Each year Knoxville turns into a legitimate Winter Wonderland. The entire city from locally owned businesses to massive shopping centers put up lights and decor, creating a vibrant and happy Christmas spirit. In 2014 I spent a week exploring this active and friendly city searching for the best decorations and lights. Here I have some of my favorite photos from my time in the city. Leave a comment below and tell me which photo is your favorite!
Christmas in Knoxville
This article is part of the Christmas in Knoxville series, a travel guide I wrote after spending a week in December in Knoxville, TN. The travel guide will help you discover Christmas in the city during a weekend visit for the events, light displays, local shopping, dining, and lodging.
Visitors enjoy a hayride through a tunnel of lights at the Christmas at Chilhowee Park. This was the first Christmas event I attended in Knoxville – what a wonderful introduction for the week ahead!
People wait in line for a photo with Santa at Christmas at Chilhowee Park. Just in case you’re wondering, yes, I got my picture taken with Santa. You never grow too old for some things.
Carolers sing Christmas songs during the Market Square Holiday Market.
The Holiday Market is a great place to find locally made arts and crafts and find the perfect Christmas gift for someone in your life.
Thousands of lights fill Krutch Park during the annual Regal Celebration of Lights.
The Copper Cellar goes all-out with Christmas decor and they’re food is top-notch.
The Mabry-Hazen House decorated for Christmas tours.
The crowd slowly filled the Tennessee Theatre in anticipation for the annual screening of “It’s a Wonderful Life”, my favorite Christmas movie.
A very jolly Santa smiles and waves during the Christmas at Cherokee Caverns. Further into the cave, I found out where all the coal comes from for the naughty people.
Gay Street is the main street through downtown Knoxville – and it was wonderfully decorated for Christmas! Massive trees, lights strung across the street, it was a beautiful place to walk.
Visitors enjoy an evening in the ice skating rink in Market Square during the Holidays on Ice. Do you know how to skate on ice? Because I don’t know how to ice skate.
