5 Oak Ridge Festivals That Celebrate Arts and Culture
Many know that Oak Ridge, TN, is steeped in scientific history, but fewer realize the lasting impact the arts have had in shaping the community.
During the Manhattan Project in the 1940s, the secretive mission meant workers and their families didn’t leave the area often. Instead, Oak Ridge brought the arts to them. The city established a symphony, ballet, playhouse, the Oak Ridge Art Center and other cultural outlets to keep workers and their families engaged and entertained.
“This ‘touch of home’ left enough impact that virtually every one of those original organizations still exists in Oak Ridge today,” says Rex Redd, director of the Oak Ridge Art Center.
Today, Oak Ridge’s vibrant arts scene comes alive through a range of festivals and events that proudly celebrate both the city’s storied past and its cultural present and future. These gatherings draw large crowds.
“Great things happen in Oak Ridge every day, and that’s not just science or research related,” says Katy Watt of Explore Oak Ridge.
Ahead, explore five Oak Ridge festivals that celebrate arts and culture.
In This Article
The Jackson Square Lavender Festival
Celebrating its 25th year in 2025, the Lavender Festival is the “crown jewel” of arts events in Oak Ridge. This three-day event takes place at Jackson Square every summer and draws over 20,000 attendees.
While the festival centers around lavender, it’s a celebration of all herbs and their connections to our homes, health and the environment. Vendors, cooking demonstrations and presentations showcase lavender’s benefits. Don’t miss the Tour of Gardens, where visitors can explore impressive local gardens, or the Nine Lakes Wine Tasting, with exclusive Tennessee-made wines you won’t find anywhere else. Plan your visit for an experience brimming with fragrant delights.
Oak Ridge Street Painting Festival
The Oak Ridge Street Painting Festival, held each fall at Roane State Community College, has been a beloved community tradition since 1999. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge, the event brings together artists from elementary school to adulthood to create vibrant chalk art masterpieces while raising money for scholarships for students attending Roane State. Over the years, the festival has helped award more than $300,000 in scholarships. Participation is free, with chalk and supplies provided, making it an accessible and fun event for everyone.
Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival
First held in 2018, Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival has become an Oak Ridge highlight. A project of three local Rotary clubs, the two-night event brings the community together to explore history, culture, courage and triumphs through nationally acclaimed professional storytellers.
“Through the Flatwater Tales storytellers, we’ve learned more about our own history, too, as with the story of the Scarboro 85, first told by Sheila Arnold, at the 2023 Flatwater Tales Festival,” says Becky Dodson, co-chair of the 2025 festival.
The Scarboro 85 refers to the 85 Black students who integrated Oak Ridge High School and Robertsville Junior High School in Oak Ridge in September 1955, making it the first public school system in the Southeast to desegregate.
Secret City Improv Comedy Festival
Get ready to laugh at the Secret City Improv Comedy Festival. Originally a spinoff of the Gatlinburg Improv Fest, Secret City Improv has evolved into its own unique comedy event, including performances, master classes and workshops. Featuring more than 20 troupes from across the country, Secret City Improv is a fantastic weekend of nonstop entertainment for all.
Atomic Fall Fest
Debuting in 2025, the Atomic Fall Fest is a communitywide event that blends Oak Ridge’s history, scientific legacy and creative culture into one exciting celebration.
Organized by the City of Oak Ridge, this free festival will include science-focused exhibits, artistic features, live music and all-day entertainment. The event honors Oak Ridge’s past, present and future through interactive displays and tributes, while showcasing local and regional vendors who reflect the area’s unique fusion of innovation and creativity. With activities for all ages, the Atomic Fall Festival will bring families together in a spirited celebration of the city’s identity.
Bonus Fun: Open Show at Oak Ridge Art Center
Held each fall at the Oak Ridge Art Center, the Open Show is one of East Tennessee’s longest-running juried exhibitions and one of the largest mixed-media shows in the Southeast. Open to all artists and media types, the show highlights the diversity of creative work produced in the region. All submitted artwork receives a critique, adding extra value to the experience for artists. This event has been a vital platform for regional talent for more than 50 years.
New in 2025: Advancing the Arts in Oak Ridge
In 2025, the City of Oak Ridge launched the Arts, Culture and History Alliance Advisory Board to further strengthen the bond between the arts and the community. Its mission, according to Mayor Pro Tempore Jim Dodson, is to facilitate creative projects among the arts organizations in town and provide technical and visionary advice on city policies relating to public arts.
The formation of the Advisory Board is a step toward advocating for the arts in a meaningful way. It’s an avenue for conversation about the city’s history and future opportunities for arts advancement in Oak Ridge.
As a longtime arts supporter and board member in other organizations on local and state levels, Dodson sees the importance the arts have in local communities. “The arts enrich our lives and give us purpose,” he says.
With record-breaking community engagement, the new Advisory Board signals a powerful partnership between city government and local organizations.
“We welcome individuals and local groups to each and every meeting to continue discussions on how to best support and foster positive growth in our city,” Dodson says. “We are all looking forward to working together to advocate for the long-standing organizations that support our diverse and inclusive community.”
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