The 2023 Tour de Lights was a partnership between Bike Walk Knoxville and Visit Knoxville. This new partnership brought some exciting changes and kept the fun ride and costume contest participants have enjoyed in the past. The day began with rain, similar to the night of the Knoxville Christmas Parade, but just like then, the rain trickled into a drizzle. It didn’t seem like anyone was deterred from participating, though there were not as many onlookers as I had imagined there would be.
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This year was my first Tour de Lights, and I was enamored. It was fun, creative and cheery. We started at Mary Costa Plaza with the costume contest and a holiday market. Food trucks and drink vendors were on hand as well. There was marshmallow roasting (free) and plenty of great photo ops for the family.
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The ride began outside the plaza, looped around town, down Gay St. and ended back at the plaza. I’m just guessing here, but it seemed like 400-500 participants! They just kept coming! And then they turned around and came back up and down Gay St. I can’t blame them. It was picturesque.
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Everyone dressed festively or in costume and had decorated bikes, trailers, and one-wheels. I loved the variety and the creativity of the cyclists. There was even one little guy on a power-wheel tricycle complete with giant wrapping bows on his handlebars. The age range was 0 and up. I saw every generation represented and got lots of smiles and waves.
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My husband is excited to join the ride next year himself. I doubt you’ll see me out there unless he pulls me behind in a trailer, but you never know!
