Weeks spent decking the halls with boughs of garland and strings of lights pay off Friday, Nov. 23, when the City gathers friends and neighbors to light the 42-foot Christmas tree, welcome Santa and officially begin the Christmas in the City season with the Regal Celebration of Lights. 

Old City Buskers string band sets a retro tone starting at 5:30 p.m. on the stage in the Krutch Park Extension at Gay Street. WATE Channel 6 news anchors Bo Williams and Tearsa Smith co-host the lighting ceremony which starts at 6 p.m.

Deputy Mayor Bill Lyons will present a tribute to the late Mickey Mallonee, who served as the City’s Special Events director from 2000-2010.

With help from Vice Mayor Finbarr Saunders, Regal COO Matt Eyre, City Council members and assembled youngsters, Santa will use his magical elf dust to illuminate the tree and light the night with fireworks. 



Regal Celebration of Lights sponsors are City of Knoxville, Regal, Pilot Flying J, WDVX, WATE Channel 6, 93.1 WNOX, The Home Depot and Salvation Army.

In Market Square, the Holidays on Ice rink, presented by Home Federal Bank, is open until 10 p.m. Admission is $11 for adults, $8 for children 12 years and younger, and includes skate rental and sales tax. 

On the Market Square stage, WDVX’s Holiday Ho-Ho-Hoedown begins at 6:30 p.m., featuring music performed by AP Strings, Circus No. 9 and Soulfinger. 

Did you know that downtown Knoxville is the only place in the world that hosts The Elf on the Shelf® scavenger hunt? The hunt begins Friday, Nov. 23, as participating downtown businesses will stamp your North Pole Pass when you spy the elves on their shelves. Participants who get 20 or more stamps will qualify to win grand prizes of downtown merchandise and gift cards. Share your Elf sightings on social media by tagging your posts #elvesinknox. Downtown visitors should also keep an eye out for businesses offering Peppermint Trail food and drink specials.

Participating merchants are listed at DowntownKnoxville.org/holiday. And all Christmas in the City events and updates are posted on the City of Knoxville’s website: www.knoxvilletn.gov/christmas.

Temporary no-parking zones will be in effect on Union Avenue and Market Street starting on Wednesday, Nov. 21, at 10 a.m. and continue through 10 p.m. Friday. Parking will be prohibited on Gay Street starting at 3:30 p.m. Friday. 
 
The following streets will be closed Friday for Christmas in the City festivities: 

• Union Avenue between Walnut and Gay streets, 2 - 10 p.m.  
• Market Street between Clinch and Union avenues, 2 - 10 p.m.
• Market Street between Church and Clinch avenues, 5:20 p.m. - 9:15 p.m. 
• Gay Street between Summit Hill and Church avenues, 5:20 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.
• Clinch Avenue between Walnut and State streets, 5:20 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.