Calendar of Events
Thursday, December 12, 2024
Lighthouse Youth Theatre: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Category: Kids, family, Music and Theatre
In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids–probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won't believe the mayhem–and the fun–when the Herdmans collide head-on with the story of Christmas!
Show Dates: Dec. 12-14, 2024
https://www.lytknox.com/2024-season
Circle Modern Dance: Modern Dance Primitive Light
Category: Dance, movement, Kids, family and Music
Wednesday, December 11 | 7PM Open Dress Rehearsal
Thursday, December 12 | 8PM
Friday, December 13 | 7PM & 9PM
Saturday, December 14 | 7PM & 9PM
Circle Modern Dance continues its annual holiday tradition of Modern Dance Primitive Light, a Winter Solstice performance of dance and live music by area choreographers, dancers, and musicians.
Appalachian Ballet Company: The Nutcracker
Category: Dance, movement, Kids, family and Music
Join the Appalachian Ballet Company and Clara on a magical journey to the Land of the Sweets. Principal Artists, Laura Morton La Russa and James La Russa will be taking the stage as Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier, as well as welcoming back guest artists, Aaron Smyth and Alexandre Gonzaga. This production features live music by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for all public performances conducted by ABC’s Music Director, Mr. James Fellenbaum.
At Knoxville Civic Auditorium
Saturday, December 7th 2024 Evening Performance 7pm
Sunday, December 8th 2024 Matinee Performance 3pm
At Clayton Center for the Arts
Friday, December 13th 2024 Evening Performance 7pm
Saturday, December 14th 2024 Matinee Performance 3pm
Knoxville Children's Theatre: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Category: Comedy, Kids, family and Theatre
Performed Thursdays and Fridays at 7 PM; Saturdays at 1 PM and 5 PM; and Sundays at 3 PM and 6 PM.
In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids: probably the most inventively awful kids in history! You won’t believe the mayhem – and the fun – when the Herdman’s collide with the Christmas story head on!
The play is performed by twenty-four talented young actors ages 8 to 16. The cast includes KCT veterans Vivienne Bullard as Imogene Herdman, Mason Cox as Leroy Herdman, Julian Daniel as Ollie Herdman, Desmond Gondo as Claude Herdman and Harper Monday as Gladys Herdman. Mother and Father will be played by Leeland Robbins and Quinton Stiffler respectively, while Luna Chavez will be playing Beth Bradley and Owen Bellamy will be playing Charlie Bradley. Joining them will be Connor Watters as Elmer and Rev. Hopkins, Lydia Komeshak as Mrs. Armstrong, and Chloe Beeler as Mrs. McCarthy. Also featured are KCT veterans Camila Herrera, Hogan Honeycutt, Saha Lau, Caroline Simmons, Sophia Stiffler, and Auden Tatler. Making their KCT debuts in this production are Luke Bounds, Laila Brown, Amelia Carroll, Lola Longmire, Julia Luehrs, and Camden Powell.
The show is directed by guest director Ashlee Latimer and designed by eleven student designers ages 10 to 16. KCT is East Tennessee’s leading producer of plays for children and families. Knoxville Children's Theatre, 109 E. Churchwell Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-208-3677, www.knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com
Safety City: Christmas Public Hours
Category: Free event, Health, wellness and Kids, family
The miniature metropolis Safety City (off Concord Street, just west of Tyson Park) will be decorated for the season, and children are welcome to come enjoy the sights — and practice their safety skills. The kid-sized cityscape is used to teach street safety (whether pedestrian, bicycle or vehicle) as well as fire safety.
Guest may bring bicycles, non-motorized scooters, push cars, strollers and wagons to come ride or walk thru the City. ****MUST have helmet to ride!*****
-Free Event
-ALL riders must stay on the street, leave sidewalks clear for pedestrians.
-Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
-No running around buildings or grass due to lights and cords.
-No pets.
-NO motorized scooters/bikes, roller-skates/blades, hoverboards, one wheels, or skateboards
***dates and times subject to change for weather***
Dec. 3rd 4pm-8pm
Dec. 4th 4pm-8pm
Dec. 5th 4pm-8pm
Dec. 10th 4pm-8pm
Dec. 11th 4pm-8pm
Dec. 12th 4pm-8pm
Dec. 17th 4pm-8pm
Dec. 18th 4pm-8pm
Dec. 19th 4pm-8pm
Questions? 865-215-7103
165 S. Concord St., Knoxville, TN 37919
https://www.facebook.com/events/8637123219708043/8637123253041373/
Ijams Nature Center: December Events
Category: Classes, workshops, Kids, family, Meetup and Science, nature
12/1 • 11th Annual Ijams Holiday Marketplace
12/8 • Creative Series: Holiday Card Crafting with The Big Camera
12/8 • Self-Care Sunday Yoga
12/14 • Beyond the Blueprint - Exploring Neutral Tones with Van Dyke Brown Photography
12/14 • Ijams Junior Naturalist
12/14 • Pickin' on Christmas with Evie and the Elves
12/14 • Geminid Meteor Shower - Guided Night Program
12/15 • Sound Bath Meditation
12/15 • Self-Care Sunday Yoga
12/15 • Bluegrass Jam with ETNBA
12/15 • Geminid Meteor Shower - Guided Night Program
12/22 • Self-Care Sunday Yoga
Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Visitor Center open daily 10-6; grounds and trails open daily from 8 AM - dusk. Information: 865-577-4717, www.ijams.org
Knoxville Museum of Art: 19th Annual East TN Regional Student Art Exhibition
Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Free event and Kids, family
This collaborative project with the East Tennessee Art Education Association is designed to gather the best student work in grades 6-12 from a 32-county region; award winners are eligible for $1,000,000 in scholarships to national art schools. Organized by the KMA.
For additional information and updates, follow the Knoxville Museum of Art on social media:
Facebook: Knoxville Museum of Art, Instagram: @knoxvillemuseumofart, X: @knoxart
Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park, Knoxville, TN 37916. Hours: Tu-Sa 10-5, Su 1-5. Information: 865-525-6101, www.knoxart.org. Admission and parking are free.
Holidays on Ice
Category: Festivals, special events, Kids, family and Meetup
Whether with family, friends or on a date you'll love skating in the heart of Downtown Knoxville in Market Square! Join us at Holidays on Ice presented by Home Federal Bank to make memories that will last long after the holidays are over. Enjoy skating under the stars and twinkling lights while listening to music every night. The rink opens the day after Thanksgiving and will be open through January 5, 2025.
Ice rink is located in Market Square in front of the Knoxville Chamber at 17 Market Square in Downtown Knoxville. The ice rink will be closed during inclement weather, please check the Holidays on Ice Facebook page to stay updated.
Admission price includes entry fee, skate rental and unlimited time on ice!
Adult: $12, Children Age 12 & Under: $9
Season Pass Adult: $50, Season Pass Children Age 12 & Under: $35
Regular Hours
November 29, 2024 - December 22, 2024
Monday through Thursday: 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday: 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Extended Hours
December 23, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Monday through Thursday: 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday: 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Special Holiday Hours for Christmas & New Years
Christmas Eve: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
December 26: 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
New Years Eve: 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
New Years Day: 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Parking is free at all city-owned garages after 6 p.m. on weekdays and throughout the weekend, except for specific special events. City-owned garages include the Locust Street Garage, the State Street Garage and the Market Square Garage. https://www.knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/special_events/knoxvilles_holidays_on_ice
Schulz Brau Brewing: Christkindlesmarkt
Category: Festivals, special events, Free event, History, heritage and Kids, family
Schulz Brau Brewing's Christkindlesmarkt. Our market takes place five consecutive Saturdays & Sunday before Christmas and allows the community to come together for a bit of shopping, drinking, socializing, and celebrating after a long year. The Market will take place every FRIDAY, SATURDAY, & SUNDAY, November 29 thru December 22.
The Market hours are: Friday, 3:00 - 8:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday,
11:00 AM- 8:00 PM at 126 Bernard Avenue.
This is a free, family friendly, rain or shine event.
Christkindlesmarkt is our take on a traditional German Christmas Market. Original markets date back to as far as the late Middle Ages and are a hotspot for German holiday culture. With the growth in business, we hosted our first ever Christkindlesmarkt in 2021 and it was a holly jolly time!
Choosing to incorporate as many traditional Chriskindlesmarkt practices as we could ended up being a great decision. Some of these practices include serving Gluhwein, having Polka bands play traditional Christmas songs, obtaining vendors with only handcrafted products, and providing a variety of German sweets for purchase.
There is much more culture and history of Christkindlesmarkt to uncover. Let’s hope we debut more & more traditions each year!
Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center: Christmas in the Village
Category: Culinary arts, food, Festivals, special events, History, heritage and Kids, family
We are excited to announce our schedule for the 5th annual Christmas in the Village festivities at the Heritage Center! If you're interested in a taste of Appalachian Christmas traditions, complete with living history demonstrations, evening tours of our historic structures, and warm refreshments, don't pass up your opportunity to visit with us this holiday season! The official event dates are listed below, and village entry takes place between 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm each evening!
November 29-30
December 6-7
December 13-14
December 20-21
Purchase tickets directly by visiting our website and clicking on the Tickets and Events tab, then look for the link to Christmas in the Village. Adult tickets are $15 each, Senior tickets are $12 each, and Children (ages 5-12 years) are $10 each. Kids under 4 are free. In case of bad weather, please call ahead to double-check that we are open that night. If you have questions or need additional information, please feel free to call the office at
865-448-0044 during normal business hours. We look forward to seeing you during this year's Christmas in the Village!
https://gsmheritagecenter.org
Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center | 123 Cromwell Drive, Townsend, TN 37882
Oak Ridge Playhouse: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Category: Kids, family, Music and Theatre
Music by Richard Rodgers, Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Step into a world where magic dances with sophistication as Rodgers and Hammerstein’s timeless tale of hope and transformation sparkles with wit and delight. With its magical moments and delightful songs, this enchanting musical transports you to a bygone era of elegance and charm, as Cinderella meets her prince and makes her journey from rags to riches with resilience and grace. Let yourself be swept away by a glittering spectacle that harkens back to a golden age of theater, leaving audiences of all ages spellbound with their dreams soaring and their hearts aglow.
GENERAL AUDIENCES
https://www.orplayhouse.com/
Town of Farragut: Light the Park
Category: Festivals, special events, Free event, Kids, family and Meetup
From dusk to 10 p.m. nightly Nov. 25-Jan. 1, thousands of holiday lights will twinkle along Campbell Station Road as part of Light the Park. The fun begins with Countdown to Light the Park from 5:30-7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25. Stick around to see Santa flip the big switch, illuminating thousands of holiday lights! Live entertainment, crafts and refreshments will precede this joyous occasion.
A new addition to this year’s event is a 53’ by 33’ synthetic ice rink that will operate from Nov. 22 to Jan. 4 at Mayor Ralph McGill Plaza!
Children can get their wish lists directly to Santa by using the giant mailbox at Founders Park. Letters must be mailed by Monday, Dec. 16. Be sure to include a return address—you may get a response from the big man himself!
There will be giveaways, food trucks and caroling scheduled throughout Light the Park. Learn more by following Farragut Parks & Rec on Facebook, Instagram and X.