East Tennessee’s arts scene offers plenty to explore this week, from opera and live theater to gallery exhibitions, creative workshops and seasonal celebrations. Whether you enjoy watching a performance, discovering local artists or trying something new, there’s an opportunity to connect with the arts.

Here are our ArtBeat picks for the week, followed by more events and exhibitions worth exploring.

ArtBeat’s Picks of the Week

  • Best live performance: Knoxville Opera’s Die Fledermaus: Friday, Oct. 23, and Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Tennessee Theatre. Johann Strauss II’s lively operetta combines memorable music, comedy and mistaken identities. It’s our top performance pick for the week. Tickets and details.
  • Best gallery experience: The Emporium’s October exhibitions: Through Friday, Oct. 30. Four exhibitions showcase a variety of artistic styles, including glass art, miniatures and works exploring life and culture. Visitors can enjoy several artists and exhibitions in one stop. Exhibition information.
  • Best creative experience: Young Creative Writer’s Workshop: Saturday, Oct. 24, at Pellissippi State Community College’s Strawberry Plains campus. Young aspiring writers have an opportunity to explore storytelling, strengthen their creative skills and discover new ways to express themselves. The workshop is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and is free, with lunch included. Registration is available. Workshop details and registration.
  • Best community design highlight: The Gallery at Beaumont

The new mixed-income development in Western Heights celebrates the role of architecture, thoughtful design and community investment in neighborhood revitalization. The Gallery at Beaumont is part of the second phase of Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation’s Transforming Western initiative. KCDC media advisory.

Music and theater take the spotlight

  • Knoxville Opera presents Die Fledermaus: Knoxville Opera brings Johann Strauss II’s lively operetta to the Tennessee Theatre on Friday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 25, at 2:30 p.m. With its mistaken identities, elaborate disguises and memorable music, Die Fledermaus promises an entertaining outing. Performance details.
  • Knoxville Children’s Theatre presents Julius Caesar: Shakespeare’s drama of loyalty, ambition and betrayal takes the stage Oct. 23-Nov. 8. The production offers audiences an opportunity to experience a classic work through the talents of young performers. Theater information.
  • Theatre Knoxville Downtown presents Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors: A humorous twist on the familiar vampire tale continues through Nov. 1. The production combines Halloween atmosphere with theatrical comedy. Theater information.
  • The WordPlayers present The Diary of Anne Frank: The WordPlayers bring the powerful historical drama to Erin Presbyterian Church on Thursday, Oct. 22. The play explores courage, family and hope under extraordinary circumstances. Performance information.
  • Knoxville Horror Film Fest: Horror fans can enjoy the Knoxville Horror Film Fest at Central Cinema, Oct. 21-25, featuring a celebration of genre filmmaking. Festival information.

Galleries offer fresh perspectives

Susan Watson

  • Gallery 1010: Zeno’s Paradoxes Series: An exhibition by Darwin Estacio opens Friday, Oct. 23, at Gallery 1010, offering visitors another opportunity to explore contemporary art.
  • Knoxville Museum of Art: bittersun: A new exhibition by Hai-Wen Lin opens Thursday, Oct. 29, adding to the museum’s fall schedule. Museum information.
  • The Emporium: October exhibition: exhibitions continue through Oct. 30, including Cuba: A Pesar de Todo by Kyle Hislip and John Mitchell, Alcoa Airport Motor Mile Miniatures by Carmen Alcocer, “Fall” in Love with Glass by Susan Watson and Memento Vivere by Anna Lawrence. Arts & Culture Alliance.
  • UT Downtown Gallery: Bound by Soil: An exhibition by Jamaal Barber and RaShaun Rucker opens Friday, Oct. 30. University of Tennessee galleries.

The Gallery at Beaumont opens with new home for arts

The Gallery at Beaumont ribbon-cutting, Oct. 21, 2026. Photo courtesy of MoxCar Marketing + Communications.

The Knoxville Arts Center is part of a new chapter for the Beaumont community following the Oct. 21 ribbon-cutting at The Gallery at Beaumont, 1253 Oak Hill Ave.

The development is part of Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation’s Transforming Western initiative and features 52 mixed-income housing units along with ground-floor commercial spaces. Tenants include the Knoxville Arts Center, University of Tennessee Medical Center and the University of Tennessee College of Education, Health and Human Services.

Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon, KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley and representatives of development and community partners participated in the ribbon cutting.

The project brings arts, education, health services and housing together in one neighborhood development.

Get creative and enjoy the season

  • Young Creative Writer’s Workshop:Pellissippi State Community College’s Strawberry Plains campus hosts a Young Creative Writer’s Workshop on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The free workshop includes lunch and offers aspiring writers an opportunity to explore their creativity. Workshop information and registration.
  • Ijams Enchanted Forest: Ijams Nature Center welcomes visitors to its Enchanted Forest on Saturday, Oct. 24, combining imagination and the outdoors in a seasonal experience. Ijams Nature Center.
  • Arrowmont Gallery: Printed City Texture Workshop: Bryan Wilkerson leads a creative workshop Saturday, Oct. 24, inviting participants to explore printed textures inspired by the city. Arrowmont.
  • Dogwood Arts: Bazillion Blooms: Dogwood Arts continues its fall dogwood tree sale through Nov. 3, encouraging residents to help beautify East Tennessee for future spring seasons. Dogwood Arts.

More music on the calendar

The coming week also features Buddy Guy at the Tennessee Theatre on Tuesday, Oct. 27; Indigo Girls with special guest Linda Perry on Wednesday, Oct. 28; and the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra’s Q Series string quartet performance on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

For additional performances, gallery exhibitions, workshops, ticket information and updated schedules, visit the Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville and Visit Knoxville’s events calendar.

ArtBeat celebrates the artists, performances and creative experiences that enrich life in Knoxville and East Tennessee.

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