Knoxville lights its tree in Krutch Park at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, and the WIVK Christmas Parade rolls down Gay Street at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, 2026.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. This page is updated each year. Facts come from the City of Knoxville’s Christmas in the City and Regal Celebration of Lights pages and WIVK’s 2026 parade page.

Knoxville’s Christmas season downtown opens Friday, Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving, when the city lights its tree at the Regal Celebration of Lights in the Krutch Park Extension. One week later, the WIVK Christmas Parade rolls down Gay Street at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, 2026. Both are part of the city’s Christmas in the City season, and both are free.

Who to call

  • Christmas in the City: City of Knoxville Office of Special Events, 865-215-4248
  • Road closures and parking: Knoxville 311, 865-215-4311
  • Parade entries: WIVK, through its parade page

The dates

Date Event Where Time
Friday, Nov. 27 Regal Celebration of Lights and tree lighting Krutch Park Extension, Market Square and Market Street 5:15 to 9 p.m.; tree lit at 6 p.m.
Nov. 27 to Jan. 3, 2027 Holidays on Ice skating rink Market Square Hours on the city’s page
Friday, Dec. 4 WIVK Christmas Parade Gay Street to Jackson Avenue, finishing past Covenant Health Park 7 p.m.

The tree lighting

The Regal Celebration of Lights runs from 5:15 to 9 p.m. with music before the tree ceremony at 6 p.m. in the Krutch Park Extension. Activities spread across Market Square and Market Street. Admission is free. The same night, the Holidays on Ice rink opens on Market Square for the season, which runs through Jan. 3, 2027.

The parade

The WIVK Christmas Parade steps off at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, along Gay Street north to Jackson Avenue and finishes past Covenant Health Park. The best viewing is along the Gay Street sidewalks; arrive early for a spot near the front. Bring chairs and warm layers, because early December evenings are cold.

Gay Street and the cross streets along the route close to traffic for the parade. The city posts the closures shortly before the event; we will add them here.

Parking

Downtown garages fill quickly on both nights. The city-run garages near Market Square and Gay Street are the closest; see our getting around guide for the garages and downtown parking rules. Leaving after the parade takes time, so allow 30 minutes or more to get out of a garage.

Other holiday events around town

  • Chanukah in the City on Market Square is Sunday, Dec. 6, according to the city’s Christmas in the City listings.
  • Churches, neighborhoods and nearby towns hold their own parades and tree lightings through early December. For the full season, see things to do this month, refreshed Dec. 1.

What this means for you

  • Save two Fridays: Nov. 27 for the tree lighting and Dec. 4 for the parade.
  • Shopping downtown that week? Expect Gay Street closures on the evening of Dec. 4.

Related: Knoxville parks and trails and who to call at City Hall.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Knoxville Christmas parade in 2026?

The WIVK Christmas Parade is at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, 2026. It runs along Gay Street to Jackson Avenue and finishes past Covenant Health Park.

When is the downtown Knoxville tree lighting?

The Regal Celebration of Lights is Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving, from 5:15 to 9 p.m. in the Krutch Park Extension, Market Square and Market Street. The tree is lit at 6 p.m. Admission is free.

When does the Market Square ice rink open?

Holidays on Ice on Market Square runs Nov. 27, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027.

What is Christmas in the City in Knoxville?

The City of Knoxville’s holiday season downtown, from the tree lighting the day after Thanksgiving through the ice rink’s last day in January, including the WIVK Christmas Parade.