Here’s what’s happening around East Tennessee today, along with helpful community resources and interesting things to discover beyond our backyard.
Throwback Thursday
Knoxville’s Tennessee Theatre opened in 1928 and remains one of America’s finest restored historic theaters.
Today’s Highlights
- Declaration: I Am Tennessee Knoxville’s poet laureate, Linda Parsons, has joined the Knoxville Writers Guild and East Tennessee Historical Society in the Declaration: I Am Tennessee project to celebrate the U.S. 250th birthday. This gathering of poems and short prose will launch on July 16, 6:30 pm, at the East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay St. RB Morris, Todd Steed, Donna Doyle, Nancy Brennan Strange, Jan Loveday Dickens, Mary Pom Claiborne, Bethany Lemons, and Linda Parsons will share their work. Free to the public. Funded by the State of Tennessee.
- Days in the Sun with TAMIS : Thursday, July 16 | 6:30 | Central Cinema | Free Join the Tennessee Archive of Moving Image and Sound (TAMIS) for its monthly screening series at Central Cinema. This month’s program, Days in the Sun, celebrates summer through a charming collection of amateur films from the TAMIS archives. The screening features cookouts, road trips, gardens, holidays, backyard adventures, and countless sun-soaked moments captured on home movie cameras between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
- Farmers’ markets on Thursdays. Pavilion Farmers Market in Hardin Valley is open every Thursday until October 30, 4-7 p.m. at 2620 Willow Point Way, 37931. See more information Pavilion Farmers Market. New Harvest Park is open every Thursday until September 25, 3- 6 p.m. in east Knox County. See more information Nourish Knoxville Harvest Park
- Market Square has live music when 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. Bring your own chairs for first-come, first-served seating. No food or beer will be sold on Market Square. Food is available for takeout from restaurants, but alcohol can only be consumed inside establishments or on their patios. A full calendar is posted at KnoxvilleTN.gov/Concerts (opens in new window).
Featured Resource
Outdoor Knoxville: A calendar produced by Legacy Parks Foundation has a comprehensive list of upcoming local outdoor events. Find it here.
Community Calendar
Looking for more to do? Here are upcoming events and activities across East Tennessee.
July Outdoor Concert Series: The Downtown Maryville Alliance announces the launch of a free, outdoor concert series coming to the Charles West Amphitheater in Jack Greene Park each Thursday during the months of June and July 2026. This inaugural season will feature an exciting lineup of regional and national talent, bringing live music to downtown Maryville each Thursday from 7-9 p.m. Below are the dates and performers:
- July 16 – Cedric Burnside
- July 23 – J & The Causeways
- July 30 – Wyatt Ellis
Visit Knoxville published 2026 Guide: The free 2026 Official Knoxville Visitors Guide is now available: Visitors Guide.
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 Travel Information: As you make travel plans, get information on all travel issues across Tennessee, here.
Across America
July is National Picnic Month. Pack a lunch and enjoy one of East Tennessee’s beautiful parks or green spaces.
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
In 1969, Apollo 11 launched on its historic journey to the Moon.
Tennessee Trivia
Knoxville’s Tennessee Theatre, which opened in 1928, is one of America’s finest restored historic movie palaces.
😊 Today’s Smile
Take time to enjoy the little things—they often become the big memories.
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Coming Tomorrow on KnoxTNToday
- Maria Cornelius on the Lady Vols
- Dishing It Out with Aneisa Rolen
- Close to Home, Far from Ordinary
- Another edition of Daily Connections.
New to Daily Connections? We’d love your feedback. Tell us what you’d like to see added by emailing news@KnoxTNToday.com.
