Oct. 21 - Spooky Poetry Slam (7:00-9:00 PM)

Join the Knoxville Poetry Slam and Ijams Nature Center on October 21 for a hauntingly fun night of haikus, poems, sonnets, and more at the Spooky Poetry Slam!

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Oct. 22 - Welcome Home: Celebrating the Ijams Bat House (6:00-8:00 PM)

Join Ijams to celebrate the newest house on the block, the Ijams Bat House! Groups will begin with a short guided walk around Mead’s Quarry to reach the newly completed bat house. The bat house is expected to attract a large colony of over 100,000 Mexican free-tailed bats! 

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Oct. 23 - A Haunted History of Ijams Hike (7:00-9:00 PM)

Every landscape carries its stories, and some are darker than others. Step into the shadows of Ijams Nature Center for an evening hike that blends natural beauty with its own spine-tingling history. On this guided hike, uncover the lesser-known history of what happened on the landscape that Ijams now calls home—where beauty and tragedy have long shared the same trails.

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Oct. 23 - Nighttime Paddle (6:30-8:30 PM)

Get ready for a beautiful evening on the Tennessee River under the night sky! Join Ijams naturalists for this 2-hour, guided paddle to uncover the secrets of the Tennessee River after dark and learn about the beautiful night sky while searching for unique plants, animals, and geologic features along the way.

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Oct. 24 - Spooky Trivia (7:00-9:00 PM)

BOO! Did I scare you? Come join Ijams for a trivia night inspired by the spookiness of the Halloween season. Between deadly fungi, chilling folklore, creepy crawlies, and creatures of the night there is plenty of spook to go around. ​

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Oct. 25 - Ijams Enchanted Forest (3:00-8:00 PM)

Dress up in your costume and get ready for a night of tricks and (lots of) treats in the Ijams Enchanted Forest! You'll enjoy seasonal crafts, games, and activities; meet some animal ambassadors; and nab some tasty treats!​

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Oct. 26 - Fall Foliage Hike (1:00-2:30 PM)

Enjoy the changing colors of nature at Ijams Nature Center this fall! With an Ijams naturalist, you'll discover the secrets of autumn, identifying and learning about various wildflowers, birds, and other organisms that emerge during this bustling season.​

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Oct. 26 - A Haunted History of Ijams Hike (2:00-4:00 PM)

Every landscape carries its stories, and some are darker than others. Step into the shadows of Ijams Nature Center for an evening hike that blends natural beauty with its own spine-tingling history. On this guided hike, uncover the lesser-known history of what happened on the landscape that Ijams now calls home—where beauty and tragedy have long shared the same trails.​

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Oct. 28- A Night of Scary Stories (7:00-8:30 PM)

Enjoy an evening of scary, silly, and haunted tales told by members of the Smoky Mountain Storytellers Association!​

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Oct. 29 - Spooky Night Bike (6:30-8:30 PM)

Experience the natural wonders of Knoxville's Will Skelton Greenway by biking through Ijams Nature Center, Island Home Park, and Forks of the River WMA. Through various stopping points, you'll learn the history of Island Home, the Tennessee River, and observe various forms of flora and fauna that call the Greenway home! ​

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Oct. 30 - Ijams After Dark (7:30-9:30 PM)

​Discover Ijams after dark during this experiential adventure! Participants will meet one of Ijams’ nocturnal animal ambassadors before taking a fun-filled, guided night hike on the trails to witness and identify the myriad of moths and other critters attracted to black light stations.