Living in the Knoxville area means you don’t have to look far to find lots of fun family activities you can enjoy this holiday season! Get inspired by this collection of seasonal activities, make some plans, or better yet, head out for a spontaneous adventure together.

Downtown Knoxville is transformed for the holiday season and offers a wide range of experiences for the whole family! Whether you’re delighting in the enormous Christmas tree on Gay Street, viewing the lights in Market Square, ice-skating, shopping at holiday markets, or enjoying unique holiday treats, you won’t have a shortage of activities to choose from.  How about a family adventure? Pick up a North Pole pass at Mast General Store or Visit Knoxville, November 26 - January 2, and have fun on a windowfront scavenger hunt in this year’s “The Elf on the Shelf Adventure.”

Beginning November 26, your family can enjoy the Holidays on Ice, an unforgettable ice-skating experience on the beautiful outdoor rink constructed especially for the holiday season in Market Square. Open 7 days a week, the rink offers skaters the opportunity to purchase tickets for unlimited time on the ice and soak in this nostalgic holiday experience.

Fantasy of Trees, sponsored by East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, is a long-standing tradition for many East Tennessee families. When you arrive at the Knoxville Convention Center, you’ll be immersed in the sights and sounds that make the Christmas season so memorable. With plenty of activities for kids and families and serving as the largest annual fundraiser for East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Fantasy of Trees is an amazing holiday experience that you won’t want to miss. The 2021 Fantasy of Trees, “Sweet Christmas Memories,” runs Wednesday, November 24 through Sunday, November 28. Tickets are required.

Ready for a little road trip? Take the short drive to enjoy the Blount County Festival of Trees at the Blount County Courthouse lawn. The lawn will feature an array of live Christmas trees in a creative variety of themes. Enjoy the event by simply driving by or walk through the display and take advantage of entertainment, refreshments, and more! The trees will be on display beginning December 2 through the end of the month.

Holiday Festival of Lights at The Cove at Concord Park, offers an open-air, walk-through light display along the water. This free, family friendly experience offers thousands of lights, holiday displays, and a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy the season. Bundle up and enjoy this year’s Holiday Festival of Lights, December 1-31.

Light the Park at Founders Park, 405 N. Campbell Station Road in Farragut, offers another free yet spectacular light display that you won’t want to miss. You’ll be amazed at the attention to detail, the magnificent displays, and you’ll find plenty of fun photo ops along the park trail. Located next to the Farragut Library, parking is plentiful, and paths are easily accessible with strollers or young children. Enjoy Light the Park November 24 through January 2, 2022. 

Zoo Knoxville is a favorite family experience in the area, and the holiday season won’t disappoint! ZOOlights, “Knoxville’s Wildest Light Show,” kicks off on November 26 and runs through January 9. Glowing lanterns, an enchanted forest, holiday music, and thousands of lights will set the stage for a unique visit with the animals that you won’t soon forget. Purchase your tickets online for this magical experience!

With such a wide range of activities to choose from, don’t forget to celebrate the true reason for the season. Many local churches will host Christmas events, including the ever-popular Christmas at Grace, December 17 and 18 beginning at 6:30pm at Grace Baptist Church. This family friendly worship experience will include music from the Grace Worship Choir, the GraceKids Jam Choir, and a message from Dr. Bobby Lewis. This event is free and open to the public. Mark your calendar and let the gift of Jesus be the focus of your celebration this year!

The long-awaited holiday season is finally here. As you enjoy a break from the normal routines, find opportunities to spend time making memories that will last. You might even find a new tradition this year!

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash