Here’s what’s happening around East Tennessee today, along with helpful community resources and interesting things to discover beyond our backyard.
Throwback Thursday
The best stories are often found close to home.
Highlights
- 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. Aug. 20: Pink Houses: The Ultimate Mellencamp ExperienceSept. 17: Square Dancing on the Square. Bring your own chairs for first-come, first-served seating. A full calendar is posted at KnoxvilleTN.gov/Concerts (opens in new window).
- Knoxville Walking Tours has Storyteller Laura Still helps you live the stories of pioneers, soldiers, outlaws, and even fictional characters who walked these streets before you: Knoxville Walking Tours:
- Pretentious Glass will teach the basics of glassblowing and make your own drinking glass, paperweight, or ornament: Pretentious Glass: Make Your Own Workshops
Featured Resource
Tennessee Theatre features a diverse mix of Broadway productions, classic films, and live concerts at the historic venue in Knoxville: Tennessee Theatre Calendar.
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.
Last day for 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 30 – Wyatt Ellis
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.
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.
Tennesee 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
July 30 is International Day of Friendship: A global event since 2011 with the goal of promoting peace, bridging cultures, and uniting communities
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
1619 – First representative assembly met in Virginia.
1935 – Penguin Books founded.
1965 – Medicare signed.
Tennessee Trivia
Did you know? Nashville is Music City starting from a famous 1873 royal performance, and the title was later made famous on the radio in 1950.
😊 Today’s Smile
Why was the math book sad? It had too many problems.
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Coming Tomorrow on KnoxTNToday
- Maria Cornelius on the Lady Vols
- Part Three of Inside Tennessee Basketball: A Walk Through History
- Close to Home, Far from Ordinary
- Another edition of Daily Connections.
