Here is a list of Middle East Tennessee Festivals and Events for December 2021. Many people will be attending events centered around their own, friends, families, and churches but I am sure at least a few are looking for more general admission events. December is a hectic time for everyone so information on these events is still coming in. You can also check out the Northeast Tennessee and Southeast Tennessee event lists

Covid-19 is still active and we are now in cold and flu season so stay home if you think that’s best and take the necessary precautions to keep yourself and others safe when you do go out. Please follow any safety rules these events have in place. We advise checking websites or Facebook pages or calling ahead to make sure things haven’t been canceled or decided to change times and dates when possible.

The Event List (in calendar order)

Ongoing Events

Oak Ridge will host a Holiday Market in Jackson Square on Saturdays in December. The market will be open on December 4th, 11th, and 18th from 9 AM to 1 PM. Enjoy local vendors and artisans with jewelry, handmade soaps, home decor, plants, gourmet food, and more!

The Winter Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales event returns this year on December 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th, and 18th in Gatlinburg. Tunes & Tales is a street performance festival featuring costumed musical performers, dancers, and storytellers portraying characters from time periods as far back as the 1800s. Performances will be from 6 PM to 11 PM.

Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland will be at the Smokies Baseball Stadium in Sevierville from now through December 31st from 6 PM through 11 PM. Immerse yourself in a multitude of custom-built light displays dancing in perfect synchronization with the festive music on the radio in your vehicle including a 300′ drive-through tunnel and an all-new Santa’s mountain display! Tickets can be purchased online or using a credit card at the entrance. Tickets are $40 for cars (up to 8 passengers) and $80 for vehicles that hold 9 to 25 passengers and $150 for tour busses. Discounted tickets are available some days. Tickets also include admission to a Santa’s Village with a train ride, concessions, kids’ activities, and more.

The Little River Railroad Museum in Townsend is hosting a Christmas at the Museum event from 5 PM to 7 PM on December 4th, 11th, and 18th. This family-friendly event is free and includes special holiday outdoor model train displays, a visit from Santa, craft vendors, cocoa, and more.  The event is weather permitting.

December 4th and 5th

Tellico Plains will host a Christmas Candlelight Walk on December 4th from 4 to 8 PM. Downtown merchants will be opening up their shops for their annual open house and lights throughout downtown will guide you through an old-fashioned Christmas experience. Santa and the Grinch will also both be here!

The Appalachian Ballet Company with the Knoxville Symphony will be performing The Nutcracker Ballet at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium. The performances are at 7 PM on December 4th and 3 PM on December 5th. Doors open an hour before the performances. Tickets range from $20 to $60 per person.

December 10th through 13th

Experience A Candlelight Christmas at the Museum of Appalachia in Clinton on December 10th and 11th. Take an evening tour of the Museum’s pioneer village with the cabins adorned with old-fashioned Christmas decorations and festively lit for the occasion. Activities will also include storytelling, a live nativity, live music, wagon rides, and multiple demonstrations of old-timey skills. Admission is $10 or $20 for individuals and $45 for a family ticket. Tickets are limited to allow for social distancing so prepurchase is recommended.

The Nativity Pageant of Knoxville will be performed at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium at 3 PM on December 11th and 12th, and at 7 PM on December 13th. Volunteers from the community make up the 120-member cast, as well as the 150-voice choir. It is open seating and admission is free. The performance starts in the dark so it is recommended you arrive early to find your seats. (and to have time to get through Auditorium security)

Celebrate Christmas in the Park in Norris on December 11th. This free holiday event will be from 4 PM to 8 PM at the Lenoir Museum, Grist Mill, and Threshing Barn. It will feature warm drinks, live folk music, family-friendly crafts, and Santa is planning on making a visit. Dress warmly, and please bring a canned food item, or a new/gently used book to donate to the Norris Area Food Pantry and Norris Area Community Foundation.

Ending Thoughts

There is a separate post with information about Christmas parades. It covers all three divisions of East Tennessee has all the information I could find. If you can help me make that or this post more complete please contact me at LucindaBrown@TravelEastTennessee.com You can also contact me if you are the organizer or publicity manager of an upcoming event you would like included in future posts.

I will try to add to this post and update information (especially about cancelations) at least once a week.

What sort of events do you attend during the holiday season? Are you planning on attending any of these Middle East Tennessee festivals and events for December 2021? Do you love going out and doing things are do you prefer smaller friends and family events. Did I miss an event you would recommend others attend? Let us know in the comments.