Ice skating, zoo lights, New Year's Sunsphere: 7 holiday traditions for Knoxville newbies

Knoxville gets festive for the holidays. If you're new to the area, you'll find lots to do.

Whether you've just moved here or you're visiting, there are some essential events to check out each year.

Knox News has compiled seven key holiday events to do, especially if you're new!

Market Square ice skating

Operating throughout December, an ice skating rink is set up in Market Square right in the heart of downtown Knoxville.

A skating session costs $12 for adults and $9 for kids 12 and younger, which covers entry, skates and unlimited skating. It's a great way to get active and have some winter fun, as well as getting new folks familiar with downtown.

See a winter play

If you're new to Knoxville, another great way to get to know the city is through the theater scene, and the holidays are an excellent time to do so.

A must-see is the Clarence Brown Theatre's annual performance of "A Christmas Carol." For $40, it's a great way to experience a holiday classic.

The Tennessee Theatre has a lineup of holiday shows every year, including performances of "The Nutcracker" and classic holiday movies. For new visitors, it lets you see one of Knoxville's famous landmarks as well.

Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood

When you're willing to make the drive to Sevierville, Dollywood by itself is always worth visiting if you're new, but even more so during the holidays.

The amusement park hosts Smoky Mountain Christmas every year. It features millions of lights, seasonal shows and the guided light tour Glacier Ridge.

If Dollywood isn't what you're looking for, Gatlinburg offers alternatives, like Ober Gatlinburg and Winterfest Lights.

City events in Knoxville

There are holiday events designed to guide you through Knoxville, and it's a perfect way to familiarize yourself with the city.

One such annual offering is the Peppermint Trail, which has more than 90 business participating. Each business offers something special for the trail, like specialty cocktails or peppermint-themed merchandise.

Another is the Elf on the Shelf. This scavenger hunt tasks you with finding the hidden elf within several Knoxville businesses.

Finally, there are holiday markets held several times in December, including the Winter Farmers' Market and the Old City Market.

New Year's Eve at the Sunsphere

The Sunsphere is an iconic landmark of Knoxville ready to welcome new visitors. If you haven't been able to see it up close and personal, the end of the year is a great opportunity to do so.

Held at World's Fair Park, New Year's Eve at the Sunsphere starts around 8 p.m. Dec. 31. There will be food trucks, a silent disco and live music performed before the ball drops from the Sunsphere at midnight (no, the Sunsphere doesn't drop).

See the holiday lights

There are several holiday light events close to Knoxville for new folks to attend. These are a great way to explore other parts of the area.

Zoo Knoxville hosts Zoo Lights every winter, with animal-themed lights and an appearance by Santa Claus along with the Flying Sleigh Zipline and a lantern scavenger hunt.

Over in Farragut, the Light the Park event at Founder's Park features elaborate lights, caroling and a mailbox for letters to Santa.

There are also several neighborhoods that host lighting events as well, such as Listen to the Lights and the Johnson Christmas Lights Display!

More lighting events:These amazing Christmas light shows in the Smokies and Knoxville are worth checking out!

Go for an outdoor adventure

Finally, if you're new to the area of Knoxville, getting outdoors is a must. You might have to brave the cold, especially on the off chance it does snow, but it's worth it to get out there.

The Ijams Nature Center in South Knoxville has several trails to hike along, offering a chance to see Knoxville's great outdoors.

For something a little more difficult, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has tons of hikes to venture on. Be safe and plan accordingly!

If you're looking for something nearby, check the greenways for a quick walk. Or get familiar with the neighborhood you're in!

Keenan Thomas reports for the Knox News business growth and development coverage team. You can reach him by email at keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com. Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks at knoxnew.com/subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: 7 holiday activities around Knoxville for new neighbors and visitors