Event Dates
From: Awaiting dates
To: Awaiting dates
Mardi Growl Knoxville 2026
Mardi Growl is a unique event for your fur babies! Your favourite pet pawty takes over Knoxville for one of the most fun parades in the USA.
Mardi Growl Knoxville 2026
Mardi Growl is a unique event for your fur babies! Your favorite pet party takes over Knoxville for one of the most fun parades in the USA.
- Visiting Knoxville for a Mardi Growl or special occasion? Book your stay close to Market Square, just steps from the city’s top tourist attractions and the Mardi Growl events.
The Event
- Next Edition – Awaiting dates, typically the first Saturday in March – From 11 am.
- Knoxville’s Mardi Growl is a party for dog lovers everywhere. The event raises funds for the Young Williams Animal Centre and attracts dog lovers from across the state and beyond for a fun day of parades, competitions and parties.
- The parade features hundreds of costumed dogs and puppies making their way through the downtown streets of Knoxville in a blaze of colour, ribbons and more.
- Mardi Growl’s pet parade and costume contests will kick off at 11 a.m. Saturday. The parade route begins in the Old City and ends in Market Square.
- Stay at The Oliver, rated “Superb” by guests with a modern fitness centre, spacious rooms and highly-rated breakfasts. The hotel is close to all the Mardi Growl events.
The Route
- Mardi Growl parade route travels north on Central Street through the Old City before turning west on Jackson Avenue and continuing to World’s Fair Park Drive.
- The total parade route is approximately 1.2 miles and ends at our festival on the Performance Lawn at World’s Fair Park.
- The atmosphere is quite crazy during the event. And it is not just the pets who are costumed. Many owners don elaborate matching costumes while marching bands provide live music throughout the parade. Doggies disco, anyone?
The Pet Costume Contests
- The Pet costume contests are the most enjoyable part of Mardi Growl. Categories include Best Vol Spirit, Best Dawg Pack, Pet/Owner Look-a-like, Best Dog Couple, Most Unique Mixed Breed (Mutt), Best Costume and Best Naked Dog.
- The contests are broadcast on TV news stations across the state, and the event has received international media attention. Contest winners are announced at 12:30 p.m. on the Market Square stage.
Pet Party
- Visit the pet party in Market Square from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The event includes more than 80 vendors, food trucks, face painting, live music and contest winner announcements. Several pet-related vendors will take part in the event and rescue groups with adoptable pets.
Mardi Growl Cajun Crawl
- Downtown Knoxville restaurants, bars and businesses are offering specials and events in the week leading up to Mardi Growl.
- The specials and events began on Feb. 28 and will continue through Saturday. Previous participants have included King Cake doughnuts from the Back Dough at Lonesome Dove, Mast General Store, and New Orleans cocktails from Oliver Royale and others.
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
Mardi Growl 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: Mardi Growl Knoxville
A snapshot of the Mardi Growl Parade!
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