Here’s what’s happening around East Tennessee today, along with helpful community resources and interesting things to discover beyond our backyard.

Throwback Thursday

Yesterday’s stories help shape tomorrow’s community.

Today’s Highlights for August 13

  • Market Square has live music with Concerts on the Square (opens in new window), the City’s free live music series presented by First Century Bank. The third Thursdays in May through September feature a variety of musical styles, 7-9 p.m.
  • Centennial Anniversary Lecture Series: “Women Who Changed Blount Mansion’s History” — 6 p.m. at Blount Mansion Visitors Center. Historian Laura Still presents this special program as part of Blount Mansion’s centennial celebration. Free; RSVP requested.
  • Knoxville Smokies vs. Rocket City Trash Pandas — 7 p.m. at Covenant Health Park, 500 E. Jackson Ave. The Smokies continue their home series against Rocket City. Knoxville Smokies 2026 UT Gardens Trails — The seasonal garden trail is listed among Knoxville’s ongoing 2026 events; UT Gardens Knoxville is open on Thursdays and offers a free daytime option.
  • Knoxville Walking Tours: Storyteller Laura Still helps you live the stories of pioneers, soldiers, outlaws, and even fictional characters who walked these streets before you, 126 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Knoxville Walking Tours

Featured Resource

Legacy Parks stewards natural and financial resources to create unique outdoor projects, working collaboratively to preserve green space, expand parks, create trails, and increase access to our rivers. Legacy Parks

Community Calendar

Looking for more to do? Here are upcoming events and activities across East Tennessee.

Ijams Nature Center: Ijams offers programs, activities, and events for all ages on a weekly basis, and almost every day. Check their Calendar of Events here.

Knoxville Public Library often has weekly story times, LEGO clubs, craft sessions, and teen gaming nights. Check their weekly calendar: Knox County Public Library

Muse Knoxville is an interactive children’s museum with daily sessions: Muse Knoxville.

Outdoor Knoxville: A calendar produced by Legacy Parks Foundation has a comprehensive list of upcoming local outdoor events. Find it here.

Tennessee Theatre features a diverse mix of Broadway productions, classic films, and live concerts at the historic venue in Knoxville: Tennessee Theatre Calendar.

Visit Knoxville published 2026 Guide: The free 2026 Official Knoxville Visitors Guide is now available: Visitors Guide.

Zoo Knoxville is open daily; special feeds/talks may have times posted onsite: Zoo Knoxville

Helpful Community Links

Local news: Follow breaking news, weather, and community updates from WBIR, WATE, and WVLT.

KCS Calendar: Stay informed with Knox County Schools calendar here.

Knoxville/Knox County Planning Commission: The Planning Commission meets the second Thursday of each month. Find agenda, minutes, and information here.

KUB Construction: Traffic advisories and construction-related impacts are communicated primarily through the online construction map .

Mayor’s Kickin’ It with Kincannon: City of Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon shares a monthly podcast, Kickin’ It with Kincannon.

Mayor Glenn Jacobs weekly podcast: Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs provides a weekly podcast.

Weather: The latest weather forecasts from WBIR Weather.

Across Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains Travel: Keep up to date on the TN/NC park Basic Information, Visitor Centers, Park Closures and Alerts, Parking Tags, Camping, Hiking, and general Visit Planning, all here.

TN Government meetings: Follow the latest here.

Tennessee Entertainment for All: The TN Vacation website links visitors to any region of Tennessee, featuring up-to-date venues and performances for all ages and preferences.

Tennessee State Parks lead us to the adventures of a lifetime: Tennessee State Parks.

Tennessee Travel Information: As you make travel plans, get information on all travel issues across Tennessee here.

Across America

August 13: National Filet Mignon Day. This food holiday celebrates the tender, prized cut of beef taken from the smaller end of the steer or heifer tenderloin.

National: Latest U.S. headlines at Google News US.

Congress: See this week’s meetings in Weekly Review

Entertainment: Latest in Movies, Music, TV, Books, Arts, Design, Celebrities at Google Entertainment.

Science: Latest in Environment, Space, Physics, Genetics, and Wildlife, at Google Science.

Sports: Latest in NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, Soccer, NASCAR, & more sports at Google Sports.

Stocks: Follow the stock market: Market Watch.

U.S. Supreme Court: Follow the decisions of the top court here

Around the World

World: Latest World headlines at Google News World.

United Nations: Latest UN News.

Today in History

  • 1913 – First stainless steel cast produced.
  • 1961 – Berlin Wall construction began.

Tennessee Trivia

Did you know? Tennessee has 56 state parks.

😊 Today’s Smile

What kind of music do balloons hate? Pop music.

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Coming Tomorrow on KnoxTNToday

  • Maria Cornelius on the Lady Vols
  • Hiking with Harrington
  • Close to Home, Far from Ordinary
  • Another edition of Daily Connections.