KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — It's spring in East Tennessee — when temperatures rise and plants bloom to reveal beauty across the hills and mountains. It's also when families get together to spend time at events across the area.
There are tons of events for people in Knoxville and beyond. Starting the weekend of April 26, the Dogwood Arts Festival returns with more than 100 fine art vendors and live music, children's activities, food vendors and more.
Before the festival, Dogwood Arts will also hold its annual Spring Featured Gardens event on Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21. You can learn more at this link. And if you are looking to catch some blooms around Knoxville, the Dogwood Trails will be open until April 30.
On April 20 and 21, the Knoxville Opera's Rossini Festival will be returning to downtown Knoxville. This year's event features more than 40 food vendors that will be serving cuisine from all parts of the world. There will also be more than 75 artisan vendors along Gay Street.
Keep reading below to learn more about the different events happening for anyone who wants to stop by!
May
Market Square Farmers' Market (May 1): The 21st season of the Market Square Farmers' Market starts on May 1. The open-air market brings together vendors who offer food and wares that are either grown locally or made by a local vendor. Produce includes vegetables, fruit, eggs, honey, herbs, pasture-raised meats, bread, baked goods and more. It will be held every Wednesday and Saturday from May through November.
Tellico Trout Festival (May 3-4): The Tellico Trout Festival brings together anglers, river sports enthusiasts and families in Tellico Plains for educational opportunities about the outdoors, food and plenty of fun. There will be local fishing guides, conservation information, lodging services, craft vendors as well as fly fishing and casting demonstrations.
Morristown's Art and Bluegrass Festival 2024 (May 4): People in downtown Morristown will be able to enjoy a festival hosted by the Chamber Downtown Program and the City Recreation Department. Streets will be filled with art and craft vendors with live art demonstrations and activities for the entire family.
Concerts on the Square (May 7): A free weekly concert series that's hosted at Market Square kicks off on May 7. Concerts will be held every Tuesday at 7 p.m. through Sept. 24 with a monthly third-Thursday concert. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair and will be able to grab dinner on a Market Square patio.
Southern Skies Music Festival (May 11): The music festival is hosted by Dogwood Arts and will return to World's Fair Park in 2024 to will bring together East Tennessee fans and artists for performances and live music. The festival is curated by The Dirty Guv'nahs, and this year it will feature Old Crow Medicine Show. Several other bands will perform and the event will have food trucks, craft beer, wine, specialty cocktails, and more.
Art Source 2024 (Running through May 17): The free UT Downtown Gallery is giving art teachers a chance to showcase their own artistic skills, after spending their time and energy nurturing creativity in their students. An awards celebration will be held on May 3 at 6:30 p.m. and the gallery will be open from 5 p.m. through 9 p.m.
Bloomin' BBQ Music and Food Festival (May 17 & 18): This free Sevierville festival brings together families for days of good music and good cooking. Barbecue will be available in downtown Sevierville near the Sevier County Courthouse, with free admission and free concerts.
Children's Festival of Reading (May 18): From 10 a.m. through 3 p.m. families will be able to head to Worlds' Fair Park to celebrate storytelling and spend a day filled with arts, crafts, science explorations, food and plenty of fun. Storybook characters from books such as "Paddington Bear," "Where the Wild Things Are," and "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" will also be there along with several authors.
Tennessee Mountain Laurel Festival (May 18): The eighth annual Tennessee Mountain Laurel Festival is held in Wartburg's courthouse square from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes food trucks, a 5K run, live music, dog training demonstrations, a silent auction and children's activities with a petting zoo.
43rd Annual Smoky Moutain Scottish Festival and Games (May 18 - May 19): Tennessee's oldest festival of Scottish, Irish and Celtic culture that includes folk, rock, roots and pop music as well as highland athletics. There will also be pipes and drums so traditional music echoes through the Townsend Visitor's Center, along with whisky tastings and plenty of food.
Knoxville Water Lantern Festival (May 27): A gorgeous tradition held in downtown Knoxville fills the waterways around Chilhowee Park with water lanterns. Organizers describe the Water Lantern Festival as filled with "fun, happiness, hope, and great memories that you'll cherish for a lifetime." Tickets come with a kit to make a water lantern and an LED candle.
June
61st Annual Lenoir City Arts and Crafts Festival (June 1-2): Around 180 craft-makers are expected to show up for this event, and thousands of people are expected to head towards Lenoir City to see what they make. The festival raises money to help community charities, scholarships, grants and more.
Blue Plum Festival (June 7-8): This Johnson City event brings musical arts and talented performers to the downtown area along with local artists and vendors.
Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival (June 7-8): This annual event will return to the Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge, giving people a chance to hear from storytellers as they present on a variety of topics. There will also be workshops for people who want to hone their storytelling skills and a special tour of sites throughout Oak Ridge.
Rhinestone Fest (June 7-8): This weekend is filled with everything Dolly Parton-related! It will be the fourth annual festival in downtown Knoxville's Old City that encompasses her work in the community as well as the music and film she's created. Artists, musicians and businesses across the Old City usually get in the Dolly spirit during the weekend, offering Dolly-themed drinks and unique experiences.
Popcorn Sutton Annual Memorial Jam (June 7-8): An annual event in Cocke County honors the legendary East Tennessee moonshiner, Popcorn Sutton, and brings together families for music, food, crafts and master distillers who share some secrets of the craft. The event is outdoor and held at the Cocke County A&I Fairground.
Lavender Festival (June 15): This Oak Ridge festival is free for everyone and is expected to bring out around 130 artisans along with live music, a children's art workshop and more. Visitors can enjoy cooking demonstrations, "the Herb Lunch," a wine tasting, a tour of some gorgeous gardens and more. A farmers market will also be set up near the festival.