News Summary
The Southern Skies Music & Whiskey Festival will be held in downtown Knoxville at World’s Fair Park, featuring live music performances from artists like Charley Crockett and The Dirty Guv’nahs. The event includes the Tennessee Whiskey Experience, where attendees can sample various local spirits. General admission tickets grant access to food vendors and activities, while VIP tickets have sold out. This festival, known for promoting community and culture, is anticipated to draw many local and out-of-town visitors.
Knoxville – The Southern Skies Music & Whiskey Festival is set to return to downtown Knoxville on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at World’s Fair Park. The event promises an exciting slate of musical performances and a showcase of Tennessee’s finest whiskey, celebrating the local culture and community spirit.
This year’s festival lineup features well-known artists including Charley Crockett, The Dirty Guv’nahs, Willow Avalon, Devon Gilfillian, Southern Avenue, and Cruz Contreras & The Black Lillies. Attendees can look forward to live performances on the Performance Lawn from 12:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m..
The festival will also host a Tennessee Whiskey Experience where participants can sample craft spirits from various distillers throughout the state. This special whiskey tasting will take place in a private tent on the north end of the Festival Lawn, offering seating, shade, and a dedicated bar. There are two tasting sessions scheduled: one beginning at 12:30 p.m. and the second at 4:30 p.m.. Each session lasts for three hours, and tickets are available for $55.
General admission tickets for the festival can be purchased for $70. This price includes access to World’s Fair Park, a selection of food vendors, craft beer, wine, free water stations, and the Maker Market. Children aged 10 and under can attend for free, although this does not apply to the VIP area or the Whiskey Experience sessions. Gates will open at 11:30 a.m..
For those attending from out of town or locals looking for parking options, downtown Knoxville offers numerous free parking spaces on weekdays after 6 p.m. and all day during weekends in municipal-owned garages. For those choosing to park at a meter, the rate is generally set at $1.50 per hour, with a maximum limit of two hours. Various free parking lots and garages are also available in proximity to World’s Fair Park.
VIP tickets for the festival are already sold out, reflecting the high demand for this popular event. Produced by Dogwood Arts, the Southern Skies Music & Whiskey Festival has a storied history spanning 68 years, focusing on the promotion of arts and community in East Tennessee.
The festival not only serves as a highlight for the city but also kicks off a series of events scheduled in the days leading up to it. These events include a “Night Before Party” at Covenant Health Park on May 9, 2025, featuring OneKnox SC and a performance by Cruz Contreras & The Black Lillies. Additional pre-festival activities consist of a Distiller Kickoff Reception at Maker Exchange and a lunchtime performance by Southern Avenue at Barley’s Taproom on the same day, May 9.
Overall, the Southern Skies Music & Whiskey Festival stands as a vibrant tribute to music, whiskey, and community, reinforcing Knoxville’s reputation as a hub of cultural celebration.
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Additional Resources
- Knox TN Today: Southern Skies Music & Whiskey Festival
- WBIR: Know Before You Go – Southern Skies Festival
- The Mountain Press: Southern Skies Music & Whiskey Festival Returns
- Wikipedia: Southern Skies Music and Whiskey Festival
- Google Search: Whiskey Festivals
