Your weekly guide to East Tennessee arts, music, theater, and entertainment: Aug. 20-27, 2026: Arts & Community.

On Stage

  • The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe– Knoxville Children’s Theatre, Aug. 20-23. Performances are 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $14-$18.
  • The Music of Adele: Under the Stars – Knoxville Convention Center, Aug. 21-22. Performances are 6:30 and 8:45 p.m. each evening.

Live Music

  • Pink Houses: The Ultimate Mellencamp Experience – Concerts on the Square at Market Square, 7-9 p.m. Aug. 20. Admission is free; bring a chair for first-come, first-served seating.
  • Winyah with Penelope Road and Tobacco Road – The Mill & Mine, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20.
  • “1964: The Tribute” – Tennessee Theatre, 8 p.m. Aug. 21.
  • The Temptations and The Four Tops – Tennessee Theatre, 8 p.m. Aug. 22. This is the rescheduled performance.
  • Tommy Emmanuel CGP: Living in the Light Tour – Tennessee Theatre, 7 p.m. Aug. 23.
  • The Core: Jazz at the Emporium – Emporium Center, 7-9 p.m. Aug. 25. Admission is free.
  • Happy Landing with The Band Solstice – The Mill & Mine, 7:15 p.m. Aug. 27.

Arts & Exhibits

  • 2026 Dogwood Regional Exhibition – Emporium Center Lower Gallery, on view through Aug. 28. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Coming/Be.Longing: Tennessee Asianx Artists – Emporium Center Balcony Gallery, on view through Sept. 25. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Leaving the Pines by Gale Bolduc – Emporium Center atrium, on view through Aug. 28.
  • Melancholia in Arcadia by Gabriel Lester – Eugenia Williams House, noon-4 p.m. Aug. 22. Admission is free; no ticket or reservation is required.

Family Fun

  • The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – Knoxville Children’s Theatre, Aug. 20-23. The stage adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ Narnia story is recommended for family audiences.
  • Pink Houses: The Ultimate Mellencamp Experience – Market Square, 7-9 p.m. Aug. 20. The free outdoor concert is open to all ages.
  • Melancholia in Arcadia – Eugenia Williams House, noon-4 p.m. Aug. 22. Families may visit the free installation on a first-come, first-served basis as space allows.

Festivals & Community Events

  • Concerts on the Square: Variety Thursday – Market Square, 7-9 p.m. Aug. 20, featuring Pink Houses: The Ultimate Mellencamp Experience. Admission is free.
  • Jazz at the Emporium – Emporium Center, 7-9 p.m. Aug. 25, featuring The Core. Admission is free.

 Looking Ahead

  • Knox Asian Festival – World’s Fair Park, Aug. 30.
  • Big Kahuna Wing Festival – World’s Fair Park, Sept. 6.
  • Mighty Musical Monday – Tennessee Theatre, noon Sept. 7. Admission is free.
  • Charlotte’s Web – Knoxville Children’s Theatre, Sept. 11-27.

⭐ This Week’s ArtBeat Picks

  • Best Date Night: The Music of Adele: Under the Stars
  • Best Free Event: Pink Houses at Concerts on the Square
  • Best Family Event: “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”
  • Hidden Gem: “Melancholia in Arcadia” at the Eugenia Williams House

Know of an upcoming concert, play, festival, exhibit, or arts event? Send information to news@knoxtntoday.com for consideration in an upcoming ArtBeat.

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