Knoxville’s Punk Rock Flea Market Returns with Unique Vendors

Knoxville TN, September 27, 2025

News Summary

The Punk Rock Flea Market is set to return in September, featuring over 150 unique vendors and live music. This event, known for its creative atmosphere, aims to create an inclusive space for self-expression and community engagement.

Knoxville’s Punk Rock Flea Market Returns on September 27th with Live Music and Over 150 Unique Vendors

The Punk Rock Flea Market (PRFM) will take place on September 27th, 2025, at Mill & Mine, 227 W. Depot Ave, from noon to 9 p.m. This annual event, founded by Ashley Caruso in 2009, is often referred to as her “introvert convention.” The market will feature over 150 vendors and a full lineup of live music, emphasizing Knoxville’s creative community.

Admission for the event is $5 at the door, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. Alcohol will be available for attendees aged 21 and up. The marketplace aims to create a safe and inclusive space for self-expression, ensuring attendees can be themselves freely.

The PRFM has grown significantly over the years, attracting thousands of attendees each year and showcasing original art without discrimination. The event is coordinated by Ashley Caruso, who implements strict vendor rules, allowing only original makers and prohibiting resellers. Chris Rusk joined Caruso in 2016, further contributing to the market’s growth and diversity.

This year’s lineup includes a diverse array of vendors, such as B Bray, who has reinvented himself as HAUSKAT, merging whimsy with darker aesthetics. Fersner, an ink illustrator, specializes in horror and pop culture-inspired work that emphasizes new forms of art and community at PRFM. Adam Deal, known for his Southern-themed comic anthology, co-runs Part Flamingo Press with his partner Eleanor Scott. Seth Mahern, who creates whimsical cartoonish folk art, describes the market as a gathering of “Knoxville weirdos.” Richard Kehinde Olowoyo is making history as the first African American visual artist at PRFM, aiming to foster an inclusive environment for all communities.

Returning vendor That Scumbag Jim focuses on lowbrow illustrations and appreciates the supportive atmosphere of the market. The Punk Rock Flea Market has evolved from its small beginnings into a juried event, receiving hundreds of vendor applications each year. Many original vendors have even passed the tradition down to their children, marking a generational shift within the event.

The musical performances will commence at 12:15 p.m. and continue until 9:00 p.m., featuring local bands and musicians throughout the day. The PRFM is recognized as a key cultural event, uniting Knoxville’s non-mainstream creative community, and celebrates makers, misfits, and music while maintaining a spirit of inclusion and originality.

Event Details

• Date: September 27th, 2025
• Location: Mill & Mine, 227 W. Depot Ave, Knoxville
• Time: Noon to 9 p.m.
• Admission: $5 (free for children under 12)
• Alcohol: Available for those aged 21 and up
• Vendors: Over 150 unique vendors
• Live Music: Performances throughout the day, starting at 12:15 p.m.

Background Information

The Punk Rock Flea Market has established itself as an essential component of Knoxville’s artistic landscape, enabling local artists to connect with the community and display their diverse creations. Incorporating a wide range of talents, PRFM highlights the city’s creative spirit, aligning with its commitment to originality and inclusivity. Over the past years, it has also fostered an intergenerational connection by allowing original vendors to pass their artistic heritage onto the next generation.

Key Features of the Event

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Additional Resources

• Inside of Knoxville: Meet the Local Artists & Makers of Knoxville’s Punk Rock Flea Market
• WBIR: Punk Rock Flea Market to Return for 2024 Event
• Inside of Knoxville: It’s Time to Bring Passenger Rail Back to East Tennessee
• Knox News: Knoxville Dining Adds Mia Piccola, Dia de Taquitos, Yummy Bowl
• WBIR: Punk Rock Flea Market 2022 Coverage
• Wikipedia: Punk Rock
• Google Search: Punk Rock Flea Market Knoxville
• Google Scholar: Punk Rock Flea Market
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Punk
• Google News: Punk Rock Flea Market Knoxville

Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER

The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.