Summer Events

You can’t have a Chattanooga Summer PLAYlist without grooving with the locals at some of our annual events. Pick up some “Peaches” and other local produce at the Chattanooga Market. Grab your friends and “Take Me Out to the Ball Game!” And, if you “Wanna Dance with Somebody,” you can’t miss all our live music events like Nightfall, Riverbend, and Summer Music Weekends at Rock City.

Oct
10

Words on Fire Youth Writing Workshop

Words on Fire Youth Writing Workshop

Oct 10th 23

Avondale Community Center

Oct
14

Fall Color Sunset Paddle in the Tennessee River Gorge

Fall Color Sunset Paddle in the Tennessee River Gorge

Oct 14th 23

Raccoon Mountain Boat Ramp

More 2023 Summer Events in Chattanooga

Chattanooga Football Club/Finley Stadium  

$ | March 4-Oct. 14 / Times Vary  

The Chattanooga Football Clubs, playing in the National Independent Soccer Association, season is back, along with the return of the CFC Women’s team. Join the local CFC fans, better knowns as the Chattahooligans, and cheer on the CFC Men’s and Women's teams! 

Chattanooga Red Wolves/CHI Memorial Stadium  

$ | March 25-Oct. 14 / Times Vary  

Cheer on Chattanooga’s newest professional sports team, the Chattanooga Red Wolves Soccer Club, a founding member of USL League One, compete at their brand-new stadium. 


Chattanooga River Market/Tennessee Aquarium Plaza 

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.  

Chattanooga Lookouts/AT&T Field 

$ | 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! 

Chattanooga Market/First Tennessee Pavilion 

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. 

Southern Blooms Festival/Rock City Gardens 

$ | 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! 

Summer Music Weekends/Rock City Gardens  

$ | May 26-29, Fridays-Sundays, June 2-25; Daily, June 30-July 9, Fridays-Sundays, July 14-Aug. 27; 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. 

Jfest/Tennessee Riverpark  

$ | May 20 / 11 am 

The Tennessee Valley’s largest Christian music fest is a full day of worship, wholesome family entertainment, delicious food from local eateries, and great music from artists such as Colton Dixon, Caitie Hurst, and The Union Chattanooga.  

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. 

Sunbelt Bakery IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga Triathlon/Downtown Riverfront 

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. 

Nightfall Concert Series/Miller Park   

FREE | Fridays, May 26-Sept. 1 / 7 pm  

Chattanooga’s Nightfall Concert Series is held each Friday night through the summer in Miller Park, showcasing local musicians, artisans, food, and free entertainment for the whole family. nightfallchattanooga.com  

Music & Movies in Miller/Miller Park  

FREE | May 27, June 24, July 29 
Celebrate Summer in Downtown Chattanooga with the entire family! Each Music & Movies in Miller event features a non-profit partner along with musical entertainment, oversized games, artist vendors, food trucks, and a big-screen movie under the stars!  

Riverbend Festival/Ross’s Landing  

$ | June 2-4 / Times Vary   

Chattanooga’s original music festival is back and ready for you for its 39th year! Music lovers will hear at least 24 acts on three different stage sets and enjoy the new Riverbend experience that will bring performers closer to audiences and rock our city.  

Saturdays in the Beer Garden/Flying Squirrel

$ | Saturdays, June 3-July 29

Saturday afternoons are about to get a little more lively on our block! All summer, starting June 3rd, we will be hosting themed popup bars in our beer garden on Saturdays (weather permitting). We can't wait to see you there!

Ice Cream Safari/Chattanooga Zoo   

$ | June 17 / 4-7 pm   

The Zoo's annual Ice Cream Safari offers after-hours family fun with animal encounters, kid’s activities, and unlimited tastings of the best ice cream and sweet treats in Chattanooga. Come enjoy a summer night at the Zoo and all the sweets you can eat!   

Make Music Day Chattanooga   

FREE | June 21 / 9 am-8 pm  

Starting in France in 1982, MMD has grown to 700 cities in 120 countries and celebrates music by showcasing a city’s local talent on June 21, the longest day of the year. Make Music Chattanooga is a city-wide celebration of music. Join us in creating and celebrating music freely.  

Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon/Downtown Riverfront  

$ | June 25 / 6:45 am  

The now 40-year-old triathlon takes place in the heart of downtown Chattanooga and offers athletes a fast, down-river swim, a spectator-friendly, two-loop bike course, and a scenic run along the Tennessee Riverwalk. It is a summer race not to be missed!  

Fun on the 4th!  

FREE | Tuesday, July 4  

Fun on the Fourth will serve as Chattanooga’s official Independence Day celebration with a free family event featuring nostalgic fun in the center of Miller Park in downtown Chattanooga! 

US Adult Soccer Fest/Camp Jordan  

$ | July 12-16 / Times Vary   

Adult Soccer Fest is celebrating its 24th of offering competitive opportunities for players of all ages and abilities to get back on the field. A week built around soccer, food, and beer; this is the largest sanctioned adult soccer event in the United States.  

Riverfront Nights/Ross’s Landing    

FREE | July 22 & 29, Saturdays, Aug. 5-26 / 7-10 pm   

Join us for a live concert series all summer long! Riverfront Nights brings you live music under the stars from some of the area’s most vibrant and talented artists, various food and beverage vendors, and more family fun.    

Q n’ Brew at the Zoo/Chattanooga Zoo   

$ | July 15 / 6-9 pm   

Join the Chattanooga Zoo for their annual barbecue and beer tasting event. This summertime barbecue offers fun for the whole family with live bluegrass music, animal encounters, tortoise races, kid’s activities, and more.   

Alliance Fastpitch Open Nationals   

$ | July 26-30 / Times Vary    

The Alliance Fastpitch is bringing you a championship experience that is all about the players. Chattanooga has been hosting fastpitch National Championships for over 40 years and is ready to crown the 8U-18U champions.  

Margarita Festival/First Horizon Pavilion  

$ | Aug. 5 / 6-9 pm  

The third annual Margarita Festival invites 20 local restaurants to whip up their best margarita recipe for you to try and help crown the best margarita in Chattanooga. Work your way through your sample passport that includes 12 mini margaritas, then vote for your favorite. Enjoy live entertainment by local DJs, a Margarita Fest photobooth and some of Chattanooga’s tastiest food vendors.  

Rail & Hops Brewers Festival/First Horizon Pavillion    

$ | Aug. 26 / 4-10 pm   

Rail & Hops Brewers Festival is back this spring and at a new location! This curated event focuses on the artistry of brewing handcrafted beers and features local and regional breweries, Chattanooga’s favorite food trucks, live music, and more.

Chattanooga Spotify

Sounds of the Scenic City

Featuring music from local artists, upcoming festivals, and playlists from unique Chattanooga attractions like the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, Songbirds, Creative Discovery Museum, Rock City + More. We've come pretty dang close to capturing the songs of the Scenic City.

Listen Now

More Summer Suggestions

For You on the Blog