Knoxville New Year’s Eve ball drop plus fireworks, music and more

Say goodbye to 2025 and embrace the year ahead with fun and celebration! Knoxville will ring in 2026 with events featuring music, food and fun on New Year’s Eve and the first day of the new year.

This year, New Year’s Eve falls on a Wednesday, getting us ready to go into 2026 on Thursday, Jan. 1.

Ring in 2026 with friends and family with these festivities and celebrations in Knoxville. Cheers – and see you next year!

New Year’s Eve events

MUSE Knoxville’s Cheer in the New Year Fundraising Event

MUSE Knoxville invites the kiddos to its largest fundraising event of the year. Enjoy all the fun of bringing in the New Year without staying up past bedtime. The event will be 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 31.
The celebration will begin with a countdown to noon with catered breakfast, activity stations, a toast with sparkling juice, New Year’s swag bags and a ball drop.
Tickets are $30 for members and $35 for non-members and can be purchased online at blackbaudhosting.com. The event will raise funds to support the Muse For All scholarship program that ensures every person, regardless of any economic, social or physical barriers, has access to the museum.

Knoxville New Year’s Eve at the Sunsphere

Welcome 2026 with an evening of food trucks, a silent disco, live music with Liquid Velvet and a midnight ball drop from the Sunsphere.
Festivities will begin at 9 p.m. Dec. 31 and conclude at midnight on the World’s Fair Park Festival Lawn.
For more event information and a schedule of events, visit knoxvilletn.gov.

Pretentious Beer Co.’s New Year’s Eve Silent Disco

The Island in Pigeon Forge’s New Year’s Eve Celebration

Join the New Year’s Eve celebration at The Island in Pigeon Forge. The Island is hosting its annual New Year’s Eve free concert on Dec. 31, featuring Knoxville native country music star Emily Ann Roberts.
The celebration will include midnight fireworks. The Island’s rides, retail and dining establishments will operate as scheduled, including the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel.
The Island in Pigeon Forge will be open 10 a.m.-midnight.

Ancient Lore Village’s New Year’s Eve Celebration

Celebrate the turning of the year with an enchanting evening at Ancient Lore Village, with festive cheer and culinary magic in a whimsical setting.
Sip signature cocktails and fine wines, indulge in fine dining and cozy up by the Unity Firepit.
Seating is limited and reservations are required. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $99 and can be purchased at ancientlorevillage.com.

Oak Ridge’s New Year’s Eve Countdown Party

Celebrate the start of 2026 with a free New Year’s Eve Countdown Party hosted by Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge at 7 p.m. Dec. 31 at A.K. Bissell Park.
The event will feature live performances by the Jaystorm Project and the Fairview Union, a beer garden, food trucks, a dropping of the lighted atom and fireworks at midnight. Take along a lawn chair for the free, family-friendly celebration.
For more event information, visit oakridgetn.gov.

Gatlinburg’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show and Ball Drop

Gatlinburg will ring in the new year under the Gatlinburg Space Needle with its annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks Show at 10 p.m. Dec. 31.
Visitors can enjoy live music by local artists. The performances and ball drop will lead into a fireworks finish to welcome the New Year.
For more information, visit gatlinburg.com.

New Year’s Day events

Knoxville Track Club’s New Year’s Day 5K Run/Walk

University of Tennessee Arboretum Society’s New Year’s Day Hike

Start 2026 on the right foot (literally) with a refreshing hike with the UT Arboretum Society in Oak Ridge on the first day of the year.
The hike is free and open to the public. Hikers will gather at 9 a.m. at the UT Arboretum Auditorium, where they will be greeted by fellow hikers and offered coffee, hot chocolate and snacks to enjoy around an indoor fireplace. At 9:30 a.m., the group will leave for a guided hike that will last about 45 to 60 minutes. Hikers may join different hike leaders for an easy walk or a more strenuous hike.

Tennessee State Parks’ First Day Hikes

Start the New Year by getting outdoors! Take your family and friends on a free First Day Hike at a Tennessee State Park on Jan. 1. First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors.
The First Day Hikes are designed for all ages and abilities and are offered at various times at the different parks. These East Tennessee parks are participating: Big Ridge, Cove Lake, Cumberland Trail, David Crockett Birthplace, Fort Loudon, Frozen Head, Hiwassee River, Indian Mountain, Norris Dam, Panther Creek, Red Clay, Roan Mountain, Seven Islands and Warriors Path.
For more information and a list of all parks participating, visit, tnstateparks.com.

For any additions or revisions to the list, contact Hayley Choy, [email protected].