The Sunsphere Observation Deck

09/17/2026

✨For some reason, this has been one of the most-asked questions this week….

If you’ve spotted it from the west side of the Observation Deck, you’re definitely not the only one who’s wondered WHAT is on the roof of Strong Hall!

Shoutout Knoxville News Sentinel for doing the research!

Got a question about something you can see from the Sunsphere? Ask us 🗣️🗣️🗣️

08/27/2026

Attending the Asian Festival this Sunday? Bring your Asian Fest ticket to the Sunsphere and save $1 on Observation Deck admission! (Offer valid Sunday, August 30th.) 🎟️🎟️🎟️

FUN FACT: Four Asian countries had pavilions at the 1982 World’s Fair: China, Japan, South Korea & the Philippines. Their culture and innovation helped make the Fair a truly global experience, right here in Knoxville!!

Celebrate Asian Fest and experience a piece of World’s Fair history! ✨✨✨

08/13/2026

Ever wonder what that smell is when you walk into the Sunsphere? 👃

The Sunsphere has a scent all its own. A custom-made fragrance created exclusively for us!

Come see (and smell🥸) what we’re talking about!
We are open 7 days a week!! 🌐✨

08/11/2026

POV: you think the Sunsphere is supposed to be green….

….when actually BLUE is the ORIGINAL color!

The Sunsphere was built for the 1982 World’s Fair, whose theme was “Energy Turns the World.” So naturally, the World’s Fair needed a symbol of energy: aka a SUNsphere. ✨🌐✨

The gold sphere represented the energy of the Sun, while the tower was originally painted blue to blend into the sky.

It was later painted green, which is what a lot of people grew up seeing. But in 2023, we brought back the original Pantone Classic Blue (315 gallons of paint later)!

So if you’re wondering why the Sunsphere is “blue now”: this is how the original designers envisioned it!!💙💙💙💙💙

08/06/2026

‼️TOMORROW‼️

First Friday FREE for Locals Day August 7th!

Knox County Residents show your license at the 3rd floor Welcome Center to receive FREE admission to the Sunsphere Observation Deck. 🌐

Open 10am-6pm (1 extra hour✨)

06/24/2026

☀️A break in this week’s rainy forecast calls for a trip to the Sunsphere!!☀️

Come enjoy the views while the sun’s out…East Tennessee weather has a way of changing its mind.👀

We are open 7 days a week!
🌈☔️✨

04/02/2026

We are SO excited to host the University of Tennessee's Music Industry Club for their 1st Writer's Round!

NEXT FRIDAY APRIL 10th 5-7PM -- Come hear local artists play original songs & tell the stories behind their music!!

Also enjoy $5 admission to the Observation Deck during time!

03/24/2026

👋👋👋

🚨 Did you miss last week's episode of 9-1-1: Nashville? Some epic scenes of The Sunsphere Observation Deck and World's Fair Park - Knoxville, the Curio inside the Marriott Knoxville Downtown / The Tennessean Hotel, Zoo Knoxville, and some other great downtown scenes. Catch it on Hulu to see for yourself!

03/19/2026

Last Saturday was a BIG one for the Sunsphere!

During Bassmaster we welcomed over 1,000 visitors in a single day...our highest attendance EVER. It was amazing seeing so many people enjoying the views and the day with us! 🌐🌐🌐

We really appreciate everyone who stopped by 🫶 Weather's looking warm again this weekend, come see us!!✨

03/12/2026

We are so excited to see the Bassmaster Classic come back in 2026!! Check out these THROWBACKS of our iconic structure from the 2023 Bassmaster Classic!

Come see us at the Sunsphere when you're visiting the Knoxville Convention Center and World's Fair Exhibition Hall for the Expo -- we're right next door, AND we've extended our hours for the weekend!

FRIDAY: 10am-7pm
SATURDAY: 10am-6pm
SUNDAY: 10am-4pm

Buy tickets at SunsphereTickets.com or call (865)314-0660 if you have any questions!