Oct. 20, 2026
Wicked Cool is in full swing, and as Halloween approaches, the Downtown Knoxville Alliance invites residents and visitors to enter the Wicked Cool costume photo contest before the celebration comes to an end Oct. 31.
Entrants can compete in eight categories: Best Couple, Cutest, Best Family, Best Group (Themed), Best Hollywood/Broadway, Best Kid(s), Best Pet and Scariest. To enter, capture a photo in your costume with Downtown Knoxville as the backdrop – suggested photo spots are marked throughout the city center.
Then, submit your entry at downtownknoxville.org/wicked/costume-contest or share it publicly on social media using #KnoxHalloween.
“We love seeing the energy and creativity Wicked Cool brings to our city center,” said Michele Hummel, executive director of the Downtown Knoxville Alliance. “We’re inviting everyone to get into the Halloween spirit, take a photo downtown and share. Whether your costume is silly, spooky or somewhere in between, we want to see it!”
Winners will be revealed on Downtown Knoxville Alliance’s social media accounts by Nov. 6.
The costume contest is part of the Wicked Cool Halloween celebration, which continues through Oct. 31 and includes:
- Trick-or-treating on Market Square: Businesses on Market Square and along Union Avenue between Gay and Walnut streets will hand out both candy and non-candy treats from 5-8 p.m. on Oct. 31.
- Wicked Cool Cats scavenger hunt: Search for nine mysterious black cats hiding in downtown business windows through Oct. 31. Scan the QR code on the cats to register to win gift cards from some of downtown Knoxville’s most wicked businesses.
- Spellbinding sips, snacks and shopping: Through Oct. 31, enjoy themed treats, spooky drinks and “boo-tiques” inside downtown shops, bars and restaurants to discover a haunted hoard of Halloween delights.
The Downtown Knoxville Alliance presents Wicked Cool with the help of Dogwood Arts, City of Knoxville, Graphic Creations, Christmas Decor Plus More and downtown businesses and property owners.
For more tricks and treats, 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
