KNOXVILLE

KNOXVILLE OFFERS BOUNDLESS OPPORTUNITIES
FOR EXPLORATION AND ENTERTAINMENT

Tucked into the Appalachian Valley, where the Holston and French Broad Rivers meet to form the headwaters of the Tennessee River, Knoxville is a city where history, culture, and natural beauty converge. Cradled in the eastern foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, this former state capital — now Tennessee’s third-largest city — blends small-town charm with cosmopolitan energy, serving as the vibrant home of Big Ears.

Knoxville has long been a wellspring of creativity, shaping the voices of James Agee, Nikki Giovanni, Cormac McCarthy, Beauford Delaney, and Roy Acuff, among many others. Its streets carry the legacy of The University of Tennessee’s flagship campus, founded in 1794, and the Tennessee Valley Authority, born of FDR’s New Deal. The city’s skyline still glitters with the golden sphere of the Sunsphere — a remnant of the 1982 World’s Fair — an iconic beacon visible throughout downtown.

Beyond the city limits, adventure awaits: the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and America’s most visited national park; Oak Ridge National Laboratory, birthplace of the Manhattan Project and home to “Summit,” one of the world’s fastest supercomputers; and Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s beloved theme park, just down I-40. Closer to home, Knoxville is encircled by its Urban Wilderness — 50 miles of trails and greenways threading through 4,500 acres of protected forests, lakes, and rivers, offering world-class hiking and mountain biking minutes from downtown.

Knoxville’s compact, walkable downtown hums with energy during Big Ears. Historic architecture frames an eclectic array of venues — from grand theatres like the Tennessee (1928) and the Bijou (1909) to intimate clubs, soaring churches, airy galleries, and reclaimed industrial spaces. Between performances, you’ll find award-winning, locally-owned restaurants along with lively cafés, craft breweries, boutique shops, and comfortable hotels, all within a few blocks.

Knoxville is more than a setting for Big Ears — it’s part of the festival’s magic: a city where the mountains meet the river, history meets innovation, and every street, theatre, and café comes together weaving a part of the festival’s fabric.

For further information on where to eat, shop, and explore, visit or our partners at visitknoxville.com.

If I was to put a festival on i’d want somewhere that had nice venues within walking distance of each other in a town that’s interesting to visit and Knoxville is clearly all those things.

Jonny greenwood, Radiohead guitarist