up the nights again with its Zoo Lights event, which includes glowing lanterns, a flying sleigh zip line, visits with Santa, a scavenger hunt and holiday refreshments. The fun continues through Jan. 8. More info here.
Tour de Lights
Decorate your bicycle and/or yourself for a free family-friendly bike ride through the Old City, North Knoxville and downtown on Saturday, Dec. 10. The ride starts at 5:30 pm at Suttree Landing Park and ends in Market Square. More info here.
Holiday Express
Weekends throughout December, you’ll find the Christmas Lantern Express. Take the kids on board the Three Rivers Rambler for a few hour-excursion filled with festive decor, holiday treats, story time, and a visit with Santa. Times extend during the week of Christmas. Tickets and dates can be found here.
The Nativity Pageant
Amidst all the hubbub of the holidays rests a tiny baby in a stable in Bethlehem. The Nativity Pageant of Knoxville reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas with its free performances Dec. 10-12 at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum. The production starts in darkness and seating is not reserved so be sure to arrive early for shows at 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday and 7 pm on Monday. More info here.