Knoxville Fall Preview 2025: Your Guide to Autumn in East Tennessee
There’s nothing quite like fall in East Tennessee: crisp mornings, football Saturdays, and the Smokies lit up in color. Whether you’re a longtime local or new to Knoxville, here are the can’t-miss events and traditions for Fall 2025. (You may even find me or someone from our team at a few of these!)
🎡 Tennessee Valley Fair (Sept 5–14)
Ten classic days of rides, concerts, exhibits, livestock shows, and all the fair food at Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center. Check hours, ticket deals, and daily schedules on the official site. Tennessee Valley Fair
When: Sept 5–14, 2025
Where: Chilhowee Park, Knoxville
Details & tickets: tnvalleyfair.org (Hours & Directions page lists daily opening times). Tennessee Valley Fair
🇬🇷 Knoxville Greek Fest (Sept 26–28)
A beloved annual tradition at St. George Greek Orthodox Church: authentic food, music, dancing, and pastries. Plan for Friday/Saturday 11am–10pm, Sunday 11am–5pm.
When: Sept 26–28, 2025
Details: greekfesttn.com (official hours/dates). greekfesttn.com
🎉 HoLa! Festival (Sept 27–28)
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the Performance Lawn, World’s Fair Park. Saturday night Fiesta Latina runs 4–10pm with fireworks; Sunday festival day 11am–6pm with music, food, arts, and the Parade of Nations. holahoralatina.org
When: Sept 27 (Sat) & Sept 28 (Sun), 2025
Where: World’s Fair Park, Performance Lawn
Details: holahoralatina.org
🏈 Tennessee Volunteers Home Football (Neyland Stadium)
Nothing beats fall Saturdays on the river. Here are home dates as listed by UT Athletics (times may flex):
Sept 6: ETSU (3:30 p.m.)
Sept 13: Georgia (3:30 p.m.)
Sept 20: UAB (12:45 p.m.)
Oct 11: Arkansas (Champions Weekend – time TBA)
Nov 1: Oklahoma (time TBA)
Nov 15: New Mexico State (Homecoming/Salute to Service – 4:15 p.m.)
Nov 29: Vanderbilt (Senior Day – afternoon)
Full schedule and updates: utsports.com. University of Tennessee Athletics
🎃 Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes
Oakes Farm (Corryton) – 25th season! Sept 20–Nov 2, 2025; hours listed on their socials (Th/F 11–7, Sat 10–7, Sun 12–7). Great corn maze, pumpkin patch, and 25+ attractions. oakesfarm.com
Deep Well Farm (Lenoir City) – Corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayrides, and a country feel. Check their site or Visit Knoxville for current season info before you go. deepwellfarm.com
🎶 Music & Arts (Tennessee Theatre Highlights)
Knoxville’s historic showplace has a busy fall. A few early-season highlights: Mighty Musical Monday (Sept 1 – free), Matt Mathews: Boujee On A Budget Tour (Sept 12), and Beethoven’s 9th with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra (Sept 18–19). See the full calendar for concerts, Broadway tours, and special events. tennesseetheatre.com
🍁 Fall Colors in the Smokies: When to Go
At mid and lower elevations, peak color typically arrives mid-October to early November—one of the most spectacular displays anywhere. Exact timing varies with weather, so check the park’s fall color updates and webcams as your trip approaches. National Park
Pro tips
Parking & crowds: Fair and festival weekends get busy—buy tickets online where possible and arrive early. (UT home game days add traffic citywide.)
Leaf-peeping: For the earliest color, head to higher elevations in the Smokies in late September/early October; lower elevations follow later.
👋 Say hi: If you spot us out there, come say hello—we love meeting neighbors while enjoying all things fall.
