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Knoxville Pride Parade & Festival 2025
Knoxville Pride, or “Knox Pride” as it is known locally, returns in October and is one of Tennessee’s most colourful events.
Knoxville Pride Parade & Festival 2025
Knoxville Pride, or “Knox Pride” as it is known locally is one of Tennessee’s most colourful pride festivals.
- Visiting Knoxville for a gay event or special occasion? Book your stay close to Market Square, just steps from the city’s top tourist attractions. Stay at the handsome Oliver Hotel with high-end amenities, unique decor and a warm gay-friendly welcome.
Knoxville Pride 2025
- Each year Knox Pride attracts over 40,000 visitors from across Tennessee and beyond.
- People are drawn to the city for its warm welcome, historic charm and open-minded attitudes.
- The night-time event is one of the most unique parades in the USA along with Las Vegas Pride and Austin.
The Events
- Pridefest in Knoxville includes a concert at the Bijou, several parties at local gay bars, and a big parade around downtown.
- Visitors should note that the parade is a night time event, with spectacular lights and a unique atmosphere.
Knoxville Pride Parade
- Friday Night – by the Civic Auditorium.
- Floats will line up from the Mary Costa Plaza parking area by the Civic Auditorium.
- People gather at 500 Howard Baker Jr. Ave. at 5.30 pm.
- They will leave from Jackson Ave and set out at 7 pm.
- Exact route to be confirmed.
Knoxville Pridefest
- Saturday – Noon – 10 pm at the World’s Fair Park featuring a series of live stage performances, drag acts, bars and food stands.
- World’s Fair Park is a public park in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. The park sits on the former fairgrounds of the 1982 World’s Fair hosted in Knoxville. Today, the park is home to the Sunsphere and the Tennessee Amphitheater, the two remaining structures from the exposition.
- Stay close to the Pridefest activities at The Tennessean Personal Luxury Hotel, rated wonderful by guests, with well-appointed rooms, and delicious breakfasts.
Other Events
- The week before Pride, art lovers can enjoy Art Out in the city. It’s a silent auction with donated pieces from local artists, and all of the proceeds go toward the Knox Pride committee.
- The Core, one of Knoxville’s busiest gay venues, hosts a Pride Kick-off party, “Show Your Pride”, from 10 pm until 2 am on the Thursday before the Pride weekend begins. A “HUGE mega-drag show” kicks off at 10:30 pm, and the party comes complete with a red-carpet style photoshoot station and patio bar. The cover charge goes to Knox Pride.
- On 803 S. Gay St, Bijou Theatre typically brings some big named Ru Paul drag queens to town for a gala evening. Tickets range from USD 25 to USD 50.
- Keep Knox Queer, a local gay group, hosts several pop-up parties and events throughout the year, especially during pride season.
- Finally, the Next 2 Nothing Underwear and Fashion Show sees some sexiest models wearing very little at The Concourse!
Gay Knoxville
The small Southern town of Knoxville feels more like a neighbourhood of a big city with a buzzing downtown district, full of art, dining and cultural experiences. The gay scene is spread across the city, most notably along Happy Holler and West Knoxville.
Other popular neighbourhoods include Market Square, the central hub of downtown life and the Old City, with several pubs, clubs and gay-friendly restaurants. Getting to Knoxville is easy, with McGhee Tyson Airport offering over 20+ direct flights, including NYC, Chicago, DC, Fort Lauderdale, and more.
- The Core – (Formerly The Edge) reopened in 2021. Although it is 7 miles outside the city centre, people flock to the bar for dancing, drag shows and theme nights. The on-site restaurant serves a variety of pub fare.
- If you want to stay closer to the gay bars, but still close to the city’s top attractions, stay at the Graduate Knoxville, a 4 star, pet-friendly hotel, popular with gay visitors who love its eclectic decor and warm welcome.
- Club XYZ – Located in the central Happy Holler Historic district, Club XYZ is just a few minutes drive north of downtown and attracts lots of local hot students and visitors for karaoke, drag shows and their annual “Night of 1,000 Dollys”, a unique Dolly Parton celebration. It is one of the longest running bars in Knoxville, having opened in 2004.
Recommended Hotels
Here are the hotels we recommend with good reviews, close to all the action:
The Tennessean, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Graduate Knoxville, Hyatt Place Knoxville.
Recommended Hotels
Where to stay close to all the gay bars
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
Where we stay!
The Tennessean location is hard to beat:
across close to the shops and restaurants
Official Website
For more information on
Knoxville Pride Visit The Website
Map of Gay Knoxville
531 Henley St, Knoxville, TN 37902
Just 3 blocks away from the fine dining, local shops and entertainment of downtown Knoxville, this hotel offers traditional southern hospitality with contemporary amenities, including an on-site restaurant and bar. Free WiFi is available. Every room at The Tennessean Hotel provides a 55-inch flat-screen HDTV with premium cable channels and a radio with Bluetooth connectivity. A small refrigerator and coffee machine are also included.
401 W Summit Hill Dr SW, Knoxville, TN 37902
This hotel features an on-site bar, indoor pool, and free in-room Wi-Fi. The rooms at the Knoxville Crowne Plaza Hotel include warm colors and hardwood furniture. Guests can watch cable on the flat-screen TV. A work desk and coffee maker are also provided. The on-site gym is open 24 hours a day. A business center is located off of the lobby and dry cleaning services are available.
1706 Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916
Attractively set in the Downtown Knoxville district of Knoxville, Graduate Knoxville is situated less than 1 km from University of Tennessee Neyland Stadium, a 14-minute walk from Frank H McClung Museum and 1.5 km from Knoxville Convention Center. With a shared lounge, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. Private parking is available on site.
530 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902
Hyatt Place Knoxville/Downtown has a restaurant, fitness centre, a bar and shared lounge in Knoxville. Boasting family rooms, this property also provides guests with a terrace. The accommodation features evening entertainment and a 24-hour front desk. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a microwave, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bath or shower. At Hyatt Place Knoxville/Downtown the rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels.
1215 N Central St, Knoxville, TN 37917
Gay nightclub in a compact storefront with drag shows, karaoke & dance floor. Setting New & Higher Standards for Gay Nightlife in East Tennessee
Voted Knoxville's Best Gay Bar 2010-2011-2012-2013-2014-2015-2016-2017-2019-2020 and 2021
7211 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
Locally-owned LGBTQIA+ bar and grill with Live Shows Friday-Monday. Ages 21+ only. Stay tuned for more events!
Recommended Hotels in Knoxville By Booking
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in Knoxville that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
The Tennessean
5 Star, Luxury
- 5 Star – Traditional Southern Hospitality, On-Site Restaurant
- A short taxi ride to the gay bars
- 55-inch HDTV, fridge, coffee machine
- Offers traditional southern hospitality, contemporary amenities, an on-site restaurant, and rooms with HDTVs.
Crowne Plaza Hotel
4 Star, Readers Choice
- 4 Star – Indoor Pool, 24-Hour Equipped Gym
- A short taxi ride to the gay bars
- Flat-screen TV, hardwood furniture, Wi-Fi
- Features an on-site bar, indoor pool, free Wi-Fi, and rooms with warm colors and hardwood furniture.
Graduate Knoxville
4 Star, Great Value
- 4 Star – Near University of Tennessee
- A short taxi ride to the gay bars
- Air-conditioned, free WiFi, flat-screen TV
- Located in downtown Knoxville, close to Neyland Stadium, with a shared lounge and air-conditioned rooms.
Hyatt Place Knoxville
3 Star, Location
- 3 Star – Restaurant, Fitness Centre, Bar
- A short taxi ride to the gay bars
- Desk, coffee machine, and microwave
- Offers restaurant, fitness center, bar, shared lounge, terrace, and air-conditioned rooms with modern amenities.
Video: Knoxville Pride
Some moments from the previous Knoxville pride festival.
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