Things to do with kids in Knoxville, TN
Checked · All times are local Eastern Time (Knoxville time)
Coming up in Knoxville: Regal Knoxville Turkey Trot & Little Gobbler Kids Run (Nov 26), Smoky Night Lights at Zoo Knoxville (from Nov 13), Christmas at Chilhowee (Nov 20) and 7 more events. 6 always-open places, led by Zoo Knoxville. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Thanksgiving events in Knoxville
Regal Knoxville Turkey Trot & Little Gobbler Kids Run
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · Kids run 8am; 5K 8:45am
- Cost
- Little Gobbler $10 through Nov 12 ($15 after); 5K $30 ($35 after Nov 12)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Thanksgiving morning downtown: the Little Gobbler Kids Run for ages 12 and under at 8am, then the 5K at 8:45am.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: Santa and lights
Smoky Night Lights at Zoo Knoxville
- When
- Fri, Nov 13 – Sun, Mar 28 (Select nights Nov 13–Mar 28) · Entry 5–7:30pm depending on sunset
- Cost
- General admission $15.95–$22.95 depending on date (members $11.95–$15.95)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
An immersive multimedia light show celebrating the Smoky Mountains, a four-part walk of about 45 minutes on the Boyd Foundation Boardwalk. Entry times follow sunset.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas at Chilhowee
- When
- Fri, Nov 20 · 6–9pm
- Cost
- Free Admission
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Tree lighting at the Chilhowee Park bandstand at 6pm, then free crafts, free photos with Santa, free hot cocoa and a holiday Touch-A-Truck with decorated fire trucks and police cars. Free parking at 401 Lakeside St.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Knoxville’s Holidays on Ice
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Sun, Jan 3 (Daily Nov 27–Jan 3 (closed Christmas Day)) · Mon–Thu 4–9pm, Fri noon–10pm, Sat 10am–10pm, Sun 1–9pm (longer hours from Dec 21)
- Cost
- Adults $12; children 12 and under $9 (includes skate rental and unlimited ice time)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Outdoor ice rink in Market Square with music every night. Photos with Santa on Sundays Dec 13 and 20, 3–5pm. Closed Christmas Day and in bad weather.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Regal Celebration of Lights (Tree Lighting)
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 · 5:15–9pm (tree lighting 6pm)
- Cost
- Free Admission
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Knoxville lights its 42-foot Christmas in the City tree at 6pm, with live music from 5:15pm, kids’ crafts on Market Street, a miniature train set and food trucks. It’s also opening night for Holidays on Ice.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
WIVK Christmas Parade
- When
- Fri, Dec 4 · 7pm
- Cost
- Not stated
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Knoxville’s 53rd annual Christmas parade, starting along Gay Street toward Jackson Avenue and finishing past Covenant Health Stadium.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Santa Brunch with Free Photos
- When
- Sat, Dec 12 · 10am–noon
- Cost
- Free (breakfast and photos with Santa are free for every family)
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
The church's United Methodist Men cook a free breakfast, and Santa and Mrs. Claus pose for free photos in front of a holiday backdrop. Open to everyone.
✓ Checked Oct 28, 2026 on the organizer's official page
New Year's events in Knoxville
New Year’s Eve at the Sunsphere
- When
- Thu, Dec 31 – Fri, Jan 1 · 9pm–12:15am
- Cost
- Not stated (activities are free; food trucks sell food)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Alcohol-free, family-friendly New Year’s Eve with free activities including a silent disco, live music from 9pm and a ball drop from the Sunsphere at midnight. Free parking in city-owned garages; chairs OK, no tents.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytimes
Toddler Storytime at Lawson McGhee Library
- When
- Wed, Oct 28 – Wed, Nov 25 (Wednesdays (not Nov 11)) · 10–10:30am
- Cost
- No fee listed
- Ages
- Ages 2-3 · Indoor
Short stories with rhymes, music and movement for ages 2 to 3.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Preschool Storytime at Lawson McGhee Library
- When
- Wed, Oct 28 – Wed, Nov 25 (Wednesdays (not Nov 11)) · 11–11:30am
- Cost
- No fee listed
- Ages
- Ages Preschoolers · Indoor
Wednesday storytime for preschoolers at the downtown main library.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
Zoo Knoxville
- Price
- Adults $26.95; children 3–12 $21.95; 2 and under free; $2 per-ticket fee for in-person sales
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Open daily; buy online to skip the in-park service fee
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Knoxville Botanical Garden & Arboretum
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Gardens and grounds open daily dawn to dusk; Howell House visitors center open daily 9am–5pm
Ijams Nature Center
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Nonprofit nature center with trails, paddling, climbing and programs for preschoolers
Chilhowee Park
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
81-acre city park with a lake, historic bandstand and playground, next to Zoo Knoxville
World’s Fair Park
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Downtown park with the Sunsphere and the Festival Lawn, home of the city’s New Year’s Eve ball drop
Lawson McGhee Library
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Knox County Public Library’s downtown main library with toddler and preschool storytimes
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Knoxville this weekend?
Zoo Knoxville, Knoxville Botanical Garden & Arboretum and Ijams Nature Center are open most days, but we don't have a Knoxville event listed for this weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1). Next up: Regal Knoxville Turkey Trot & Little Gobbler Kids Run (Nov 26) and Smoky Night Lights at Zoo Knoxville (Nov 13).
What time is trick-or-treating in Knoxville?
Sunset on Halloween in Knoxville is at 6:40 p.m. Knoxville doesn't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk.
What are free things to do with kids in Knoxville?
These are free according to their official sites: 3 upcoming events in Knoxville, including Christmas at Chilhowee (Fri, Nov 20) and Regal Celebration of Lights (Tree Lighting, Fri, Nov 27). See all 3 above.
Where can kids play indoors in Knoxville when it's too cold or rainy?
Lawson McGhee Library is the indoor place we list in Knoxville.
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Knoxville?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in Knoxville: Regal Knoxville Turkey Trot & Little Gobbler Kids Run (Thu, Nov 26). Our Thanksgiving weekend guide for the Knoxville area has more nearby.
When and where can kids see Santa in Knoxville?
We list 4 events with Santa in Knoxville, 3 free: Christmas at Chilhowee (Nov 20), Regal Celebration of Lights (Tree Lighting, Nov 27), WIVK Christmas Parade (Dec 4) and Santa Brunch with Free Photos (Dec 12). Our Santa guide for the Knoxville area has more nearby.
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Knoxville?
We list 2 holiday light events in Knoxville, all free: Christmas at Chilhowee (Nov 20, free) and Regal Celebration of Lights (Tree Lighting, Nov 27, free).
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in Knoxville?
We list 2 everyday programs in Knoxville: Toddler Storytime at Lawson McGhee Library (Wednesdays, not Nov 11) and Preschool Storytime at Lawson McGhee Library (Wednesdays, not Nov 11).
What is there to do with toddlers in Knoxville?
We list 6 places in Knoxville that welcome kids under 2, including Zoo Knoxville, Knoxville Botanical Garden & Arboretum and Ijams Nature Center. See all 6 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
How much do Knoxville family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 1 place in Knoxville: Zoo Knoxville (adult $26.95, kids 3–12 $21.95). Confirm before you go; prices change.
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How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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