Get Out & Play: Tis the season for jolly outdoor fun

Carol EvansUncategorized

Tis the season to deck out in bells, twinkling lights and yes, even ugly holiday sweaters. Knoxville has plenty of holiday-themed activities for families and friends to enjoy. Several of these events raise funds or donations for charities and families in need.

Adults and children will want to strap on a pair of ice skates at the annual Holidays on Ice. The open-air ice rink on Market Square is open day and night, Nov. 24 through Jan. 7, except Christmas Day, for skating to music under the stars and twinkling lights.

Dust off your tackiest holiday sweater, find anything you can that lights up or glows and get ready to deck the halls with tons of cheer at the Pawsitively Tacky 5k Run at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8, at Victor Ashe Park. All proceeds benefit The Arc Knox County.

Tie jingle bells to your shoelaces and don your favorite holiday costume for the Jingle Bell Run at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, at World’s Fair Park. This fun race helps raise funds for The Arthritis Foundation.

Volunteers can help at the Bike Elf Repair and Cleaning Day to get donated bikes ready for their next owner from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Boys & Girls Club in Maryville. Jobs are available for all skill levels.

Bring a bag filled with all the leftover T-shirts and awards you’ve won in 2017 to the Leftover Run at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, at Tyson Park. This 5K Greenway Run helps the Knoxville Track Club raise money for The Empty Stocking Fund. Any leftovers are donated to the Boys and Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley.

Deck out your bike and yourself for the Tour de Lights festive bike parade through downtown, 4th & Gill and Old North Knoxville. Starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15, at Market Square, cyclists will ride a 5-mile route on closed streets. There will be cookies and hot cocoa, and prizes awarded in the decorating/costume contest beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Stroll along the illuminated greenway trail at The Cove at Concord Park during the Holiday Festival of Lights. Lights will be sparkling from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 15-30, except Christmas Day. Knox County will collect non-perishable food items for The Love Kitchen.

Christmas Rock-n-Roll music will abound along the routes of the Rock’in Santa Half Marathon & Sunshine Santa 5K at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec 16, at Victor Ashe Park. Get into the holiday spirt with either a half marathon or 5K run. This event benefits the Sunshine Ambassadors who enrich the lives of people with disabilities through dance.

To find out where you can Get Out and Play this holiday season, check out all the events on the Outdoor Knoxville calendar.

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