Knoxville Pride Parade & Festival 2023

Knoxville Pride Parade & Festival 2023

Knoxville Pride, or “Knox Pride” as it is known locally is one of Tennessee’s most colourful pride festivals.

Pridefest in Knoxville includes a concert at the Bijou, several parties at local gay bars, and a big parade around downtown.

• 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 2023

• Each year Knox Pride attracts over 40,000 visitors from across Tennessee and beyond, 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.

Knoxville Pride Parade

• Friday Night – by the Civic Auditorium. Floats will line up from the Mary Costa Plaza parking area by the Civic Auditorium on 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

• Friday through to Sunday, – Noon – 8 pm at the World’s Fair Park featuring a series of live stage performances, drag acts, bars and food stands.

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.