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Festivals in Chattanooga, TN

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About Festivals Events in Chattanooga, TN

Celebrate the season with festivals in Chattanooga, TN — music festivals, food fairs, cultural celebrations, and seasonal events across Hamilton County. Find upcoming festivals near you.

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Hiwassee Loop Train Ride
12–20Nov 2026
Festivals

Hiwassee Loop Train Ride

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's Delano Parking Area (9401 HWY 411, Delano, TN, 37325)

HIWASSEE LOOP TRAIN RIDE THROUGH TENNESSEE’S HIWASSEE RIVER GORGE A 50-Mile Scenic Rail Adventure Through the Hiwassee Gorge Experience one of the most scenic train rides in the Southeast aboard the Hiwassee Loop. This 4.5-hour, 50-mile round-trip excursion departs from Delano, Tennessee and travels deep into the breathtaking Hiwassee River Gorge featuring river views, mountain scenery, historic bridges, and the famous Hiwassee Loop — a rare railroad engineering marvel where the train crosses over itself while spiraling through the mountains. Travel aboard restored, climate-controlled vintage railcars while enjoying a relaxed afternoon excursion through one of Tennessee’s most beautiful rail corridors. Quick Details Dates: March 29, 2026 - November 22, 2026 Duration: 4-6 Hours Departure Time: 1:30 PM Ages: All Ages Departure Location: Delano (9406 Highway 411, Delano, TN) Food: Snacks and drinks available for purchase onboard Best For: Scenic travelers, railfans, photographers, and nat

AudaTours Chattanooga Audio Tour: Echoes of Heritage and Hallowed Halls
12–21Nov 2026
Festivals

AudaTours Chattanooga Audio Tour: Echoes of Heritage and Hallowed Halls

Tennessee Aquarium

A river city with a haunted past and currents of rebellion hides beneath Chattanooga’s postcard-perfect surface. Ghosts linger in glimmering hotel lobbies and secret deals echo within quiet church walls. This self-guided audio tour leads you straight into the city’s beating heart. Discover hidden stories and overlooked places most visitors never find. What sinister secrets once swirled beneath the glassy waters of the Tennessee Aquarium? How did a single scandal inside The Read House Hotel nearly topple reputations-and change the city forever? Why do people whisper about a vanishing Bible locked away at First Presbyterian Church? Wander alongside the ghosts of bootleggers, visionaries, and lost causes. Soak in a living city where every carefully carved stone and flickering neon asks you to look deeper. Each stop reveals new drama in the quiet streets and buzzing riverside. The river is never still. Listen now and start your journey into Chattanooga’s shadows.

Gentle Walking Tour
12–14Nov–Dec 2026
Festivals

Gentle Walking Tour

Ruby Falls

The before-hours Gentle Walking Tour is our most in-depth tour led by senior-level guides, featuring a smaller number of participants, a very gentle pace with historical content, and extra time at the waterfall following the light show. This is the perfect tour for history buffs who prefer a very gentle pace. *Children younger than 12 years old are not permitted on Gentle Walking Tours. **Available select days, Before Regular Operating Hours. Reservation Required - Tickets Sold Online Only. Limited Availability. ***The Gentle Walking Tour is a 1-mile round-trip walk with some uneven pathways and 36 stairs. Guests should be comfortable walking with the gentle pace of the group and standing with limited opportunities to sit.

Trained to Sweep the Slope of the Mountain: The Moccasin Batteries and the Battles for Chattanooga
15Nov 2026
Festivals

Trained to Sweep the Slope of the Mountain: The Moccasin Batteries and the Battles for Chattanooga

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park invite the public to a special 2-hour, 2-mile round trip ranger-led hike and special program discussing the role the 18th Ohio Battery and the 10th Indiana Battery played while positioned on the hills of Stringers Ridge on Moccasin Bend during the siege of Chattanooga. The location of the program is the Moccasin Bend National Archeological District, near 201 Moccasin Bend Road. A “Special Program” sign will designate the parking area. Through October and November, the Union cannon on the southernmost hills of Stringer’s Ridge helped keep Confederates on Lookout Mountain at bay and assisted the Union assault during the Battle of Lookout Mountain. Come walk to and see the surviving Union artillery earthworks to learn more how the “vicious little battery” dominated the looming bulk of Lookout Mountain to the south and became a thorn Confederates had to contend with. Participants should know to wear clothing appropriate for the weather and

Chattanooga Beard Contest
16Nov 2026
Festivals

Chattanooga Beard Contest

First Horizon Pavilion

Calling all mustaches, beards, and glorious facial hair of every kind — it’s time to show it off! ‍ This No-Shave-November, we’re celebrating those growing it out with a Beard & Mustache Contest at the Chattanooga Market. Join us at 1:30 pm on the Sunday Funday Stage to watch the fun unfold, or step into the spotlight yourself. Want to compete? Head to the Sunday Funday Stage at 1:15 pm to sign up and get ready to show off your best look. Each category winner will take home a swag bag of gifts, plus plenty of bragging rights. Contest Categories • Most Festively Decorated - Decorate your beard or mustache in any style, for any holiday • Coolest Mustache - Any mustache style welcome (must be hair above the upper lip only) • Longest Beard - Measured from the bottom of the lower lip to the longest point of the beard Whether you’re competing or just cheering from the crowd, it’s all part of a fun, lighthearted Market Sunday. Market Hours Sunday: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Walker Farm Pioneer Days
Featured
17–21Nov 2026
Festivals

Walker Farm Pioneer Days

Chattanooga Audubon Society

Walker Farm Pioneer Days is a hands-on, living history event geared for elementary aged students and families. Visitors move through different historical demonstrations which showcase period skills or jobs. Reservations are required for all attendees. Ticket sales start sometime in September. Back this Year Ma Fry - will have Lunches ( She has Fry bread tacos, sandwiches, and many other items to choose from)! Sadie Soaps - Will be demonstrating soap making of the time period and will have soaps for sale! Charlie's Place- Talks about 1800s Candy and what it was used for ( She will be selling Candy and other goodies) Salt Man- Will be here Wed-Fri. He was on an episode of Mountain Man. He teaches us about Virginia salt making and many other cool things River Valley Longhunters - They have been the hunting/trading camp at Pioneer Days for over 30 years Blacksmith Watch our Facebook page for updates on demonstrators ​

Thanksgiving Market
22–23Nov 2026
Festivals

Thanksgiving Market

First Horizon Pavilion

Kick off Thanksgiving week with a Market full of fresh, local goodness. The Thanksgiving Market is your one-stop shop for everything on your holiday table — picture seasonal vegetables, breads, cranberry sauce, pies, and all the finishing touches that make a family meal special. You’ll also find beautiful fall flowers and greenery, perfect for a warm, welcoming centerpiece. Ice on the Landing joins the fun, bringing a festive, wintry backdrop to the Market. Enjoy a dedicated chill zone with extra seating, games, and cozy gathering spaces as we ease from fall straight into the holiday season. After Thanksgiving weekend, we’ll take a short break before heading indoors to the Chattanooga Convention Center for two weekends of Holiday Market fun — so come stock up, get inspired, and officially launch the season with us. Market Weekend Hours Saturday, November 21: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Sunday, November 22: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

163rd Anniversary of the Battles for Chattanooga
22Nov 2026
Festivals

163rd Anniversary of the Battles for Chattanooga

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

163rd Anniversary of the Battles for Chattanooga Living historians portray Confederate artillery inside Point Park, on Lookout Mountain. This year marks the 163rd Anniversary of the Battles for Chattanooga, and Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park staff and volunteers plan to provide commemorative programs on November 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25. Visitors wishing to participate in the park's programs are more than welcome to reference the schedule of events found below. If you plan to attend some of the more strenuous walking tours, please keep in mind that comfortable, supportive footwear and clothing suitable for the weather are recommended, as is water. As a reminder, some portions of the hiking routes may include grassy fields and less well-developed trails. There is a $10 per person entrance fee to Point Park, on Lookout Mountain, for all adults ages 16 and older; children 15 and younger may enter for free. Programs occurring in other areas are FREE.

Reindeer on the Riverfront & Lighted Boat Parade
28Nov 2026
Festivals

Reindeer on the Riverfront & Lighted Boat Parade

Coolidge Park

FIREWORKS - HOLIDAY FUN - REAL REINDEER - PICTURES WITH SANTA - LIGHTED BOAT PARADE! Holiday joy will fill downtown with "Reindeer on the Riverfront & 46th Annual Lighted Boat Parade" on Friday November 27th. Returning in a new location for 2026, Coolidge Park, with even more food, artist and entertainment vendors along with the Ellis Carousel. FREE to attend and fun for the whole family with live reindeer and Santa on site for free pictures, hot cocoa bar, mini-train rides, face painting/balloon animals, and holiday tunes followed by the 46th annual Lighted Boat Parade by Erwin Marine Sales and spectacular Fireworks presented by the Southern Belle, Chattanooga Ducks, Mayor’s Mansion Inn, Overboard Bar & Grille, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, TRG Lawncare, Incline Railway, and the MoonPie General Stores. Event Activities: 4:00pm - 6:30pm - See Real Live Reindeer 4:30pm - 7:30pm - Pictures with Santa 7:00pm - 8:00pm - 46th Annual Lighted Boat Parade 8:00pm - Fireworks The event is made poss

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