The Rossini Festival is recognized as one of East Tennessee’s most popular events, the largest of its kind in the local area, and the only such free-admission community event presented by an opera company in the U.S. Designated a “legacy event” by former Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, this unique gathering transforms parts of downtown Gay St., Market St., Market Square, and the adjoining streets into a European-style pedestrian street mall.
Over the course of 11 hours, the public is treated to non-stop entertainment on four outdoor stages showcasing opera, classical, jazz, gospel, and ethnic music; ballet, modern, and ethnic dance. Attendees can purchase from scores of food vendors and more than 75 artisans throughout the day, while The Y FunZone keeps children entertained. More than half a million residents of Knox County and the surrounding area have enjoyed the Rossini Festival over the years. With free admission for all, the Street Fair is largely dependent upon sponsor support for its funding and success.
Portions of Gay Street and additional downtown streets will be temporarily closed to on-street parking and vehicular traffic this weekend for Rossini Festival, Knoxville Opera’s annual International Street Fair, being held Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Rossini Festival will take place on Market Square, Market Street, Church, Clinch and Union avenues and part of Gay Street. (Note: On-street parking on the 400 block of Gay Street will be closed 7-9 a.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. – noon Sunday in order for City crews to refresh parking markings between Summit Hill and E. Hill Avenue.)
Roads will close for festival set up starting at 12:01 a.m. April 22 and reopen no later than 4 a.m. Sunday, April 23. The following sections of roads will be closed to traffic and on-street parking during this timeframe:
- Gay Street between Summit Hill and Cumberland Avenue
- Clinch Avenue between Walnut and State streets
- Church Avenue between Walnut and State streets
- Union Avenue between Walnut and Gay streets
- Market Street between Cumberland and Union avenues
Downtown hotel guests driving to their accommodations will be able to access those entrances using Gay Street between Clinch and Summit Hill or Clinch Avenue between Gay and State streets.
For additional information about Rossini Festival, visit https://www.knoxvilleopera.com/rossini.
