Chattanooga Holiday Event Roundup
Some of the events listed below might be duplicates of events featured above.
$ | On view Sept. 30-Jan. 8, 2023
Kerry and Betty Davis began gathering a wide variety of works by African American artists; today, their collection presents nearly 100 years of art, amassed over 35 years. The exhibition Memories & Inspiration: The Kerry and C. Betty Davis Collection of African American Art presents 67 selected works from this astonishing collection, including works by Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Sam Gilliam, Loïs Mailou Jones, Jacob Lawrence, Gordon Parks, and Alma Thomas. Through strikingly diverse media and styles, these artworks respond to historical narratives and make bold creative statements that helped shape 20th-century American art.
$ | Nov.-Jan. / Times Vary
The Holiday Trail of Lights features eight major points of interest, which include millions of twinkling lights at Chattanooga’s top holiday attractions. Enjoy a varied array of festivals, holiday events, delicious holiday meals, Santa sightings, shopping, and live music and entertainment scattered throughout the city.
FREE/$ | Nov.-Jan.
Enter the Chattanooga Choo Choo’s festive lobby to see one of the city’s tallest Christmas trees at 28 feet and enjoy the lights and cheer throughout the property create a magical wonderland complete with ice skating at Ice on the Landing, holiday music, Station Street activities, special holiday treats at restaurants, photos with Santa, and more.
FREE | Nov.-Jan. / Open 24/7
EPB's Holiday Windows celebration continues a tradition that dates back to the World War II era. View the displays in the windows on the Broad and Market Street sides of EPB’s downtown headquarters building at 10 W. M.L. King Blvd.
FREE | Nov.-Jan. / Open 24/7
View the thousands of twinkling lights in snowflake form along the Walnut Street Bridge, one of the longest pedestrian-only bridges in the world at 2,370 feet.
$ | Nov. 2 / 4-8 pm
Enjoy free admission to the permanent collection and $5 general admission to the current exhibition Memories & Inspiration.
FREE | Nov. 5-6 / Times Vary
Watch one of the largest regattas in the U.S., hosting more than 5,100 competitors ages 14-89 representing 29 states and countries from Chattanooga’s riverfront. The Head of the Hooch regatta is a 3.1-mile course down the Tennessee River, passing by Chattanooga’s Riverfront and Bluff View Districts.
$ | Nov. 10 & 11 / Times Vary
The Hunter’s largest annual fundraiser, Spectrum, is one of Chattanooga’s premier cultural events. Presented for over 20 years by First Horizon, Spectrum is a two-evening event with a silent auction cocktail party on Thursday evening and a black-tie seated dinner gala with a live auction on Saturday.
$ | Nov. 10-Jan. 15
A spectacular celebration of art, culture, and the beauty of traditional Asian lantern festivals, this will be the most unique holiday light display in the Chattanooga area. The festival will feature more than 38 illuminated lantern displays throughout the Zoo. Lanterns will feature guests’ favorite zoo animals, traditional Asian lanterns, and natural elements. Movement and interactive displays will ensure a captivating experience for guests of all ages.
$ | Nov. 11-13, 18-20 / 7:30 pm
An abandoned textile mill comes to life with music, dance, installation art, aerials, projection lighting, and craft cocktails. The Pop-Up Project offers an experience for art lovers and adventure seekers to explore as a story drawn from the history of the mill reveals itself over the course of the evening.
$ | Nov. 13 / 2-4 pm
Enjoy drop-in art experiences for kids and families, making your own work inspired by works of art in the Hunter’s special exhibition Memories & Inspiration. Family programming is generously sponsored by The Mark Hite Team.
Nov. 14-Dec. 31
Experience Chattanooga’s drive-thru holiday lighting spectacular! NoogaLights is one of Chattanooga’s newest holiday lighting events that can be enjoyed by all ages. This magical event is a world-class holiday lights experienced from the comfort of your vehicle. The 1.5-mile route will be lined with handcrafted displays and thousands of lights illuminating the holiday season!
$ | Nov. 17 / 6-8 pm
Inspired by the imagery of Memories and Inspiration, Hair Peace is an original multi-arts runway show presented by Demetrius Seay along with a group of local African American models, artists, performers, and hair and makeup professionals. The performance will include hair, nail, and clothing designs as well as six original couture gowns designed by Romey Roe and jewelry by designer Deshonte Jackson. Regular admission applies; members and youth 17 and under are free.
$ | Nov. 18-Jan. 1 / 6-9 pm (closed Christmas Eve night)
Journey through the newly enhanced Arctic Kingdom with lights reminiscent of the aurora borealis and meet Jack Frost or Inara the Ice Queen. The Magic Forest takes you through the center of a 43-foot tree and into a 40-foot-long archway tunnel past enchanting holiday light displays. Visit Santa in his workshop where he’s creating the Naughty and Nice list! Hear holiday music at Rocky’s Tree Farm Stage with local musicians playing a diverse lineup ranging from contemporary jazz to country to R&B. Be sure to book your Dinner with Santa that includes a traditional holiday meal, one-on-one visit from Santa and friends, and VIP admission to the Enchanted Garden of Lights.
Nov. 18-Jan. 1
This holiday season will be brighter, bolder, and more colorful as the City of Chattanooga’s Summit of Softball Complex is transformed into a vibrant drive-through, holiday-themed light display! From the inside, the comfort of your own vehicle, enjoy the tour’s brand-new displays, including the 32 feet tall, animated Mattel’s Waving Christmas Barbie®, life-sized dinosaurs celebrating the season, BIGFOOT® Monster Trucks, and more. Created with over two million sparkling lights, Magic of Lights is a nostalgic and festive experience for guests of all ages.
$ | Nov. 18-Jan. 28 / Times Vary
The much-anticipated temporary outdoor ice rink has moved to the Chattanooga Choo Choo Gardens. Schedule includes general skating time, special themes, appearances by Santa, and a rotating schedule to benefit local not-for-profits.
$ | Nov. 18-Dec. 28 / Times vary per date
Enjoy a trip to the “North Pole” pulled by a locomotive with refreshments, storytelling, caroling, and more! During the return ride, Santa makes his way through the train cars to greet every child and presents a keepsake item to all the children. Dates have multiple times - check website for schedule. These trips sell out so book early.
$ | Nov. 18-20, 26-27 and Dec. 2-4, 9-10, 16-18, 21, 23, 27-29 / 6:45-8:45 pm
Enjoy this special 4-course holiday dinner aboard a restored 1924 dining car. The excursion departs from Grand Junction Station and travels through areas of Chattanooga.
$ | Nov. 24 / 11 am & 3 pm
Enjoy Thanksgiving dinner on the Grand Chandelier deck overlooking the Tennessee River with live music and a buffet-style dinner complete with all the classic trimmings. After dinner, board the Southern Belle Riverboat for a one-hour sightseeing cruise.
FREE | Nov. 25 / 4-8 pm
Holiday joy will fill downtown with live reindeer, Santa Claus, fire pits, face painting, holiday tunes, and more, all while enjoying the Lighted Boat Parade and fireworks.
$ | Nov. 25-Dec. 24 / Times Vary
Experience the famous thundering waterfall deep within Lookout Mountain and enjoy classic holiday decorations on the picturesque Village Plaza with magical views of the Cumberland Plateau and twinkling nighttime city lights. Stop by to visit Santa and have a professional photo taken on Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 26 through Dec. 18. Stay for a casual meal, local craft beer, and holiday treats by the café’s cozy stone fireplace in historic Ruby Falls Castle, built-in 1929. Write your Christmas wish on an ornament and add it to the Forest of Wishes, where thousands of heartfelt holiday aspirations create a colorful display of hope, dreams, and good cheer. Discover one-of-a-kind gifts and delightful Christmas keepsakes at the Village Gift Shop. Savor the holiday season together at Ruby Falls surrounded by the beauty of nature.
$ | Nov. 25-Dec. / Times vary per day
Kick off the holiday season with this sweet tradition. The whole family will enjoy creating sweet and sticky houses from gingerbread, icing, candy, and other sugary confections. The workshop includes hot chocolate, cookies, pre-built houses, icing, candy, and holiday music. Reservations are required in advance.
$ | Nov. 27 / 1:30-3 pm
Enjoy an art-inspired yoga practice with instructor Suzanne Sabourin. Artful Yoga is an ongoing series connecting art from the Hunter Museum with yoga taught by local and visiting instructors. Your $5 donation supports the Hunter Museum’s educational programs. All levels of yoga experience are welcome.
$ | Dec. 1 / 4-8 pm
Enjoy free admission to the permanent collection and $5 general admission to the current exhibition Memories & Inspiration.
$ | Dec. 1 / 6-8 pm
Enjoy live music and friendly competition during this teen-only Battle of the Bands. All musical acts and dances will be performed by local middle and high school students competing for bragging rights and prizes. Free and open to all guests and participants.
$ | Dec. 1-3 / Times Vary
Chattanooga will host the TSSAA Tennessee High School Football Championship games at Finley Stadium, home of the UTC Mocs Football.
$ | Dec. 2-3 / 6-8 pm
Enjoy Creative Discovery Museum in your PJs for a fun, festive, family-friendly night with holiday activities, a meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a child-friendly, light dinner.
$ | Dec. 2-17 / Times Vary
What begins as another annual production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL soon devolves into a slightly irreverent look at all our beloved holiday classics, including favorites like It’s a Wonderful Life, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and more. Add in topical references as three actors set out to perform every Christmas story ever told in this racy, madcap romp through the holiday season. (Appropriate for ages 13 and up)
FREE/$ | Dec. 3 / 12 am-12 pm
Celebrate Main Street and the Southside District for a 24-hour long festival held on the first Saturday of each December. The packed entertainment schedule includes fashion shows, parades, parties, live music, Big Wheel contest, chili cook-off, an ice-skating rink, and so much more.
$ | Dec. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18/Times Vary
The Hiwassee Holiday Train is a round-trip one-hour and 15-minute ride along the beautiful Hiwassee River Gorge featuring writing letters to Santa, gingerbread cookies, and chocolate milk.
$ | Dec. 3-4 / Times Vary
Run Bum presents its annual trail run in one of the most beautiful places to run on the East Coast. This canyon run is not the easiest race, but the views make it all worth it!
FREE | Dec. 3-4, 10-11, & 17-18/Times vary
As part of the Chattanooga Market, this market offers a special holiday theme with live music, caroling, festivities, and more than 200 vendors providing a great assortment of unique, locally hand-made items, holiday décor, and artisan foods for all those holiday gifts.
FREE | Dec. 8 / 6-7 pm
Local Black poets, dancers, and actors will be in dialogue about their own creative responses to pieces in Memories & Inspiration and the way their responses ripple into one another. Free and open to all.
$ | Dec. 9-18 / Times Vary
In this buoyant musical adaptation of the funny and touching holiday classic, the Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. So, when they crash Sunday school and demand parts in the Christmas pageant, the whole town panics. There’s not supposed to be biting or cigar-smoking in Bethlehem, and while these kids have never even heard the Christmas story, they definitely have rewrites. Soon everyone is calling for reluctant director Grace Bradley to cancel the whole thing. It’s up to the Bradleys and the Reverend to help their community see the Christmas story—and the Herdman kids—through new eyes. (Appropriate for all ages)
$ | Dec. 10 / 10 am-12 pm
Preschool Adventure: Snow Much Fun is a great way for our youngest visitors to explore wintertime. Hands-on activities designed to engage the senses, spark imagination, and spur creativity will be available. Activities include playing with our trains and tracks in the snowy village, painting with ice cubes of different colors to create a cool winter scene to take home, playing a mitten matching game or decorating hat cutouts that you can stamp, color, or add stickers to , putting shapes together to make special snowflakes, exploring pretend snow at our Snowy Sensory Table, and more.
FREE | Dec. 11 / 2-4 pm
The annual Lodge Cast Iron Bake-Off features our city’s most prominent and rising chefs. It’s a chance to watch live as they create culinary delights for a panel of judges.
FREE | Dec. 11 / 2-4 pm
Designed with our younger guests in mind, drop in to make fun crafts and gifts to share for the holidays or decorate your home. Each guest can make one item at each station. Regular admission applies; members and youth 17 & under are free. Admission to this program is also free with a Chattanooga Public Library card if you’re attending with children. Family programming is generously sponsored by The Mark Hite Team.
FREE | Dec. 15 / 6-8 pm
Experiment with and create a variety of craft projects (perfect for gifting to others – or yourself!) while enjoying a drink. The workshop is $25 ($20/members) and includes all studio materials and a glass of wine or a non-alcoholic beverage. Local artists will be onsite selling artistic gifts for purchase as well. Register with a friend or make new ones at the workshop! Spaces are limited, so please pre-register at huntermuseum.org.
$ | Dec. 17 / 7:30 am
The Lookout Mountain trail races begin high atop the mountain and offer a variety of challenging climbs, highly runnable sections, and moderate descents on predominantly single-track trails with the best views around. No matter which race you compete in, this will be an exciting challenge.
$ | Dec. 19-Jan. 3
CDM is excited to offer a winter camp for children! Winter Camp is a child-centered camp where the goal is for everyone to have a great experience. Our staff is unsurpassed in providing a fun, quality experience for our campers. They have extensive experience working with campers in a variety of Museum programs. Parents can feel secure going to work and knowing their children are safe and
happily enjoying their winter break at the Museum!
$ | Dec. 26-Jan. 8/Times Vary
The Holiday Lights Train Ride is a festive way to enjoy the holiday season starting after Christmas Day. The train ride takes you through a variety of light displays, while enjoying holiday music, hot cocoa, and family fun activities.
$ | Dec. 30 / Times Vary
Celebrate the 94th anniversary of the discovery at Ruby Falls! The first 94 guests to arrive at Ruby Falls will receive the original $2 admission rate, a keepsake postcard and discover some lesser-known facts and legends about the cavern as we commemorate the incredible journey of Leo Lambert.
$ | Dec. 30 / 6-8 pm
Ring in the New Year at the only New Year's party in town designed specifically for children and families! Families will have fun creating New Year's clocks at Creation Station, making noise makers in the Make It workshop, painting fireworks with forks in the Art Studio, and helping Father Time countdown to the New Year, complete with bubble wrap fireworks and apple juice toast. Join us as we say goodbye to 2022 and hello to 2023!
$ | Dec. 31 / 9 pm-12 am
Ring in the New Year with great food, live entertainment, DJ, dancing, toasts, Pilot House tours, and more. Must be 21 or older and have a valid ID. Reservations can be booked online or by phone.
$ | Dec. 31 / 11 pm-1 am
Ice on the Landing is the perfect place for the family to ring in the New Year. Enjoy fun music, skating, and a sparkling cider toast at midnight. This event does require a separate ticket.
$ | Dec. 31 / 7-9 pm
Join the Tennessee Valley Railroad for a special Dinner Train excursion on New Year’s Eve. The trip includes a four-course dining experience usually on board a restored 1924 dining car and departs from Grand Junction Station.
$ | Dec. 31 & Jan. 7 / Times Vary
Scream in the New Year at Chattanooga's Favorite Haunted Attraction! This special edition haunt is open for two nights only and will be sure to be a terrifyingly great time. Not recommended for children under 12.
$ | Jan. 5 / 4-8 pm
Enjoy free admission to the permanent collection and $5 general admission to the current exhibition Memories & Inspiration.
$ | Jan. 5 / 4:30-8 pm
The Hunter’s lobby will be filled with mannequins painted by local artists to celebrate the emotions of humankind. Live body casting demonstrations by artist Ali Waller will take place at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30. Free and open to all as a part of our Throwback Thursday evening.
$ | Jan. 8 / 2-4 pm
Enjoy drop-in art experiences for kids and families and make your own work inspired by art in the Hunter’s permanent collection. Regular admission applies; members and youth 17 & under are free. Admission to this program is also free with a Chattanooga Public Library card if you’re attending with children. Family programming is generously sponsored by The Mark Hite Team.
$ | Jan. 12 / 7-9 pm
The Hunter is partnering with Chattanooga drag queen Hormona Lisa to present a unique museum-inspired drag show. Regular admission applies.
$ | Jan. 15 / 1:30-3 pm
Enjoy an art-inspired yoga practice with instructor Michael Weger. Artful Yoga is an ongoing series connecting art from the Hunter Museum with yoga taught by local and visiting instructors. Your $5 donation supports the Hunter Museum’s educational programs. All levels of yoga experience are welcome.
$ | Jan. 19 / 6-7 pm
The Chattanooga Health Advocacy Team will explore the work of Amy Pleasant in a community and audience-driven discussion about body autonomy and reproductive rights. Free and open to all.
$ | Jan. 26 / 6-8 pm
Be among the first to see our special exhibitions Beauford Delaney’s Metamorphosis into Freedom and Really Free: The Radical Art of Nellie Mae Rowe at the opening celebration. Regular admission applies; members and youth 17 & under are free.
$ | Feb. 2 / 4-8 pm
Enjoy free admission to the permanent collection and $5 general admission to the current exhibition Memories & Inspiration.
$ | Feb. 2 / 6-7:30 pm
A night created by our teen council for local teens to make art, celebrate the art selected for the teen exhibit, and learn more about the Hunter’s special exhibitions. Regular admission applies; members and youth 17 & under are free.
$ | Feb. 9 / 6-8 pm
Inspired by the special exhibition Beauford Delaney’s Metamorphosis into Freedom, the dance photography of Christopher Shaw comes to life as the Pop-Up Project dancers in his photographs present a live performance. Free and open to all.
$ | Feb. 12 / 2-4 pm
Enjoy drop-in art experiences for kids and families and make your own work inspired by art in the Hunter’s special exhibitions Beauford Delaney’s Metamorphosis into Freedom and Really Free: The Radical Art of Nellie Mae Rowe. Regular admission applies; members and youth 17 & under are free. Admission to this program is also free with a Chattanooga Public Library card if you’re attending with children. Family programming is generously sponsored by The Mark Hite Team.
$ | On view Jan. 27-May 1, 2023
Beauford Delaney’s Metamorphosis into Freedom examines the career evolution of modern painter Beauford Delaney as influenced by the places where he lived—Knoxville, TN, New York City, and Paris. It also explores the deep friendship between the artist and writer James Baldwin and how their ongoing intellectual exchange shaped one another’s creative output and worldview. The works in the exhibition range from portraits to intense abstractions, as Delaney moved from being part of the Harlem Renaissance to embracing the tenets of Abstract Expressionism. Included in the exhibition are works by Joseph Delaney, Beauford’s younger brother and a noted painter in his own right. Beauford Delaney’s Metamorphosis into Freedom is organized by the Knoxville Museum of Art, which owns the largest and most comprehensive public collection of Beauford Delaney’s art.
$ | On view Jan. 27-May 1, 2023
Really Free is the first major presentation of Nellie Mae Rowe’s works in more than 20 years and the first-ever exhibition to consider Rowe’s practice as a radical act of self-expression and liberation in the post-civil rights-era South. This vivid exhibition chronicles the life and work of Nellie Mae Rowe through her imaginative works on paper, sculptures made from found and experimental materials, and an artful examination of her “Playhouse” – the striking environment Rowe created in her home and yard on a busy thoroughfare just outside of Atlanta. Really Free features the colorful, and at times simple, sketches Rowe made on found materials and explores themes in Rowe’s work, such as depictions of women, her childhood, images of her garden, and her experimentation with materials, including recycling cast-offs to make handmade dolls. The exhibition concludes with a focus on her career breakthrough and ruminations on death and the afterlife.
