Here’s what’s happening around East Tennessee today, along with helpful community resources and interesting things to discover beyond our backyard.
Friday Fun
The weekend is almost here. Here are a few ways to make the most of it.
Today’s Highlights
Grooves in the Garden Music Festival (Saturday): Spend part of your weekend surrounded by music and beautiful summer blooms at the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum. The annual festival features live performances in a scenic outdoor setting that’s perfect for families, friends and music lovers. Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum: Grooves in the Garden Music Festival
Dixie Lee Famers Market Open-air Farmers Market featuring fresh, local produce, Grass-Fed meats, eggs & milk. Open every Saturday (May-October) from 9 a.m.- noon at 12740 Kingston Pike, Farragut.
Hall’s Farmer’s Market Sponsored by the Halls Crossroads Women’s League every Saturday, 9 a.m. – noon at Beaver Dam Baptist Church | 4328 E. Emory Rd., Knoxville, 37938. Offered at the market: local seasonal produce, fresh bakery goodies, local honey, handmade aprons & hand-created crafts, and so much more, including free arts & crafts for the kiddos in the Kidz Korner.
Market Square Farmer’s Market Every Saturday, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. through October, Nourish Knoxville operates producer-only farmers markets in Knoxville, Tennessee. Everything sold at our farmers’ markets is grown/raised/produced by the vendor within a 150-mile radius of Knoxville, Tennessee.
Old City Market (Sunday): Browse local vendors, handcrafted goods, fresh produce and unique finds during the weekly market along Central and Jackson avenues in Knoxville’s historic Old City. It’s a great way to support local businesses while enjoying one of the city’s most walkable neighborhoods. Central & Jackson Ave: Old City Market
Featured Resource
Ijams Nature Center offers programs, activities, and events for all ages on a weekly basis, and almost every day. Check their Calendar of Events 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 23 – J & The Causeways
- July 30 – Wyatt Ellis
Outdoor Knoxville: A calendar produced by Legacy Parks Foundation has a comprehensive list of upcoming local outdoor events. Find it here.
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 Parks and Recreation Month, celebrating the parks, trails, playgrounds and recreation professionals who help keep our communities active, healthy and connected. East Tennessee is fortunate to have everything from neighborhood parks to the Great Smoky Mountains just a short drive away.
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
1955: Disneyland opened in Anaheim, California, welcoming guests to what would become one of the world’s most visited theme parks.
Tennessee Trivia
Did you know? The Sunsphere in Knoxville’s World’s Fair Park stands 266 feet tall and was built for the 1982 World’s Fair. Its gold-colored glass still makes it one of East Tennessee’s most recognizable landmarks.
😊 Today’s Smile
Why don’t mountains ever get lonely?
Because they’re always surrounded by friends.
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Coming Monday on KnoxTNToday
- Marvin West on the Vols
- Our Town Hero with Tom King
- Monday’s Parent – A – Child
- Another edition of Daily Connections.
