Foodies
Fall Food Truck Rally at the Chattanooga Market
Sunday, September 6 | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM | First Horizon Pavilion
Kick off Labor Day weekend with big flavors and fall vibes at the Fall Street Food Rally! We’re bringing together a lineup of local food trucks serving up crave-worthy eats alongside live music and your favorite Chattanooga Market vendors.
Come hungry, wander the Market, and turn your Sunday into a street-food-filled celebration of community, creativity, and the unofficial start of fall. It’s the perfect long-weekend stop for good food, great finds, and laid-back Market energy.
Birds, Brews, and BBQ
Saturday, September 5 | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Audubon Acres
Good birds. Live music. Cold brews. Smokin' BBQ. Great neighbors. Join us this Labor Day weekend as we celebrate the community we call home at Audubon Acres.
Bring your family, invite your friends, and spend an evening connecting with neighbors while enjoying the beauty of nature. Savor delicious BBQ from TN Rebel BBQ (available for purchase), local brews, and live music from Magic Birds as you explore the trails, enjoy kid-friendly activities, and experience one of East Brainerd's most treasured natural spaces.
Whether you've been visiting Audubon Acres for years or have never stepped foot on the property, this is the perfect opportunity to come together as a community. Every ticket helps support the Chattanooga Audubon Society's mission to protect the wildlife and natural places that make East Brainerd such a special place to live.
Your $20 Adult General Admission ticket includes one free beer, with additional beer tickets available for purchase at $8 each. Adults may opt for a ticket which does not include beer for $15. Admission for ages 13-20 is $8, ages 5-12 is $5, and kids 0-4 are free . Tickets do not include BBQ.
To ensure the safety of our wildlife and preserve this special habitat, dogs are not permitted on the property (Service animals are welcome).
Outdoor Dining
Nothing screams Labor Day Weekend like some good outdoor dining. Lucky for you, Chattanooga offers many different spots for all your different taste buds. Check out our list of 15 of the best restaurants in Chattanooga with outdoor seating. From tacos to fine dining, there's something for everyone.
Enjoy a Picnic
The best way to get outside and enjoy some sunshine is to have a picnic with someone you love whether that's your partner, pet, or pal! No matter what, the Scenic City has so many spots to picnic and lots of places to grab some good food. We've made it easy with a list of our favorite spots to picnic and where to find the food.
Nature Enthusiasts
Swimming and Wading in South Chickamauga Creek
Monday, August 30 - Saturday, September 5 | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Audubon Acres
Three spots on Chickamauga Creek within Audubon Acres are ideal for wading and swimming: the Ford of Youth, the Swinging Bridge, and the picnic area on Sarah Key Patten trail. Non-members must sign waivers before going into the creek. No lifeguards are on duty.
How to Read a Forest: Tree ID at Audubon Acres
Saturday, September 5 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Chattanooga Audubon Society
Join Eric Burnett for an engaging, hands-on introduction to tree identification that combines classroom learning with field exploration at Audubon Acres.
This two-hour class begins with one hour in the classroom, where participants will learn an investigative approach to identifying common trees found on the Audubon Acres property. During the second hour, you'll head into the forest to put those skills into practice, using leaves, twigs, bark, buds, growth patterns, and habitat clues to identify trees in their natural environment.
Rather than memorizing species, you'll learn how to identify trees using techniques that can be applied on future hikes and visits to forests anywhere.
Participants should be prepared to walk approximately one mile on moderately flat woodland trails that may include roots, uneven terrain, mud, or wet conditions. The class will be held rain or shine. In the event of severe weather or high winds, the outdoor portion will be replaced with additional indoor instruction.
Each participant will receive a free pocket tree identification guide courtesy of the University of Tennessee Extension Office. Feel free to bring your favorite tree field guide if you have one.
Riverboat Cruises
Chattanooga prides itself on its river and floating the cool waters has never been easier. From steamers to historic WWII landing crafts, there are plenty of ways to get your riverboat cruise on. If a more hands-on approach is your style, try renting a kayak/SUP board from L2 Outside or River Drifters.
Adventure to a Swimming Hole
Swimming holes are what Southeastern summers are all about. Chattanooga is home to some seriously incredible places to take a dip – especially on hot and humid days. Here's a sampling of some of our favorite places in the Chattanooga area to cool off.
Whitewater Rafting
Looking for an adventure this Labor Day Weekend? Whitewater rafting might just be the highlight of your trip. Located about an hour from Chattanooga in the Cherokee National Forest, the Ocoee continues to host world-class paddlers at events throughout the year. The dam-controlled river has consistent releases that enable prime rafting conditions from the spring through the fall. Visitors can expect about 10 miles of excellent Class III and Class IV rapids, making the Ocoee one of the top whitewater rafting locations in the country. Sound like fun?
Paddle to a wild river island in the heart of Chattanooga
Does an adventure to an 18.8-acre wildlife refuge sound fun to you? What if we told you it's only accessible by boat, has rich history, and is right between Chattanooga's bustling downtown Riverfront and Northshore neighborhoods? If you're still intrigued, check out our guide to paddling to Maclellan Island or our guide to paddling to William's Island!
Looking for a Variety of Events?
Labor Day at The Post
Monday, September 7 | Barnhardt Circle, Fort Oglethorpe, GA | 9 AM - 9 PM | Free
Celebrate Labor Day at the Post in Fort Oglethorpe on Monday, September 7, with a full day of free family fun from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The festivities include a classic car show, food trucks, a local artisan market, a free Kids Zone with inflatables and a petting zoo, and live music throughout the afternoon and evening. The concert lineup is headlined by Lauren Alaina and Mark Wills, along with performances from local and regional artists, making this a great way to wrap up Labor Day weekend just minutes from Chattanooga.
TVFCU Riverfront Nights Concert Series
Saturday, September 5 | Ross's Landing | 6 PM - 10 PM | Free
Chairs, blankets, and leashed pets are welcome at Ross’s Landing for free live music under the stars with the Nation's #1 Earth, Wind, & Fire tribute band: Let's Groove Tonight and Kool & the Gang Tribute. For their final night of this free concert series, enjoy the music, food, and activities.
Chattanooga River Market
Saturday, September 5 | Tennessee Aquarium Plaza | 10 AM - 5 PM | Free
Chattanooga River Market will be open to the public Saturdays (10am-5pm) along the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza. Visitors to the Market will find a wonderful assortment of arts and crafts including woodworking, jewelry, soaps, candles, handmade apparel, pet items, CBD products, artisan foods… plus many others. Each Market day will feature a local food truck offering tasty fare for lunch. There is live music filling the air to further the day’s enjoyment.
Lantern Tour: Ghost Walk Edition
Sunday, September 6 | 9:15 PM - 11:15 PM | $42.95 per person
This after-hours special edition Lantern Tour features ghost stories from the 98-year history of Ruby Falls and eerie Chattanooga legends. On the way to the waterfall, hear the tales and visit the sites of peculiar encounters, mischievous mayhem, and tragedy while exploring the cavern with a guide by the light of handheld lanterns. Participants should be comfortable walking, standing, and keeping pace with the group for up to 120 minutes in a low light environment.
Labor Day Weekend Events Calendar
Find even more events on our events calendar.
