East Tennesee Visitors Guide

Mount Carmel Holiday Tree Lighting
2024-12-02 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago)
Mount Carmel Christmas Tree Lighting
Date: December 2, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Main Street
Kick off the holiday season with the lighting of Mount Carmel’s Christmas tree! This magical
event will feature twinkling lights, holiday music, and the warmth of the community coming
together to celebrate the start of the season. Mount Carmel Elementary Fourth grade students
will be preforming, as well as other special guests.

Cookies with Santa
2024-12-15 14:00 - 17:00
Cookies with Santa

Sunday December 15, 2024
Hale Springs Inn
2:00pm & 4:00pm
Photos, Cookies, Crafts, Storytime
Tickets can be purchased in-person at The Depot
Monday – Friday 9:00am – 4:00pm
To purchase tickets – Tap Here

Mount Carmel Santa Run
2024-12-21 08:00 - 17:00
59th Annual Santa Run
Date: December 21, 2024
Time: Starting at 8:00 AM
Location: City Wide
Santa is coming to town! The Mount Carmel Fire Department will escort Santa throughout the
community, spreading Christmas cheer and passing out candy to all. Keep an eye out for Santa
as he visits neighborhoods to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
These cherished traditions are a wonderful opportunity for residents and visitors to celebrate
the season together. Whether it’s marveling at the Christmas tree, enjoying the festive parade,
or greeting Santa on his special run, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
For more information, please contact Mount Carmel Town Hall at (423) 357-7311 or visit our
website at www.mountcarmeltn.gov.

Artwork by "Cas"
2025-05-03 08:00 - 2025-06-30 17:00
Artwork by “Cas”
Archie Campbell Museum
Bulls Gap, Tennessee
May 3 – June 30, 2025
Open: 9:00am – 4:00pm
information: 423-235-5216

Rogersville Heritage Assoc. Salad Luncheon
2025-05-05 11:00 - 13:00
Rogersville Heritage Association Salad Luncheon
11:00 am – 1:00pm.
$10 Donation
Tickets available at the door
For more information call 423-272-1961 or email directorrogersvilleheritage.org

Bulls Gap Cruise In at the Farm
2025-05-10 13:00 - 16:00
Bulls Gap Cruise In at the Farm
Bulls Gap City Park
285 N. VFW Road
Bulls Gap, TN
1:00 – 4:00
Open Show
contact: 423-235-5216

Bulls Gap Cruise In at the Farm
2025-06-14 10:00 - 16:00
Bulls Gap Cruise In at the Farm
Bulls Gap City Park
285 N. VFW Road
Bulls Gap, TN
10:00 – 4:00
Open Show
contact: 423-235-5216

Jeep Fest at The Farm
2025-07-26 10:00 - 16:00
Jeep Fest at The Farm – It’s On!
229 North VFW Road
Bulls Gap, Tennessee
11:00am – 4:00pm
No Entry Fee
More Information: 423-235-5216

Surgoinsville River Front Festival
2025-08-28 - 2025-08-30
Organized by the Town of Surgoinsville.
This Tennessee Festival will have crafts, flea market, commercial/retail, corp./information and antique/collectibles exhibitors, and food booths.
There will be a stage with local talent.
Hours will be:
Friday: 4pm-9pm
Saturday: 12pm-9:30pm.
For more information, call 423-345-2213

Mount Carmel Fall Festival
2025-09-20
Mount Carmel Fall Festival
Main Street
for more information call 423-357-7311

Bulls Gap Craft & Music Festival
2025-10-17 10:00 - 2025-10-19 17:00
Bulls Gap Craft & Music Festival
Food, Crafts & Music
265 VFW Road
Bulls Gap, TN
Contact Info Email: Jeanetteedens@ymail.com
Call: 423-235-5216

Bulls Gap Annual Christmas Parade
2025-11-29 18:00 - 20:00
You’re Invited
Bulls Gap
Annual Christmas Parade
Downtown Bulls Gap, Tennessee
Parade Starts at 6:00pm
Line up at Bulls Gap School at 4:30pm
For more information 423-235-5216

Bulls Gap Christmas Bazaar
2025-12-06 - 2025-12-07
Bulls Gap Christmas Bazaar
December 6-7
Saturday 10 AM-5 PM
Sunday 12 PM-4 PM

Church Hill Christmas Parade
2025-12-06 11:00 - 12:00
Town of Church Hill
Annual Christmas Parade
11:00am Parade Starts
Line up at 10:00am at Church Hill Senior Center
for more information: 423-357-6161

Surgoinsville Christmas Parade
2025-12-13 11:00 - 12:00
Town of Surgoinsville
Invites You!
Annual Christmas Parade
Downtown Surgoinsville, Tennessee
Parade starts at 11:00am
Line up at 10:00am Methodist Church.
No Live Animals and there is no sign-up.
for more information 423-345-2213

Town of Mount Carmel Christmas Parade
2025-12-13 18:00 - 19:00
Mount Carmel Christmas Parade
Date: December 13, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Main Street, Mount Carmel

Based off the feedback from last years night parade, we are lighting up Main Street again. Get
ready for an evening filled with lights, floats, marching bands, and holiday cheer! The annual
Christmas Parade will feature local participants spreading holiday joy along Main Street. Don’t
miss Santa’s special appearance!
Lineup starts at 5:00 at Hardee’s – contact: 423-357-7311

Bristol Sessions Festival
2026-05-22 - 2027-05-29
Twelve Nights. One Story.
One night per month. Every third Friday. Twelve chapters of a story that connects the 1927 recordings to the living, breathing music culture of Appalachia today.
The series is structured as a three-act arc.
Act 1 returns to the origin: the recordings, the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, and the raw sound that started everything.
Act 2 traces the evolution: bluegrass, the pickers, the women who shaped the genre, and the holiday traditions of the mountains.
Act 3 builds toward the centennial: next-generation songwriters, outlaw country, and the echoes of Bristol’s lasting impact on American music.
Each night stands on its own. Together, they build something bigger: a community that’s been rehearsing this celebration for an entire year.
MORE INFO>>>

Lenoir City Arts & Crafts Festival
2026-06-06 - 2026-06-07
The 63rd Annual Lenoir City Arts & Crafts Festival is set to take place in the stunning Lenoir City Park on June 6th from 9-5pm and 7th from 10-4pm, and it promises to be an exceptional experience! Thousands of visitors from Loudon County, the greater Knoxville area, and beyond will gather to explore the creations of approximately 230 talented crafters. The offerings will include a diverse array of items, from ceramics and glassware to metalwork, jewelry, baskets, and much more! The event’s high quality and the excellent reputation of its artisans have established it as one of the most beloved events in the region
Location

6707 City Park Drive, Lenoir City, TN 37772

The Annual Lavender Festival
2026-06-19 - 2026-06-20
Since 1999, the Lavender Festival has grown larger and more popular each year. Thousands of people visit the festival in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge each year to see a variety of regional vendors whose goal is to celebrate health, herbs, and the environment. The Lavender Festival is scheduled yearly for the third weekend in June, at the peak season for the herb it celebrates.
From homemade jams to fine art, you can enjoy the sounds of music floating through the square from the large Festival Tent, as well as the Nine Lakes Wine Tasting, Featured Speakers and Demonstrations, Herb Lunch and a Tour of Gardens.

Fun Fest in Kingsport
2026-07-17 - 2026-07-25
Fun Fest in Kingsport highlights include

July 17-25, 2026, Kingsport, Tennessee

Hot air balloons at Kingsport Fun Fest in Kingsport, Tennessee.
Photo Credit: Kingsport Fun Fest

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of fun at the Fun Fest July 17-25, 2026 in Kingsport. Family fun is abundant with festival events like a hot air balloon glow, block parties, parade, 8K races, movies, food trucks, moonlight hikes, sporting events, fireworks and more. The Sunset Concert Series presents different artists each night in concert including Daughtry, Jeremy Camp, Brothers Osborne and Leann Rimes. Additional event details and events are forthcoming.

Meet the Mountain Festival
2026-08-14 - 2026-08-15
This free festival takes place in August at the Winged Deer Park Lakefront, Johnson City, TN. The festival serves as a showcase of Northeast Tennessee’s outdoor recreation assets. It provides a one-stop shop to explore our region’s outdoor opportunities. By increasing awareness of our natural assets and encouraging healthy and active lifestyles, the Meet the Mountains Festival Committee hopes this festival contributes to the growth of our outdoor recreation economy. The Meet the Mountains Festival Committee invites you to be part of making a positive impact in our region by participating in any or all of the activities bundled together for this annual event.
LEARN MORE >>>

The Mountain Music Festival
2026-08-21 - 2026-08-23
Get ready for a weekend of legendary rock and high-energy performances at The Mountain Music Festival, taking place August 21–23, 2026 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This premier rock and heavy metal festival brings together iconic artists, fan favorites, and rising bands for three days of nonstop live music in the heart of the Smoky Mountains.
Fans can experience multiple stages, back-to-back performances, and special events throughout the weekend, all inside the air-conditioned comfort of the convention center. With hotels, restaurants, and attractions just steps away, the festival turns a concert weekend into a full Smoky Mountain getaway.
Top artists include rock legends Bret Michaels, Rick Springfield, Stephen Pearcy & Warren DeMartini of RATT, 38 Special, Sebastian Bach, Night Ranger, and Lita Ford, along with many more fan-favorite performers.
Whether you’re a longtime rock fan or discovering new artists, The Mountain delivers an unforgettable festival atmosphere filled with powerful music, community, and mountain-town energy.

MORE INFORMATION – Click Here

Bristol Rhythm & Roots Festival
2026-09-11 - 2026-09-13
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion 2026 in Bristol, Tennessee.

Photo Credit: Cora Wagoner

At this award-winning summer music festival, the roots of traditional Appalachian music are brought to life through talented musicians Sept. 11-13, 2026. Known as the birthplace of country music, Bristol’s music history runs deep and have been celebrated by nationally-known artists. The 2026 concerts include Sierra Ferrell, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Los Lobos, The War and Treaty, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives and many more who will perform on more than a dozen stages during the three music-filled days.

Dumplin Vallery Bluegrass Festival
2026-09-17 - 2026-09-19
Mountain roots are honored as 15 regional and national bluegrass acts flock to the Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival each September in Kodak, Tennessee. Enjoy the views of the Great Smoky Mountains while hearing some of the best bluegrass talent. Past artists include The Gibson Brothers to Rhonda Vincent & The Rage. Picking and jam sessions, food and merchandise add to the fun.

3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival
2026-10-02 - 2026-10-03
The 3 Sisters Festival (named after the three daughters of Fletcher Bright) honors the musical legacy of bluegrass fiddler Fletcher Bright, by offering a free two-day festival to the community that features some of the biggest names in traditional and not-so-traditional bluegrass. The 3 Sisters Festival has experienced a tremendous response since its inception in 2007, and is now recognized as a premier event in its field. In 2017, American Country magazine named 3 Sisters as one of the Top Five Bluegrass Festivals in the country, making the Scenic City a music destination for people from all corners of the world. Some of the artists it has featured in the past include Del McCoury Band, Yonder Mountain Band, Ricky Scaggs, Rhonda Vincent, Bela Fleck, Steep Canyon Rangers, Sam Bush, Mandolin Orange and more. Bring your lawn chair or blanket, come early and stay late for the best in bluegrass.The 3 Sisters Festival is sponsored by the Fletcher Bright Company and is produced by Chattanooga Presents, the company that is responsible for other recognized events such as Nightfall, Pops on the River and Ice on the Landing.
Chattanooga, Tennessee

CaveFest
2026-10-10 - 2026-10-11
The Caverns presents CaveFest Oct. 10-11, 2026. This upcoming music festival will feature 2026 concerts by Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Peter Rowan & Sam Grisman Project, Rising Appalachia, Keller & The Keels and many more over two days during this boutique music festival rooted in Americana, bluegrass and roots music. The music festival weekend includes family-friendly activities like cave yoga, a sound bath, kids’ activities, open jam sessions, late-night shows and local vendors. VIP packages and upgraded stay options are available for purchase. VIP packages include on-site yurt stays, hotel and transportation packages, large pre-pitched tent glamping and VIP camping if you bring your own gear. VIP guests enjoy private bars, climate-controlled restrooms and showers, charging stations and more.

Featured Image: Bluegrass Underground at the Caverns in Pelham, Tennessee.
Photo Credit: Aaron Lee Tasjan

2026 IBMA World of Bluegrass
2026-10-23 - 2026-10-24
The most important week of bluegrass happens in Chattanooga Oct. 23-24, 2026. The two-day 2026 IBMA World of Bluegrass live music festival will host some of the top bluegrass artists in the world. Additional events will include a convention, tradeshow, awards show and artist showcases across downtown Chattanooga. The 2026 festival lineup will be announced soon.

Featured Image: Photo Credit: Visit Chattanooga
