Here’s a closer look at what you can expect from the area’s events:
May 7 – May 13: The weekly preview of arts and culture events in the Greater Knoxville area is included in the Arts & Culture Alliance.
Cultural Festivals reflect the specific cultures and communities they represent.
May 8 & 10, 2026 | Bijou Theatre Gianni Schicchi: Schemes, wills, and one unforgettable con. Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi is a fast-paced farce full of family drama, crafty deception, and razor-sharp wit. When a wealthy Florentine dies and leaves his fortune to a monastery, his greedy relatives turn to the sly and unconventional Gianni Schicchi to fix the problem—with delightfully chaotic results. Get more information and purchase tickets at Bijou Theatre.
May 9 Kids Take Over the Museum: A day of hands-on Appalachian history at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, Townsend, TN. Featuring inspired activities for young explorers and traditional crafts, demonstrations, and interactive fun for all ages. Learn More: https://www.smokymountains.org/events/kids-take-over-the-museum/
May 16 Go Topless in the Smokies: A scenic Jeep and 4-wheel-drive convoy through the Smokies, inviting drivers to “go topless” with their Jeeps for a fun, community-oriented ride and views of the mountains. Learn More: https://www.smokymountains.org/events/go-topless-in-the-smokies/
May 16-17 Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games: A lively celebration of Scots-Irish heritage in Townsend at Greater Smokies Event Grounds featuring bagpipes, Highland games, dancing, clan traditions, vendors, and cultural fun for all ages. Learn More: https://www.smokymountaingames.org/
May 17-21 Vietnam 1st & 8th Infantry Reunion Vietnam veterans from the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry and associated recon companies gather in mid-May at the Parkman, Townsend, TN for a week of remembrance and public services honoring those who served and sacrificed during the Vietnam War. Learn More: https://www.smokymountains.org/events/vietnam-1st-8th-infantry-13395/
May 28-30 Smoky Mountain Nationals: A large classic car and truck show at the Parkman, Townsend, TN, bringing together automotive enthusiasts for vehicle displays, contests, live music, and family-friendly activities celebrating vintage and custom rides. Learn More: https://www.smokymountains.org/events/smoky-mountain-nationals-13396/
May 30, 2026 Marble City Opera’s Summer Festival begins with a one-woman opera called Josephine by Tom Cipullo inside Historic Grove Theater about the life of Josephine Baker told from her perspective, featuring soprano Manna K. Jones as Josephine. Tickets for the performance are on sale now at MarbleCityOpera.com.
May 30 KnoxWalls Murals & Music Festival: Dogwood Arts brings a new open-air music experience to Emory Place on May 30, 2026, as muralists go head-to-head in an art competition.
Performances combining visual art, music, dance, or theater.
May 15-31, Decoration Day: Poet laureate and playwright, Linda Parsons, will present a world premiere of her play Decoration Day, produced by Theater 23 at Borderland Playhouse, 802 Sevier Ave. The play, set in East Tennessee, was featured in Barter Theatre’s Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights in February. A diamond ring, a name carved into glass, and a cemetery symbolize a family’s struggles and history as they gather to clean their loved ones’ graves on Decoration Day.
June 6: Bijou Jubilee on June 6 to feature a folk festival in the theatre and on Gay Street. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 20, for the theatre’s largest annual fundraiser, presented by Lawson Family Foundation: Information here
June 6, 2026, Marble City Opera in the Park is a free concert at Lakeshore Park in Knoxville. The event features food trucks and a beautiful concert as a gift to the community.
June 18, 2026 The Tragedy of Carmen is the 90-minute adaptation of Bizet’s Carmen will be presented on June 18 and 20th at the Historic Grove Theatre in Oak Ridge. Featuring Kathryn Frady, Edward Brennan, Jacquie Reynolds, and Geoffrey Peterson.
Special invitations to artists
NOW is the Maker Space Scholarship Program. This is a new initiative designed to open doors for local makers by providing access to affordable workspace, tools, and the business support they need to turn their craft into a sustainable livelihood. Creatives and makers are encouraged to apply at https://themakercity.org/spacetomake. Applications will be open until May 8, and decisions will be made in the weeks following. Studio residencies will begin August 1.
Join us each Thursday as we uncover exhibitions featuring emerging artists, art walks, and opportunities to immerse yourself in the culture that shapes our community. Let’s celebrate the power of art to connect, inspire, and transform our lives.
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