Mark your calendars for these fun, family-friendly events taking place in and around downtown during Christmas in the City, beginning Nov. 22, 2019, and continuing through Jan. 5, 2020.

Note that the annual Christmas at Chilhowee event will be held about two weeks earlier than in previous years due to a visit from the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.

All Christmas in the City events can be accessed by public transit using either a KAT bus or one of KAT’s free downtown trolleys.

All Christmas in the City events are listed at KnoxvilleTN.gov/Christmas.


EVENTS


Christmas at Chilhowee
Friday, Nov. 22 – 6-9 p.m.
Chilhowee Park, 3301 E. Magnolia Ave.

Santa will share the spotlight at this year’s Christmas at Chilhowee with the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, a 60-foot blue spruce harvested from Carson National Forest in New Mexico. The tree will visit 30 communities before reaching its final destination of Washington, D.C., on Nov. 25.

In addition to viewing the Capitol Tree and visiting Santa, guests can enjoy free doughnuts, marshmallow roasting, face painting, train rides, golf activities provided by First Tee and a performance by the Austin-East High School Choir, plus additional booths and special guests. Admission is free. The park will be open nightly for self-guided walking and driving tours from Nov. 23, 2019, to Jan. 1, 2020.


Regal Celebration of Lights
Friday, Nov. 29 – 5:30-9 p.m.
Market Square, Krutch Park Extension and Market Street

Mayor Madeline Rogero and special guests will light the 42-foot tall Mickey Mallonee Christmas in the City tree in the Krutch Park Extension with a ceremony that includes live music, fireworks, lasers and a visit from Santa. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with the K-Town Band, followed by the lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. The event also includes food vendors, activities, children’s train rides, marshmallow roasting and free hot cocoa and doughnuts.


WDVX Holiday Ho Ho Hoedown
Friday, Nov. 29 – 6:30-9 p.m.
Market Square stage

The post-Thanksgiving kick-off to the holiday season also includes WDVX FM’s annual Holiday Ho Ho Hoedown featuring live performances on the Market Square Stage by Tray Dahl & The Jugtime Ragband and The Royal Hounds. Admission is free.  


Holidays on Ice presented by Home Federal Bank
Friday, Nov. 29, 2019 to Jan. 5, 2020
Market Square

Knoxville's open-air ice skating rink returns to Market Square. The rink will be closed on Christmas Day and during inclement weather. Standard hours vary throughout the season, so check KnoxvillesHolidaysOnIce.com for dates and times as well as for information on special guests and discounts. Weather-related closures will be posted on the Holidays on Ice Facebook page.


Window Wonderland
Friday, Nov. 29, 2019 to Jan. 5, 2020
Various locations

The sidewalks of downtown Knoxville transform into a Peppermint Trail with windows of restaurants and merchants decorated for the holidays with the special peppermint theme. Participating merchants and restaurants will have peppermint items for sale; offers are listed at DowntownKnoxville.org/holiday/peppermint.


WIVK Christmas Parade
Friday, Dec. 6 – 7 p.m.
Gay Street

Dozens of festive floats will make their merry way down Gay Street during the 47th annual WIVK Christmas Parade. This holiday favorite features high school marching bands, dance groups, costumed characters, theme floats, vintage vehicles and the man of the hour, Santa Claus. To enter a float in the parade, you will need to fill out an application with WIVK.

Streets along and near the parade route will close to parking and traffic as early as 4:30 p.m. the afternoon of the parade. The time and location of these closures will be announced in advance.


A Safety City Christmas
Saturday, Dec. 7 – 5:30-8 p.m.
165 S. Concord St.

The Knoxville Police Department’s Safety City is decked out for the season, and families are invited to its annual celebration to play games, make crafts, enjoy holiday music and visit with Santa. This event is free to the public. Safety City will also be open 5-8 p.m. Dec. 10, 12, 17 and 19 for youngsters to ride their bikes along the Trail of Lights. Learn more about Safety City at KnoxvilleTN.gov/SafetyCity.


Tour de Lights
Saturday, Dec. 14 – 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Jackson Avenue in the Old City

Visit Knoxville and Bike Walk Knoxville present the 13th annual Tour de Lights, a free, fun-for-all-ages five-mile bicycle parade beginning in the Old City and ending in Market Square. In previous years and all kinds of weather, more than 1,000 participants have dressed up in costumes and decorate their bikes with lights for the fun of it and the chance to win prizes. The ride route, related road closures and additional information will be posted at BWKnox.org/TourDeLights.


New Year's on the Square presented by Lloyd's Electric
Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019
Music starts at 10 p.m., ball drops at midnight
Market Square

Welcome 2020 with your friends and family at this free celebration on Market Square. The Bicho Brothers perform starting at 10 p.m., and the ball will drop at midnight.