Visit Knoxville is pleased to announce the return of a favorite event Tour de Lights in partnership with Bike Walk Knoxville, taking place December 12, 2026. This free family-friendly holiday bike ride will be in a new location and offer a new route for 2026 at Covenant Health Park. The celebration is from 3:30–7:30PM, and attendees can enjoy festive activities before the approximately five-mile group bike ride beginning at 6PM.
Participants are encouraged to dress for the season, decorate their bikes, or cheer on Tour de Lights riders as they roll through Knoxville’s Old City, historic Fourth and Gill neighborhood, and Downtown. Rider registration is encouraged and entrants have a chance to win one year of free bike service from Two Bikes. Participants in the Costume Contest must be registered to ride.
Individuals and Groups can get details and register for both the ride and contest using the same form here: https://www.visitknoxville.com/tour-de-lights/
Enjoy holiday music, firepits, marshmallow roasting, children’s activities, and a mailbox for letters to Santa. Hot chocolate, beer, and spirits will be available for purchase, and local eateries at Covenant Health Park will be open. The Maker Market will not be returning in 2026. In its place, participants are encouraged to visit the holiday edition of the Old City Market on Sunday, December 13, also taking place at Covenant Health Park.
Schedule of Events
- 3:30PM Festivities begin and Bike Valet opens
- 5PM Costume Contest judging*
- 5:30PM Riders begin lining up on Stadium Way
- 6PM Tour de Lights ride begins
- 6–7PM Live classic holiday music from Knoxville Community Band
- 7:15PM Costume Contest awards and Ride Prize Drawing**
- 7:30PM Tour de Lights ends, Smokies Winter Wonderland Light Show opens***
- 9:30PM Bike Valet closes
*Costume Contest – Register online by 3:15PM on Saturday, December 12. Onsite Costume Contest registration will not be available. Registered contestants should arrive in costume and check in behind the stage by 4:45PM. Judging begins at 5PM, and winners will be announced at 7:15PM. Contestants must be present to win. There are three 2026 Costume Contest categories:
- Most Creative Bike – Show off your decorated ride
- Best Themed Group (2–6 participants) – Coordinate your holiday look
- Most Festive Helmet – Top off your look with holiday cheer
** Prize Drawing – Each individual or group registration also provides one entry into the Ride Prize Drawing for a chance to win one year of bike service from Two Bikes, up to $1,000 in labor. Duplicate entries will not be accepted. The winner must be present for the drawing at 7:15PM.
***Smokies Winter Wonderland Light Show – Participants are welcome to keep the fun going after Tour de Lights with the Smokies Winter Wonderland Light Show at Covenant Health Park, scheduled to open at 7:30PM. This will be Tour de Lights night for the light show, and free admission is provided to Tour de Lights participants for this night only. The Tour de Lights Bike Valet service ends at 9:30PM, and all bikes must be picked up by that time.
“Tour de Lights has become such a treasured holiday tradition in Knoxville, bringing people together in a fun and unique way,” said Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville. “We’re especially excited to bring this year’s event to Covenant Health Park, creating a new experience for participants while continuing to celebrate the community spirit that makes it so special.”
“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Visit Knoxville to bring Tour de Lights to life in a new way this year,” said Lindsey Kimble, Executive Director of Bike Walk Knoxville. “With a new starting location and route, we’re looking forward to creating a fun, festive, and safe experience for cyclists of all ages and abilities.”
Safety Information
It is the goal of Visit Knoxville and Bike Walk Knoxville for everyone to be safe and have fun while participating in the Tour de Lights bike ride. There are some challenges that go along with riding with over a thousand other bicyclists. Please check out safety tips here.
Road Closures and Parking Information
Tour de Lights takes place at Covenant Health Park, 500 E. Jackson Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915. Public parking is available in downtown garages, lots, and on streets. Check the Covenant Health Park parking guide before you travel. Full closure of Stadium Way from 9AM–8PM and Willow Avenue from 4:30PM– 8:00PM. Please see complete route for rolling closures during the ride beginning at 6:00PM until approximately 7:15PM.
More information can be found here: https://www.visitknoxville.com/tour-de-lights/
Additional FAQs can be found here: https://www.bwknox.org/tdlfaq
For questions regarding opportunities at Tour de Lights, please contact[email protected].
Media: click here for route map.
ABOUT VISIT KNOXVILLE
Visit Knoxville (Knoxville Convention and Visitors Bureau) is the official CVB for the City of Knoxville and Knox County. Visit Knoxville is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, private company that works together with the community, business leaders, and local and state government to further develop Knoxville as a premier leisure, meetings, and travel destination. Tourism is the second highest grossing industry in the state of Tennessee. Knoxville/Knox County annually produces over $2 billion in travel spending. Visit Knoxville is also home to the VK Sports Commission, the VK Film Office, the Sunsphere Welcome Center & Observation Deck, and the Visitors Center at 301 S. Gay Street. For more information, go tovisitknoxville.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram.
ABOUT BIKE WALK KNOXVILLE
Bike Walk Knoxville works to make the Knoxville region a better place to bike and walk for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving as the active transportation subject matter expert to the Knoxville region. Our signature annual events include Tour de Lights and Open Streets Knoxville. To learn more, visit bwknox.organd follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
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