The World’s Fair Park in Knoxville, Tennessee, is a great place to take your family for a day of fun and outdoor activities. In this Tennessee vacation guide, we’ll give you more information on this historical park– from when it was built to what it is today.
This park is home to several beautiful attractions, such as plenty of green space for picnics and Frisbee-throwing. In the summertime, the park also features concerts and festivals that the whole family will want to participate in.
The World’s Fair Park is nestled in the heart of downtown Knoxville and features a variety of activities for all age groups. The park includes a fountain, lawn, and an observation deck, among others.
So come on over to World’s Fair Park in Knoxville, Tennessee!
World’s Fair Park in Knoxville, Tennessee
The World’s Fair Park was created for the 1982 World’s Fair, held in Knoxville, Tennessee. It was a great success, and the park has been a popular destination ever since.
The park is home to several iconic features, including the Sunsphere, which was built for the fair years ago.
The World’s Fair Park is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a taste of history and a chance to enjoy the great outdoors.
Venues at the World’s Fair Park
It is home to a variety of venues that offer a wide range of entertainment options.
There are several stages for music and other performances that can be used for different events. Here are some of them:
- Festival Lawn – with two acres of turf, this Festival Lawn can accommodate a large number of people for events.
- Splash Pads– Open from mid-April to October but is weather-dependent. Opens 9 am-10 pm seasonally.
- Tennessee Amphitheater– This theater is one of the original structures built in the 1982 World’s Fair where it was home to country music and classical concerts. Park Hours: 6 am until midnight; Fountain Hours: 10 am until 9 pm.
- Performance Lawn– The Performance lawn is carefully maintained to provide an amphitheater-like venue for special events.
For more information on park rules, specifications, and security, please visit their website.
Upcoming Events at the World’s Fair Park
- Knoxville Walk For Epilepsy– Join this Epilepsy Awareness Walk on November 19, 2022, from 11 am to 1 pm and show your support for people with epilepsy and their families.
- 1st Annual Knox Whiskey Works Whiskey Run– Join in the fun as they announce the first ever Knock Whiskey Works Whiskey Run on November 20, 2022, at 8 am at the World’s Fair Site in partnership with the Knoxville Vegan Festival! Whether you run a 5k or half a marathon, you will sure to enjoy this. You can still register for the race in Knoxville. There’s also Whiskey Run happening in Nashville (closed) and Chattanooga on the first of January, 2023.
- Scruffy City Veganfest 2022– This fest showcases businesses that promote cruelty-free products or services. The Scruffy City Veganfest also promotes the vegan scene in East TN. Visit on November 20, 2022, at 8 am. Buy your tickets here.
- 2022 New Year’s Eve at the Sunsphere– Celebrate the coming of the Year of the Snake admiring the fantastic fireworks that can be seen at the Sunsphere.
- MardiGrowl 2023– Join in the 16th MardiGrowl on March 4, which will start at the Old City and ends at the World’s Fair Park, where hundreds of pet-friendly vendors are waiting for you and your fur babies.
For a complete list of their events, please visit Knoxville’s website.
Sunsphere
The Sunsphere is an iconic symbol of the city. It is a large steel and glass structure with a golden globe at its peak.
Built in 1982 for the World’s Fair, it was initially intended to be only temporary but has since become a staple of the Knoxville skyline. The sphere stands 266 feet tall and is visible from all over the city.
After years of being unused, the observation deck Sunsphere in Knoxville, TN, has been renovated with a fresher look and has reopened in February of 2022.
It has a 360-degree view of the World’s Fair Park, which was the original 1982 World’s Fair site. From the 4th level, you can also see a view of downtown Knoxville, the University of Tennessee, the Tennessee River, and the breathtaking Smoky Mountains.
Admission Fee:
- $5, Children 12 and under are free with a paying adult.
Observation Deck Hours:
- Mondays: Closed
- Tuesday-Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Holiday Hours:
- Christmas Eve, 12/24: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Christmas Day, 12/25: CLOSED
- Day after Christmas, 12/26: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
For more information on ticketing and booking events, please visit their website.
Volunteer Landing
Volunteer Landing is located along the banks of the Tennessee River and offers plenty of outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, kayaking, and canoeing.
Not only it’s a great place to go walking and jogging along the waterfront, but it’s also a great place to hold small to medium events.
What are you waiting for? Book your events at the Worlds Fair Park in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Download This FREE Winter Packing List for The Smokies!
Related Smoky Mountain Resources
- Pigeon Forge Vacation Guide
- Gatlinburg Vacation Guide
- 125+ Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains
- Great Smoky Mountains Family Vacations Facebook Group
MORE RELATED RESOURCES
Be sure not to forget your camera when traveling to make the memories last forever. If you’re not sure which camera to get, here are PhotoJeepers’ recommendations for the best cameras for beginners that you can use for your trips.
If you’re looking for a more adventurous vacation, you might be interested in checking out these recreational ATV riding near Knoxville, TN, that will totally satisfy your need for speed.