Where to see Santa near Knoxville (2026)
Checked · Covers Oct 28 – Dec 24 · All times are local Eastern Time
We list 4 ways to see Santa around Knoxville for Oct 28 – Dec 24: 0 Santa sets open most days and 4 events on select days. 3 list free admission. Hours change and Santa takes breaks, so check the linked schedule before you go.
Santa on select days: parades, tree lightings and more
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
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
Frequently asked questions
Where can kids see Santa for free near Knoxville?
Christmas at Chilhowee (Knoxville), Regal Celebration of Lights (Tree Lighting, Knoxville) and Santa Brunch with Free Photos (Knoxville) say they're free on the official page (3 of our 4 Santa listings).
What days can kids see Santa near Knoxville?
Dates from the official pages: Christmas at Chilhowee (Knoxville, Nov 20), Regal Celebration of Lights (Tree Lighting, Knoxville, Nov 27), WIVK Christmas Parade (Knoxville, Dec 4) and Santa Brunch with Free Photos (Knoxville, Dec 12).
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
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