New Year's Eve at the Sunsphere is 9 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. Dec. 31 on the World's Fair Park Festival Lawn, plus skating hours, library and trash notes.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from the City of Knoxville’s Christmas in the City and Holidays on Ice pages, World’s Fair Park, the Knox County Public Library and Knox County Schools.

Knoxville rings in 2027 at the Sunsphere. The City of Knoxville’s New Year’s Eve at the Sunsphere runs 9 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, on the Festival Lawn at World’s Fair Park. The city has not yet posted this year’s full lineup; we will add it here when it does.

Who to call

  • New Year’s Eve at the Sunsphere: City of Knoxville Office of Special Events, 865-215-4248
  • Road closures and parking: Knoxville 311, 865-215-4311
  • Emergencies: 911; Knoxville Police Department non-emergency, 865-215-4010

New Year’s Eve at the Sunsphere

  • When: 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, to 12:15 a.m. Friday, Jan. 1.
  • Where: the Festival Lawn at World’s Fair Park, below the Sunsphere.
  • What to expect: last year’s event, listed by World’s Fair Park, had food trucks and free activities from 9 p.m. and a ball drop at midnight. The 2026 schedule, music and any fireworks are not announced yet.
  • Vendors: the city took food and merchandise vendor applications for this year’s event through Oct. 19. City vendor page

Dress for the cold: it is an outdoor event that runs past midnight. World’s Fair Park is a short walk from Market Square.

Earlier in the evening

  • Holidays on Ice: the Market Square rink is open 1 to 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and noon to 10 p.m. on New Year’s Day. Admission includes skate rental. The season ends Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027. City of Knoxville
  • Restaurants and bars: we list New Year’s Eve dinners and parties only once a restaurant or venue announces them on its own website. Send yours through our contact page.

What is open and closed

  • Knox County Public Library: branches keep regular hours on Thursday, Dec. 31, but close no later than 5:30 p.m. Library notice
  • Knox County Schools: winter break runs Dec. 21 through Jan. 1. Students return for a full day on Tuesday, Jan. 5; Monday, Jan. 4, is a teacher in-service day. District calendar
  • Trash and recycling: the City of Knoxville says Thanksgiving and Christmas are the only planned days of the year when curbside pickup does not run as scheduled, so New Year’s week should run on the normal days. Check with Knoxville 311 (865-215-4311). See our trash and recycling guide.
  • Winter farmers market: Nourish Knoxville’s Saturday market on Market Square is closed the week of New Year’s. Nourish Knoxville

Getting home safely

  • Plan a ride before you go out. Knoxville Area Transit posts holiday service changes on its website.
  • Downtown garages: the city says its garages are free after 6 p.m. on weekdays, and Dec. 31 is a Thursday. See our getting around guide.

What this means for you

  • New Year’s Eve falls on a Thursday and New Year’s Day on a Friday, giving many people a long weekend.
  • Families with young children can skate on Market Square in the afternoon and still make the Sunsphere countdown, or head home before it.

Related: holiday lights and Christmas events, things to do this month and Valentine’s Day.

Frequently asked questions

What is happening in Knoxville on New Year’s Eve 2026?

The City of Knoxville’s New Year’s Eve at the Sunsphere runs 9 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, on the Festival Lawn at World’s Fair Park.

Is there a ball drop in Knoxville?

Yes. Last year’s New Year’s at the Sunsphere had food trucks and free activities from 9 p.m. and a ball drop at midnight. The city has set the 2026 event for 9 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. Dec. 31 and has not yet posted this year’s full lineup.

Is the Knoxville library open on New Year’s Eve?

Knox County Public Library branches keep their regular schedules on Thursday, Dec. 31, but close no later than 5:30 p.m.

Is the Market Square ice rink open on New Year’s Eve?

Yes. Holidays on Ice is open 1 to 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and noon to 10 p.m. on New Year’s Day. The season ends Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027.

Is trash picked up on New Year’s Day in Knoxville?

The city says Thanksgiving and Christmas are the only planned days when curbside pickup does not run as scheduled, so New Year’s Day pickup should run on the normal day. Call 311 at 865-215-4311 to check.