Several events will temporarily close streets in or near downtown Knoxville on Friday, Oct. 4, Saturday, Oct. 5, and Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. Residents and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and consider these closures.


Friday, Oct. 4

Austin-East High School Homecoming Parade 

The parade will begin at 4:30 p.m., closing Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard between Ben Hur Avenue and Beal Bourne Street until 5:30 p.m. 

Knoxville Pride Parade

Parade staging begins at 5 p.m. and the parade steps off at 6:30 p.m. The following roads will be closed 5-8 p.m.: 

• Hill Avenue between Walnut Street and Hall of Fame Drive
• Main Street between Walnut and Gay streets
• Gay Street between Main Street and Hill Avenue

These roads will be closed starting at 6 p.m. and will reopen after the parade ends: 

• Gay Street between Fifth and Hill avenues
• Market Street between Union and Clinch avenues
• Union Avenue between Walnut and Gay streets

These closures include on-street parking meters, and temporary no-parking signs will be posted. 

Jackson Avenue Block Party 

While the First Friday Block Party hosted monthly by the Arts and Cultural Alliance in the 100 Block of Gay Street will not be held due to the Pride Parade, the Jackson Avenue Block Party – with live music and multiple vendors – will be held from 6-9 p.m.

Jackson Avenue will be closed between State Street and Central Street from 4-10 p.m. This closure includes street parking meters, and temporary no-parking signs will be posted. 


Saturday, Oct. 5

Market Square Farmers’ Market

The Market Square Farmers’ Market brings vendors selling locally grown produce and handmade items to downtown on Saturdays and Wednesdays through Nov. 23. 
 
● Market Street between Union and Clinch avenues and Union Avenue between Walnut and Gay streets will be closed 6:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m.  

● These closures include street parking meters, and temporary no-parking signs will be posted. 


Burlington Community Health Festival

Martin Luther King Boulevard between Oakland and Lakeside streets will be closed from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. for a health festival organized by New Direction Healthcare Solutions and CONNECT Ministries. 

More than 50 vendors will provide information to promote healthy thriving communities, including information about public safety, human trafficking awareness, housing, and economic development. Support for the event comes from the African American Equity Restoration Task Force. 


Sunday, Oct. 6

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s Memorial Stair Climb

Gay Street between Cumberland Avenue and Main Street will be closed 7 a.m.-2 p.m. for the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, which will take place at First Horizon Plaza. This closure includes street parking meters, and temporary no-parking signs will be posted.
  
Music on Main 

First Baptist Church will host Music on Main on Sunday, Oct. 6, closing Main Street between Walnut and Locust avenues from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.


To explore downtown parking options, visit DowntownKnoxville.org or download the Parkopedia app.