October 14, 2021
Downtown Knoxville is gearing up for a fun-filled and family-friendly Halloween season with Wicked Cool, a collection of spooky experiences that will bring chills and thrills to the city center.
From Oct. 15-31, Market Square, Gay Street, the Old City and surrounding areas will have a “Wicked Cool” atmosphere with 3D installations, scary spiders, haunting ghosts and spooky lighting.
“There is truly something magical about downtown Knoxville, and we wanted to bring that to the forefront this year for Halloween,” said Michele Hummel, executive director of the Downtown Knoxville Alliance. “Wicked Cool is a first of its kind event for the city, and we’re excited to have so many local businesses involved. From sweet treats to apparel and accessories to themed cocktails, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”
Several spooky photo spots are located around downtown, including a bat-themed selfie station in Market Square. Visitors are encouraged to share photos via social media using the #knoxhalloween hashtag.
Visit downtownknoxville.org/wicked to discover all the downtown surprises, including:
- Wicked Walks & Photos Ops: Download a map and don’t miss any of the frightful sights, including bats, spiders and a ghostly laboratory.
- Thrills & Chills: From zombie walks to spooky storytelling for kids, Downtown Knoxville offers fun for the entire family.
- Treats & Sweets: From themed cocktails to snacks and treats and devilish gifts and indulgences, Downtown Knoxville is the best place to celebrate the Halloween season.
- Costume Contest: Show off your best Halloween look on Gay Street with the Tennessee Theatre in the background and you could win a prize. Upload your photo online or share on social media tagged with #knoxhalloween.
“Halloween is such a fun time of year, and we are looking forward to welcoming local residents and visitors downtown to enjoy the wide variety of activities happening in October,” Hummel said. “We appreciate our planning partners and the downtown businesses that have embraced creating experiences for Halloween lovers of all ages.”
Wicked Cool is made possible by the Downtown Knoxville Alliance, Dogwood Arts, City of Knoxville, Graphic Creations and Christmas Decor Plus More.
The Downtown Knoxville Alliance also reminds everyone to continue to make health and safety a top priority. Wear a mask, practice physical-distancing and stay home when sick.
Downtown Knoxville features “Wicked Cool” experiences, events, treats and more Oct. 15-31.
About the Downtown Knoxville Alliance
Ensuring a vibrant, flourishing downtown is the primary mission of the Downtown Knoxville Alliance (DKA). Formed in 1993 as a Central Business Improvement District (CBID), the district encompasses a 0.67-square-mile area and is supported by a special assessment to property owners that is used to make improvements, enhance services and promote downtown. The DKA continually focuses on attracting and retaining a thriving community of residents, businesses and visitors in Downtown Knoxville. For more information, visit https://www.downtownknoxville.org.
