Calendar of Events

The Appalachian Ballet Company will present the annual holiday tradition - The Nutcracker in their 48th anniversary season. The production features live music by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.

Two weekends, Two venues!
WHEN: Saturday, December 7th - 7:30 pm & Sunday, December 8th - 3 pm
WHERE : Knoxville Civic Auditorium, Knoxville, TN

WHEN: Friday, December 13th - 7:30 pm & Saturday December 14th - 3 pm
WHERE: Clayton Center for the Arts, Maryville, TN

Dancing the role of the Nutcracker Prince for the Knoxville shows will be Dance Theatre of Harlem dancer, Da’Von Doane (dancetheatreofharlem.com). This well-known guest artist will be partnering ballerina Kylie Morton Berry, the Sugarplum Fairy, formerly with North Carolina Dance Theatre. The 13th and 14th of December, Berry will be partnered by Connor Walsh, principal dancer with Houston Ballet. Mr. Walsh has been the principal dancer for Houston Ballet since 2007. (houstonballet.org).

This year’s production will include several new pieces of choreography and feature guests artists Alex Gonzaga and Laura Morton from Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre based in Atlanta as the Snow King and Snow Queen. James La Russa of Staibdance in Atlanta will dance the role of Herr Drosselmeyer bringing an air of magic and mystery.

For over 100 years, this classic story has proven to be a favorite, enchanting audiences of all ages. Come see the magic with lavish scenery, over 215 costumes, dancing soldiers, swirling snow-flakes and the Sugar Plum Fairy at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium or The Clayton Center for the Arts – the first and second weekend of December.

For more information: 865-982-8463, www.appalachianballet.com

Celebrate the holiday season with Mabry-Hazen House during their annual Christmas tours on Saturday, December 7th, 2019 from 5-8pm and Sunday, December 8th, 2019 from 2-5pm. Mabry-Hazen House will be decorated in the spirit of the holiday, historically-inspired refreshments will be served, and there will be a few surprises as well. On Saturday evening, carolers will perform traditional favorites and Santa Claus will attend and be available for pictures. The historic house will open for visitors to casually walk through and enjoy a festive mix of modern and historic decorations.

Mabry-Hazen House’s holiday exhibit titled "Holiday Greetings: A Century of Christmas Cards” will return for a second year! Nearly 100 years of holiday cards addressed to the Hazen family will be on display for visitors to learn about this sentimental holiday tradition.

Tickets are not required to attend, but donations are deeply appreciated. The event is free for members and children under 13; a suggested $5 donation is encouraged for all others.

A $5 donation enters individuals into drawing for a door prize for a limited-edition porcelain replica of Mabry-Hazen House. A perfect addition to any Christmas village! (Winners will be notified the following day)

Mabry-Hazen House, 1711 Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37915. Information: 865-522-8661, www.mabryhazen.com

Join us as we recreate a meaningful holiday of simpler times. Traditional trees and hand-made decorations, typical of austere pioneer days, transform the Museum’s authentic log buildings. Wander through the village and marvel at the simple treasures of their settlement days. In the one-room, dirt-floored “Dan’l Boone” cabin, strings of popcorn and cotton bolls circle a dormant tree; Paper chains and other ornaments trim the tree in the Little Tater Valley Schoolhouse.

Sweet gum and sycamore balls are strung throughout the Mark Twain Family Cabin, and a traditional silver star tops a native red cedar Christmas tree in the turn-of-the-century Peters Homestead House. Apples, nuts, homemade toys, and oranges fill stockings hung in the cabins.

Pick up some stocking stuffers in the Museum Gift and Antique Shop, which features everything from hand-crafted ornaments, locally made muscadine and moonshine jellies, and beautiful pottery, along with baskets, quilts, and plenty of Appalachian specialties. Or just come and enjoy a homemade southern country lunch in front of the warm fireplace.

You’ll want to make A Candlelight Christmas part of your family’s annual holiday tradition!

Museum of Appalachia, 2819 Andersonville Hwy., Clinton, TN 37716 (16 miles north of Knoxville at I-75, exit 122, then one mile east). Open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Information: 865-494-7680, www.museumofappalachia.org

Visit Santa in the Knoxville Store – December 7-8, 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. – The Jolly Ol’ Elf will be in the store Saturday and Sunday; he’s making his list and checking it twice. Bring the kids in to visit with Santa, and don’t forget your camera to capture unforgettable moments.

Mast General Store, 402 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-546-1336, www.mastgeneralstore.com/knoxville

Make plans now to join us for the 31st Annual Victorian Holiday Home Tour on December 7th & 8th! Old North Knoxville features beautiful homes built in the Queen Anne, Craftsman/Bungalow, Neoclassical Revival, and American Four Square style. To help you kick off your holiday season, Old North Knoxville neighbors will open the doors of select homes in a variety of these styles, restored and decorated for the season for your viewing pleasure!

Candlelight Tour: Saturday Dec. 7th, 2019 4:00PM – 9:00PM
Afternoon Tour: Sunday Dec. 8th, 2019 12:30PM – 5:00PM
Tickets: www.victorianholidayhometour.com

https://www.facebook.com/events/450588072260107

Awaken Coffee will host an opening reception for Austin Bradford Friday, Dec. 6 from 6-9 pm.

Austin's passion is photography and he specializing in landscapes and portraits.

Please join us for some amazing photos, light refreshments and of course great coffee!

Awaken Coffee is a live music venue, espresso bar, craft beer & wine bar and organic restaurant in the heart of downtown. Awaken Coffee, 125 W Jackson Ave, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902

Hours: Mon-Thu 7 AM - 9 PM, Fri 7 AM - 10 PM, Sat 8 AM - 10 PM, Sun 2-8 PM
(865) 951-0427 or https://www.facebook.com/awakencoffeeoldcity/

PostModern Spirits, 205 West Jackson Ave, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902

PostModern Spirits will welcome Kara Lockmiller’s musician portraits on First Friday, December 6, and all month long. To view Kara’s artist portfolio visit www.KLockmillerArt.com.

For PostModern craft distilling doesn’t mean small or hand-made; it means challenging the traditions and staleness of mainstream spirits. Craft distilling is about using flavors and colors from real ingredients and botanicals that were grown and not “born” in a laboratory. It’s about putting your own unique mark in the spirits world that is filled with copycats.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1337471143101261/

First Friday Reception: December 6, 5:30 – 9 p.m.

MARILYN DWYER - BARNS- ‘ROUND EVERY BEND
Pastel & Mixed Media Paintings - Roadside Views of our East Tennessee Landscape
“Not knowing farm life, I have always been intrigued with these monumental structures and the life around them. As I’m driving, I find myself noting that the cows on Springbrook are close to the road mid-afternoon or the sun lights up the farm buildings on River Road at sunset. These scenes will inevitably disappear. I want to remember them before they’re gone.” Originally from Mobile, Marilyn was captivated with the beauty and heritage of East Tennessee while visiting the area. After graduating from Auburn with a BFA, she moved here, raised a family and recently retired from a career in graphic design. She spends as much time as possible drawing and painting at Studio 212 in Maryville, where she also teaches teen and adult drawing. Her charcoal and pastel work reflects a graphic arts background, with strong compositions and a contemporary style.

Julia A. Malia, Fiber Artist
I am a fiber, jewelry, and stained glass craftswoman as well as a watercolorist and musician. As a fiber artist specializing in wearable art, I use a variety of fibers and techniques. The styles of my original designs are usually either classical or folk-style in nature, drawing inspiration from historic or ancient themes. For instance, I often base garment designs on our family’s Irish and Scottish roots, and I also favor Japanese kimono garment shapes. Rich textures and colors are central to my life and my work, and I utilize techniques that combine and enhance color variegations. I am a juried member of the Foothills Craft Guild as both a fiber artist (specializing in knitting and crocheting) and a jewelry maker. I also am a member of the Tennessee Valley Handspinners Guild, the Precious Metal Clay Guild of East Tennessee, and the Fountain City Art Center. I am drawn to fabrics and, as a child, used to play at sewing garments and piecing quilt squares for my grandmother, eventually learning standard clothing construction techniques as a teen. My mother taught me how to knit when I was a young child, and I learned to crochet from a friend when I was in my early 20s. In 1977, I won second place in the state of Iowa for my original design and creation of a hand-hooked rug entitled “Sarah’s Fantasy Rug.” In 2013, I had two of my original fiber designs selected for runway appearances at the Dogwood Arts Festival Diva Luncheon Fashion Show in Knoxville. In 2014, I was the invited featured artist for the month of July in a one-woman fiber art exhibit at the Charles City Art Center in Charles City, Iowa. My exhibit, entitled “Wearable Art: Themes and Variations,” was a retrospective of my craftwork in fibers and jewelry over the decades.

Art Market Gallery, 422 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Tu-Sa 11-6, Su 1-6. Information: 865-525-5265, www.artmarketgallery.net

December 6th 6-9PM (Will be on display the entire month)

This December our wall will feature art from four of artists: Mike Ham, Cynthia Markert, Pippin Long and Brian Pittman. Come celebrate First Friday with us and find the perfect art original to give to someone special this holiday season!

https://www.facebook.com/events/2869424669737278/

Rala, 112 W. Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902
HOURS: Mon - Thurs: 10:00am to 8:00pm, Fri - Sat: 10:00am to 9:00pm, Sun: 11:00am to 5:00pm
PH: (865) 525-7888, Instagram: @ShopRala
https://shoprala.com

Knoxville Children’s Theatre will present “Elf: The Musical Jr,” based on the Broadway musical with music and lyrics by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin.. The play will be performed December 6 - 22, Thursdays and Fridays at 7 PM; Saturdays at 1 PM and 5 PM; Sundays at 3 PM, with additional performances at 7 p.m. on Sunday December 15, and Sunday December 22.

This hilarious musical play is based on the 2003 comedy film. Buddy Hobbs, a young orphan child, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Years later, Buddy finds out that he's an ordinary human being and heads off to New York City in search of his father, Walter Hobbs. But Walter, like many New Yorkers, doesn't believe in Santa Claus. Neither does Buddy’s brother Michael! Buddy must win over his birth family and help New York City remember the true meaning of Christmas.

KCT student Jacob Sousley will make his directorial debut with this production with Musical Director Paul Jones and Choreographer, Donya Walker. Bella Patterson is the stage manager. The show’s designers are all high-and middle-school students: Eric Magee (scenery), Sydney Allen (lighting), Reece Brown (costuming), and Anna Kate Stanley (Properties).

Knoxville Children's Theatre, 109 E. Churchwell Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-208-3677, www.knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com

Adapted by Joe Landry

Sit back, as if in your family living room in the 1940s, and listen to the familiar story told in its entirety, complete with sound effects and commercials. George Bailey, a small town businessman and father, thinks he’s a failure and plans to kill himself on Christmas Eve. He is saved when a guardian angel shows him how his town, family, and friends would turn out if he’d never been born.

“One of the best holiday shows around. This is a fresh and inventive way of reconnecting with a classic story of love and redemption.”
—Mary Houlihan, Chicago Sun-Times

“A well-loved tale told with style, charm and a heart so big it could burst the ribcage of the harshest Grinch.”
—Kerry Reid, The Chicago Tribune

“A fresh theatrical context that creates just the right kind of retro warmth. If you cry every time you see the movie, you’ll be blubbering away right on cue … Guaranteed.”
—Chris Jones, The Chicago Tribune

Theatre Knoxville Downtown, 800 S. Central Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information & tickets: 865-544-1999, www.theatreknoxville.com

Join us for the 2019 Christmas in the Cave at Historic Cherokee Caverns!

Stroll along the cave path with your family while you enjoy Christmas music and thousands of twinkling lights among the Stalactites and Stalagmites! Visit Santa and have your family photo made with the cave as your backdrop! (this is available for an extra fee and provided by a professional photographer)
Watch out for the Grinch! That Grinch is so sneaky! He likes to run around in the cave and sneak into your pictures!

Joke around with Cousin Eddie from "christmas vacation".
Shop our Vendor Booths for unique gifts and treats!
Food Truck and concessions available.

Open December 6-8, 13-15 and 20-21. Friday hours are 5:00-8:00PM, Saturday and Sunday hours are 3:00-8:00PM.

There are no advance tickets for sale.
You simply purchase tickets when you arrive at our ticket booth.
This event will never sell out.
Admission is $10 per person for ages 4 & up.
Children under 4 are admitted free.
Cash & Credit Cards accepted at our ticket booth.
The cave is handicapped and wheelchair accessible
Parking is Free

Historic Cherokee Caverns, 8524 Oak Ridge Highway, Knoxville, Tennessee 37931.
https://cherokeecaverns.com/christmas-in-the-cave