Free events in Knox County, TN

Settle in for a relaxed Magic: The Gathering session featuring Casual Commander pods of three to four players. The MTG Companion App is required and entry is free. A house rule applies for the opening of each game... the first five full turn cycles must pass before any player can be eliminated, lands can be destroyed, or a win can occur. A Promo Pack will be awarded at random to a player in the pod.

WDVX Summer Nights brings an evening of live music to Yee-Haw Brewing featuring Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys alongside The Royal Hounds. Admission is free and all ages are welcome, and the performance will be broadcast live on WDVX. Chuck Mead, a founding member of BR5-49, has been a driving force in Americana and neo-traditional country as a songwriter, performer, and producer, and is well known at the Grand Ole Opry. Nashville’s Royal Hounds blend rock and roll with honky-tonk flair and high-energy showmanship, earning a reputation as one of Music City’s most entertaining live acts. The broadcast can be heard on 89.9 FM, 102.9 FM in Knoxville, and 93.9 FM in Gatlinburg. Support comes from Yee-Haw Brewing, ORNL Federal Credit Union, and Garza Law.

IBN Biz Lunch brings professionals together at Union Place Bar & Grill in Knoxville for a relaxed, business-focused midday meetup. The format includes optional open networking before the main program to allow time to connect and place food or drink orders, a focused program in the middle, and additional optional mingling afterward for follow-up conversations and new connections. The gathering is facilitated by Mike Messer of Viewpoint Media (865-567-7473) and Erin Bennett of Holisticare (865-357-9727). Attendance is free, there are no dues, no membership requirements, no attendance rules, and no industry category limits. Everyone is welcome, and purchasing food or beverages is completely optional. Attendees can highlight their businesses, products, and services, expand their referral network, and are encouraged to bring plenty of business cards or flyers. Bringing a door prize is optional. Support for this event comes from sponsors including Tradebank of Knoxville, P&L Business Services, Legacy Life Planning, Lifewave with Janet Hudson, Viewpoint Media, Knoxville Insider, Brainstorm International, Linda Meese of Realty Executives Associates, John Pyron The Business Doctor, Abundance 365, Rocky Top HVAC, and Ownby Insurance Service.

This edition of Sunsphere Sessions Vol. 2 takes place in the Sunsphere Welcome Center and is open to the public at no cost. The program features Lazarus Lake.

An open air celebration in East Knoxville brings live music from Lisa Clow and local musicians under the stars, with fire pits and s’mores setting a cozy fall atmosphere. The event is free to attend, and audience tips directly support the invited performers through cash and virtual options. Seating is first come, first served, with a limited number of tables and chairs available, so bringing a blanket or lawn chair is a good idea. Past attendance has topped 300, creating a lively community vibe. Fire pits will be spread throughout the space, with complimentary s’mores and hot cocoa while supplies last. Outside food and beverages are welcome. Families and dogs are invited, with the reminder to supervise children and keep pets leashed. Parking is on site with overflow nearby. Plan a little time to park and settle in, carpooling is encouraged, and a parking attendant will guide vehicles into the grass lot. A portable restroom will be available. RSVP is required to receive the exact field location by email so organizers can plan accordingly, and special parking, assistance, or other accommodations can be arranged with advance notice.

The Spice & Tea Exchange marks the festival’s second weekend with a cozy comfort foods tasting that highlights fall flavors. Sample Matanzas Chili Bites alongside Bananas Foster Tea, with complimentary tastings available while supplies last. Pick up free recipe cards and learn how to make Matanzas chili at home. During the event, shoppers who purchase three featured spice blends receive a 15 percent discount.

At Knoxville Expo Center, the Knoxville Home & Garden Show brings together trusted local and regional vendors to share fresh ideas, expert guidance, and budget friendly upgrades for your living space. Explore options for windows, roofing, kitchens, hot tubs, décor, and more, all in one place with special show pricing available. Get practical tips to plan a renovation or upgrade with confidence, and enter drawings for door prizes at the entrance and with participating exhibitors. Admission and parking are free.

Saturday sessions at Good Times GameHouse bring together the Knoxville Board Game Club for open play and discovery. Participants can bring favorite games to teach, choose from the in-store demo selection, or join tables already in progress. The first visit is free. After that, a $5 entry is credited back as $5 in store credit each week, which can be used for drinks, refreshments, board games, and other items or saved for later. The club values positivity and friendly, respectful gaming, and it also meets on Wednesdays.

Hosted at the Knoxville Expo Center, the Knoxville Home & Garden Show brings together local and regional vendors offering ideas, guidance, and savings for home improvement. Explore windows, roofing, kitchens, hot tubs, décor, and more in one convenient location, and get practical tips to plan a renovation, upgrade, or first project with confidence. Look for special pricing available only at the show and enter door prize drawings at the entrance and with participating exhibitors. Admission and parking are free.

Can You Dig It? brings an annual International Archaeology Day celebration to the McClung Museum with a free, family-friendly program led by professional archaeologists from the University of Tennessee. Hands-on stations invite participants to explore the past and present with guidance from archaeologists, UT faculty, and graduate students. Activities include pottery crafts, mini lab investigations, an onsite excavation, and other interactive experiences designed for families. Support for this program is provided by Home Federal Bank and the UT Core Facilities and Department of Anthropology. Funding for the museum’s educational programming is provided by the Knox County Tourism Consortium. Free parking is available in lots G9 and S30. Additional pay-by-hour parking is available through the ParkMobile app, and a map can be found on the event’s Eventbrite page.

At Knoxville Botanical Garden & Arboretum, Carly Jones and Blake Stannard lead an all-levels acro yoga class with guidance tailored to each participant. Beginners can learn foundational skills, returning students can reinforce core techniques, and experienced movers can explore more advanced options. The focus is on building strength, trust, and coordination. After the guided portion, there is a two-hour open jam for practice, connection, and play. The class is donation based. No prior experience or partner is required. Please bring water and something for the ground such as a mat, towel, or blanket.

Play Commander with free entry. Participation requires the MTG Companion App for registration. Games will be organized in pods of three to four players, and one promo pack will be awarded at random within each pod.

This free weekly program for preschoolers blends story time, nature discovery, hands-on gardening and simple crafts to nurture young gardeners and their caregivers. Children can dig in the soil, plant seeds, water and harvest while enjoying age-friendly stories and creative activities. Although designed with preschoolers in mind, participants of all ages, from babies to grandparents, are welcome. Activities begin in the Every Child Outdoors ECO Garden.

Bingo returns to Kern’s Food Hall with BeLocal Bingo. It is free to attend and free to play, welcoming first timers as well as regulars. Enjoy a fun night of bingo with food, drinks, and prizes.