50 Enchanting Knoxville Christmas Events 2022

Local events are the stuff family traditions are made of. From admiring the floats at your town parade to scoring adorably perfect gifts at the local Christmas market, holiday magic is in the air.

So grab a thermos full of hot chocolate and head on out to one of these awesome Knoxville Christmas events this year. This list is in the process of being updated for 2022, and is jam-packed with tons of great options! We will add more events as they are announced.

For your convenience, you can click any blue event link to verify the information provided or get additional details.

Towards the bottom of the page, you’ll also find a fun section of over-the-top Christmas activities that are a little further away, but totally worth the drive!

Don’t forget to check out our complete guide to Christmas fun in Knoxville.

For your convenience, this post may contain various affiliate links. As an affiliate, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. View the disclosure page for more information.

Season-Long Knoxville Christmas Events

1. Three Rivers Rambler Christmas Lantern Express Train Ride

• Date: Weekends in November and December 2022
• Location: 2560 University Commons Way, Knoxville
• Cost: starting at $53/adults, $22/children

On this fantastic Christmas train ride, guests will enjoy stunning holiday decor, festive stories, treats, and a visit from Santa.

2. Smoky Mountain Christmas

• Date: November 2022 – January 2023
• Location: Dollywood, Sevierville
• Cost: included with admission to park

Throughout the holiday season, Dollywood will be covered in stunning Christmas lights and its vendors will offer a variety of Christmas crafts.

3. Knoxville Fine Arts and Crafts Center

• Date: November & December 2022
• Location: 1127 N Broadway B, Knoxville
• Cost: $10 – $40 per person

Choose from a variety of fun Christmas craft classes including creating holiday cards, snowman lanterns, winter wreaths, Christmas stars, and more! The center is taking extra safety precautions this year.

4. Winterfest at The Island

• Date: November & December 2022
• Location: The Island, Pigeon Forge
• Cost: FREE

In addition to all the regular attractions, the island will be decked out in millions of Christmas lights and holiday displays. The big tree lighting event will take place on November 19th.

5. Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland

• Date: November 6 – December 24, 2022
• Location: Kodak
• Cost: FREE

At this popular Christmas event, kids can get a free printed photo with Santa and his reindeer. There will also be fun games and kids’ activities to enjoy while you wait.

6. Christmas Skate at Wilderness

• Date: November 11, 2022 – January 15, 2023
• Location: Wilderness at the Smokies, Sevierville, TN
• Cost: varies by day

Enjoy a fun open-air skating rink this Christmas season!

7. Light the Park

• Date: November 22 – December 31, 2022
• Location: Campbell Station Park, Farragut
• Cost: FREE

While the gorgeous Christmas lights will illuminate the park nightly.

8. A Christmas Carol

• Date: November 23 – December 18, 2022 (select dates)
• Location: Clarence Brown Theatre
• Cost: $40/adults, $12/kids

Ring in the season with a performance of this classic Christmas play.

9. Christmas in the Village

• Date: Fridays and Saturdays from November 25 – December 17, 2022
• Location: Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center, Townsend
• Cost: $8 – $12

At this magical Christmas event, the historic Appalachian village will be decked out in tons of gorgeous Christmas lights. Of course, there will also be a variety of living history demonstrations throughout the evening.

10. Zoo Lights

• Dates: November 25, 2022 – January 8, 2023
• Location: Zoo Knoxville
• Cost: $24/adults, $18/kids

Visit the zoo at night for a stunning display of holiday lights and festive fun.

11. Holiday’s on Ice

• Date: November 25, 2022 – January 2, 2023
• Location: Knoxville Civic Coliseum Market Square Knoxville
• Cost: $12/adults, $9/children

Holiday’s on Ice is a picturesque open-air skating rink in the heart of downtown Knoxville is a seasonal family favorite.

12. Elf on the Shelf Adventure

• Date: November 25, 2022 – January 8, 2023
• Location: Downtown Knoxville
• Cost: FREE

This downtown scavenger hunt sends families searching for everyone’s favorite holiday elf. Pick up your North Pole pass at any participating location and find fun games and prizes along the way.

13. Peppermint Trail

• Date: November 25, 2022 – January 8, 2023
• Location: Downtown Knoxville
• Cost: only pay for what you decide to buy

Look for the festive peppermint decals on the sidewalks throughout downtown Knoxville. The decals mark local businesses that are selling delicious peppermint-flavored treats, or festive holiday gifts. This is a self-guided trail.

14. Christmas Cooking Classes

• Date: throughout December 2022
• Location: Cutting Edge Classroom, Knoxville
• Cost: varies based on class

Kids can pick from a variety of delicious Christmas cooking classes including several parent-and-me options. Treats to be made include macaroons, donuts, cookies, cakes, and more!

15. Christmas Cooking Camp

• Date: throughout December 2022
• Location: Flour Power, Knoxville
• Cost: varies based on class

Keep your kids happy over winter break with a multi-day Christmas cooking camp or a fun one-time cooking class. Final products include gingerbread men, merry macaroni, pink hot chocolate, and more!

16. Michaels Craft Stores

• Date: throughout December 2022
• Location: in-store and online
• Cost: FREE – $5

This year Michaels is offering both in-store and online Christmas craft classes for all ages. Choose from a wide variety of crafts including making Christmas ornaments, gingerbread houses, snowman t-shirts, and more!

17. Christmas-Themed Canvas Art Classes

• Date: throughout December 2022
• Location: Painting with a Twist, Knoxville
• Cost: $35 – $50

All season long you can choose from a wide variety of winter and Christmas-themed canvas painting classes. Subjects include snowmen, reindeer, the Grinch, and more!

The daytime events are family-friendly and perfect for a parent-and-me outing.

18. Market Square Winter Market

• Date: Saturdays in December
• Location: Market Square, Knoxville
• Cost: FREE admission

At this year’s winter market, all your favorite food and craft vendors will be adding a fun holiday twist to their products.

November Christmas Activities Knoxville TN

19. Holiday Handcrafter’s Festival

• Date: November 12, 2022
• Location: Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center, Townsend
• Cost: FREE admission (doesn’t include museum admission)

Shop for holiday gifts at local artisan and craft vendor booths.

20. Christmas at Chilhowee

• Date: November 18, 2022
• Location: Chilhowee Park, Knoxville
• Cost: FREE

A gorgeous Christmas tree lighting ceremony complete with music, crafts, games, balloon animals, face painting, Christmas lights, and more!

21. Christmas Vacation in the Cave

• Date: November 19, 2022
• Location: Cherokee Caverns, Knoxville
• Cost: $12

A unique underground screening of the classic holiday movie Christmas Vacation.

22. Retropolitan Craft Fair

• Date: Novembr 20, 2022
• Location: The Mill & Mine, 227 W. Depot Ave, Knoxville
• Cost: FREE admission

Each of the vendors at this popular Christmas craft fair is hand-chosen to make sure every table provides unique and high-quality wares.

23. Fantasy of Trees

• Date: November 23 – 27, 2022
• Location: Knoxville Convention Center
• Cost: $8/adults, $4/kids

This popular fundraiser for East TN Children’s Hospital features a stunning forest of elaborately decorated Christmas trees. While many people come just to view the quirky-themed trees, the fully decorated trees are also available for purchase.

There is also a variety of kids’ craft tables ranging in cost from $2 – $4 per activity. There will also be FREE face painting and visits with Santa (picture extra).

24. Christmas in the City + Regal Celebration of Lights

• Date: November 25, 2022
• Location: Krutch Park Extension (across from market Square), Knoxville
• Cost: FREE

The kick-off ceremony will feature a tree lighting ceremony, live music, and fun activities for kids. The holiday lights will be up to enjoy all season

25. Celebrate The Season

• Date: December 1, 2022
• Location: Farragut Community Center
• Cost: FREE admission

This family-friendly Knoxville Christmas event boasts cookie decorating, live music, crafts, museum tours, pictures with Santa, and more!

26. Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade

• Date: December 2, 2022
• Location: Downtown Gatlinburg
• Cost: FREE

A fun and traditional Christmas parade

27. WIVK Christmas Parade

• Date: December 2, 2022
• Location: Gay Street, Knoxville
• Cost: FREE

This most anticipated Christmas parade of the season is back and better than ever!

28. Candlelit History Tours

• Date: December 2-3, 2022
• Location: Historic Ramsey House, Knoxville
• Cost: $15/adults – $13/children

Historic Ramsey House will be decorated for Christmas with Fresh greenery and candles. Visitors can visit with our blacksmith in the Blacksmith Shop while you enjoy holiday treats, hot cider, and a warm bonfire (weather permitting)! Reenactors in period dress will lead tours throughout the night.

29. Nutcracker on Ice

• Date: December 2 – 4, 2022
• Location: Ice Chalet, Knoxville
• Cost: $15 – $35 depending on the seats you choose

Enjoy a unique performance of The Nutcracker on Ice.

30. Christmas in the Cave

• Date: December 2-4, 9-11, & 16-18, 2022
• Location: Cherokee Caverns, Oak Ridge Highway, Knoxville
• Cost: $12/per person 4 and up

At Christmas in the Cave, you and your family will enjoy a stunning underground adventure. Explore the cave after dark, which will be decorated with thousands of twinkling lights.

31. 18th Century Christmas Garrison

• Date: December 3, 2022
• Location: Fort Loudon State Historic Site, Vonore
• Cost: FREE

Celebrate Christmas as the soldiers did in the French and Indian war. Reenactors will be present throughout the day to demonstrate a variety of skills and holiday traditions. This year there will be daytime events only.

32. Rocky Hill Christmas Parade & Festival

• Date: December 3, 2022
• Location: Rocky Hill Business District, Knoxville
• Cost: FREE admission

In addition to an awesome parade, this jam-packed Christmas festival boasts a holiday market, live music, carols, Santa, food trucks, a tree-lighting ceremony, and more!

33. Santa Comes to Town Christmas Parade & Festival

• Date: December 3, 2022
• Location: downtown Friendsville
• Cost: FREE

At this popular Christmas festival, you’ll enjoy a fabulous parade, food and craft vendors, kids’ activities, Christmas tree lighting, carolers, a live nativity, food trucks, entertainment, and more!

34. Christmas Expo

• Date: December 3-4, 2022
• Location: Field of Dreams Activity Center, Dandridge
• Cost: FREE

This Christmas craft fair boasts over 140 vendors while enjoying kids’ activities, entertainment, Santa photos, and more!

35. Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer

• Date: December 7, 2022
• Location: Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville
• Cost: $20

Enjoy crafts, cookie decorating, and photos with Santa.

36. Evening with Santa

• Date: December 8, 2022
• Location: War Memorial Building, Lenoir City
• Cost: FREE

Kids will enjoy crafts, games, light refreshments, and a meet and greet with Santa.

37. A Candlelight Christmas

• Date: December 9 – 10, 2022
• Location: Museum of Appalachia, Clinton
• Cost: $35/family, $20/adult, $10/child

Enjoy a candlelight tour of authentic cabins, which will be decorated in their Christmas finest. There will also be music, a live nativity, living history demonstrations, kids’ activities, and more!

38. Nativity Pageant

• Date: December 10-12, 2022
• Location: Knoxville Civic Coliseum
• Cost: FREE admission

Children are welcome at this hour-long Christmas stage performance. The show starts in pitch-black darkness, so don’t be late!

---

39. Christmas Cookie Crawl

• Date: December 10, 2022
• Location: Historic Downtown Clinton
• Cost: FREE

This unique holiday event is fun for the whole family! Eat cookies, visit with Santa, and enjoy a variety of family-friendly games and activities.

40. Grandfriends

• Date: December 10 & 17, 2022
• Location: The Muse, Knoxville
• Cost: $30 – $35

This special Christmas event is for grandparents and their grandkids. Together guests will enjoy breakfast, make gingerbread houses, and explore the museum.

41. Clinton Holiday Market

• Date: December 10, 2022
• Location: Historic Downtown Clinton
• Cost: FREE

Finish up your Christmas shopping at the historic shops in downtown Clinton. There will be special sales and plenty of holiday cheer to go ’round.

42. Jingle Bell Run

• Date: December 10, 2022
• Location: World’s Fair Park

Break out those hideous Christmas sweaters for this holiday fun run benefiting the Arthritis Foundation.

43. Tour de Lights

• Date: December 10, 2022
• Location: Downtown Knoxville
• Cost: FREE

Community members are invited to decorate their bikes in Christmas lights to participate in this fun, FREE and quirky Christmas bike parade. If you don’t want to ride, you can always come out to watch.

44. Oak Ridge Christmas Parade

• Date: December 10, 2022
• Location: Lafayette Drive, Oak Ridge
• Cost: FREE

Rock around the Christmas tree at this year’s traditional Christmas parade.

45. Santa Hustle

• Date: December 11, 2022
• Location: Downtown Sevierville
• Cost: $60 – $70

This silly Christmas fun run will help you get into the holiday spirit.

46. NUTCRACKER! Magic of Christmas Ballet

• Date: December 17, 2022
• Location: Tennessee Theater, Knoxville
• Cost: $103 – $133

See this classic Christmas ballet come to life.

47. Rockin’ Santa Half Marathon + 5K

• Date: December 17, 2022
• Location: Victor Ashe Park
• Cost: $45 – $50

Break out your Santa hat and head over to this qualifying Christmas run.

Christmas Events Worth the Drive

48. Tennessee Valley Railroad’s North Pole Train Ride

• Dates: Weekends in November and December
• Location: Chattanooga
• Cost: $29 – $65

On this magical Christmas train ride, you and your family will be whisked away on an imaginative journey to the North Pole, complete with storytelling, songs, treats, Santa, and more!

49. Christmas at Biltmore

• Dates: November 4, 2022 – January 8, 2023
• Location: 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC
• Cost: starting at $99

Enjoy the beauty of Biltmore in stunning Christmas splendor. The mansion restaurants and cafes will also be serving festive fare,

50. The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad’s Polar Express

• Date: November 10, 2022 – December 31, 2022
• Location: 45 Mitchell Street, Bryson City, NC
• Cost: $44-$94/adults, $29-$69/children

Based on the popular children’s picture book/movie, this fantastic Christmas train ride will immerse you and your kiddos in all the magic of Christmas. The entire train ride is actually set to the soundtrack of the movie. While taking in the sights and sounds, guests will also enjoy hot cocoa and a yummy treat.

51. ICE at Gaylord

• Dates: November 11, 2022 – January 1, 2023
• Location: 2800 Opryland Drive, Nashville
• Cost: $23 – $36

This annual Christmas event boasts acres of stunning Christmas decor and a winter wonderland made entirely of ice. The exhibit includes ice slides, sculptures, and much more.

The hotel will also offer a-la-carte activities including indoor snow tubing, ice skating, holiday shows, yummy festive treats, and craft activities.

52. National Gingerbread Championships

• Dates: November 28, 2022 – January 2, 2023
• Location: Omni Grove Park Inn, Ashville, NC

Marvel at the most stunning collection of gingerbread creations you will ever see in your life. On certain days, viewing is limited to resort guests only, so be sure to read the fine print.

Did we miss one of your favorite Knoxville Christmas events? Comment below so we can add it to the list.

More East TN Family Fun

• Best Skiing within a 1/2 Day Drive from East TN
• Best Christmas Craft Shows in Knoxville