WIVK Christmas Parade, Dec. 7

by bagelbee

Bands, floats and other marchers will celebrate Christmas time in Knoxville on Friday, December 7. The WIVK Christmas Parade forms part of the city’s official two-month-long holiday celebration „Christmas in the City“.

The Parade is a traditional Christmas event in Knoxville. For over 30 years it has welcomed Jolly Old St. Nick to Downtown Knoxville with colourful floats, high school bands and local celebreties winding down historic Gay Street.

Bring your whole family an meet Santa and his Reindeer in a beautiful setting!

Find a complete listing of the events in November and at www.cityofknoxville.org/christmas, or in Christmas in the City brochures found at many local businesses and organizations.

For further information please contact the City's Office of Special Events at 865-215-4248.

 

WIVK Christmas Parade

by Sadie Martin

Date December 7, 2007
Location Gay Street (Downtown)
Time 7:00 p.m.

This is a festive event for the entire family to enjoy.

The WIVK Christmas Parade has been in Downtown Knoxville for over 30 years, having become a traditional yearly event.

Santa Claus and his Reindeer will be there; High school bands, a passle of local celebrities, and regional entertainers will be marching among the beautifully decorated floats.

Dancers and Majorettes will also be performing, and after the parade, you'll want to drop by for third-annual Ice Skating on Market Square!

 

Animal Angel Tree at Young- Williams Animal Center

by joahnna

Knoxville's Young-Williams Animal Center is sponsoring the Animal Angel Tree this year to raise donations for stray domestic animals.

The Center is encouraging everyone to act as Santas to stray animals this Christmas by donating blankets, towels, sturdy cat and dog toys, and treats that can be placed under the angel tree in our lobby from November 15 – December 25, 2007.

The animal shelter is located at 3201 Division Street and is open at 11am-7pm from Mondays to Fridays, at 11am-5pm on Saturdays and at 1-5pm on Sundays.

For additional information, call Deonna Light at (865) 215-6662.

 

Celebration of Lights

by julianna cannon

Knoxville, Tennessee will be hosting a celebration of lights November 23, 2007.

The festivities will be held in market square and will kick off the holiday season.

Market Square will be hosting several events including christmas caroling, hot chocolate and peppermint ice cream, marshmallow roasting, horse-drawn carriages and unique shopping for everyone.

There will also be free pictures with the jolly man himself, Santa Claus!

For additional information you can contact Mickely Mallonee at 865-215-4248.

 

Breakfast with Santa at the Knoxville Zoo!

by S. G.

Have you read my blog?

There are great events all year long at the Knoxville Zoo, and the holidays are no exception.

On Saturday, December 1st from 11AM to 2PM, members can have milk or hot cocoa and cookies with Santa at the zoo. If you don’t have a zoo membership, now is the time to get one!

Free admission to this and other memberships, and free admission to the zoo any time is part of a membership, with packages starting at $50 for individuals and only $60 will cover two grandparents and two grandchildren!

Even nonmembers can come to breakfast with Santa, Mrs. Claus and some of their elves Saturday, December 8th at 9:30 AM with Zoo admission included. Better hurry, because seating is limited! Adults are $17.50, kids $12.50 and under 2 are free. Get $2.50 off every ticket with a Zoo membership.

For more information, call the Zoo at (865) 637-5331 ext. 300. You can also visit the Zoo website and buy tickets and memberships online at:
http://www.knoxville-zoo.org .

While you are there, peak at the naked mole rat webcam, read about the Red Panda Village, and check out Einstein’s blog. No, not the scientist, Einstein is a V.I.P, at the zoo, but her “P.” is for parrot!

 

Comcast Christmas at Chilhowee Nov 30th

by bwinecoff(mturk)

On November 30th 6:00pm to 8:00pm , an Annual Holiday event, Christmas at Chilhowee, comes our way again.

Children ages 8 to 92 come and enjoy some family fun, music, food, Santa Clause photos, horse drawn carriage rides, and old-fashioned marshmallow roasting at fire pits!

For additional information call Mickey Mallonee at (865) 215-4248

 

Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker

by bwinecoff

Tickets are $45, $35 and $25, plus applicable service fees. Discounts are available for Children 12 and under, seniors 60 and over, and AAA members. Tickets are available at all Tickets Unlimited Outlets, by phone at 865-656-4444, online, or by visiting the Tennessee Theatre's Clinch Avenue Box Office Monday-Friday 10am-5pm.

 

Regal Entertainment's Celebration of Lights

by Sadie Martin

REGAL Celebration of Lights
Date: November 23, 2007
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Gay Street at Krutch Park

On the day after Thanksgiving, starting at 6:00 pm, the lighting of the 38 foot First Tennessee Foundation Christmas Tree will take place. Downtown has been transformed into a beautiful Christmas Village.

Located on Gay Street at Krutch Park, it's an annual event to be remembered, a "must be there!"

Krutch park will astound you, decorated with an unbelievable 100,000 plus, brilliant glittering lights. It has been transformed into a spectacular winter wonderland.

Local crafters and Market Square merchants will be there offering a unique holiday shopping experience.

You might want to treat yourself and keep warm by roasting marshmallows and drinking hot chocolate at the fire pit, while waiting to join in on the romantic horse-drawn carriage rides being offered. Music is being provided by the First Baptist Church combined choir.

Up and coming talent will be onhand to lead the crowd in Christmas carols. Returning for the third year will be Holidays on Ice, Knoxville's only outdoor ice skating rink.

WDVX presents Holiday Ho-Ho-Hoedown, staring Cherryholmes and Logan Murrell from 7-9 pm on the Market Square Stage. The Mayor will be onhand for story time, reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.'

Santa Claus will pose with you or your children for free photos, and Mrs. Claus will be happy to let you help her to decorate cookies.

See you there!

 

All Aboard! Santa’s on the Three Rivers Ramber

by Lyanna

This Christmas season, enjoy a ride on the Three Rivers Rambler with everything a child of any age would love: cookies, Santa and a being told a new holiday story by storytellers.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery as the train winds its way from downtown Knoxville, though farmlands, old quarries, and along the Tennessee River. When not soaking in the view, listen to storytellers spin the tale called The Christmas Lantern.

The kids can chat with Santa, munch on holiday cookies and just enjoy the novelty of a train ride. All passengers are personally given a gift from Santa.

Make sure reservations are made early, since this even has historically always sold out!

Admission is $22 per adult and $12 per child (age 3-12), children 2 & under ride free. Dates are November 30, December 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 with departures at 11am & 2pm & 5pm on Saturday & Sunday and 6pm on Friday.

Contact Three Rivers Rambler for more information or reservations:

422 Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902
(865) 524-9411
(865) 546-3717 FAX
info@threeriversrambler.com

 

Christmas Express Train Ride

by Katie Kinder

Create special holiday memories or start a new Christmas-time tradition with your family this year with the Christmas Express train ride on Knoxville's Three Rivers Rambler excursion train!

Children of all ages will experience the magic of a holiday train ride through Knoxville. On board, you will enjoy story telling, festive decorations, scrumptious holiday goodies and a visit from Santa on board the Christmas Express.

The ride lasts for a duration of 90 minutes, and travels 11 miles aboard the historic railcars. Advance reservations are required to board, and this fun activity will be sold out very soon, so make your reservations as soon as possible!

The Christmas Express pulls away from Volunteer Landing on Friday, December 14th at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m.

(Plan to arrive 30 minutes before departure time to board the train and find your seats.)

Admission is $22 per adult and $12 per child (age 3-12), children 2 & under ride free.

You can reserve tickets online with a Visa or MasterCard at threeriversrambler.com/ChristmasExpress.htm. Other methods of payment are taken over the phone (865)524-9411.

For additional information call Mike Schoenberger at Three Rives Rambler (865)524-9411.

 

Deck the Paws

by Chris Phillips

Between November 1 and December 25, a five dollar donation allows you to place a picture of your pet on the tree of the Young Williams Animal Center. There will also be a light illuminated in honor of or in memory of your pet.

 

Downtown Knoxville Christmas Parade

by Sherry

Santa Claus is coming to downtown Knoxville on Friday, December 7th at 7:00 p.m. For over thirty years, the traditional Knoxville Christmas parade has welcomed Santa into the city.

Part of Knoxville's Christmas in the City celebration, the parade draws crowds bundled against the cold to delight in the start of the Christmas season.

Marching down historic Gay Street, live bands with decorated instruments play Christmas music while sparkling, festive floats and brightly dressed dancers delight young and old alike.

Some of the floats may have live animals or live music. Represented in the parade are local businesses and area celebrities such as Allen Jackson.

Emergency vehicles flash their lights and horses jingle as they high-step down the street.

The highlight of the parade is, of course, the float on which Santa and his reindeer enter the historic city.

This is a magical event for the entire family to enjoy!

 

Comcast Christmas at Chilhowee

by Sherry
(Boiling Springs, SC USA)

Comcast Christmas At Chilhowee
Chilhowie Park
Knoxville, TN

Tree Lighting: November 30,2007
6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Nightly Driving Tours
November 22,2007 through January 1,2008
5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

A very special part of Knoxville’s Christmas in the City Celebration, the lighting of the large Christmas tree takes place and the celebration begins!

Chilhowee is a fairyland of twinkling Christmas lights. In the darkness, colored lights fill the eyes with their display.

There are all sorts of fun things to do. The best part is, the activities are free of charge. Free peppermint ice cream, eggnog, hot chocolate, marshmallow toasting, and a hand decorated cookie!

Of course, Santa Claus is also there for the celebration and you can get your picture taken with him at no charge.

There are horse drawn buggy rides around the lake that shimmers with reflected color from the lighted trees floating on the surface of the water.

The area surrounding the lake is lavishly decorated and lighted. Even the walkways are strewn with colorful lights!

The music of local bands and carolers fill the air with Christmas music and the entire atmosphere is magical.

Don't miss this lovely Knoxville Christmas event!

 

Knoxville Jazz Orchestra's "A Swingin' Christmas"

by Mary Jamison

Date: 12/18/2007 Time: 8p.m. Doors open at 7:00pm

Presented by Merrill Lynch, Classical Christmas favorite songs are performed in the syles of the legendaries Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Glenne Miller and Stan Kenton. Stefon Harris who has won the Grammy award four times and plays the vibraphone will be joining the band for this wonderful event during this Christmas season.

Tickets:
By phone : 865-656-4444
Visit: Theatre's Clinch Avenue Box Office
Tickets Unlimited Outlets Mon-Fri 10a.m-5p.m.

Contact: Tennesee Theatre for more information
Phone No.: 865-684-1200

 

Mistletoe Marketplace & Vendor Fair

by Darlene Bishop
(Knoxville, TN)

Get under the mistletoe in Knoxville!

Knoxville area women in business are sponsoring the first annual Mistletoe Marketplace & Vendor Fair to be held Saturday, December 1, 2007, from 4-7 pm at the Cokesbury Center in Knoxville.

A portion of all proceeds will go to benefit local Celebrate Recovery programs, which follow "8 Recovery Principles" designed to offer freedom from addictive, compulsive and dysfunctional behaviors.

Direct Sales representatives from such companies as AVON, BeautiControl, Body Shop at Home, Cello in a Box, Juice Plus, Mia Bella, Pampered Chef, Pink Ladybug Spa, Princess House, Southern Living at Home, Tupperware, World of Products and more will be offering prizes and drawings, product samples, refreshments, shopping ideas, discounts and much more.

There is no charge for the event and everyone is invited.

The Marketplace will be held in the small dining room off Epworth Hall in the Cokesbury Center, 9915 Kingston Pike, one block east of Pellissippi Parkway on Kingston Pike, across from the Cokesbury United Methodist Church.

Vendor spots are still available. For more information, call 694-5032.

 

A Sardonic Take on Christmas with "The Santland Diaries at Black Box Theatre

by Patricia Fox
(Houston,Tx)

You can find the jewel of the Knoxville arts community in a little black box. To be exact, you will find it in the Black Box Theatre, which is the performance section of the Actor’s Co-Op. Their coming attraction is a very different take on the Christmas season, “The Santaland Diaries” by David Sedaris.

Sedaris has crafted a blackly humorous tale of the horrors involved in seasonal work, in this case, a job as an elf in Macy’s department store during the holidays in a children’s attraction called Santaland, and is based on his personal experience. No one is spared in this satirical ode to the commercialized holiday, from the various Santa to the stressed out children and their often strange parents. Among the indignities an elf must endure is the choice of an elf name and having to be addressed that way on duty. (Sedaris chose “Crumpet.”) The costumes horrify most of the seasonal employees but at least one secretly wants to wear hers home.

“The Santaland Diaries” will run December 13-22 at the Black Box Theatre at 5213 Homberg Drive, with performances Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm and Saturdays at 2pm. Tickets are available through Knoxtix either online at www.knoxtix.com or by calling (865) 523-7521. You can also get season tickets by visiting the company website, found at http://www.actorscoop.net/ or by calling them at (865) 584-0990. This work is definitely for adults.

Season passes are a very attractive $50-$75 a year and individual events are $18 or $15 for students and those on fixed income. (Call for details.) Bargain hunters can see previews and Wednesday night performances at a steal with their “Pay as you wish” offer, with a $5 minimum. All performances are at 8PM with an additional performance at 2PM on Saturdays.

Black Box Theatre grew from the vision of Amy Hubbard, who brought a fresh approach to live theater in 1995 in collaboration with Biz Lyon and Michael Golebieskwi. In 1995, Amy Hubbard recognized the need for a fresh face on the Knoxville theatre scene. Along with local actors Biz Lyon and Michael Golebieskwi, she began with plays by Tennessee Williams, and then joined with Katie Norwood, Pam Hurley, and Mark Lamb to produce another show. She and Norwood incorporated in 1997 and became a 501 ©(3) nonprofit officially in 1999.

Hubbard continues to serve Black Box and the Knoxville community well as the Executive Artistic Director. The Actor’s Co-Op now provides theater training as well as community outreach, and the company mounts five main stage performances annually, as well as two children’s events, whimsically named the Whippersnapper Theater. Two special events are produced each year as well. This nonprofit welcomes contributors to support their works by either cash or in kind donations. Contact them at (865) 909-9300 or e-mail for more information at actorscoopinc@bellsouth.net .

 

PRIMITIVE LIGHT 2007 by Circle Modern Dance

by joahnna

Circle Modern Dance will present its annual winter show Primitive Light at the Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave. at 16th Street.

Choreographed and performed by resident artists of the Knoxville community, the program will be staged on December 20 at 7:00PM and on December 21 & 22 at 7 and 9 PM.

The admission rate is $12 in general and $8 for students and seniors. For additional information, call 865-523-7521 or visit www.knoxtix.com.

 

A Christmas Carol Production at Clarence Brown Theatre

by Sherry
(Boiling Springs, SC USA)

Clarence Brown Theatre
206 McClung Tower
Knoxville,Tn 37996 - 0420
Box Office Ph: (865) 974-5161
Fax: (865) 974-4876
E-Mail: cbt@utk.edu
Web Site: www.clarencebrowntheatre.com.

November 29 - December 22,2007
Visit website for prices and specific show dates


At the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, the Clarence Brown Theatre will put on a production of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol this holiday season. A new adaptation of this Christmas classic will tell the story of how even the hardest heart can become warm and loving. With a cast of thirty, and music along with lavish costumes and sets, this program is sure to delight. What a great way to get into the holiday spirit! Tickets go on sale November 16th and prices vary according to when you choose to attend. The 576-seat proscenium theatre will sell out fast so get your tickets soon!

 

Enjoy the Knoxville Zoo with Santa

by joahnna_tan@hotmail.com

Knoxville Zoo is hoping to start a holiday tradition by inviting families to share a sumptuous breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Holiday games, live entertainment, crafts and special gifts have been prepared for the children, who will be able to tell Santa their Christmas wish list and have their pictures taken with the jolly old elf himself.

This event will take place on Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 9:30 am in the zoo’s Pilot Special Exhibits Building. Reservations are required because seating is limited.

Tickets cost $17.50 for adults, $12.50 for children ages 2-12, and the event is free for children under 2 years of age. Knoxville zoo members will receive a $2.50 discount per ticket.

For further information, call (865)637-5331 extension 300 or visit www.knoxville-zoo.org.

 

REGAL Celebration of Lights

by E. Lynch

The Regal Celebration of Lights is THE official kick-off to the Knoxville Christmas season.

On the day after Thanksgiving (November 23), at 6:00 p.m., Gay Street at Krutch Park is magically transformed as over 100,000 white lights illuminate the Christmas decorations, the Christmas Market, the outdoor ice-skating rink, and of course, Santa.

The crown jewel of the event is the lighting of the First Tennesee Foundation Christmas Tree. And to enhance the event, music is provided this year by the First Baptist Church combined choir as well as a performance by the Cherryholmes, sponsored by WDVX, and Christmas carols sponsored by WIVK.

Remember, the kickoff begins at 6:00 p.m., November 23. WDVX's Ho-Ho-Hoedown will be at the Market Square stage from 7-9 p.m while the Christmas Market will be open November 23, 24, and 25th.

 

Christmas Concert

by Sadie Martin

Location Civic Auditorium
Time 8:30 p.m.
Date December 18, 2007
Phone 687-3827

This year a Christmas Concert will be performed by the Knoxville Community Recreation Band. Arranged by the City of Knoxville's Parks and Recreation Division, this is a FREE Event.

The Knoxville Community Recreation Band consists of over 40 members. They have played in high school, college and professional bands. Bring the entire family for an evening of inspiring holiday classics.

You won't be disappointed!
 

 

Nativity Pageant at the Knoxville coliseum

 

The Knoxville coliseum will stage the Nativity Pageant, a one hour performance which is a professionally directed pantomime drama.

It has a cast of over 90 people, moving narration, realistic sets, authentic costumes, and live animals to create a beautiful and powerful presentation of the Christmas story.

The 200 voice choir will perform the music, supported by a 20-member orchestra. For the past several years this performance has been a traditional part in Knoxville Christmas celebrations.

Bring your family this year to make it part of your own Knoxville Christmas traditions!

For more information, Contact:
The Nativity Pageant of Knoxville
P.O. Box 53258
Knoxville, TN 37950-3258
Phone: (865) 579-5323