Knoxville guide

Things to Do in Knoxville This Weekend: Live Music, Shows & Events

Start with the Friday through Sunday listings for this weekend in Knoxville. Choose one show or game you want to see, then build the rest of the trip around Market Square, the Old City or a gallery visit.

Visitor essentials
Shops and pedestrian space at Knoxville’s Market Square
Shops and pedestrian space at Knoxville’s Market Square · Antony-22 · CC BY-SA 4.0
The short answer

Try an Old City music stop on Friday, Market Square and a seated show on Saturday, or a slower Sunday at the Knoxville Museum of Art. Check the dated listings and each venue’s calendar before you set out.

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This weekend in Knoxville · Friday–Sunday

November 6, 2026 – November 8, 2026

11 upcoming events listed here. Times are local to the venue.

Friday · November 6

Saturday · November 7

Sunday · November 8

Friday evening in the Old City

Look at the Old City’s music options before making dinner plans. Boyd’s Jig & Reel and Wagon Wheel appear in the Downtown Knoxville neighborhood guide. Check what each room has booked, along with cover and age requirements for the date.

If you pick a ticketed concert, check the door time before booking dinner. A standing-room show can make early arrival worthwhile if you want time to find a comfortable spot.

The Gay Street Viaduct near Knoxville’s Old City
The Gay Street Viaduct near Knoxville’s Old City. Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0. Resized and compressed to WebP.

Saturday around Market Square

Market Square brings shops and places to eat around one public square. Start here if you want a flexible morning with room to linger over lunch. Check the destination calendar for special programming during your visit.

WDVX lists a free Saturday noon Blue Plate Special at Visit Knoxville on Gay Street. Use the station’s schedule to see the performers and location, especially if you are fitting the broadcast between lunch and another activity.

Vendors at Knoxville’s Market Square in an archival photograph
Vendors at Knoxville’s Market Square in an archival photograph. Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0. Resized and compressed to WebP.

Exploring Downtown Knoxville & Market Square | Tennessee Family Adventure

See Market Square and downtown through the lens of a family outing.

Exploring Downtown Knoxville & Market Square | Tennessee Family Adventure

Uploaded by McFamily Vibes. Watch on YouTube ↗

Save Saturday evening for a performance

The Tennessee Theatre and Bijou Theatre offer two different Gay Street settings. Choose the actual performance first. A seated comedy show, touring concert or Broadway program can make for very different Saturday plans.

When booking for a group, check seating together and any step-free access requirements before checkout. Each room has its own plan for getting from the entrance to your seats.

Keep Sunday flexible

Make Knoxville Museum of Art a possibility if you want a quieter stop or need a rain plan. General gallery admission is free. Check hours and closures before making it your main Sunday outing.

If you find a Sunday matinee in the listings, keep your meal and travel plans flexible enough to arrive before the performance. Check the date and venue name on the ticket, especially when a production plays more than once that weekend.

Choose one fixed plan per day

If you only have one afternoon, put the timed activity first and choose a meal or walk nearby. A performance at a different part of town can still fit if you build in travel time and confirm the entrance.

On a busy campus or festival weekend, check the organizer’s arrival instructions when choosing parking. If an outdoor plan looks uncertain, keep a gallery or seated performance in mind as a second option.

Before you head out

Questions, answered

What can we do if it rains?

Check the Knoxville Museum of Art’s current hours or find a seated performance in the weekend listings. Details ↗

Is there a Saturday daytime music option?

Check WDVX’s schedule for its free noon broadcast at Visit Knoxville on Gay Street. Details ↗

Sources & References

Event details and visitor information checked 2026-11-04. Check the venue's current guidance before you travel.

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