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

Tuesday Trivia

Did you know Knoxville’s Market Square has been the heart of downtown since 1854?

Today’s Highlights

  • Knox County Master Gardeners June events: Pavilion Farmers Market, Tuesday afternoons at Harden Valley Event Center, 2620 Willow Point Way, Knoxville. For more information on events or to sign up for free event alerts, go to https://www.knoxcountymastergardener.org/events-news/
  • Preschool Story Time, A free weekly Tuesday preschool program, 10-11 a.m. at Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, 2649 Boyds Bridge Pike, 37914. Engaging stories, nature exploration, hands-on gardening, crafts, and other activities that nurture the youngest gardeners and their grownups are offered April- October.
  • Jazz on the 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 on Market Square. On Tuesday nights in May, June, and July, some of Knoxville’s most talented jazz musicians perform in a lineup booked by Knoxville Jazz Orchestra director Vance Thompson. 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 gov/Concerts (opens in new window).

Featured Resource

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

Community Calendar

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

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.

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

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

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 Blueberry Month. Visit a local farmers market and enjoy one of summer’s healthiest and tastiest fruits.

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

Congress: See this week’s meetings in Weekly Review

Entertainment: The Latest in Movies, Music, TV, Books, Arts, Design, and 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 1789, the Storming of the Bastille became a defining event of the French Revolution.

Tennessee Trivia

Tennessee is the only state that borders eight other states—the most in the nation, tied with Missouri.

😊 Today’s Smile

Kindness is one gift that’s always the right size.

Share an event: Know of a local event or resource we should include in Daily Connections? Email us at news@knoxtntoday.com.

Follow us: Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

Our Town. Your News: Subscribe to our free newsletter, and get all KnoxTNToday articles in one place each morning.

Coming Tomorrow on KnoxTNToday

  • The Book Whisperer
  • Mama Says
  • 5Star Preps
  • Another edition of Daily Connections.