Accessibility
BIG EARS WELCOMES ALL MUSIC LOVERS!
The festival takes place over four days in more than a dozen indoor venues, including theaters, churches, clubs, and other public buildings all within an approximately three-quarter-mile corridor in downtown Knoxville. Big Ears Festival venues are ADA accessible in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, though the exact accessibility specifications vary based on the venue.
Patrons with Mobility Limitations
All venues are wheelchair accessible. In some instances, venues may have accessible viewing areas designated for wheelchair users available on a first-come, first-serve basis. See below for basic venue accessibility info or reach out directly to the venue for specific details.
Venue Accessibility
BIJOU THEATRE
An elevator in the lobby will take patrons to the lower level of the venue. There is seating area for limited mobility patrons at back house right. No elevator access to the balcony level.
BOYD’S JIG & REEL
Venue is located on street or ground level.
CHURCH STREET UNITED METHODIST
Main entrance can be accessed via ramp immediately south of venue entrance on W Hill Ave.
THE EMPORIUM
Access via elevator 100 feet south of the Emporium front doors via metal catwalk on the left adjacent to the courtyard. Notify festival staff who will help you enter the building this way. Ride the elevator down one floor to enter the Emporium Gallery.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
Please alert venue and security staff upon arrival. Venue staff will escort limited mobility patrons through a ground level side entrance and an elevator will bring patrons to venue level.
JACKSON TERMINAL
Access via ramp at western end of building.
KNOXVILLE CIVIC AUDITORIUM
KNOXVILLE MUSEUM OF ART
Patrons will enter on street level. Elevator will take patrons to performance area below in the Ann & Steve Bailey Hall.
THE MILL & MINE
Venue is located on street or ground level. There is an ADA seating area front house right.
THE POINT
Access via ramp at eastern side of front entrance. Dedicated limited mobility seating area back house right.
REGAL RIVIERA
Entrance located on street or ground level. Staff will direct patrons to limited mobility seating areas within theaters.
REGAS SQUARE
Venue is located on street or ground level.
ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL
Enter venue via VIP / Premier ramp entrance in courtyard. There are various areas of ADA accessible seating within the venue and staff will direct you to those areas.
THE STANDARD
Please alert venue and security staff upon arrival. Venue staff will escort patrons through a ground level side entrance.
TENNESSEE THEATRE
UT DOWNTOWN GALLERY
Venue is located on street or ground level.
VISIT KNOXVILLE VISITOR’S CENTER
Venue is located on street or ground level.
Still have questions? Contact Us
Public Transportation & Festival Trolley
Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) buses are accessible. See detailed information here: www.katbus.com
During the festival, dedicated busses will run special routes for Big Ears attendees stopping at or near most venues. Details will be made available before the next festival.
Parking
There are many convenient garages and lots in downtown Knoxville. See: https://www.downtownknoxville.org/explore/parking/?t[]=37
Be sure to ask the Big Ears staff or volunteer ambassadors for any additional accessibility information at the festival info booth located at the Box Office at Hyatt Place Hotel (530 S Gay St.). This may include questions about specific venues, information relevant to festival patrons with disabilities, or maps and other programming information.
Questions? Email us: info@bigearsfestival.org