Your weekly guide to East Tennessee arts, music, theater and entertainment, Oct. 8-14, 2026.

A porcelain rabbit takes the stage, familiar songs fill the Tennessee Theatre and Hispanic heritage brings music, dancing and food to World’s Fair Park. This week also offers a free piano concert, handmade books and family activities that make good use of an October afternoon.

On Stage

  • The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane — Clarence Brown Theatre’s Lab Theatre, through Oct. 18. Kate DiCamillo’s story follows a proud porcelain rabbit whose travels teach him about love and loss. This week’s performances are at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8-9 and 13-14, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 and 2 p.m. Oct. 11. Tickets and details.

Live Music

  • Mythic Proportions — Knoxville Museum of Art, 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8. KSO concertmaster William Shaub, pianist Kevin Class and mandolinist Jeff Midkiff perform music by Kreisler, Mozart and Bach. Midkiff plays the second violin part of Bach’s double concerto on mandolin. Tickets are $36. Details.
  • Kenny Wayne Shepherd — Tennessee Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8. The blues-rock guitarist brings his tour to downtown Knoxville. Tickets.
  • ICON: The Voices That Changed Music — Tennessee Theatre, 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9. Capathia Jenkins and Ryan Shaw join the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for songs associated with Whitney Houston, Prince, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and other musical favorites. Tickets and details.
  • Hiroya Tsukamoto and Evan Horne — Laurel Theater, 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9. The guitarist and composer joins the Oak Ridge-raised singer-songwriter for a free concert in Jubilee Community Arts’ America 250 series. Arts calendar details.
  • Amy Grant + Mac McAnally — Tennessee Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. Two established singer-songwriters share the stage for a Saturday night of music. Tickets.
  • Piano Passions — Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11. Amadeus Concert Ensemble’s free season-opening concert pairs pianist Chih-Long Hu with conductor and pianist Brian Salesky. Music ranges from Vivaldi and Marcello to the Spanish colors of Falla, Turina and Granados. The cathedral is at 711 S. Northshore Drive. Event details.
  • Miles @ 100 with Marquis Hill — Bijou Theatre, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13. The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra marks the centennial of Miles Davis’ birth with trumpeter Marquis Hill and music from across Davis’ career. Tickets and details.

Arts & Exhibits

  • October exhibitions — Emporium Center, through Oct. 30. The shows include “Standing in the Shower… Thinking,” curated by Rachel Waldrop; Cuba photographs by Kyle Hislip and John Mitchell; Carmen Alcocer’s Alcoa Highway miniatures; Susan Watson’s “Fall” in Love with Glass; and Anna Lawrence’s “Memento Vivere.” Regular hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays at 100 S. Gay St. Exhibition details.
  • No-Man’s-Land — Knoxville Museum of Art, through Nov. 8. Inspired by the visionary work of Harrison Mayes, the exhibition explores artists working across boundaries of culture, place and spiritual traditions. Admission is free. Details.

Family Fun

  • Farragut After Dark — Campbell Station Inn and Mayor Ralph McGill Plaza, 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for a free showing of “Hotel Transylvania” at 7:15 p.m. Pumpkin painting starts at 6 p.m., while supplies last. Indoor luminary making is for ages 16 and older and requires a purchased ticket. Details.
  • Second Sunday Art Activity — Knoxville Museum of Art, 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11. Drop in for a free afternoon of art. A free docent tour is also offered from 2-3 p.m. Details.
  • Wicked Cool — Downtown Knoxville, throughout October. Look for nine black cats hiding in business windows, explore Halloween installations and take seasonal photos around Market Square, Gay Street and the Old City. The scavenger hunt and costume photo contest continue through Oct. 31. Clues and activities.

Festivals & Community Events

  • HoLa Festival — World’s Fair Park Performance Lawn, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. Celebrate Hispanic heritage with live music, dancing, artisan crafts, food and children’s activities. The Parade of Nations is scheduled for 3 p.m. The organizer lists a $4 admission donation for ages 12 and older; younger children and current HoLa members enter free. Details.
  • Small Press Publishers Fair — Emporium Center, 1-5 p.m. Oct. 10-11. Part of Knox Small Press Fest, the fair brings together local writers, poets, artists, zine makers and independent publishers to share and sell their work. Details.
  • Frozen Head Heritage Day — Stonecipher Kelly Homeplace, Wartburg, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. The free festival celebrates Appalachian and Cumberland Mountain culture with old-time and bluegrass music, traditional crafts, vendors, hayrides and pumpkin painting. New this year is a sheep-herding demonstration. The homeplace is at 141 Beech Fork Road. Park information.

Looking Ahead

  • Detroit — Maryville College’s Haslam Family Flexible Theatre, Oct. 15-18. Lisa D’Amour’s dark comedy begins with a suburban barbecue and turns toward questions of identity, marriage and the American dream. Clayton Center details.
  • Frontier Frights — Marble Springs State Historic Site, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 17. The free event combines costumes, crafts, trick-or-treating, broom-making demonstrations and history. Details.
  • Emily Nemens reading — Hodges Library’s Lindsay Young Auditorium, 7 p.m. Oct. 19. UT’s Creative Writing Program welcomes the author of “Clutch” and “The Cactus League” for a free public reading. Program information.

This Week’s ArtBeat Picks

  • Best Date Night: ICON at the Tennessee Theatre.
  • Best Free Event: Piano Passions with Amadeus Concert Ensemble.
  • Best Family Event: Farragut After Dark.
  • Hidden Gem: Small Press Publishers Fair at the Emporium.

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

OUR TOWN. YOUR NEWS.

Stories that connect our community. Read. Respond. Share.

Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn and TikTok. Get all KnoxTNToday articles in one place with our free newsletter. Comments may be sent to news@knoxtntoday.com.