2022 East Tennessee Festivals and Events
A guide to East Tennessee's events and festivals that include music, food, culture, art, history, wine and beer, and more! If you know of a festival that needs to be added to our list then please email us at: [email protected].
April 2022
At this Festival, you will have a chance to meet the alpacas, llamas, sheep, goats, and angora rabbits whose fleece becomes the fibers that are spun into yarn and used to create functional and art pieces. Experienced fiber artists will share their knowledge by demonstrating techniques and use of tools that can be applied to your own pursuits.
The 64 year old tradition continues with Bluegrass music by “The Misfits”, “Cedar Ridge”, and “Double Cross Bluegrass” . Special Guest this Year is “The Warman’s”. Craft vendors will be displaying and selling their handmade crafts. With the tradition meal of ramps in eggs, country bacon, white beans, cornbread and potatoes being severed from 10 A.M. till 2 P.M. Also, the traditional awards of oldest, youngest, largest, family and the one traveling the farthest will be presented. Proceeds go to the Polk County 4-H Camping Program.
Established in 1961, the Dogwood Arts Festival is one of the most celebrated cultural events in Knoxville! The festival is held on the beautifully redesigned Performance Lawn at World’s Fair Park and features art vendors working in mixed media, pottery, painting, photography, glass, jewelry, sculpture, and more.
Shindig is located at Windrock Park Hollow at Windrock Park. It might the most beautiful place to see an outside concert in East Tennessee. Come for the music stay for the mud slingin' heart pounding action of the South's largest adventure park!
Come on out for the Ballplay - Tellico Ruritan Club's 10th Annual Ramp Festival! This family-friendly event includes live music, vendors, and, of course, our famous ramp meal! Admission and parking are free.
Enjoy over 150 vendors, games, pony rides, petting zoo, food trucks, entertainment on stage and more! Poppea's Children's Boutique will be hosting a beauty pageant for kids. FREE ADMISSION! FREE PARKING!
Members of the aristocracy spent their time in tournaments, hunting, feasting, and games such as chess, all in a sumptuous and visually captivating environment. Courtiers were served the finest food and drink, while musical entertainment further enhanced the social theater. Come join us in celebrating the Renaissance in Tennessee's beautiful Appalachian region. We are offering interactive art, entertainment, theater, arts & crafts, and music highlighting the historical and fantasy elements of the renaissance era, and we're beginning the festivities of the weekend with a Renaissance Noble Banquet fit for a King.
The Museum of Appalachia welcomes the warmth of spring by trimming the heavy winter coats from their flock of sheep. We invite you to join the Museum in celebration of this pioneer tradition. Activities include: Sheep Shearing, Sheep Herding, Interactive Children's Programs, Animal Meet & Greet, Historic Demonstrations, Live Music, Museum Tour, Food Vendors.
Enjoy southern hospitality while feasting on the best tacos and tequila in East Tennessee. The annual Southern Tequila & Tacos Festival benefits Remote Area Medical, featuring numerous taco vendors, a variety of tequila, music and more!
Knoxville Opera's Rossini International Street Fair is a one‑day celebration of international culture, cuisine, and opera, featuring all day entertainment, fine art and crafts and a variety of Italian, Mediterranean, and international foods.
AQUATICON, one of the only premier Freshwater, Reptile, AND Saltwater aquarium shows is kicking off in Knoxville, Tennessee at the massive Knoxville Expo Center! Get ready for a massive, fun-filled, educational event that you can bring your whole family to.
Sample more than 150 craft brew and ciders, including specialty and unique beers from around the region along with casks made just for the Thirsty Orange. Select beers will also be infused with fresh ingredients like mango, jalapeno and chocolate throughout the day.
During the festival, crafter's demonstrate forgotten arts, such as blacksmithing, basket making, hand spinning, weaving, woodcarving, chair caning, soap making, garden herb lore and use, and paling fence making. In addition, there will be children’s activities, interpretative talks, fun runs, bird watching and wildflower guided walks, vendors demonstrating and selling their wares, and food sales.
The Fair focuses on springtime activities on an 1850s farm and the sale of thousands of plants, garden accessories and related crafts, with an emphasis on herbs, native, and heirloom plants. Each year the Fair features garden walks and talks, children's activities, traditional music, and baked goods.
May 2022
The Museum of Appalachia welcomes the warmth of spring by trimming the heavy winter coats from their flock of sheep. We invite you to join the Museum in celebration of this pioneer tradition. Activities include: Sheep Shearing, Sheep Herding, Interactive Children's Programs, Animal Meet & Greet, Historic Demonstrations, Live Music, Museum Tour, Food Vendors.
Soak up the Smoky Mountain sunshine at the Kerbela Shrine Fun Fest Marketplace. The marketplace will be held at the Music Road Resort Convention Center in Pigeon Forge and is free and open to the public. You’ll find crafts, accessories and handmade gifts for the whole family. Make sure to see the Kerbela Shrine Fun Fest Parade that takes place on Saturday.
New this year, the Spring Antique Fair will be a 2 day event. Starting Friday, May 6, 2022 over 100 antique vendors will line the streets of Historic Downtown Clinton from 12 -6 pm. Food, entertainment, and late night shopping in the antique stores will continue through 8 pm. Festivities resume on Saturday, May 7th from 9 am-5pm. Although the Street events end on Saturday evening, the Antique Shops will open again on Sunday from 1 - 5 pm. Join us for a weekend of antiquing!
Artists, crafters, food trucks, BBQ Competition, blooms and flowers, demonstrations, and carnival.
Celebrate all the Arts downtown on Main Street, and on the one and only SkyMart. Featuring handmade crafts, fine art, great food, and entertainment.
Don’t stop BELIEVIN’! This 2nd Annual event will feature Bigfoot competitions , guest speakers, live music, vendors, food trucks and other great surprises. You won't wanna miss this!
This curated event with a focus on the artistry of brewing hand-crafted beers from brewers that are local, regional, and beyond as well as a culinary experience showcasing chefs and restaurants. Featuring live music entertainment and more!
The inaugural Southern Skies Music Festival comes to World’s Fair Park in Knoxville, TN on May 14, 2022. Curated by hometown favorites The Dirty Guv’nahs, the one-day event will feature six musical acts across two stages, food trucks, craft beer, wine, specialty cocktails, a Maker Market, and more.
Held at Unicoi Elementary School, downtown is filled with thousands of visitors and becomes a magical place where scrumptious food, musical entertainment, special events, and quality arts and crafts blend together to create the perfect atmosphere for family fun and community connection!
Live music. Delicious food. Awesome fun. Whether you’re enjoying toe-tapping tunes, devouring the nation’s best BBQ or simply enjoying the sights and sounds of one of the southeast’s top festivals, Bloomin’ BBQ is a weekend of fun for the whole family.
The Bristol Tattoo Company presents the 3rd annual State St. Tattoo Fest! Artists from all over the country, tattooing all weekend! Open to the public! Come down and get a rad tattoo! $15 for an all day pass. Tickets only sold at the door.
The Morristown Strawberry Festival has something for everyone in your family to enjoy. Great bluegrass and gospel music all day, a Kiddie Korner for your children, delicious food, ice cream eating contest, fantastic arts and crafts plus new to the festival this year...the Goodwill Family Fest Fire and Rescue Challenge!
Each year when the mountain laurel blooms, this Wartburg festival in Morgan County Tennessee shows off their natural splendor. The festival will include: Vendors, Crafters, Food, Live Music, Entertainment, Silent auction, Donation drawings, 5 K, Hiking Marathon, Car Show and so much more!!!!
Jfest serves two main purposes: to provide wholesome entertainment for the whole family, and to evangelize those seeking hope.
Avast Ye Pirates! Enjoy rollicking pirate/island music, interactive stage shows, delicious food, cold drink (including beer), fine crafts, activities and games. Come dressed as a pirate and enter our costume contest. Fun for the whole family. Get Your Pirate On!
The Greene County Partnership’s annual Iris Festival was created in 1994 and has become the community’s major festival of the year, featuring artists, craftsmen, merchants, food vendors and entertainers from across the country.
The festival is designed to offer entertaining local and regional talent, and is promoted as a juried arts/crafts festival.
Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games is held each spring in East Tennessee USA - come celebrate all things Scottish - family friendly and pet friendly weekend event - music - food - highland games and dancers.
Chattanooga Beer Fest is a ticketed craft beer and spirits event, providing you with the option to sample tastings from every participating partner. There will also be entertainment, food, and vendors.
Avast Ye Pirates! Enjoy rollicking pirate/island music, interactive stage shows, delicious food, cold drink (including beer), fine crafts, activities and games. Come dressed as a pirate and enter our costume contest. Fun for the whole family. Get Your Pirate On!
The Chattanooga Street Food Festival boasts a gathering of the best food trucks from our area! These food-passionate folks come together in Chattanooga to celebrate a diversity of food that is uniquely theirs by bringing it right to you! Think donuts, tacos, stir-fry, pizza, empanadas, k-bobs, popsicles, and even healthy options like salads, juices and rice bowls. Wear your stretchy pants and come hungry. The Chattanooga Street Food Festival offers your entire family the chance to indulge in a mixture of cultural foods sure to please any taste palette. If you’re a foodie at heart you don’t want to miss out on this event!
June 2022
The festival consists of a 5K race, two days of music, art and craft vendors, children’s area, food court and much much more! The goal is to create events that families and friends can enjoy and make memories for years to come!
The three-day event will feature storytellers Sheila Arnold, Bil Lepp and Kim Weitkamp, known to audiences nationwide for their wit, wisdom and abilities to make audiences laugh, cry and reminisce. Two special events have been added to the weekend: a workshop by Bil Lepp on Thursday, June 2, and a special tour of Oak Ridge by Oak Ridge Historian Ray Smith on Friday June 3.
Celebrating over 38 years as Chattanooga’s premier live music event, Riverbend is an award-winning festival, offering 3 days of live music.
Presented by Knoxville's Old City! Y'all dress up in your Dolly-best for a weekend of art, music, history, food and fun celebrating Dolly! Supporting Imagination Library of Knox County.
Art, Craft, Direct Sales, Business, and food vendors join together for your day of shopping & fun for the whole family. And blooming onions too!
At the KARM Dragon Boat Festival paddlers commit to raise pledges to support the many life-saving programs that KARM offers to the homeless in Knoxville.
Thousands of buyers from throughout the greater Knoxville area and beyond will come view the wares of some 240 crafters. Items range from ceramics and glassware to metal work and jewelry, to baskets and much more! The quality of the event and superb reputation of the crafters have made this one of the area's most popular events.
The Moonshine Rod Run is one of the most successful car shows in the Southeastern United States attracting more than 500 Collector, Classic, and Muscle Cars and Trucks. Our picturesque park provides an abundance of shade and is the ideal venue for this annual gathering of car enthusiasts, families, and friends who join us every year on the Father’s Day weekend.
The Lavender Festival offers food, fun activities for children, herb demonstrations, crafts, antiques, and music, annually on the third Saturday in June.
Knoxville Brewfest is June 18th, 2022 in Knoxville, TN. Join us for wonderful beers from around the country, while benefiting CureDuchenne.
The festival is designed to provide public awareness of the disabled communities in the area as well as a fun opportunity to get the family out for festive activities. Activities include: music, food, games, and vendors. The Patricia Neal Innovative Recreation Cooperative will host a water ski venue for the day.
The Big BBQ Bash is a Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) sanctioned competition. KCBS sanctions barbecue and grilling competitions across the U.S. and promotes barbecue as America’s cuisine. In addition, KCBS has an extensive Certified Barbecue Judging program. It is the largest society of barbecue enthusiasts in the world.
Come to the Peaceful Side of the Smokies in Blount County for Summer on Broadway June 24-25, a series of outdoor events to celebrate the region and season.
Hops in the Hills Craft Beer Festival set against the backdrop of the Smokies, returns for its fifth celebration. This festival allows attendees to sample regional craft beer from the best breweries in the area. This years festival will be located in the Maryville Greenway Amphitheater and will allow extra space for games, lounging and live music.
July 2022
Blueberries are the firecracker fruit today! We’ll be celebrating with berries galore—and the return of the blueberry pie eating contests!
Event info coming soon.
Join the Huntsville Fire Department’s firefighters and friends as they host one of the largest Independence Day festivals in the region. Held each July 4 on the Courthouse Mall in Huntsville, the event is a long-standing tradition and attracts more than 10,000 for the annual fireworks spectacular at sundown on Independence Day.
More info to come
Our July 2022 show offers over 180 booths of the finest craftspeople from all over the United States. Watch as they demonstrate their skill, answer questions and offer their unique art for sale indoors at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.
The Peach Festival inspires the talented Chattanooga Market vendors to incorporate peach flavors, smells and peachy themes into their offerings today! Folks can enjoy treats such as fresh peach salsa, peach jams & jellies, peach pastries, peach cobbler, peach candles, peach lotions… And fresh picked peaches!
Celebration of the town's mountain community with music, craft vendors, food, and demonstrations.
Bringing together a massive lineup of bass acts & visionary artists for 2021, Sound Haven is guaranteed to be an otherworldly, transformational experience.
It’s a toe-tappin’, banjo playin’, string singing’ mix of country & folk that will get you up and dancing. You can see some of our region’s hottest bluegrass acts and there will be local eats and cold brews.
August 2022
The Gatlinburg Songwriter’s Festival is a three-day musical event and conference that takes place in and around the Great Smoky Mountains. There are nightly performances by “#1 Hit Songwriters” in intimate settings around the city as well as an opportunity for songwriters to perfect their craft, get advice, meet & write with industry leaders and more.
Food & Craft Vendors. Music, Classic Cars, Kids Zone, Wet and Dry Inflatables, View Fireworks from Land or Boat! FIREWORKS!!!
A summertime spectacle, when professional balloonist light up the evening sky with a beautiful balloon glow and spectacular tethered rides. The sky will be filled with a spectrum of color like never before, against a backdrop of a breathtaking Tennessee Smoky Mountain sunset.
Enjoy street style entertainment tucked into various corners of the Market this Sunday—tips are appreciated! It's also still prime produce season and back-to-school means packing healthy lunches for your littles.
An annual and free LGBTQ festival and parade providing live entertainment vendors, food trucks and more.
Knox Asian Festival aims to promote diverse cultures and celebrate traditions and talents from the Asian continent. The Festival aims to bring together people from various cultural backgrounds, to promote peace, harmony,unity and Healthy life. Each participating country will showcase its unique music, dance, food, fashion, handicrafts and other products at the park in Knoxville TN.
September 2022
Big Kahuna Wing Festival September 4, 2022 on the Performance Lawn @ Worlds Fair Park, Knoxville, TN!
Hooray for Harriman is a street festival that celebrates our beautiful historic city and traditions! Hooray for Harriman was established in 1988 and continues to be a tradition that residents of Harriman enjoy and love each Labor Day. There will be live music, food vendors, arts and craft vendors, antiques, and much more!
The entire family can enjoy inflatables, petting zoo & pony rides, food trucks, trackless train rides, entertainment, and over 150 amazing vendors to prepare you for the Fall season ahead!
FREE ADMISSION! FREE PARKING!
This September, we gather together on the banks of the Tennessee River to dance, sing, and live. 2 Days. 20+ Performances. 1 Big Family Reunion.
15 bands, picking and jamming all week, food and merchandise vendors.
Join local volunteers as they demonstrate how sorghum is made and watch as they cook down the juices into sweet molasses. The team will be showing the step by step process of making the sorghum, including having Mules turning the mill. Also, enjoy the open historic house and explore the cave. Admission is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children twelve and under. Tipton-Haynes members are free!
Nationally-recognized storytellers will once again visit the Big South Fork NRRA this fall for Haunting in the Hills, the Big South Fork’s annual story-telling festival.
Enjoy over 100 craft & commercial vendors, food trucks, pony rides, petting zoo, kids activities, entertainment, & more! FREE ADMISSION! FREE PARKING!
Join us in celebrating our farms and their fresh picks of apples! Our vendors love to join the harvest festival by making all things apple: apple pies, apple butter, apple strudel, and even apple candles and apple scented lotions…
The foothills of the Smoky Mountains come to life with Bluegrass music, arts and crafts, time honored traditions and Appalachian cooking at the Townsend in the Smokies Fall Festival. The festival provides an atmosphere where family and friends of all ages can partake in time-honored Appalachian traditions at a free community event.
Experience a Smoky Mountain fall during Dollywood’s Harvest Festival, voted America’s #1 Fall Family Event by USA Today Readers. Soak in mountain majesty as the hills come alive with vivid color, the smells of apple and pumpkin treats waft through the streets and the sounds of our award-winning rides fill the air with adventure.
Are you a fan of fried pickles? Featuring arts and crafts vendors, live music, and, of course, plenty of fried pickles to enjoy.
We will be celebrating Morristown with an extensive variety of craft beers, great food, live music, local vendors, fun activities, and games. Admission is FREE!
Come experience this regions heritage of the Scots-Irish people who settled East Tennessee in the early 1780's. Visitors can expect an array of activities and entertainment from Bagpipe & Drum competitions, Irish Step-Dancing, sheepdog trials, Celtic foods, children's activities, vendors and much more.
The Museum will host a family-friendly event; a day to step back in time enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of pioneer Southern Appalachian traditions and old-time demonstrations of the fall harvest season.
Officials from Bristol Motor Speedway and Country Thunder announced that superstar Morgan Wallen will return to The Last Great Colosseum in 2022 as the headliner for a two-day Country Thunder event, once again turning the iconic high-banked NASCAR short track into the World's Loudest Half-Mile.
Our goal is to create an oasis where you can discover a few new favorite bands (both local and national), food trucks, vendors and comedians all in one day, and for an affordable price. The event pairs Knoxville's vibrant scene with its newest riverfront park in one of the area's fastest growing sectors. Don't be late!
October 2022
Water Lantern Festival is an amazing experience where you'll witness the magic of lanterns as they light up the water.
The Water Lantern Festival was voted #1 Festival by USA Today. Don't miss this beautiful event!
Grace Lutheran Church’s Pet Fest & Blessing is an annual gathering for people who love animals. Pet Fest is held on the first Saturday in October and is a community event to which the general public is invited. Pet adoption, microchipping, kids’ activities, music, and the blessing service all are featured at the event, and all proceeds benefit area animal rescue groups.
A premier food and wine tasting event that takes place on the Walnut Street Bridge right over the Tennessee River.
On the first weekend of October, the streets of Downtown Newport are bustling with artists, crafters, and businesses displaying their many wares. You will also be able to enjoy some of the most anticipated sights and sounds of the year at this event. Not to mention lots of activities for the kids and the annual pageant.
Since 1999, HoLa Hora Latina has celebrated the rich and diverse cultures of Latin America by inviting the community to share in live music, dancing, food and drinks, craft vendors, and educational activities for children. The annual event takes place during Hispanic Heritage Month.
The region’s best family-friendly Oktoberfest celebration! Come join our city celebration where the sights, smells, and sounds of German traditions take on a Chattanooga flair. There’s something for everyone at this 2-day festival featuring live entertainment on two stages, shopping with local artists, and a chicken dance or two!
The Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair October is the premier holiday shopping destination! We are your one-stop-shop for everyone on your list. Join us in our 47th year of celebrating arts and crafts in the Smokies. Visit over 200 of the finest craftspeople from all over the United States.
Over 150 craftsmen/vendors, incredible food of all kinds, free entertainment, and a large kids area full of activities and games.
There will be historical booths and demonstrations, live entertainment, arts & craft vendors, a car show, children’s activities and more!
The Cleveland Apple Festival™ is a family event that is held each fall in historic downtown Cleveland, Tennessee. This annual festival offers an art and craft show, live music, food booths, petting zoo, entertainment, children’s activities and much more!
Pet owners and animal lovers come to see spectacular exhibits, demonstrations and activities including the infamous peanut butter lick off and a chance at lure reward training. New activities await for all who attend with their pups! The day is filled with pet adoptions from the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley and our partner shelters and rescues, entertainment, food trucks and fun things for adults and kids to see, do, and buy.
Fall on the Mall will feature a full day of events and activities — including music, games and vendors — and conclude a family-friendly movie under the stars at dusk. There will be a costume contest and trunk-or-treat.
November 2022
The Townsend Grains & Grits Festival is a festival of southern spirits and gourmet grub. Come experience our thriving craft spirits and gourmet food community, while discovering some of the region’s legendary distillers and blenders, taking place in the Peaceful Side of the Smokies.
Celebrate the kickoff of Gatlinburg's Winter Magic at the 33rd Chili Cookoff presented by Bush’s Chili Beans. Offering mouth-watering recipes of homemade chili ranging from mild and delightful to wild and adventurous.
The Christmas Connection is a very well established cultural event in Kingsport, hosting some of the region’s best craft artists. This favorite holiday staple is looked forward to year after year!
FREE pictures with Santa, food trucks, petting zoo, pony rides, and over 125 vendors to start your Holiday shopping! FREE ADMISSION! FREE PARKING!
A festival designed to showcase local and out of town businesses who provide compassionate and cruelty-free food and services. Attendees will experience and enjoy plant-based food samples, live entertainment, children's activities, giveaways and more.This event is not just for vegans and vegetarians, it's for anyone who is curious about thoughtful, sustainable eating and living.
December 2022
Exchange Place Living History Farm will once again come alive for the 2022 holidays by hosting the Christmas In The Country festival! You'll find fresh greenery, wreaths, roping, decorating ideas using natural materials, unique folk arts and primitives, traditional holiday foods, herbal products, hearthside cooking, and hands-on activities for all ages!
Indoors during December weekends at the Chattanooga Convention Center. The Holiday Market features 200+ local food vendors, artists and crafters each Saturday & Sunday in December offering unique gifts and festive preparations – everything you’ll need for the holiday season! Shoppers will be able to find one-of-a-kind pottery, custom pieces of art, handcrafted jewelry, local foods, natural bath and body products, locally designed and made apparel, wood furniture, and so much more.
Food Trucks, S'more Roasting, Visit with Santa, walk, take a carriage ride or hayride around the park to view the Christmas lights.
Experience the serenity of an Appalachian Christmas at the Museum of Appalachia!
The centerpiece of this holiday event is an evening tour of the Museum’s pioneer village. The cabins will be adorned with old-fashioned Christmas decorations and festively lit for the occasion. Activities will include storytelling, live nativity, music, and wagon rides. Demonstrations will include blacksmithing, sorghum making and more.
If you know of a festival that needs to be added to our list then please email us at: [email protected].