If you are staying in Knoxville for summer break, you might be worried about staying busy. From live music to food festivals, this city is buzzing with events all season. Here is a rundown of the top five things you can check out while you’re in the area this summer.
Foodees Food and Culture Festival
The Foodees Food and Culture Festival will be at World’s Fair Park from July 11 through July 13. They describe the event as “a massive community cookout.” With over 110 vendors coming, including food trucks, artisans, crafters and makers, there will be something for everyone.
Admission to the festival is completely free, so grab your friends and go try something new.
The Tennessee Theatre
This summer, the Tennessee Theatre, located in Downtown Knoxville, will be hosting a variety of events. From orchestra performances to Broadway musicals, they have a wonderful selection of shows with ticket prices starting as low as $13.
The theatre’s ideal location puts you right in the center of Gay Street, surrounded by diverse dining options and cocktail lounges. Make a whole night out of it — grab some dinner at The Kennedy, make your way to the Theatre for a show and then end the night at Preservation Pub’s lively rooftop.
Market Square Farmers Market
Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nourish Knoxville, a Knoxville nonprofit, puts on an open-air farmers market in Market Square. Nourish prides themselves on the fact that every product sold at the market has come from no further than 150 miles.
There are tons of parking options within close vicinity, some of which are completely free. Products at the market include but are not limited to fresh fruit, eggs, raw honey, flowers, baked goods, crafts and much more.
Concerts on the Square
Market Square not only offers a wonderful farmers market, but they are now offering free concerts Tuesdays in May and June and the third Thursday of each month through July, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
From garage bands to quartets, they offer a wide array of genres. Since parking is free in all city garages after 6 p.m., you won’t have to worry about paying any extra fees. Special Events Director of Knoxville, Kyndra Brewer, recommends bringing a blanket or lawn chair, as there is no seating available.
Mead’s Quarry at Ijams Nature Center
Last but not least, we have Mead’s Quarry at Ijams Nature Center, more commonly known to students as “The Quarry.” Located 10 minutes from campus, the quarry features an ideal setting for kayaking, paddleboarding and swimming. There are also paddleboards and kayaks available for rent.
Many students also enjoy the relaxing atmosphere, making it a great setting for relaxing with friends or studying. It is also located in the middle of 10 miles of beautiful trails intended for hiking, running and biking. Ijams keeps an updated calendar of events on their website, so keep an eye out for anything that might interest you.
The ideal location of our campus makes all of these locations accessible to most of our student body. Whether you’re in the mood for live music, a new dish or an outdoor escape, Knoxville has it all. Keep your eye out for new event postings and make the most of our beautiful city this summer.
