City crews are already busy hanging nearly 150,000 lights as Knoxville prepares for Christmas in the City. Some elements of the downtown holiday tradition were canceled or amended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are so excited to celebrate the holiday season together and to bring back traditions that so many of us missed last year,” Mayor Indya Kincannon said. “I am looking forward to seeing families create memories downtown ice skating, taking pictures in Krutch Park and enjoying the Regal Celebration of Lights the day after Thanksgiving!”

The celebration’s return to the holiday entertainment calendar comes with a new logo (attached) to brand Christmas in the City festivities.





“We wanted to reimagine the logo, so anyone who saw it immediately identified it with Knoxville and the special way we celebrate the holidays,” Special Events Director Kyndra Brewer said. “By incorporating the Sunsphere, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2022, people will instantaneously think of our city and its iconic landmark.”

Christmas in the City runs Nov. 26 through Jan. 2, 2022, and includes:

Regal Celebrations of Lights
Friday, Nov. 26, 5:30-9 p.m.
Krutch Park

Holidays on Ice, presented by Home Federal Bank
Opening Friday, Nov. 26, 10 a.m.
Market Square

WIVK Christmas Parade
Friday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m.
Gay Street

Christmas Drive-In at Chilhowee, presented by Comcast
Friday, Dec. 10, 5:30 - 9 p.m.
Chilhowee Park Midway

Tour de Lights Holiday Bike Ride, presented by Visit Knoxville and Bike Walk Knoxville Saturday, Dec. 11, 5:30 p.m.

This festive bicycle ride for all ages is a Knoxville tradition. Visit www.bwknox.org/tourdelights for additional information.

Details about the City’s New Year’s Eve event plans are forthcoming.

For more information on the year’s Christmas in the City celebrations, go to KnoxvilleTN.gov/Christmas.