Calendar of Events

We are honored that these Knoxville residents have opened their properties to the public as a part of our annual celebration of East Tennessee's natural beauty! Properties for our 2025 Spring Featured Gardens are still TBD.

This event is free though a $5 donation per garden is suggested. Tours are self-guided; although Dogwood Arts staff and volunteers will be on-site for questions. No tickets are required.

NOTE: There is limited parking at each garden, and guests will be admitted on a first-come-first-served basis. Comfortable or hiking shoes are recommended. No pets allowed.

Dogwood Arts, 123 W. Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-637-4561, www.dogwoodarts.com

Join us for Knoxville Opera’s annual Rossini Festival, an international street fair celebrating the music, food, art, and culture that shape East Tennessee! This beloved event transforms downtown Knoxville into a vibrant, family-friendly celebration with non-stop entertainment, delicious food, and local artisan vendors. April 12 & 13, in Downtown Knoxville Admission: Always FREE!
• Live Performances on Four Stages – Enjoy opera, jazz, gospel, classical, ballet, modern, and ethnic dance for 11 hours each day!
• Food & Drink Vendors – Savor delicious international and local flavors!
• 75+ Artisans & Vendors – Discover handmade jewelry, clothing, home décor, and more from talented creators across East Tennessee.
• The Y FunZone – A special area packed with activities to keep the kids entertained!

For over 20 years, the Rossini Festival has been a must-attend event, bringing together more than half a million visitors to experience the arts and culture of Knoxville. Don’t miss this fun, family-friendly celebration—there’s something for everyone at the Rossini Festival!

Knoxville Opera: 865-524-0795, https://www.knoxvilleopera.org/rossini/

April 12: Sequoyah Branch Used Book Sale, 10:00-5:00

https://www.knoxfriends.org/book-sales/

Saturday, April 12, 2025
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Save the date for our Spring Plant Sale! KBGA members and neighbors are invited to an exclusive preview sale on Friday, April 11th.

Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, 2743 Wimpole Ave, Knoxville, TN 37914. Hours: Gardens open daily from sunrise to sunset. Information: 865-862-8717, www.knoxgarden.org

April 12 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Zoo Knoxville

HEAR me Roar returns to Zoo Knoxville on April 12! The fun starts at 6:00PM. Come visit dozens of your favorite costumed characters during this special afterhours event that supports Waiting to Hear and our local programs that help deaf kids HEAR! The event will be held rain or shine. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hear-me-roar-zoo-knoxville-2025-tickets-1224370447969

April 12, 1:00 PM at Historic Ramsey House
Step back in time and experience the thrill of 19th-century base ball at Historic Ramsey House! This FREE, family-friendly event is the perfect way to spend a beautiful spring afternoon. What to Expect:
A live 1860s-style base ball game with authentic rules and uniforms
A fun and educational living history experience for all ages
An opportunity to relax outdoors—bring your own chair, umbrella, or tent for shade

Concessions Available! Enjoy snacks and refreshments, with all proceeds going toward the preservation of Historic Ramsey House. The Tennessee Vintage Base Ball Association brings history to life by recreating the spirit of 1860s baseball. Players follow the original rules, wear period-appropriate uniforms, and uphold the sportsmanship values of the era. Don’t miss this unique glimpse into America’s pastime—bring your family and friends for an unforgettable day of vintage base ball!

https://ramseyhouse.org/system/events/view/111/vintage-base-ball-opening-day

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society’s 57th Spring Plant Sale will take place on Friday, April 11th and Saturday, April 12th. The public sale will be held on Saturday, April 12th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the UT Arboretum at 901 S. Illinois Ave. (Hwy. 62) in Oak Ridge. The Society’s “Members Only” sale will be on Friday evening, April 11th from 4-7 p.m.
Society memberships or membership renewals may be purchased on Friday evening for this “early bird” shopping opportunity. By joining UTAS on Friday night, people can enjoy the membership benefit of having the first pick of our beautiful selection of plants, some of which sell out that evening. Checks, cash and credit cards will be accepted. You may also join UTAS online before the sale.

The three vendors for the sale are Tennessee Naturescapes from Clinton, Riverdale Nursery from Knoxville, and East Fork Nursery from Sevierville. Tennessee Naturescapes is an all-native plant nursery and will be offering a varied selection of all native shrubs, small trees, grasses, and perennials. Riverdale Nursery will feature a variety of harder to find shrubs and small trees for landscaping, perennials, annuals, and vines as well as culinary herbs, vegetable starts, berries and brambles. East Fork Nursery of Sevierville, one of the premier native azalea growers in the country, will be bringing a wide selection of those azaleas and also offers an array of unusual conifers. These three vendors offer something for everyone!
UT Arboretum Society members will be on hand to help answer questions. Red wagons will be available to help load plants.
The UT Arboretum Society celebrates its 60 anniversary in 2025. To learn more about the UT Arboretum Society, go to www.utarboretumsociety.org.

The Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2024. It is one of the ten University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture AgResearch and Education Centers located throughout Tennessee. The Institute of Agriculture also provides instruction, research and public service through the UT Herbert College of Agriculture, the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension offices, with locations in every county in the state.

It's fun, free, and easy! The Hike-a-Thon is free to register and you can participate from anywhere in the world. This month-long competition in April supports the protection of our lands and waters—where people and nature can thrive. https://campaigns.tenngreen.org/event/hike-a-thon2025/

TennGreen Land Conservancy empowers landowners and communities to protect large, connected natural areas that support diversity of life, inspire appreciation of nature, and spark action to protect the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the land that sustains us all. To learn more, visit tenngreen.org.

2025 Featured Dogwood Trails: Holston Hills & Morningside. The Dogwood Trails are open annually from April 1-30th, just in time to showcase the beauty of spring in East Tennessee! Knoxville’s iconic Dogwood Trails date back to 1955 and today cover more than 90 miles in 13 neighborhoods throughout the city. Take a drive, a walk, or a bike ride and enjoy the scenic natural beauty of our region.

No RSVP required. Please email vbaumgartner@dogwoodarts.com or call (865) 637-4561 with questions or concerns.

Dogwood Arts, 123 W. Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-637-4561, www.dogwoodarts.com

Storyteller Laura Still helps you live the stories of pioneers, soldiers, outlaws, and even fictional characters who walked these streets before you.

Knoxville has a rich history full of colorful characters and famous, and infamous, figures whose lives have been the inspiration for books, movies, and works of art. Take a stroll through history in beautiful downtown Knoxville while listening to true tales of the heroes, heels, and hardened criminals that are part of the hidden lore of this unique East Tennessee town.

A portion of the proceeds for downtown tours go to help fund the work of the non-profit Knoxville History Project. Many stories are based on the books and stories of award-winning journalist and writer Jack Neely. Knoxville Walking Tours opens a window to Knoxville’s varied past and leads you on a journey through both hard times and high times of a city growing through over two centuries of history.

Tours include:
• Knoxville: The Early Years
• Misbehaving Women
• Civil War
• Gunslingers
• Musical History
• Literary Heritage
• Side Street Shadows Ghost Tours
• Knoxville Botanical Garden
• Old Gray Cemetery
• Side Street Shadows Ghost Tours

Tour on Your Schedule! Rather than posting a calendar, we’re letting you pick the tour and time — subject to availability. Call (865)309-4522 or visit https://knoxvillewalkingtours.com/