Events & Festivals

East Tennessee
Chinese New Year Festival

Come celebrate the Year of the Dragon! The East Tennessee Chinese New Year Festival is a family-friendly variety show held during the Chinese New Year and brings together many local Chinese organizations for an afternoon of singing, dance, martial arts, and other performances to celebrate the coming of Spring.

Usually held January/February
Cox Auditorium on the University of Tennessee campus
3 p.m.
Tickets for reserved seating: $6, $9 & $10
Learn more about the East Tennessee Chinese New Year Festival.

Rossini Festival

The annual Knoxville Opera Rossini Festival is held each spring. Rossini Festival International Street Fair Highlights include:
-- 5 stages, with 50 hours of free entertainment by 700+ artists
-- YMCA FunZone on Market Square
-- Eagle Distributing Beer Garden
-- 100+ Artisans and Food Vendors
-- Welcome Ceremonies with Elected Official
-- Mini-recitals by KO's April 29 Puccini Gala Concert Guest Artists
-- Streamliner's Swing Orchestra free concert 8-10 pm at the Instrumental Music Stage

April 20-21, 2024
Downtown Knoxville
10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Free
Learn more about the Rossini Festival.

World Refugee Day

World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.

It shines a light on the rights, needs and dreams of refugees, helping to mobilize political will and resources so refugees can not only survive but also thrive. While it is important to protect and improve the lives of refugees every single day, international days like World Refugee Day help to focus global attention on the plight of those fleeing conflict or persecution. Many activities held on World Refugee Day create opportunities to support refugees.

June 15, 2024
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church
620 State Street, Knoxville
Free
Learn more about World Refugee Day.

Knoxville Asian Festival

The Asian Festival features authentic traditional food vendors representing Asian Cultures such as Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Korea, China, Japan, Philippines, Bangladesh, Pakistani, and Vietnam. The Asian Culture Parade starts at 10 a.m. at the water fountain on the park lawn and ends at 10:30 a.m. at the Amphitheater stage. We are especially proud of the featured performance art that includes traditional Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, and Philippine dance & music.

September 7 & 8, 2024
September 7 - 6 - 9 p.m. - VIP event
September 8 - 10:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
World's Fair Park Performance Lawn, Knoxville
Learn more about the Knoxville Asian Festival.

Greek Fest

St. George Greek Orthodox Church has celebrated its annual Greek Fest since 1977! Originally, the Knoxville Greek Fest was organized to introduce Greek food, culture, and dance to the local community. Greek Fest is one of the most popular events in Knoxville, attracting over 20,000 visitors over the weekend.
The festival features a variety of traditional dishes, dances, music, and more! In addition, the award winning Greek dancers train and compete annually in competitions around the country. There is also an introductory church tour for those wishing to learn more about the Greek Orthodox history and faith.

September 27, 28, & 29, 2024
Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Kingston Pike, Knoxville
$3 - Day Pass; $5 - Weekend Pass
Learn more about Greek Fest.

*To be posted here, events must be family-friendly and celebrate international people and cultures. We may also publicize KIN partners' events.

Contact us to add an event.

Scottish Festival and Games

You don't have to be Scottish to enjoy this unique Festival! The event feature clans, vendors and local and national performers. The property at the visitor center provides a scenic destination for the festival with views of the nearby mountains and is just minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove. The 30-plus acres at the center includes adjacent parking.
Festival attendees will be treated to vibrant cultural and educational presentations, while Scotch tasting seminars will feature a bit of history and humor, and the Border Collie demonstrations will showcase their herding abilities.
Competitions include the hammer throw or caber toss, a medley of bands including bagpipes and drummers, and clan challenges like the kilted mile run or the battle axe competition.

May 18-19, 2024
Townsend Visitor Center, 7906 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN
Two-day pass: $35; All Day Saturday: $20; Half Day Saturday: $15
Sunday: $15
Learn more about the Scottish Festival and Games

Haiti Fest

10th annual Haiti Fest! Come party with us live and in person! Savor authentic Haitian cuisine. Dance to Caribbean music. Discover original folk & local art... Benefit K-13 education in Fond des Blancs, Haiti. Hosted by Immaculate Conception Church.

June 8, 2024
6:30 - 9 p.m.
at the Emporium, 100 S. Gay Street
$25 per person or $75 for a family of 3+ - Click here to buy tickets.
Learn more about Haiti Fest.

Kuumba Festival

The Kuumba Festival (Kuumba means "creativity" in Kiswahili) was started in 1989 by local Knoxville artists and community activists. They were looking to showcase local African American art and artists for the sole purpose of sharing, educating and exposing rich cultural art forms to the Knoxville community. This free event gives African-American Appalachian Arts Inc. (AAAA) an avenue to reach out and service the Greater Knoxville community through offering cultural arts activities.

July 25-27, 2024
Market Square, Morningside Park & Haley Heritage Square, Knoxville
Free
Learn more about the Kuumba Festival.

International Food Fest

The International Food Festival is an event that brings together thousands of people from different backgrounds to celebrate food, culture, and community. With a diverse range of cuisines, fun activities, and entertainment, it promises to be an enjoyable day for all.

Over 25 countries represented in food vendors
Restaurant vendors
Performances on stage
Bounce Houses
Face Painting
Balloon Animals
Crafts
Henna Artists

August 10, 2024
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
World's Fair Park Performance Lawn, Knoxville
Learn more about International Food Fest.

HoLa Festival

Since 1999, HoLa Hora Latina has celebrated the rich and diverse cultures of Latin America by inviting the community to share in live music, dancing, food and drinks, craft vendors, and educational activities for children. The annual event takes place during Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th – November 15th)
Local vendors offer handmade, artisan crafts, art, home décor, apparel, jewelry, and other unique items authentic to Hispanic cultures. Draft beer is available while food vendors serve up homemade Latin American cuisine. Visitors may enjoy various performances by Latin jazz, rock, salsa, and traditional bands and dancers. Children can learn more about Spain and Latin America at the Hispanic Heritage Booths or enjoy a fun and educational activity at the children’s stage nearby. The community fair and sponsor section provide important information and fun activities to our Knoxville community.

September 21 & 22, 2024
Saturday, 4-10 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
World's Fair Park Performance Lawn, Knoxville
$1 entry fee for those 12 years and older
Learn more about the HoLa Festival.

University of Tennessee Knoxville
International Festival

The International Festival brings together all of the university’s international organizations to host booths with food and other artifacts representing their cultures. With food and performances, International Festival presents an opportunity to explore cultures from around the world without ever leaving campus.

October 25, 2024
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Learn more about the UTK International Festival.