Here’s a closer look at what you can expect from the area’s events:
April 30 – May 6: The weekly preview of arts and culture events in the Greater Knoxville area is included in the Arts & Culture here.
Cultural Festivals reflect the specific cultures and communities they represent.
April 1-30: Dogwood Trails with open gardens and camera sites: This annual tradition begins Wednesday, April 1 – Thursday, April 30. Thirteen blooming trails covering over 90 miles of residential neighborhoods. South Knoxville is the featured area for 2026.
New Exhibitions Open at The Emporium on May 1 The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present three new exhibitions at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville opening on Friday, May 1, from 5:00-9:00 PM. A free gathering with the exhibiting artists will also feature live music by Nick Swatson
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.
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.
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.
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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