July 4th fireworks, festivals and fun: Where to celebrate around Knoxville this year
With the Fourth of July holiday on a Thursday this year, events for all ages are taking place all week in Knoxville and the surrounding areas. Fireworks displays, parades, parties and festivals are scheduled around the region this Independence Day.
Most events are scheduled for the holiday itself - but you can get a head start on the celebration with a couple that will at least begin the night before, on July 3.
Heading out to an event? Take along lawn chairs or a blanket, cash, ear protection for kids and water to stay hydrated. In general, leave pets, canopies, tents and alcohol at home. Check with each event for more information.
If you would like to see your event featured on this list, email [email protected].
City of Loudon Independence Day celebration
Enjoy tailgating at Loudon Municipal Park a day before the holiday on July 3 with music and food trucks. Gates open at 5 p.m. and will close for car traffic at 8 p.m. The fireworks will begin around 10 p.m. July 3.
Inside the park offers the best viewing of the fireworks, but they can also be enjoyed from surrounding areas. More details for Loudon's events are available at facebook.com/loudonparks.
Gatlinburg Fourth of July Midnight Parade
Be one of the first to celebrate our nation's independence with a midnight parade in Gatlinburg.
The mile-long parade will begin at 12:01 a.m. July 4 (that's overnight between Wednesday and Thursday) on Baskins Creek Bypass and march through downtown Gatlinburg toward Ski Mountain Road. Arrive early on the evening of July 3 to find good spots to view the parade.
Gatlinburg’s Independence Day celebrations will continue around 10:50 p.m. July 4 with a 20-minute fireworks and drone display downtown. The fireworks will be launched from the Gatlinburg Space Needle and spectators can view the fireworks from any vantage point in Gatlinburg.
The parade and fireworks show both are free to view. Visit gatlinburg.com for details.
Anvil Shoots at Museum of Appalachia
The Museum of Appalachia in Clinton will celebrate Independence Day by igniting anvils with gunpowder and sending them hurtling into the sky, the way pioneers used to celebrate holidays.
The anvil shoots will be throughout the day July 4, 9 a.m-3 p.m., at the museum. There will also be a bell-ringing ceremony, flag procession, live music, food and demonstrations by spinners, weavers, blacksmiths, beekeepers and more.
Tickets are $10-$50 and can be purchased at museumofappalachia.org.
Smokin' the Water in Kingston
Kingston’s free Fourth of July festival and fireworks show Smokin' the Water at Kingston City Park will begin with a car show will be 9 a.m.-1 p.m. July 4. Food and craft vendors will be at the festival 5-11 p.m.
Kid Zone on the Kingston Community Center Lawn will be available 5-8 p.m., with crafts, carnival games, petting zoo, face painting and more.
Visit roanetourism.com for more information.
Farragut Independence Day Parade
Farragut’s annual Independence Day Parade will kick off at Kingston Pike and Stadium Drive at 9:30 a.m. July 4 and continue to Boring Road.
This year's grand marshals are Town of Farragut volunteers Marianne McGill, Joyce Moran and Dot LaMarche.
The seventh annual Farragut Freedom Run will start at 9 a.m. prior to the beginning of the parade. The flat course is certified for all levels. Visit runsignup.com/farragutfreedomrun to register.
Lenoir City's Fourth of July Parade
Lenoir City's Fourth of July parade lineup begins at 10 a.m. July 4 at the intersection of Industrial Boulevard and South C Street. It will begin shortly after the Firecracker Run, a half-mile race for kids ages 5-12.
More information on Lenoir City's Independence Day holiday events are available at facebook.com/lcparksandrecreation.
Loudon's Independence Day Parade
Loudon's Independence Day parade begins at 10 a.m. July 4 on Mulberry Street. Lineup begins at 9 a.m. on Carter Street.
More details are available at loudonparks.com.
Rutledge 4th of July Parade
Independence Day will be celebrated in Rutledge with a 4th of July parade, followed by a community block party at Clinch-Powell RC&D with a band and food trucks.
Parade lineup will be at Rutledge Primary School at 10 a.m. July 4, with the parade beginning at 11 a.m. The parade route goes through Rutledge to Coffey Lane, where participants will parade through the parking lot of Ridgeview Terrace of Life Care and back to Rutledge Pike to Water Street, where the parade will end at Smith-Reagan Funeral Home.
Powell Independence Parade
Celebrate the Fourth in Powell by attending the Annual Powell Lions Club Independence Parade. The parade will kick off at 11 a.m. July 4 at Powell Middle School and end at the back parking lot of Powell High School.
Patriot Fest in Pigeon Forge
The free Pigeon Forge festival is 2-10 p.m. July 4 at Patriot Park. Food vendors, games and activities will be available throughout the afternoon and evening. A fireworks show will cap the evening.
Joe Nichols takes the stage at 8:30 p.m., after opening acts Whiskey Icarus and Runaway June.
Bring lawn chairs and blankets, but umbrellas and coolers are prohibited. Find more information at pigeonforge.com/event/patriot-festival.
Clinton Fourth of July Celebration
There will be more than fireworks to enjoy at Lakefront Park this Fourth of July. Inflatable bounce houses, games, axe-throwing and even a petting zoo will offer fun for everyone. Several food vendors will be available.
The free festival will be 5-10 p.m. July 4. Find more details at clintontn.net.
Knoxville Festival on the 4th
Festival on the 4th at World’s Fair Park in downtown Knoxville will have music, food and fireworks. Games and activities for all start at 5 p.m., including mini golf and paddle boats. Fireworks begin at 9:45 p.m.
Leading up to the main event, Knox Vegas DJs will perform on the festival lawn at 5 p.m. and Bary Jolly will perform at 6 p.m. The Mike Snodgrass Band will perform on the performance lawn at 6 p.m. The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will present the 40th annual Independence Day Concert at 8 p.m.
Attendance is free and the event will take place rain or shine. There will be free parking at World's Fair and Blackstock parking lots, 11th Street, Locust Street, Walnut Street, State Street and Market Square garages.
Pets, alcohol, personal tents and personal canopies are prohibited. Find more information at knoxvilletn.gov.
Mabry's Hill at the Mabry-Hazen House
Spend the evening of July 4 on the seven acres of Mabry-Hazen House to enjoy live music, food trucks, local beer, games and tours of the historic house. With downtown Knoxville to the west, and the Great Smoky Mountains to the south, Mabry’s Hill offers great views of the fireworks around the region.
Have fun and get a little competitive by joining three-legged races, watermelon seed-spitting contests, cornhole, croquet games and a cake walk. Activities will be 5-10 p.m.
Admission is $5 for children and $15 for adults. Purchase tickets online at mabryhazen.com/fourthofjuly.
Oak Ridge Fireworks Celebration
The city of Oak Ridge will host its annual fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day. The display will be at A.K. Bissell Park beginning at dark, around 9:45 p.m. July 4.
The Oak Ridge Community Band will perform around 7:30 p.m. Attendees are advised to bring lawn chairs or blankets for outdoor seating.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville July 4 2024 fireworks and parades: Fun in East Tennessee
