Downtown's Holiday Season Opens at Both Ends of Jackson Avenue This Year, on the Same Night

On Friday, Nov. 27, the 42-foot Mickey Mallonee Christmas in the City Tree in Krutch Park Extension, a block off Market Square, lights at 6 p.m. At 6 p.m. on the same night, the Smokies Winter Wonderland Light Show opens at Covenant Health Park, roughly a 15-minute walk away. Last year the two openings fell a week apart. This year they share the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Because of that schedule change, both of downtown's holiday anchors now start the season together. The Market Square end still has the tree, the rink and the oldest traditions. Over the next few weeks, though, more of the season is moving to the ballpark end of Jackson Avenue, and the walk between the two now passes a set of businesses that opened during 2026.

Last Year, the Ballpark Waited Until Parade Night

In 2025 the light show was the newcomer. The City of Knoxville's holiday release from Nov. 24, 2025 listed it under "New this year," with a 6 p.m. debut on Friday, Dec. 5. That was parade night, a week after the tree lighting on Nov. 28. The 1 million-light display then stayed up nightly through Jan. 5.

The Knoxville Smokies' current listing calls it an "annual" show and opens it on Friday, Nov. 27, the date of this year's Regal Celebration of Lights. The hours are shorter, too. WVLT reported that the 2025 show ran 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The current listing says 6 to 9 p.m. nightly, closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Tickets start at $9, and kids 3 and under get in free.

The 9 p.m. close matters on opening night because the Regal Celebration of Lights also runs until 9. The tree lighting and the light show's opening are both at 6, and both events end at 9, so on Nov. 27 you'll have to pick which end of downtown to start at.

The Market Square Half of Nov. 27

The Celebration of Lights is free and runs from 5:15 to 9 p.m. across Krutch Park Extension, Market Square and Market Street. The Warman Trio opens at 5:15 and plays sets on the Market Square Stage after the lighting, and Market Street has crafts for kids and a miniature train set. The same night, the Holidays on Ice rink opens on Market Square for a run through Jan. 3, 2027. Admission is $12 for adults and $9 for children 12 and under, and both prices include skates and unlimited ice time. Season passes cost $50 and $35.

The Peppermint Trail and the Elf on the Shelf Adventure also start Nov. 27 and run through Jan. 3. The Elf North Pole Pass is available at Mast General Store or the Knoxville Visitors Center.

If you're doing both hubs, you can see the tree lit at 6, walk north, and still have about two and a half hours of light show left. Starting at the ballpark doesn't work as well, because Market Square's festivities wind down at the same hour the light show closes.

The Walk Between: Gay Street to Jackson Avenue

The route runs from Market Square to Gay Street, north on Gay, then east on Jackson Avenue through the Old City to 500 E. Jackson Ave. The City lists the Market Square Garage as a 15-minute walk from the stadium. If you'd rather ride, KAT's fare-free Route 1 Downtown Connector serves Gay Street, the Old City and Covenant Health Park every 15 minutes, and its published weekday hours run until 10 p.m. Holiday service can differ, though. Last year KAT ran a Sunday schedule on the Friday after Thanksgiving, so check the 2026 holiday schedule before counting on the trolley.

Part of the reason this route works for the holidays is that much of it is new. Several places along it opened during 2026:

• House of Strays, 205 Jackson Ave. This cocktail bar opened Oct. 7. Inside of Knoxville reported that owner AJ Tierney took inspiration from Josephine Baker and built the place around theater and creative drinks.
• Iron Forge Brewing Company and Jackie's Dream both opened at the ballpark in June, according to WATE's reports on Iron Forge and Jackie's Dream. In a September roundup, Inside of Knoxville pointed out that both stay open whether or not anything is happening at the stadium.
• Berry Social, 122 Stadium Way. Inside of Knoxville reported that this açaí bowl and smoothie shop opened in September at the base of The Delaney, just outside the park's west entrance.
• ParTee Golf, in The Delaney. Its site now says it's open. Inside of Knoxville's roundup describes it as indoor TrackMan golf simulator bays with food and a full bar.

The ballpark block still has more on the way. As of September, Knox-Quila Cantina, T-Ralph's Burgers & Fries and Disco Chicken & Donuts were all headed for The Delaney. A Crispy Cones was taking shape on the Jackson Avenue side, below Jackie's Dream and Iron Forge. Check that any of these are open before you plan a stop around them.

December Keeps Moving Toward the Ballpark

Every December event after opening night lands on the Jackson Avenue end.

Friday, Dec. 4. The 53rd annual WIVK Christmas Parade starts at 7 p.m. on Gay Street. Visit Knoxville lists the route as Gay Street to Jackson Avenue, finishing past the stadium. That isn't new. The 2025 parade also went north on Gay, turned onto Jackson and finished east of Covenant Health Park. What's different this year is that the light show will be a week old by parade night instead of debuting that evening. Dec. 4 is also the first Friday of the month. The Old City's First Friday block party normally runs 5 to 9 p.m. on Central Street. Float entries for the parade close Nov. 13.

Saturday, Dec. 12. Tour de Lights, presented by Visit Knoxville and Bike Walk Knoxville, moves to the Covenant Health Park plaza. Last year it was based at Mary Costa Plaza at the Civic Coliseum. Bike Walk Knoxville says the event has "a new location and a new route" this year, taking riders through the Old City, Historic Fourth and Gill, and downtown. The event is free. Festivities start at 3:30 p.m., including carolers, firepits, marshmallow roasting and a mailbox for letters to Santa. Riders line up on Stadium Way at 5:30, the roughly five-mile ride starts at 6, and the Knoxville Community Band plays from 6 to 7. The free bike valet closes at 10 p.m. Visit Knoxville says the light show opens at 7:30 that night, but the Smokies' own page lists 6 p.m. nightly. If you plan to stay for the lights after the ride, confirm the time with the Smokies.

Sunday, Dec. 13. The Tour de Lights maker market isn't coming back in 2026. Organizers suggest the Old City Market instead. It runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the 100 block of West Jackson Avenue. The Old City Association describes the market as a curated outdoor showcase of artists, crafters and creative makers.

Before Nov. 27

1. Arrive before Gay Street closes. The 2026 Celebration of Lights listing says Gay Street closes at 4:30 p.m. for the event and that parking is free in all city-owned garages. Last year the City also closed parts of Market Street, Clinch Avenue and Union Avenue that afternoon, and it published the full list in a Nov. 24 release.
2. Bring a clear bag to the light show. Stadium rules allow clear bags up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches or a small clutch, and all belongings are subject to search at entry.
3. Plan around Santa's schedule. At the ballpark, Santa meet-and-greets are on Fridays and Saturdays, plus Dec. 21 through 24. Cookie decorating, a kids' train ride and campfire s'mores run during regular show hours.
4. Note that one calendar is out of date. The downtown events calendar still lists Tour de Lights at Mary Costa Plaza. The organizers' pages list Covenant Health Park.

From the opening of the rink on Nov. 27 to the Old City Market on Dec. 13, every event in this guide sits somewhere along Gay Street and Jackson Avenue. If your plans for the season include a home downtown or nearby, The Creel Group knows which blocks put you within walking distance of both Market Square and the ballpark. Schedule a private consultation with the Creel Group.