Don’t miss the Knoxville Smokies before the season ends. | Photo via Knoxville Smokies.
Take out your calendar, grab your planner, or text all your friends — you just found 865today’s Plan Ahead. This list features some of the biggest events taking place throughout Knoxville this September.
Tennessee Valley Fair | Friday, Sept. 5-Sunday, Sept. 14 | Times vary | Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center | $9+ | Rides, music, food, fun, and competitions all take place at this event with a “Goat Big or Go Home” theme.
UT Football Home Opener | Saturday, Sept. 6 | 3:30 p.m. | Neyland Stadium | $88+ | Kick off the football season with this home opener against the East Tennessee State University Bucs.
Knoxville Oktoberfest Opening Ceremony | Saturday, Sept. 20 | 5 a.m.-11 p.m. | Schulz Bräu Brewing Company | $67 | Tap the keg and raise a glass to the annual beer celebration that lasts through Sunday, Oct. 12.
A. 🏡 More homes being built or sold B. 💼 New jobs or companies moving in C. 🚙 Increased traffic or commute times D. 🛍️ More restaurants, stores, or services E. 💸 Rising rents or home prices F. Other
One Knoxville SC vs. FC Naples | 7 p.m. | Covenant Health Park | $21+ | Kick it with the local soccer team as they take on their opponents from Florida.
Stammtisch | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Schulz Bräu Brewing Company | Free | Practice your German —whether you’re a beginner or proficient — with this German conversation group.
Thursday, August 28
Tour Covenant Health Park | 1-4 p.m. | Covenant Health Park | Free | Explore the new ballpark and learn about its technology at this tour powered by Motorola.
Hot Summer Nights Concert Series | 6-7 p.m. | Blount County Public Library | Free | Cool off with live music — this week’s show features contemporary country rock by the Jeff Jopling Band.
The Kings of Queen | 8 p.m. | The Open Chord | $25+ | This killer Queen tribute band will rock you.
Friday, August 29
UT vs. USF Bulls Volleyball | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Food City Center | $11+ | Watch the Lady Vols spike the team from South Florida.
Saturday, August 30
Orange + White Dance Party | 10 p.m. | Marble City Pub | Free | Grab your best Vols gear and dance the night away at this game day party.
Results are being tallied from yesterday’s Primary Election, which helped determine two candidates from each district to fill open City Council seats. These candidates will appear on the General Election ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Follow the results on the Knox County Election Commission website.
Number
7,100+. That’s how many first year students attended class at UT last week as the fall 2025 semester began. Looking at the class of 2029, 60% are from Tennessee, representing all 95 counties in the state.
Plan Ahead
The next edition of Book Lovers Night is coming to Lakeshore Park. The event will feature reading, crafting, shopping from local vendors, and a chance to donate books. If you want to join the fun, book it to Marble Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Ranked
If you’re not a fan of Knoxville traffic, ConsumerAffairs seems to agree. Knoxville ranked No. 2 on its list of US cities with the worst drivers, a study that assessed the number of traffic-related fatalities. However, the publication praised Knoxville’s Vision Zero plan to improve road safety.
Business
Launch Tennessee announced its lineup for the 3686 conference, the state’s largest entrepreneur gathering, happening in Nashville from Monday, Sept. 8 to Wednesday, Sept. 10. Panels will include local representatives, like UT President Randy Boyd + Knoxville Entrepreneur Center WORDS Accelerator Director Chris McAdoo.
Eat
Looking for a healthy, flavorful meal this week? Follow WBIR journalist Brittany Bailey in the kitchen as she gives step-by-step instructions to make a chicken Mediterranean bowl. (WBIR)
Sports
How will the Vols’ defense tackle Syracuse’s offense? Hear from the local experts on the Tennessee Volunteers ahead of Saturday’s season opener with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Post of the Day
Help Knoxville the Police Department with this name game. | Photo via @knoxville_pd
The Knoxville Police Department is looking for neigh-mes. KPD’s Mounted Patrol Unit welcomed three new horses as a part of an effort to increase their presence downtown, in Old City, and at special events.
The trio is currently unnamed, so KPD is asking locals for help. The department is accepting name suggestions through Friday, Sept. 5.
If your name is selected, you could win a prize package, but the mane reward is knowing you help shaped local history.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
It may not feel like it, but pumpkin spice season is here — at least, according to Starbucks. If you’d rather get your pumpkin spice latte with a shot of local flavor, we recommend a coffee shop like Sunago Coffee Co.
