2023 Spring Events in Chattanooga
DocMcStuffins: The Exhibit/Creative Discovery Museum
$ | Jan. 14-May 7 / 10 am-5 pm
Experience the first-ever museum exhibit based on Disney Junior’s Peabody Award-winning television series “Doc McStuffins” as it opens at Creative Discovery Museum. cdmfun.org/exhibits/doc-mcstuffins
$ | March 4 / 7-10 pm
Join us for AmuseUm 2023: Full STEAM Ahead! Take a trip on the rails through time and experience Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math in the 19th Century. A variety of entertainment, activities, and raffle opportunities, along with decadent food and drinks, set the tone for this one-of-a-kind evening. Gear up in your best black, silver, and gold attire and enjoy the swanky vibe of the Gilded Age. cdmfun.org/amuseum
$ | March 1-31 / 8 am-8 pm
Get active walking the cavern trail to the thundering underground waterfall and help support the mission of the American Heart Association Go Red for Women in a big way! Participants can stop by our healthy selfie station and take home a complimentary heart-healthy recipe card. rubyfalls.com
FREE/$ | March 3-5 / Times Vary
In its 7th year, the Erlanger Chattanooga Marathon weekend will feature a marathon, half marathon, team relay, 5K, and a kid's fun run, along with daily events to maximize a weekend full of energy and excitement while supporting the Erlanger Health System! chattanoogamarathon.com
FREE/$ | March 17-April 16 / Times Vary
Los Trompos, is a large-scale, interactive artistic installation inspired from a toy that has been popular with Children around the world since the dawn of time. This artistic installation features eight larger-than-life, three-dimensional spinning tops in a variety of colors and shapes, with fabric woven in traditional Mexican style stretched of the modules to seat several guests at once. Los Trompos will bring the Chattanooga Green to life with a new meaning to the art of play! rivercitycompany.com/trompos
FREE/$ | March 10-April 9 / Times Vary
During Spring Break Safari, the city transforms into a place where kids rule, and adventure is everywhere! Participating attractions offer kids hands-on activities, including scavenger hunts and unique experiences that turn kids into Cave Explorers, RockQuest Adventurers, Zookeepers, Conductors, and more. VisitChattanooga.com/spring
$ | March 11-12 & 18-19 / 8:30 am-6 pm
Find the luck of the Irish at Rock City’s 15th annual Irish Celebration! Come see the High Falls flow green – just steps away from where you can see 7 states from atop Lookout Mountain at Rock City! Shamrock City features Irish food, live Irish bands, beer, bagpipers, Suffolk sheep – and more! Guests can be Irish for a day – or at least be immersed in all things Irish! Chattanooga Pipe Band members play bagpipes and drums in traditional kilts, and there is something green around every turn! Leashed pets welcome. This event has been selected as a recent Top 20 Event by Southeast Tourism Society. seerockcity.com/shamrock
$ | March 12 / 2-4 pm
Enjoy art activities, performances and more inspired by the Hunter’s special exhibitions Beauford Delaney’s Metamorphosis into Freedom and Really Free: The Radical Art of Nellie Mae Rowe. huntermuseum.org
Rock/Creek River Gorge 2023 10.2- & 6.5-Mile Races/Prentice-Cooper Wildlife Management Area
$ | March 17 / 9 am
Runners will loop around a highly technical single-track along one of the most beautiful trails in Chattanooga. This bucket list race offers two lengths of runs and ends with a celebratory awards ceremony. badbeardevents.com
FREE/$ | March 18 / 12-6 pm
The National Black Market kicks off its tour in Chattanooga as it celebrates local black businesses. This a free event welcoming all to come to enjoy food trucks, vendors, games, raffles, live music, and more.
FREE/$ | March 18 / 11 am
Wanderlinger’s Crawfish Boil features live music, over 500 pounds of fresh Louisiana Crawfish, andouille sausage, corn, and potatoes, Wanderlinger beer options, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and more. wanderlinger.com
Battleground Explosion Volleyball Tournament/Chattanooga Convention Center
$ | March 18-19 / Times Vary
With room for 200 teams, this explosive tournament will bring athletes ages 12-18 to the ultimate volleyball battleground. Cheer on your favorite teams as they compete in the best out of three matches over two days in the scenic city. greatsmokyvolleyballseries.com/battleground-explosion
$ | March 25 / 10 am-12 pm
Preschool adventure will bring Community Helpers from Chattanooga to show our youngest visitors how they support the community with a variety of activities for all to enjoy. cdmfun.org
$ | March 31 & April 1 / Times Vary
The nightmare knows no boundaries and is bringing the monsters of Revolt, Blood Harvest, and the Deliverance Escape Rooms to your spring break! Dread Hollow's cryptic reality and appalling past loom ominously inside 20,000 square feet of pure terror offer terrifyingly fun new experiences. Not recommended for children under 12. dreadhollow.com
Spring Festival/Mayfield Farm Park
$ | April 1-2, 7-8 / Times Vary
Hop over to Mayfield Farm Park for their 2023 Spring Festival. The festival will offer a relaxing day on the farm filled with memories, traditions, and fantastic activities, including breakfast with the Easter Bunny, an egg hunt, giant slides, games, and more. mayfieldfarmpark.com/springfestival
SIPTN Wine Festival/First Tennessee Pavilion
FREE/$ | April 1 / 12-6 pm
Taste through over 200 wines produced right here in Tennessee, utilizing some of the freshest fruit in the South. Sip TN is made up entirely of Tennessee Wineries, come sip, savor, and purchase bottles of your favorite wines. Stroll and shop with Chattanooga Market artisans and vendors, enjoy some of the hottest local food trucks and sip wine and hard cider all from local sources. Live music adds to the festivities! chattanoogamarket.com/events/siptn-wine-festival
FREE | Saturdays, April 1-Oct. 7 / 10 am-5 pm
Chattanooga River Market features handmade items from local and regional artists and showcases their jewelry, woodwork, and more. chattanoogamarket.com
$ | April 1 / 12-4 pm
Students from CCA and an accompanying artist will present a workshop in the Art Studio. This is part of the CityArts program funded by the City of Chattanooga, an after-school program serving middle and high school students which pairs local professional artists with local students and introduces participants to a variety of art mediums and arts careers. Community arts workshops will be offered by the artist/student team for free at both the Creative Discovery Museum and Chattanooga Public Library. cdmfun.org
$ | April 4-6 / 9 am-4 pm
Students in grades K-5 are invited to spend spring break at the Hunter! Offering three unique days of art making and fun, this camp will allow your child to expand their creative horizons. huntermuseum.org
$ | April 6-Sept. 17 / Times Vary
The Chattanooga Lookouts, a Minor League Baseball team of the Double-A South and the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, welcomes you to AT&T Field for their 2022 season. Join in as we cheer on our team with Looie the Lookout and all of Chattanooga! lookouts.com
$ | April 7-8 / 9 am-5 pm
Hug-a-Bunny Days guests will have the chance to get their photo made with the Easter Bunny, enjoy springtime games and crafts, gather Easter eggs, watch as our Zoo animals enjoy their egg hunt enrichment, encounter the Zoo’s real bunnies, and more! chattzoo.org
$ | April 8 | 12-4 pm / Times Vary
As part of National Robotics Week, CDM will host special guests and provide a variety of activities around engaging in the topic of robotics. cdmfun.org
$ | April 10-16 / Times & Locations Vary
In this city-wide event, burger lovers will have the opportunity to eat their way through the Scenic City with $7 burger deals at participating restaurants, challenge their taste buds, and connect and share their experiences on social, all while being entered to win prizes. chattanoogaburgerweek.com
$ | April 15-16 & 22-23 / 8:30 am-6 pm
Join us at Rock City Gardens during this naturally fun outdoor Earth Day celebration! Guests will be mesmerized when Vines and Trees come to life with methodical movement, learn how to use recycled materials for an innovative and fun make-and-take project, watch an animal show, and go on a virtual scavenger hunt all while enjoying the great outdoors with their family during Earthdayz! seerockcity.com
FREE/$ | April 15 / 2-8 pm
If you think Oktoberfest is just too far away, join us for our spring Lagerfest, featuring exclusive small batch releases, collabs and guest beers. From pilsners to schwarzbiers, each of our taps will be pouring smooth, crispy and crushable lagers all day long, alongside specialty snacks by our executive chef. wanderlinger.com
FREE | April 15-16 / Times Vary
The Bessie Smith Cultural Center highlights Chattanooga's rich African American History during this two-day event. The festival will feature merchandise vendors, food and drink vendors, all merchants along what was known as the "Big 9," an art gallery, and musical artists performing all weekend long. bessiesmithcc.org
$ | April 15-16 / 8 am
Since 1999, Bug-a-Palüza has grown from a handful of enthusiasts spending a Sunday afternoon in the dealership parking lot to one of the largest annual VW events in the region. Spectators enjoy a judged car show with 39 show classes, swap meet, one of the largest VW campouts, games, prizes, and more! bugapaluza.com
$ | April 21 / 7-10 pm
The Creative Discovery Museum is closing the museum to kids and letting adults 21 and up explore with a drink in hand and alongside their friends at PROM through the decades! Admission includes access to the museum’s exhibits, a costume contest, and light snacks. cdmfun.org
$ | April 21-23 / 10 am-5 pm
This two-day, nationally-ranked arts festival draws more than 12,000 people annually. It features exceptional visual and fine art from local and regional artists, a creative kids area, live music, and great local food. 4BridgesArtsFestival.org
$ | April 22 / 6 am
Amateur grillers and smokers compete for bragging rights as Chattanooga's best backyard cooks at the 7th annual Ruby Falls Battle Below the Clouds BBQ cook-off. Independent judges select the Best Pulled Pork, Best Ribs, and Grand Champion. Enjoy live bluegrass music, kid activities, BBQ, and door prize drawings. rubyfalls.com
FREE | Sundays, April 30 - Nov. 19 / 10 am-5 pm
The weekly open-air producer-only market features local food artisans and farms, fresh produce, meat, and cheese, live plants, local arts and crafts, food trucks, and much more. chattanoogamarket.com
$ | April 29-30 / Times Vary
Presented by Scenic City LOC, the Scenic City Cup offers soccer clubs from all over a competitive tournament for boys and girls in U9-U19 divisions. soccer.sincsports.com
$ | May 6 / 8 am
Gran Fondo Hincapie-Chattanooga welcomes cyclists of all skill levels for a weekend of riding and celebrating all things cycling. This race weekend includes a family festival, an expo, an after-party, and more. hincapie.com/granfondo/chattanooga
$ | May 6-7 & 13-14 / 8:30 am-6 pm
Celebrate spring with us as the Rock City Gardens burst into bloom. Discover mischievous fairies in Gnome Valley, visit with a living fountain character, purchase plants from Frieda’s Flower Sale and enjoy the soothing sounds of harp music as we celebrate the arrival of spring! seerockcity.com
FREE | May 13
Quarterly Family Fun Days offer a free opportunity for the public to come together for arts, crafts, music and more! Often featured is kite making with River City Kites, Art Cars and activities with Art 120 and live music by a local DJ. rivercitycompany.com/family-fun-days
$ | May 20 / 11 am
Jfest is the Tennessee Valley's largest Christian music festival, and a wonderful experience for families with plenty of music, fun and fireworks.
jfest.com
Spirits in the Wild/Chattanooga Zoo
$ | May 20 / 6-10 pm
Enjoy an evening of taking a variety of spirits while sampling great food from some of Chattanooga’s best local restaurants, live entertainment, and support the Chattanooga Zoo. chattzoo.org
FREE/$ | May 21 / 6:30 am
The IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga triathlon leads nearly 3,000 athletes on a 1.2-mile swim in the Tennessee River, 56-mile bike ride, and 13.1-mile run. Transitions and finishes are at Ross’s Landing on the downtown riverfront. ironman.com/chattanooga70.3
$ | Friday-Sunday, May 26-Sept 4; May 26-29, July 2-8; Sept. 1-4 / 8:30 am-7 pm
Spend a summer day at Rock City Gardens and enjoy live music from several local artists, a Birds of Prey raptor show, a beautiful view of seven states, fresh-squeezed lemonade, a delicious meal at Café 7, and more. seerockcity.com
