No tricks, our monthly Plan Ahead is here to treat you to Knoxville events in October. So, take out your calendar or text all your friends — these are our event recommendations heading into the month.
(Don’t see anything you like? Check out our full events calendar.) Brew at the Zoo | Friday, Oct. 3 | 6-9:30 p.m. | Knoxville Zoo | $30+ | Sample drinks from 40+ craft breweries, grab food from trucks, and listen to live music.
Knox Pride Fest 2025 | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 12-6 p.m. | Worlds Fair Park | Free | Come together and celebrate love at this festival with performers, vendors, food, and community resources.
UT vs. Arkansas Razorbacks Football | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 4:15 p.m. | Neyland Stadium | $229+ | This is your one chance to catch the Vols at home in October.
Lainey Wilson: “Whirlwind World Tour” | Friday, October 24 | 7 p.m. | Food City Center | $44+ | The “Heart Like a Truck” country star performs with ERNEST + Drake Milligan.
“Carmen” | Friday, Oct. 24 + Sunday, Oct. 26 | Times vary | Tennessee Theatre | $30+ | Georges Bizet’s opera tells a fiery love story — sung in French with English translations projected.
16 local drinking holes are battling it out for the title of “Best Vols bar.” Hurry up and vote — the first round ends at 11:45 p.m. tonight. (Knox News)
Community
The Morgan Wallen Foundation has gifted another $50,000 to Gibbs Ruritan Park in Corryton — following $140,000 in funding it received last year. The foundation’s support has been used to improve the park’s youth sports complex + programs, and recently, it helped to host a baseball camp for 300 kids with UT coach Tony Vitello. (WBIR)
Open
Christmas has arrived early — at least, you’ll find it at the Knox Area Rescue Ministries’ two Christmas stores. The pop-up shops are dedicated to selling thrifted Christmas goods and decorations at affordable prices. You can find the holiday locations on Clinton Highway + North Peters Road.
Environment
Composting is about to get a little easier. The Knoxville Compost Project announced it will soon offer three new composting sites. The exact locations haven’t officially been revealed, but you might be able to figure them out using the organization’s clues.
Edu
The Knox County Schools Board of Education is discussing changes to its Gifted and Talented program due to funding restrictions. The program offered special lessons to students, but may be restructured as “Advanced Learners” and use an individualized education plan model. The board will vote on policy revisions tomorrow. (WBIR)
Outdoors
In 2005, Ijams Nature Center welcomed Trinity — a box turtle who lost a front leg in a lawn mower accident. Two decades later, WBIR reporter Justin Wallace looks at Trinity’s journey and how it highlights the nonprofit’s care for animals. (WBIR)
History
Ever find yourself wondering “where are they now?” 6 News kicked off a new series of updates on your favorite Vols for Life — including Larry Seviers + Troy Majors Fleming.
Ranked
People are packing up and moving to Maryville. The local city ranked as the No. 3 most popular US suburb based on a moveBuddah study. Maryville has a 2.58 in-to-out ratio, meaning an average of 2.58 people moved into the city for every person who left.
Sports
The Vols are off to a strong start this season, but is the team’s defense better than they’re getting credit for? Go beyond the stats with the local experts on the Tennessee Volunteers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Finance
Tackling debt is crucial for many Americans in 2025. This trending card — “worth its weight in gold,” according to experts — offers 0% intro APR on balance transfers into 2027. (Read: Nearly two years of interest-free payments.)Learn more + apply.*
Games
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.
Today’s newsletter was made possible by Michael Beausoleil and the 865today team.
Beep, beep, beep. That’s the sound of our digital forklift delivering some changes for 865today. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be putting on a fresh coat of paint — and as with all projects, we anticipate a few bumps along the way. In the meantime, we appreciate your patience.
