Calendar of Events
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Knoxville Children's Theatre: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Category: Comedy, Kids, family and Theatre
Performed Thursdays and Fridays at 7 PM; Saturdays at 1 PM and 5 PM; and Sundays at 3 PM and 6 PM.
In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids: probably the most inventively awful kids in history! You won’t believe the mayhem – and the fun – when the Herdman’s collide with the Christmas story head on!
The play is performed by twenty-four talented young actors ages 8 to 16. The cast includes KCT veterans Vivienne Bullard as Imogene Herdman, Mason Cox as Leroy Herdman, Julian Daniel as Ollie Herdman, Desmond Gondo as Claude Herdman and Harper Monday as Gladys Herdman. Mother and Father will be played by Leeland Robbins and Quinton Stiffler respectively, while Luna Chavez will be playing Beth Bradley and Owen Bellamy will be playing Charlie Bradley. Joining them will be Connor Watters as Elmer and Rev. Hopkins, Lydia Komeshak as Mrs. Armstrong, and Chloe Beeler as Mrs. McCarthy. Also featured are KCT veterans Camila Herrera, Hogan Honeycutt, Saha Lau, Caroline Simmons, Sophia Stiffler, and Auden Tatler. Making their KCT debuts in this production are Luke Bounds, Laila Brown, Amelia Carroll, Lola Longmire, Julia Luehrs, and Camden Powell.
The show is directed by guest director Ashlee Latimer and designed by eleven student designers ages 10 to 16. KCT is East Tennessee’s leading producer of plays for children and families. Knoxville Children's Theatre, 109 E. Churchwell Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-208-3677, www.knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com
Cherokee Caverns Christmas in the Cave
Category: Festivals, special events, Kids, family and Science, nature
Bring the family and join us for an underground Christmas wonderland at Historic Cherokee Caverns! Enjoy themed scenes, photo ops, thousands of twinkling lights, festive music and lots of family fun along the stalagmites and stalactites! Get your photo with Santa or The Mean One! Shop the vendor booths for locally made gift items and sweet treats! Enjoy a craft for the kids or a kiddie ride! Grab dinner at The Grotto or enjoy a cup of hot cocoa by the campfire! Shop the vendor booths for locally made gifts and yummy treats. The cave path is stroller and wheelchair friendly, and the cave is a comfortable 58 degrees year-round.
Hours of operation:
Friday, December 6th - 5pm-8pm
Saturday, December 7th - 3pm-8pm
Sunday, December 8th - 3pm-8pm
Friday, December 13th – 5pm-8pm
Saturday, December 14th – 3pm-8pm
Sunday, December 15th – 3pm-8pm
Friday, December 20th – 5pm-8pm
Saturday, December 21st – 3pm-8pm
Sunday, December 22nd– 3pm-8pm
Admission is $15 per person for ages 4 & up. Children 3 & under are admitted free. Photos with Santa or The Mean One are sold separately. Purchase tickets in advance online or at the ticket booth. Cash and credit cards accepted. Parking is free. Historic Cherokee Caverns is located at 8524 Oak Ridge Highway in the Karns community.
https://www.historiccherokeecaverns.com/
River & Rail Theatre Company: It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
Category: Theatre
It’s a Wonderful Life is based on the story, The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern and is adapted by Joe Landry. This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. One Christmas Eve, George Bailey is so discouraged, he wonders if the world would be better off without him.
River & Rail Theatre, 111 State Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-407-0727, www.riverandrailtheatre.com
Broadway at the Tennessee Theatre: Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
Category: Dance, movement, Music and Theatre
An uplifting comeback story like no other, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical is the inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock n’ Roll. Set to the pulse-pounding soundtrack of her most beloved hits, this electrifying sensation will send you soaring to the rafters.
One of the world’s best-selling artists of all time, Tina Turner won 12 Grammy Awards and her live shows were seen by millions, with more concert tickets sold than any other solo performer in music history.
Featuring her much loved songs, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical is written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall.
Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information/tickets: 865-684-1200, www.tennesseetheatre.com
Knoxville Modern Quilt Guild: Winter Warmer Mini Quilt Show
Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Fine Crafts and Free event
Winter Warmer is presented by the Knoxville Modern Quilt Guild. Twelve members of the guild used a curated color palette and modern esthetic to create works based on their own vision, the only limitations being fabrics and size. The resulting pieces reflect many aspects of modern quilting: use of negative space, minimalism, improvisational piecing, asymmetry, bold use of color. Many modern quilters also learn from, experiment with, and utilize traditional patterns and techniques, while applying a modern twist.
The Knoxville Modern Quilt Guild is for residents in and around Knoxville who have an interest in modern design and quilting. We hope to provide members with a community where modern quilters can meet, share ideas and create in an environment that encourages creativity and acceptance. Our guild is a member of The Modern Quilt Guild.
https://www.themodernquiltguild.com/
At Printshop Beer, 1532 Island Home Ave.
Ijams Nature Center: December Events
Category: Classes, workshops, Kids, family, Meetup and Science, nature
12/1 • 11th Annual Ijams Holiday Marketplace
12/8 • Creative Series: Holiday Card Crafting with The Big Camera
12/8 • Self-Care Sunday Yoga
12/14 • Beyond the Blueprint - Exploring Neutral Tones with Van Dyke Brown Photography
12/14 • Pickin' on Christmas with Evie and the Elves
12/15 • Sound Bath Meditation
12/15 • Self-Care Sunday Yoga
12/15 • Bluegrass Jam with ETNBA
12/22 • Self-Care Sunday Yoga
Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Visitor Center open daily 10-6; grounds and trails open daily from 8 AM - dusk. Information: 865-577-4717, www.ijams.org
Knoxville Museum of Art: 19th Annual East TN Regional Student Art Exhibition
Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Free event and Kids, family
This collaborative project with the East Tennessee Art Education Association is designed to gather the best student work in grades 6-12 from a 32-county region; award winners are eligible for $1,000,000 in scholarships to national art schools. Organized by the KMA.
For additional information and updates, follow the Knoxville Museum of Art on social media:
Facebook: Knoxville Museum of Art, Instagram: @knoxvillemuseumofart, X: @knoxart
Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park, Knoxville, TN 37916. Hours: Tu-Sa 10-5, Su 1-5. Information: 865-525-6101, www.knoxart.org. Admission and parking are free.
Holidays on Ice
Category: Festivals, special events, Kids, family and Meetup
Whether with family, friends or on a date you'll love skating in the heart of Downtown Knoxville in Market Square! Join us at Holidays on Ice presented by Home Federal Bank to make memories that will last long after the holidays are over. Enjoy skating under the stars and twinkling lights while listening to music every night. The rink opens the day after Thanksgiving and will be open through January 5, 2025.
Ice rink is located in Market Square in front of the Knoxville Chamber at 17 Market Square in Downtown Knoxville. The ice rink will be closed during inclement weather, please check the Holidays on Ice Facebook page to stay updated.
Admission price includes entry fee, skate rental and unlimited time on ice!
Adult: $12, Children Age 12 & Under: $9
Season Pass Adult: $50, Season Pass Children Age 12 & Under: $35
Regular Hours
November 29, 2024 - December 22, 2024
Monday through Thursday: 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday: 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Extended Hours
December 23, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Monday through Thursday: 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday: 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Special Holiday Hours for Christmas & New Years
Christmas Eve: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
December 26: 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
New Years Eve: 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
New Years Day: 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Parking is free at all city-owned garages after 6 p.m. on weekdays and throughout the weekend, except for specific special events. City-owned garages include the Locust Street Garage, the State Street Garage and the Market Square Garage. https://www.knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/special_events/knoxvilles_holidays_on_ice
Schulz Brau Brewing: Christkindlesmarkt
Category: Festivals, special events, Free event, History, heritage and Kids, family
Schulz Brau Brewing's Christkindlesmarkt. Our market takes place five consecutive Saturdays & Sunday before Christmas and allows the community to come together for a bit of shopping, drinking, socializing, and celebrating after a long year. The Market will take place every FRIDAY, SATURDAY, & SUNDAY, November 29 thru December 22.
The Market hours are: Friday, 3:00 - 8:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday,
11:00 AM- 8:00 PM at 126 Bernard Avenue.
This is a free, family friendly, rain or shine event.
Christkindlesmarkt is our take on a traditional German Christmas Market. Original markets date back to as far as the late Middle Ages and are a hotspot for German holiday culture. With the growth in business, we hosted our first ever Christkindlesmarkt in 2021 and it was a holly jolly time!
Choosing to incorporate as many traditional Chriskindlesmarkt practices as we could ended up being a great decision. Some of these practices include serving Gluhwein, having Polka bands play traditional Christmas songs, obtaining vendors with only handcrafted products, and providing a variety of German sweets for purchase.
There is much more culture and history of Christkindlesmarkt to uncover. Let’s hope we debut more & more traditions each year!
Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center: Christmas in the Village
Category: Culinary arts, food, Festivals, special events, History, heritage and Kids, family
We are excited to announce our schedule for the 5th annual Christmas in the Village festivities at the Heritage Center! If you're interested in a taste of Appalachian Christmas traditions, complete with living history demonstrations, evening tours of our historic structures, and warm refreshments, don't pass up your opportunity to visit with us this holiday season! The official event dates are listed below, and village entry takes place between 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm each evening!
November 29-30
December 6-7
December 13-14
December 20-21
Purchase tickets directly by visiting our website and clicking on the Tickets and Events tab, then look for the link to Christmas in the Village. Adult tickets are $15 each, Senior tickets are $12 each, and Children (ages 5-12 years) are $10 each. Kids under 4 are free. In case of bad weather, please call ahead to double-check that we are open that night. If you have questions or need additional information, please feel free to call the office at
865-448-0044 during normal business hours. We look forward to seeing you during this year's Christmas in the Village!
https://gsmheritagecenter.org
Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center | 123 Cromwell Drive, Townsend, TN 37882
Oak Ridge Playhouse: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Category: Kids, family, Music and Theatre
Music by Richard Rodgers, Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Step into a world where magic dances with sophistication as Rodgers and Hammerstein’s timeless tale of hope and transformation sparkles with wit and delight. With its magical moments and delightful songs, this enchanting musical transports you to a bygone era of elegance and charm, as Cinderella meets her prince and makes her journey from rags to riches with resilience and grace. Let yourself be swept away by a glittering spectacle that harkens back to a golden age of theater, leaving audiences of all ages spellbound with their dreams soaring and their hearts aglow.
GENERAL AUDIENCES
https://www.orplayhouse.com/
Theatre Knoxville Downtown: My Three Angels
By Samuel Spewack, Bella Spewack
Directed by Lisa Silverman
The scene is French Guyana, a region where on Christmas day the temperature has graciously dropped to 104 degrees. Three convicts are employed as roofers by a family, whose roof is in desperate need of maintenance. On the way from France is an evil-minded cousin, to oust the father of the family from his business, and his cold-blooded nephew, who is jilting the father’s daughter for an heiress. The three convicts—two of them murderers, the third a swindler—take the visitors on. All three have warm hearts and are passionate believers in true justice. Possessing every criminal art and penal grace, they set matters right and in doing so redeem themselves as real life angels to the grateful family.
“A completely captivating comedy.” — Philadelphia Inquirer
“Exudes a welcome and congenial air of humanity.” — Christian Science Monitor
“Engaging and pleasant preposterous comedy.” — New York News
Performances are Thu-Sat 7:30 PM and Sun 3 PM
Theatre Knoxville Downtown, 800 S. Central Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information & tickets: 865-544-1999, www.theatreknoxville.com