Springtime Events in East Tennessee

Springtime in East Tennessee is the kickoff to the busy event season.  Spring break and spring festivals.  Shake off the winter cobwebs.  Let’s go play.

Most of these events are FREE, making it easy to enjoy a full calendar of adventures and discovery of this bountiful region known as the 9 Lakes of East Tennessee.

• Mar 13-Apr 13: Dollywood’s I Will Always Love You Music Festival – Early spring time celebration of music.

• Mar 15- Knox Shamrock Festival- Knoxville- World’s Fair Park hosts this annual event for the “wearing of the green.”

• Mar 22: 5 County Norris Lake Clean-Up– Annual volunteer event to pick up winter debris from the shorelines of Norris Lake.

• Mar 27-30: Big Ears Festival– Knoxville- A premier multi-day, multi-sited music experience.

• Mar 27-30: Red Bull Tennessee National Downhill Race- elite downhill MTB riders come to conquer Windrock Bike Park.

• Mar 28-30: Southeast Overland Camping Event-Annual family-friendly gathering for trail rides, vendors, and skill training.

• Mar 29: Spirit of the Nations Powwow– Dandridge TN- Experience the music, food, and dance of the Cherokee.

• Apr 1: White water rafting on the Pigeon River season booking now.

•  Apr 12-13: Rossini Festival– Knoxville- International street fair with food and live music. Benefit for the Knoxville Opera company.

• Apr 25-26: Rock the Country– Greenback, TN- 2-day music festival and camping.

• Apr 26: Ball Play Ramp Festival– Tellico Plains

• Apr 26- NATS Poker Run- Norris- Annual event for MTB riding on the trials at Norris Dam State Park to benefit upkeep of the trails.

• Apr 26: Powell River Regatta– Tazewell- annual kayak race (free to watch)

• May 2-3: Blooms, Brew, and BBQ– Sweetwater- 10 am to 8 pm- the smoky sweetness of spring.

• May 3-4: Clinch River Antique Festival– Clinton. One of the best antique events in the state.

• May 3-4: Tellico Plains Trout Festival– Tellico Plains –Workshops, music, food, and family events.

• May 18-19: Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games- Townsend ($$)

• May 18: Tennessee Mountain Laurel Festival- Wartburg- Hikes, live music, vendors, and food.