Fall is about a lot more than just football in East Tennessee.
With the summer heat dissipating, it’s time for fall celebrations and traditions. There are many events happening!
Celebrate the fall season in the Smokies at Dollywood, honor Appalachian traditions in Townsend, go to a bluegrass festival, or put on your best lederhosen and enjoy Oktoberfest.
Here are fun festivals and events this fall in Knoxville, the Great Smoky Mountains and East Tennessee.
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Through September 18 (Chilhowee Park in Knoxville)
The Tennessee Valley Fair has showcased our East Tennessee arts, agriculture and heritage for over 100 years. During the 10-day fair, festival goers can enjoy fun rides and games, circus acts, action sports like rodeo and demolition derby, fireworks, food and much more.
The festival is packed with big name musical performers such as country artist Clint Black and rock band Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
Fair tickets: $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and children 5 and under. More info tnvalleyfair.org.
Location: 3301 E. Magnolia Ave., Knoxville, TN 37914
Days and hours: September 13, 10:00-23:00; September 14-15, 5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.; September 16, 5:00 p.m.-midnight; September 17, 10 a.m. – midnight; September 18, noon to midnight
September. 15-17 (Kodak)
The Bluegrass Festival returns for its 22nd year. Fifteen bands and artists are scheduled to perform, including Sideline, Wildlife and Seth Mulder & Midnight Run. Toby’s Kettlecorn, Queeners Wings & Cuisine, Dazzle Delights and Wacky Tacky Tacos are just a few of the vendors that will be camping.
The festival opens nightly from noon to 11 p.m. This is a rain or shine event with free parking, but camping is by reservation only.
Tickets: $35-$110
Location: 525 E. Dumplin Valley Road, Kodak, TN 37764
Sept. 23–Oct. 29 (Pigeon Forge)
Experience beautiful Smoky Mountain fall scenery at Dollywood! Along with thrilling rides, thrilling shows, and delicious fall foods and treats, Dollywood transforms into a not-so-spooky fall haven.
This year debuts Hoot Owl Hallow, with giant, glowing owls resting in trees, atop buildings and across hillsides.
Dollywood’s Harvest Festival runs through the end of October and tickets start at $89. Visit dollywood.com for more theme park information and tickets.
September 23–25 (Townsend)
Honor Appalachian and mountain traditions in the foothills of the Smokies at the Townsend Visitor Center at 7906 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway. The free festival is filled with Southern food, Appalachian craft vendors and a full lineup of bands.
Contemporary and traditional and mountain music will be featured throughout, and visitors should prepare for square dancing.
There will be numerous arts and crafts booths, Appalachian demonstrations, old-fashioned games for kids and snacks like fried pies and kettle corn.
Festival hours are daily from 10 am to 10 pm. Parking is $10, but there is a free shuttle.
Visit smokymountains.org/townsendfallfestival for a detailed list of performances and vendors.
September 30 – October. 1 (Clinton)
Find hidden treasures at this popular seasonal festival full of antique dealers and artisans on Market Street in Clinton’s historic downtown area. Free to browse, there will be live music, food trucks and other vendors on site, along with antique and craft dealers.
Hours: September 30, noon-8 p.m.; October 1, 9am-5pm More details at adventureanderson.com.
Oktoberfest in Farragut
September 30 – October. 2
Bratwurst, sauerkraut, lederhosen, and of course, beer. It means only one thing: Oktoberfest is here.
Mind Yer Ps & Qs in Farragut presents the German-inspired festival. Their beer garden will have at least six taps of different beers. But this is a family friendly event. There will be live music, cornholes, bounce houses, best lederhosen contests and a stein-holding contest.
Hours: September 30, 4 p.m.-midnight; October 1, 11:00 a.m. – midnight; October 2, noon-6 p.m
Tickets: $10 per day. Children under 10 are free.
A portion of the proceeds will go to local organizations Alzheimer’s Tennessee and PJ Parkinson’s Support.
Visit oktoberfestfarragut.com for more information.
Pride
September 30 – October. 2
Get ready for three days of equality, community, family and fun. The annual Pridefest is an open celebration of music, entertainment and speakers focused on promoting equality and inclusion.
This year’s Pridefest will kick off with a night parade on Friday, September 30 with pride festivities on Saturday and brunch and shopping opportunities on Sunday.
The free event is presented by Knox Pride and aims to make this year’s Pridefest diverse and inclusive for Knoxville’s LGBTQ community and allies.
More details about vendors and event schedule will be released soon. Check knoxpride.com and Knox Pride social media like facebook.com/knoxpridefest for updates.
Water Lantern Festival
October 1 (Chilhowee Park)
Light the water with dreams, hope and love. This unique festival allows friends and family to create a magical moment by lighting thousands of lanterns on the lake at Chilhowee Park, located at 3301 E. Magnolia Ave., as a way to spread positive energy and peace.
Family-friendly games, activities and giveaways will be offered, along with food truck options, vendors and music.
The activity lasts from 16:30-20:30
Tickets: $25.99-$55.99
Ticket prices are dependent on date of purchase and cover design kit material, commemorative drawstring bag and post-event cleaning. Ticket funds help provide safe water and sanitation to families around the world through water.org.
Visit waterlanternfestival.com/Knoxville for schedule of events and other information.
Autumn Festival and Craft Fair
October 8 (Lenoir City)
Head to Horse Haven in Lenoir City for an afternoon of games, live music, a pumpkin patch, pony rides and a variety of crafts. Festival students can also participate in a silent auction.
Tickets: $10, plus parking for $10
Hours: 11am-3pm at 2477 Ford Road in Lenoir City.
hello festival
October 8–9 (Knoxville World’s Fair Park)
The 22nd HoLa Festival returns to the World’s Fair Park in downtown Knoxville to celebrate the diverse cultures of Latin America through authentic food, live Latin jazz, rock and salsa music, dance, games and handmade jewelry, crafts, art and other items from the locals. the sellers.
The Hispanic Heritage booths also have educational activities for kids (and adults) to learn more about Latin America and Hispanic culture.
A $1 donation is required to enter the festival for anyone 12 and older.
Schedule: October 8, 16-22; October 9, 11:00-18:00
Wear Valley Fall Fest
October 14–16 (Sevierville)
Come for the Elvis, stay for the food and fun. The 9th annual Wears Valley Fall Fest is a three-day festival filled with live music and entertainment, Southern food vendors, arts and crafts, antique cars and tractor displays.
An Elvis impersonator will perform classic hits all three days, and several musical acts, including local favorite Jimbo Whaley, will perform classic country, country rock and bluegrass favorites throughout the weekend.
Tickets: $5 admission per person
Schedule: October 14-15, 10:00-18:00; October 16, 10:00-16:00
Location: 3179 Wears Valley Road, Sevierville, Tennessee
Check facebook.com/wearsvalleyfallfest for complete performance schedule.
Farragut Harvestfest
October 30 (Farragut)
A variety of food trucks, live entertainment and drinks will be featured at the Farragut Harvest Fest, as always. But organizers promise this year’s annual free fall tradition will be a “thrilling” event. Come in your best costume for a Halloween costume contest and a chance to trick-or-treat.
Hours: 2-6pm at the Village Green Shopping Center at 11505 Kingston Pike
Greek holiday
November 4–6 (Knoxville)
Can’t make it to Greece this fall? Head to St. George Greek Orthodox Church at 4070 Kingston Pike in Knoxville and enjoy delicious authentic sweet and savory Greek food at the 43rd annual Greek Festival.
Experience Greek culture, live music, traditional dance and live music, shopping and much more.
There is no parking at the church, but parking is available at surrounding businesses and shuttles will regularly transport festival-goers.
Tickets: $2 per adult, children under 12 are free.
Check out greekfesttn.wordpress.com, facebook.com/greekfestknoxville for more information.
