The City of Knoxville recently announced that its “Christmas in the City” series begins Friday at Chilhowee Park with Comcast Christmas. Knoxville’s “Christmas in the City” is a series of festive events leading up to the holidays.
Christmas in the City officially begins this Friday, Nov. 18, with Comcast Christmas at @ChilhoweePark! Tree lighting, pictures with Santa, crafts with @MuseKnox, treats from Krispy Kreme & Kilwin’s + hayrides around the park! 6-9pm. Free! pic.twitter.com/FzyjjR5IbG
— City of Knoxville (@CityKnoxvilleTN) November 14, 2022
Comcast Christmas at Chilhowee will mark Santa’s first appearance in the city. Following an official tree-lighting ceremony, Santa will take pictures with kids at the park’s historic bandstand. Guests will also be able to make crafts with The Muse, enjoy treats from Krispy Kreme and Kilwin’s, and take hayrides around the park and Lake Ottosee, which will be illuminated. The free event will run from 6 to 9 p.m., rain or shine.
The following weekend on November 25, the next “Christmas in the City” event will take place at Market Square, Krutch Park Extension, and Market Street.
At the Regal Celebration of Lights event, Holidays on Ice open-air ice skating rink will open on Market Square, with the downtown Christmas tree being ceremoniously lit. Live music and activities will begin at 5:15 p.m. followed by special guest appearances and the tree lighting at 6 p.m. Evelyn Jack will perform on the Market Square stage at 6:30 p.m.
Next in the “Christmas in the City” series of events is the WIVK Christmas Parade on December 2, along Gay Street. Santa Claus himself, classic vehicles, costumed characters, and lighted floats participate in the annual parade. The procession will start on Church Avenue near the Coliseum, then turn right onto Gay Street ending at Magnolia.
Then, December 10, the free Tour de Lights bike ride will see participants riding decorated bicycles through the Old City, North Knoxville, and downtown.
The last event in the “Christmas in the City” series will be on December 31 to ring in the new year. The World’s Fair Park will host the New Year’s Eve at the Sunsphere Presented by Lowes, which will feature food trucks along with free activities including a silent disco, DJ music, and live music. The Sunsphere will drop a ball at midnight to celebrate the new year.
For more information about ‘Christmas in the City,’ please visit https://knoxvilletn.gov/christmas
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
