Calendar of Events

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Dogwood Arts: Epiphone Student Guitar Design Exhibition

Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Free event, Fundraisers and Kids, family

The 2025 Epiphone Student Guitar Design Exhibition & Auction includes 20 guitars designed and painted by youth artists from across East Tennessee.

Dogwood Arts Gallery, 123 W Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902

The 2025 Epiphone Student Guitar Design Exhibition & Auction includes 20 guitars designed and painted by youth artists from across East Tennessee. The exhibition will be on display in the Dogwood Gallery during the month of May and at Southern Skies Music Festival on May 10th. The guitars will be auctioned online to benefit youth art programs at Dogwood Arts.

Participating schools: Bearden High School, Concord Christian School, Farragut High School, Gibbs High School, Home School, Jefferson Middle School, Karns High School, L&N STEM Academy, Maryville High School, and West Valley Middle School.

First Friday Opening Reception: Friday, May 2nd from 5-8PM
Gallery Hours: M-F 10AM-5PM
123 W. Jackson Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902
https://www.dogwoodarts.com/event-details/epiphone-student-guitar-design-exhibition

Knoxville Children's Theatre: Twelve Dancing Princesses

Category: Kids, family and Theatre

“Once upon a time, a king had twelve beautiful daughters who danced in secret every night…” The king is mystified by their secret, and issues a challenge to the men of his kingdom – find out what his daughters are up to! Of course, one good-hearted young man succeeds – but at what cost?

Showtimes on Thursdays and Fridays at 7 PM, Saturdays at 1 PM and 5 PM, and Sundays at 3 PM.

https://knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com/tc-events/12-dancing-princesses/
Information: 865-208-3677, www.knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com

Museum of Appalachia: Sheep Shearing Days

  • May 2, 2025 — May 9, 2025
  • 9:00 AM -3:00 PM

Category: Festivals, special events, History, heritage and Kids, family

Families are invited to celebrate the arrival of spring at Sheep Shearing Days at the Museum of Appalachia May 2 and May 9, 9:00 AM -3:00 PM . This student-focused event will show how pioneers turned wool into clothing and will feature hands-on activities and immersive learning experiences with Appalachian artisans, educators, and musicians.

$20/adults, $10/kids
Free parking

Museum of Appalachia, 2819 Andersonville Hwy, Clinton, TN 37716. Information: 865-494-7680, www.museumofappalachia.org

Nourish Knoxville: New Harvest Farmers Market

  • April 24, 2025 — September 25, 2025

Category: Culinary arts, food, Exhibitions, visual art, Festivals, special events, Free event, Health, wellness, Kids, family and Meetup

We’re excited for the New Harvest Farmers Market opening on April 24, 3 - 6 PM, & running every Thursday through September 25! Shop favorites like Mitchell Farms, Thompson Farms, and VG's Bakery, plus new vendors Irvey's Ice Cream and Cacti & Co!

Check Out Our Vendors: https://maps.managemymarket.com/7195

Ijams Nature Center: Upcoming Events

Category: Classes, workshops, Kids, family and Science, nature

4/18 • Evening Paddle
4/18 • Big Night Hike
Nature in Percussion - 4/19 @ 1 pm - Hear talented UT percussionists perform at this FREE concert!
4/20 • Self-Care Sunday Yoga with Hope Irwin
4/22 • Nature Nerd Trivia
4/24 • Pickin' on Nature Bluegrass Show
4/24 • Bike with a Naturalist
4/25 • Ijams After Dark: Bioblitz Edition
4/25 • Evening Paddle
4/26 Starting at 8 am - City Nature Challenge 2025
4/26 @ 10 am - Hat on a Ball Felting Workshop
4/27 @ 10 am - Flower Power - Felted Flower Basics Workshop
4/27 @ 1 pm - Self-Care Sunday Yoga
4/27 @ 1:30 pm - Felted Needle Case Workshop
4/29 @ 7 pm - Night of Celtic Tales with the Smoky Mountain Storytellers
5/2 • Outlandish Adventure Festival - Friday Night Paddle on the River
5/2 • Outlandish Adventure Festival - World Paddle Adventure Film Festival
5/3 • Outlandish Adventure Festival
5/9 • A Wildflower Affair

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

McClung Museum: Homelands: Connecting to Mounds Through Native Art

Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Fine Crafts, Free event, History, heritage and Kids, family

The McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, announces a new exhibition, “Homelands: Connecting to Mounds Through Native Art,” opening to the public on January 25, 2025. The project sets a new standard for collaborative exhibition practices at the McClung and represents the museum's most significant renovation in more than 20 years.

"‘Homelands’ is a defining moment for the McClung Museum. It’s the largest project we’ve undertaken in over two decades, but its impact goes far beyond its scale,” said Claudio Gómez, Jefferson Chapman Executive Director of the museum. “This exhibition has challenged us to rethink how we collaborate, bringing in new perspectives and allowing us to honor Native voices in ways that are both respectful and forward-thinking.”

“Homelands” showcases contemporary art by 17 Native artists to emphasize the enduring ties between Native Nations and Knox County. As a result of the exhibition, the museum has acquired 22 new works for its permanent collection.

https://news.utk.edu/2025/01/07/mcclung-museum-to-open-exhibition-centering-native-voices-and-contemporary-art/

McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, 1327 Circle Park Dr on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. Hours: Tu-Sa 9-5, Sun 12-4. Information: 865-974-2144, https://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu/

WDVX: Blue Plate Special & The Big Plate

Category: Free event, Kids, family and Music

The WDVX Blue Plate Special is a live performance radio show held at noon at Visit Knoxville (301 S. Gay Street) every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with your host Red Hickey… and on Saturday with host Sean McCollough. On Fridays WDVX takes the Blue Plate Special to Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria (200 E Jackson Ave) for “The Big Plate”. Make yourself at home as part of the WDVX family at this this daily free concert series. From blues to bluegrass, country to Celtic, folk to funk, rockabilly to hillbilly, local to international, it’s all part of the live music experience on The WDVX Blue Plate Special.

All seats are free, and visitors may come and go as they please.

Info: 865-544-1029, http://www.wdvx.com