Wynonna Judd, Matt Rife and Pentatonix are playing Knoxville this winter. Here's who else!
This winter season might not bring a lot of snow to Knoxville, but it will bring many musicians, comedians and stage shows.
Wynonna Judd, Ricky Skaggs, Lauren Daigle, the Gatlin Brothers and Judy Collins all are scheduled to perform at various venues in the city. Popular comedians Matt Rife, Ron White and Karen Mills will have audiences laughing. Even WWE stars and the Harlem Globetrotters are making stops in Knoxville.
And there will be plenty of holiday cheer onstage with performances of “The Nutcracker” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas Live.”
Check out all the musicians, comedians and shows you can enjoy in Knoxville this winter.
Nate Bargatze
Dec. 1 and 3 – Knoxville Civic Auditorium
Nate Bargatze was named “the nicest man in stand-up” by the Atlantic Magazine. A Nashville native, the comedian is known for his clean, relatable comedy for all ages. In October he hosted "Saturday Night Live," and he has made multiple appearances on “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon. And you can catch his comedy specials, including “The Tennessee Kid,” on Netflix.
Tickets: $48-$104
Showtimes: 7 p.m. Dec. 1 and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 3
Wynonna Judd
Dec. 1 – Tennessee Theatre
One of country music's biggest voices is going back to the beginning. Wynonna Judd’s “Back to Wy” tour takes fans through her first two solo albums, track-by-track.
The finale features some of her other hits as well as classic songs she sang with her mother, the late Naomi Judd, as the duo The Judds.
Tickets:$49.50-$299.50+
Showtime: 8 p.m.
Watchhouse
Dec. 1-2 – Bijou Theatre
Watchhouse "redefines roots music for a younger generation," according to The Washington Post. Duo Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz have spent 2023 performing two-part elemental arrangements of their 2021 self-titled release, “Watchhouse.” Marlin and Frantz had been known as the band Mandolin Orange for a decade before changing their name two years ago and giving fans new music.
Allison de Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves are the opening act for the Dec. 1 show. Alexa Rose will open the Dec. 2 show.
Tickets: $30-$50
Showtime: 8 p.m.
Appalachian Ballet Company
Dec. 2-3 – Knoxville Civic Auditorium
The Appalachian Ballet Company presents “The Nutcracker,” accompanied by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.
Tickets: $33-$57
Showtimes: 7 p.m. Dec. 2 and 3 p.m. Dec. 3
'Jagged Little Pill'
Dec. 5-10 – Tennessee Theatre
“Some shows you see. This show, you feel,” the Tennessee Theatre promo states. “Jagged Little Pill” is a Broadway musical based on the music of Alanis Morissette. The show about an American family dealing with pain, healing and empowerment debuted on Broadway in 2018 and received 15 Tony award nominations, winning two.
Tickets: $56-$112
Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5-7; 8 p.m. Dec. 8-9; 2 p.m. Dec. 9; 1:30 p.m. Dec. 10; 7 p.m. Dec. 10
'Dirty Dancing' in Concert
Dec. 6 – Knoxville Civic Auditorium
Experience the '80s movie classic in a new way. “Dirty Dancing” comes to life onstage with singers, dancers and a live band.
Tickets: $48-$122
Showtime: 7:30 p.m.
The Gatlin Brothers
Dec. 6 – Bijou Theatre
Spend a country Christmas with the Gatlin Brothers, the Grammy winning musicians who have dazzled audiences for over 65 years. They are best known for hits “All the Gold in California,” “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer to You)” and “I Don’t Wanna Cry.” The trio has accumulated seven No. 1 Singles, 32 Top 40 hits and released 24 studio albums.
Tickets: $45-$75
Showtime: 7:30 p.m.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Dec. 7 – Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
The rock band returns to bring “Ghosts of Christmas Eve” to Knoxville. The concert features classic holiday songs performed by the band from its holiday albums and the 1999 television movie by the same name.
Tickets: $65+
Showtime: 7 p.m.
Lauren Daigle
Dec. 8 – Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
The contemporary Christian singer-songwriter is on her Kaleidoscope tour. She’s known for pop crossover hits “You Say” and “Hold on to Me.” The two-time Grammy winner’s long-awaited self-titled album “Lauren Daigle” was released in 2023 and has spawned three singles, including the latest, “Turbulent Skies.”
Tickets: $41.50+
Showtime: 7:30 p.m.
Dave Barnes
Dec. 9 – Bijou Theatre
The Nashville-based artist and Farragut High School graduate is again bringing his Christmas show to the Bijou, featuring classic holiday songs and his unique brand of humor. The Grammy and Country Music Award nominee has released 12 albums but also has written popular songs for such artists as Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, Maren Morris and many more.
Tickets: $40-$50
Showtime: 8 p.m.
Rumours: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
Dec. 9 – Mill and Mine
Formed in 2014, this Atlanta-based tribute band has developed a reputation across the country and abroad for giving fans an authentic Fleetwood Mac experience. Must be 18 or older to attend.
Tickets: $27.75
Showtime: 8 p.m.
Karen Mills
Dec. 10 – Bijou Theatre
Karen Mills tells it like it is. The comedian’s straightforward approach to reflecting reality is filled with smart, funny and keen observations. Mills has done standup for nearly 30 years. Clips of her routines have garnered 30 million views and she recently filmed the comedy special “Nateland Presents: The Showcase.”
Tickets: $29.75
Showtime: 3 p.m.
Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert
Dec. 15-17 – Knoxville Civic Auditorium
Knoxville Symphony Orchestra’s annual concert has a traditional twist this year. Entitled “An Olde English Christmas,” the concert combines traditional Christmas and classic holiday favorites including “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “In the Bleak Midwinter,” “Good King Wenceslas” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
KSO will be joined by GO! Contemporary Dance Works, the Knoxville Choral Society and the newly established Knoxville Symphony Youth Choir for the four performances.
Tickets: $27
Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15-16 and 3 p.m. Dec. 16-17
Pentatonix
Dec. 16 – Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
Pentatonix is spreading holiday cheer. The popular a cappella group recently released “The Greatest Christmas Hits” album featuring classic and original holiday songs. Since debuting in 2011, the quintet has broken many barriers for a cappella groups, selling 10 million albums worldwide, hitting No. 1 on music charts and generating billions of streams.
Tickets: $48+
Showtime: 7 p.m.
Ricky Skaggs
Dec. 16 – Tennessee Theatre
The beloved bluegrass musician Ricky Skaggs is ringing in Christmas with Kentucky Thunder and other special guests. Skaggs was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2016 and is known for hits such as “Honey (Open That Door),” “Highway 40 Blues” and “Country Boy.”
Tickets: $39.50-$84.50
Showtime: 7:30 p.m.
Knoxville Jazz Orchestra – Swingin’ Christmas
Dec. 19 – Tennessee Theatre
Enjoy the hippest holiday concert of the season. Featuring special guests guitarist Pasquale Grasso, and vocalists Kelle Jolly and Evelyn Jack, the KSO jazz orchestra performs holiday favorites in the style of Ellington, Basie and many other jazz greats.
Tickets: $21-$60
Showtime: 8 p.m.
'Nutcracker! Magic of Christmas Ballet'
Dec. 21 – Tennessee Theatre
A Christmas tradition, the Nutcracker ballet will grace the theater stage with exquisite choreography, dazzling costumes, acrobatics and large puppets. The family-friendly show is performed by an international cast from over 11 ballet companies around the world, including Ukraine, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan and Turkey.
Tickets: $33-$178
Showtime: 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
'A Charlie Brown Christmas Live'
Dec. 23 – Knoxville Civic Auditorium
Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the entire Peanuts gang as they learn the true meaning of Christmas! The live show filled with singing and dancing is adapted from the Charles M. Schulz classic story and features music by Vince Guaraldi. It’s holiday fun everyone can enjoy.
Tickets: $33+
Showtime: 6 p.m.
The Ultimate AC/DC Experience
Jan. 13 – Bijou Theatre
Founded by singer David Jaynes, Back In Black has performed AC/DC’s greatest hits around the globe for over 15 years. It's a show full of wild antics, costumes, and even cannon explosions. Fans will get an authentic AC/DC concert experience with songs like “Highway to Hell,” "Hells Bells,” "Back in Black” and many more.
Tickets: $25-$30
Showtime: 8 p.m.
'Star Wars' with Knoxville Symphony Orchestra
Jan. 13 – Knoxville Civic Auditorium
Journey to a galaxy far, far away like never before. Experience “Star Wars” like never before. George Lucas’ epic action-packed 1977 film will be projected on the big screen as KSO performs John Williams’ Oscar-winning score live.
Tickets: $49+
Showtime: 8 p.m.
Harlem Globetrotters
Jan. 18 – Thompson-Boling Arena
It’s not just basketball; it’s the Harlem Globetrotters! The world-famous basketball team returns with jaw-dropping trick shots and high-flying slam dunks. The show is packed with favorite Globetrotter stars including Guinness world record holder Hammer Harrison and TNT Lister, the first woman to join the team in 18 years when she became a Globetrotter in 2011.
Tickets: $41-$103+
Showtime: 7 p.m.
Ron White
Jan. 27 – Tennessee Theatre
What’s better than having a member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour performing a show in Knoxville? Having Ron “Tater Salad” White perform two shows in Knoxville! The comedian had planned to retire in 2022, but he’s back on the road sharing his comedic daily observations and stories about growing up in a small town in Texas.
Tickets: $59.50-$99.50
Showtime: 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Judy Collins
Jan. 28 – Bijou Theatre
Folk music, country, show tunes, pop, rock and roll and standards: Judy Collins does it all. The award-winning singer-songwriter has a career spanning six decades, and released her 29th studio album, “Spellbound,” in 2022. Collins is best known for songs, "Both Sides Now," "Someday Soon," "Chelsea Morning" and a rendition of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns."
Tickets: $50-$75
Showtime: 7:30 p.m.
Four Shillings Short
Feb. 2 – Boyd’s Jig and Reel
Married duo Aodh Og O’Tuama and Christy Martin perform original and traditional music from the Celtic lands, Medieval & Renaissance Europe, India and the Americas. And they do it with over 30 instruments including hammered and mountain dulcimer, mandolin, bouzouki, recorders, tinwhistles, Medieval and Renaissance woodwinds.
Four Shillings Short also will perform a 30-minute set noon Feb. 1 during the Blue Plate Special broadcast at Visit Knoxville/WDVX radio.
Tickets: No cover
Showtime: 9 p.m.
WWE Road to WrestleMania
Feb. 3 – Knoxville Civic Auditorium
WWE returns to Knoxville, along with some of your favorite superstars. WWE world heavyweight champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins, women’s world champion Rhea Ripley, “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, LA Knight, Bobby Lashley and many more will be on the Road to WrestleMania.
Tickets: $27-$142+
Showtime: 7:30 p.m.
Disturbed
Feb. 8 – Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
Heavy rock band Disturbed’s “Take Back Your Life” tour supports the band’s eighth album, “Divisive.” The album was produced in Nashville and has spawned three hit rock radio singles. 2023 was the band’s most successful touring year since forming in Chicago back in 1994.
Tickets: $37+
Showtime: 6:30 p.m.
Umphrey’s McGee
Feb. 8 – Mill and Mine
The progressive rock band experiments with many musical styles including, metal, funk, jazz, blues, reggae, electronic, bluegrass, country and folk. Umphrey’s McGee was formed in 1997 by University of Notre Dame students and became a headlining act in 2002. Their recent album, “Asking for a Friend,” was released in 2022.
Tickets: $45.26
Showtime: 8 p.m.
Flatland Calvary
Feb. 9 – Tennessee Theatre
Flatland Cavalry, a Nashville-based country and Americana band, is having a breakthrough year. They played the Grand Ole Opry for the first time, released a song on the new "Hunger Games" prequel soundtrack, released a new album, “Wandering Star,” and have performed with musicians such as Willie Nelson, Luke Combs and Lainey Wilson.
Tickets: $34.40-$49.50
Showtime: 8 p.m.
Dailey & Vincent
Feb. 10 – Bijou Theatre
Dailey & Vincent, a bluegrass band anchored by Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent, offers a unique and modernized spin on American music. USA TODAY referred to the band’s music “the best of country, bluegrass and gospel this side of heaven.” Their most recent live album, “Dailey & Vincent ALIVE,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Bluegrass charts and remained in the top position for over 15 weeks.
Tickets: $40-$60
Showtime: 8 p.m.
Veronica Swift
Feb. 13 – Bijou Theatre
Jazz singer Victory Swift joins the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra for a Valentine’s Day performance. Swift has become a star in the jazz world in recent years, releasing consecutive acclaimed hits and touring with Wynton Marsalis and Chris Botti.
Tickets: $19-$44
Showtime: 8 p.m.
Matt Rife
Feb. 15 – Knoxville Civic Auditorium
Matt Rife is problematic. The comedian continues his 100-plus-date “ProbleMATTic” tour, which kicked off in 2023. His first Netflix special “Natural Selection” is available now, after releasing three popular self-produced specials on YouTube. Rife has 17 million TikTok followers and his comedic brand often sparks viral discussions. This is a 21+ event.
Tickets: Check knoxvillecoliseum.com for availability
Showtimes: 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Briston Maroney
Feb. 17 – Mill & Mine
Knoxville native Briston Maroney is making his mark on the indie music scene in Nashville. He released his second album, “Ultrapure,” in 2023 and has found success in newly formed festival, Paradise. The festival took over the Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville for three days and featured performances by Maroney, Samia, Hovvdy, Charlie Burg and others.
Tickets: $119.42
Showtime: 8 p.m.
Winter Jam 2024
Feb. 18 – Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
One of the biggest tours in Christian music returns to the Food City Center. Winter Jam 2024 features performances by award-winning artists Crowder, Lecrae, CAIN, Katy Nichole, Seventh Day Slumber and Newsong. A 4 p.m. preshow features SEU Worship, John Wesley and Lin D.
No tickets required. $15 admission at the door.
Showtime: 5 p.m.
Mania: The ABBA Tribute
Feb. 27 – Bijou Theatre
Mamma Mia! One of the world’s biggest ABBA tribute groups returns to Knoxville. Since 1999, Mania has kept dancing queens boogieing to the Swedish group’s timeless pop music. The two-hour show includes staging, lighting and effects, and features the hit songs “Dancing Queen,” “Waterloo,” “Mamma Mia,” “The Winner Takes it All” and “Take A Chance On Me.”
Tickets: $27.50-$64.50
Showtime: 7:30 p.m.
'Swan Lake'
Feb. 29 – Knoxville Civic Auditorium
The World Ballet Series presents classic ballet “Swan Lake,” which tells the story of a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer's curse. The one-night only production features hand-painted sets and more than 150 hand-sewn costumes, and is accompanied by a live orchestra.
Tickets: $69-$142
Showtime: 7 p.m.
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email [email protected]. X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville concerts, shows and things to do in winter 2024
