Thanksgiving weekend activities for families around Knoxville (2026)
Checked · Covers Nov 25 – Nov 29 · All times are local Eastern Time
We list 4 family events around Knoxville for Nov 25 – Nov 29, 1 free. Each listing links to the organizer's own page.
Thanksgiving week events
Smoky Night Lights at Zoo Knoxville
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (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
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
Knoxville’s Holidays on Ice
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Sun, Nov 29 (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
Frequently asked questions
What can families do around Knoxville over Thanksgiving weekend?
We list 4 family events for Nov 25 – Nov 29, 1 free, including Smoky Night Lights at Zoo Knoxville (Knoxville, Nov 25 – Nov 29), Regal Knoxville Turkey Trot & Little Gobbler Kids Run (Knoxville, Thu, Nov 26) and Knoxville’s Holidays on Ice (Knoxville, Nov 27 – Nov 29). See all 4 above.
Which Thanksgiving weekend events near Knoxville are free?
1 event on our list is free: Regal Celebration of Lights (Tree Lighting, Knoxville, Fri, Nov 27).
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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