Mother's Day is Sunday, May 9, 2027. The free Knoxville Botanical Garden, the Market Square Farmers Market on Saturday and brunch as restaurants announce it.
Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, Nourish Knoxville, Ijams Nature Center and the venues linked below.
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 9, 2027. Restaurants and venues announce Mother’s Day brunches and events in the spring; we add them here as they do. Until then, here are the places that are open that weekend every year, several of them free.
Plan ahead
- Brunch: book early. Our brunch guide lists weekend brunch hours from each restaurant’s own site.
- Flowers and gifts: the Market Square Farmers Market is open Saturday, May 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Send us your Mother’s Day event: contact page
A garden visit
Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, 2743 Wimpole Ave., is free and open every day from dawn to dusk. The nonprofit garden covers 44 acres of the former Howell Nurseries, with walking trails, display gardens, 16 historic structures including stone roundhouses, and more than two miles of stone walls. The Garden Gift Shop sells nature-inspired gifts, books and locally made goods. 865-862-8717. Knoxville Botanical Garden
Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave., is open every day from 8 a.m. until dusk, with the River Boardwalk over the Tennessee River. The visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Ijams
Gift and flower markets
- Market Square Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 8, on Market Square, Union Avenue and Market Street, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 5, on Market Square. Everything is grown, raised or made within 150 miles of Knoxville, including edible and ornamental plants, cut flowers, baked goods, honey and artisan crafts. Nourish Knoxville
- New Harvest Farmers Market: 3 to 6 p.m. Thursdays, April to September, at New Harvest Park, including Thursday, May 6. Nourish Knoxville
- More markets are on our farmers markets page.
Brunch
We list Mother’s Day brunch menus only from a restaurant’s own website or menu. For restaurants that serve brunch every weekend, with days and hours, see our brunch guide.
More ideas
- A show: see what is on at the Tennessee Theatre and the Clarence Brown Theatre.
- A view: the free Sunsphere observation deck is open noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. World’s Fair Park
- More: our date night and free things to do guides.
Related: Memorial Day in Knoxville and Father’s Day.
Frequently asked questions
When is Mother’s Day 2027?
Sunday, May 9, 2027.
Where can I take Mom for free in Knoxville on Mother’s Day?
The Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, 2743 Wimpole Ave., is free and open every day from dawn to dusk, with 44 acres of gardens, trails and historic stone walls. The Ijams Nature Center grounds are free and open daily from 8 a.m. until dusk.
Is there a farmers market in Knoxville the day before Mother’s Day?
Yes. The Market Square Farmers Market runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays from May to October, on Market Square, Union Avenue and Market Street, with plants, cut flowers, baked goods and crafts from within 150 miles.
Where can I get Mother’s Day brunch in Knoxville?
Our brunch guide lists restaurants that serve weekend brunch, with hours from their own websites. We add Mother’s Day menus here as restaurants announce them.
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