With a Farmer’s Market, Weekly Music, and Seasonal Festivals, There’s Nothing Like a Summer Weekend in This Tennessee Town

Johnson City and the whole Tri-Cities area have started making headlines. People from all over the country have started flocking to this little section in East Tennessee; the secret is out: our lovely little city nestled into the foothills of the Cherokee Mountains has become the hot spot in the state! So if you are new to the area, you might be looking for fun things to do in Johnson City, Tennessee, and you're in luck: summertime in this charming town is full of activities and events!

Why Johnson City Is One of Tennessee's Best Summer Towns

Johnson City hits that sweet middle spot when it comes to cities: it’s not too big that you experience traffic and overcrowding, but it is big enough that you still have everything you could want in one area. There are amazing restaurants, unique local shops, and plenty of hiking trails to keep you busy for a long time. Not every city can claim a mountain within the town’s limits, but in Johnson City, Buffalo Mountain is a great place to stretch out your legs and get out into nature. All of these things make Johnson City a wonderful place to visit all year-round, but when summer comes around, the city is positively bursting at the seams with events and activities.

Don't Miss Fridays After 5

The first event you should know about is more of a party than an event. "Fridays After 5" is a free concert series taking place in the heart of downtown Johnson City. Live music, vendors, and so much more can be found with thumping music spanning several genres, and it is always a great time. Even though this region is gaining popularity, the community remains loyal to each other, and you can always find a true sense of community at events like these. Curious to see who's playing? You can check the official lineup.

Experience the Johnson City Farmers Market

Every Saturday morning, the Johnson City Farmers Market is the place to be. Kicking off around April and running 'til October, you will have plenty of weekends to join in on the fun. Dozens of vendors come together to sell homemade goods and local produce. Sample some tasty treats and marvel at homemade creations. My family always enjoys a trip to a Tennessee farmers' market, and this is one of the best of the best! One stop we always make is the Werth Cookie Co. booth to partake in the best-tasting cookies in Tennessee.

Other Not-to-Be-Missed Festivals

When it comes to summer festivals, the Blue Plum Festival is one of the biggest events of the year in Johnson City. This weekend-long celebration features live music, a plethora of vendors, a graffiti-tagging competition, bounce houses for the kids, and so much more. People from all over come to join in the fun.

My personal favorite Johnson City event is Meet The Mountains, which happens annually in the summer. This two-day event is dedicated to celebrating the amazing natural resources we have right here in East Tennessee. Separating outdoor recreation areas into three elemental categories of air, earth, and water. Guests can zipline, try paddleboarding, learn about the various hiking trails, and so much more. It is also a great opportunity to just meet like-minded individuals who love the outdoors just as much as you do.

Conveniently, lots of the places where events take place are already located in typical gathering spots around the city. If you find yourself at one of these festivals or events, make sure to visit places like the park in front of the Johnson City Library. This astroturf playground is filled with natural elements such as musical instruments, wooden logs, and a hill for sliding. There is seriously no end to the kind of fun you can have in Johnson City.

Where to Stay in Johnson City

As you can see, there's so much to do in the summertime in Johnson City that you might just want to stay for a few nights—at least! Luckily, there are some great places to stay, whether you're looking for a traditional hotel experience or a rental. Prefer to stay a bit outside of the city? This mountain chalet home is gorgeous, giving you both convenience and privacy! Plus, it can sleep up to eight guests.

So when you are looking for fun things to do in Johnson City, Tennessee, trust me when I say the sky's the limit! The community rallies together and creates amazing events throughout the year, and during the summer, that’s when some of the best events take place. So make sure you come visit this booming city and find some great activities to enjoy. Looking for more fun? Take a look at our ultimate guide to spending summer in Tennessee.