Southern Skies Music & Whiskey Festival

Southern Skies Music & Whiskey Festival, curated by hometown favorites The Dirty Guv’nahs, returns to World’s Fair Park in Knoxville, TN on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Southern Skies is an authentically East TN celebration of music & community — featuring a full day of live music, food trucks, libations, and 'add-on' festival experiences like the Tennessee Whiskey Experience & the One Knox SC Kick-Off Party & Performance!

2025 Music Lineup: Coming Soon

The Tennessee Whiskey Experience at Southern Skies is BACK for year 2! This add-on experience sold out in 2024 — don't miss your chance to sample spirits from the top distilleries across the state while at the festival. Distillers will serve a wide variety of whiskey and other unique, handcrafted spirits in this exclusive space. Learn more about the art of distilling, barrel aging, and the history and growth of each distillery. Taste something that you love? You can buy bottles on-site to take some Tennessee home with you. It’s a whiskey lover’s paradise in the middle of an epic day of music under Southern Skies!

Participating Distilleries: Coming Soon — see the distilleries that joined us in 2024 .

Southern Skies is produced by Dogwood Arts. For more information, visit www.southernskiesmusicfestival.com, and follow on Facebook, Twitter @southernskiesfest_, and Instagram @southernskiesfest.

Dogwood Arts, presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union, is a 501(c)3 organization with a mission to promote and celebrate our region’s art, culture, and natural beauty.

T icket Policy

What is the festival date and hours?

Saturday, May 10, 2025: 12PM-10PM (Music starts at 12:30PM)

• Box Office (on-site): 11AM
• TN Whiskey Experience: 2-6PM

Entertainment Schedule:

Coming Soon

Where is Southern Skies held?

Southern Skies is held on the Performance Lawn at World’s Fair Park (963 Worlds Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916). Find out more about World’s Fair Park HERE.

Can I purchase a VIP package?

Yes! The VIP Experience Includes:

• Priority entrance into the festival
• Access to main stage VIP viewing area located to the side and front of the Mockingbird Stage, featuring prime viewing and private bars
• Exclusive hang area [limited seating available]
• Air-conditioned restrooms
• Dedicated VIP bar + 2 free drink tokens
• Festival merch package

Each attendee will be required to exchange their ticket for a festival wristband upon arriving at the event. You can retrieve your wristband at the Box Office on the festival footprint. Please read through our ticket policy for more info.

What can I bring?

Make sure you are fully prepared for Southern Skies. Feel free to bring the following items with you:

• Sun block
• Lawn Chairs (please take chairs OUT of the chair bags before coming to the festival)
• Blankets, sheets, and towels
• Point-and-shoot cameras
• Small backpacks and purses and empty hydration bladder packs. Large backpacks, book bags, or any bag that is not clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC, and over 12”x6”x12” in size will not be allowed.
• Empty water bottle (free, filtered water provided to all patrons)
• REMEMBER: All travelers and their belongings are subject to search and prohibited items will be removed at the discretion of the front gate and security staff.

What should I leave at home?

We make every effort to provide an environment where all festival goers can fully enjoy their time at Southern Skies. With that in mind, kindly leave these items at home:

• Weapons
• Large backpacks, book bags, or any bag that is not clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC, and over 12”x6”x12” in size will not be allowed.
• Food and Drink
• Alcohol
• Illegal substances of any kind
• Umbrellas
• Coolers

• Lasers
• Glow sticks
• Stickers
• Silly String
• Confetti
• Glitter
• Spray Paint
• Glass Containers and Metal Aerosol Cans, including Sunscreen in Aerosol Cans
• Detachable lens cameras
• Recording devices of any kind including professional recording equipment, GoPros, audio recording equipment, and video recording equipment
• No unauthorized vendors will be permitted
• No solicitations, handbills, sampling, give-aways, etc.
• Remote-controlled vehicles or aircrafts, including drones

REMEMBER: All travelers and their belongings are subject to search and prohibited items will be removed at the discretion of the front gate staff. These items are subject to change at anytime and at the discretion of the front gate and security staff.

Are passes required for children?

Children age 10 and under will be admitted free of charge. All children 11 and over will require a festival pass. VIP passes will be required in the VIP area for patrons 2 and older. No one under 21 will be allowed into the TN Whiskey Experience - please plan accordingly if you plan on bringing children.

Is re-entry allowed if I leave?

Yes. Your festival wristband will allow you to leave and re-enter the festival at any point. However, you will have to go through security each time.

Is there parking?

Yes. Downtown Knoxville has 38 parking lots and garages – many with free weeknights and weekends. You can explore all of the options and find a spot closest to World’s Fair Park here: http://www.parkdowntownknoxville.com

Is there public transportation?

World's Fair Park Drive will remain open throughout the event for easy drop-offs and pick-ups right at the Festival Gate. There is also a FREE trolley from Downtown Garages with a stop on Clinch Avenue right around the corner from the Festival Gate - make sure you hop on the ORANGE LINE. For more info about the trolley CLICK HERE.

With 37 parking lots and garages – many with free weeknights and weekends – Downtown Knoxville has plenty of options close to World's Fair Park for you to park. World's Fair Park Drive will also remain open throughout the festival for drop-offs/pick-ups close to the entry gate.

Where can I stay?

The Official Hotel of Dogwood Arts is the Crowne Plaza. For a complete list of area lodging and info, please visit www.visitknoxville.com

How can I volunteer?

Coming soon

Can my band play Southern Skies?

Booking has closed for the 2025 festival.

Will there be food and drinks available?

We will have several food trucks set up along our footprint, along with multiple bars serving beer, wine, cocktails, water, and soda. There are also a number of restaurants around downtown for any size budget. For a list of downtown Knoxville eateries, please see visitknoxville.com There will be free water stations provided by the AB Project — attendees can bring an empty water bottle to fill up during the event.

Can I bring pets?

Pets, with the exception of service animals, are not allowed on the performance lawn.

Information will be updated frequently, so check back here, but if you have further questions or you feel information is missing, please email [email protected] or give us a call at [865] 637.4561. Thank you - see you in May!

Southern Skies Ticket Policy: http://southernskiesmusicfestival.com/ticket-policy

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

World's Fair Park Performance Lawn, 963 Worlds Fair Park Drive, Knoxville, United States