Oct. 01, 2026
Downtown Knoxville is getting spooky as the annual Wicked Cool event returns Oct. 1-31 with festive activities and Halloween-themed experiences for the whole family. This year, Wicked Cool kicks off one week early and will offer delightful and frightful fun throughout the entire month of October.
Festive activities and opportunities include a scavenger hunt, spooky specials at local businesses and a costume contest with prizes. Market Square, Gay Street, the Old City and surrounding areas will be decked out with 3D installations, eerie lighting, scary spiders and haunting ghosts. From cocktails and seasonal specials to family-friendly activities and photo opportunities, there’s something wickedly fun for everyone.
“We’re in our fifth year of Wicked Cool and we’re always excited for favorite holiday celebrations across downtown,” said Michele Hummel, executive director of Downtown Knoxville Alliance. “Partnering with local business and organizations brings this event to life each year. Come experience all the delightful ways to celebrate Halloween in downtown!”
Visit downtownknoxville.org/wicked for a full list of activities, including:
- Trick-or-treating on Market Square: Trick-or-treating is back this Halloween following a successful first year in 2025. Merchants on Market Square and along Union Avenue between Gay and Walnut streets will hand out candy and non-candy treats from 5-8 p.m. on Oct. 31 to all the goblins and ghouls. The first 500 participants can pick up a free treat bag, in front of the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, located between Not Watson’s and Kabuki. Get details at downtownknoxville.org/wicked/trick-or-treat/.
- Thrilling and chilling events: If you’re seeking extra-spooky fun, downtown has ghost tours, Halloween-themed escape rooms, horror movie series and more.
- Wicked Cool Cats scavenger hunt: Search for nine mysterious black cats hiding in business windows. Scan the QR code on the cats to register to win gift cards from some of downtown Knoxville’s most wicked businesses. The more cats you scan, the greater the chance of winning. Download a clue sheet at downtownknoxville.org/wicked/coolcats.
- Spellbinding sips, snacks and shopping: Enjoy themed treats, spooky drinks and “boo-tiques” inside shops, bars and restaurants to find a haunted hoard of Halloween delights.
- Wicked walks and photo ops: Market Square will transform with glowing ghosts and enchanting lights. Watch out for the giant spider in Krutch Park and other photo ops and playful frights. Take a stroll through the city and uncover hidden Halloween surprises scattered throughout the district. Download a printable map with all the photo op locations and upload pictures at downtownknoxville.org/wicked/wicked-walks or post to social media with the hashtag #KnoxHalloween.
- Costume photo contest: Think your costume is frightfully fabulous? Show it off during Wicked Cool. Snap a photo of your spooky style (pets included) with downtown in the background, share it on social with the hashtag #KnoxHalloween or upload at downtownknoxville.org/wicked/costume-contest/ by midnight Oct. 31. More than $500 in gift cards will be awarded. Winners will be announced on Downtown Knoxville Alliance’s Facebook, Instagram and X accounts by Friday, Nov. 6.
Wicked Cool is presented by the Downtown Knoxville Alliance with support from Dogwood Arts, City of Knoxville, Graphic Creations, Christmas Decor Plus More and the many downtown businesses and property owners who help make the celebration a success.
To learn more about all the events and specials visit downtownknoxville.org/wicked.
About the Downtown Knoxville Alliance
Ensuring a vibrant, flourishing downtown is the primary mission of the Downtown Knoxville Alliance (DKA). Formed in 1993 as a Central Business Improvement District (CBID), the district encompasses a 0.67-square-mile area and is supported by a special assessment to property owners that is used to make improvements, enhance services and promote downtown. The DKA continually focuses on attracting and retaining a thriving community of residents, businesses and visitors in Downtown Knoxville. For more information, visit downtownknoxville.org.
Bailey Ly
