Ok, even though we haven’t really felt the fall weather this year, I have to admit that my porch already has a pumpkin on it. *fight me* 🎃
I will argue until I’m blue in the face that fall in Chattanooga (when we have one) is about as good as it gets. There’s something magical that happens in autumn — the leaves change and fall from the trees as a promise from the weather gods of lingering chilly days (my favorite), crisp evenings, bonfires and scenic hikes.
Let’s all sip on our pumpkin spiced lattés (like a basic boy) and attend some of the best events that Chattanooga has to offer.
Below you’ll find a list of fall events that are worth your time —#MustDos as we call them. From scary movies to drinking wine for historical preservation, the following activities are among our favorite Chattanooga events each year, regardless of season. ⬇
3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival | 📅 Oct. 5-6 | ⏰ Fri., 6-11 p.m. + Sat., 12-11 p.m.| 200 Riverfront Parkway| Free | The annual bluegrass festival features two nights of amazing music on the banks of the Tennessee River. The best part? It’s completely free to attend. The annual festival is a gift to the city from Fletcher Bright Co., and features both contemporary and traditional bluegrass superstars. This year’s lineup features the Infamous Stringdusters, Mipso, Noam Pikelny, Stuart Duncan and Friends. The full lineup is here. Bring a blanket, a light sweater and some chairs.
Wine Over Water | 📅 Oct. 6 | ⏰ Sat., 5-8 p.m. | 1 Walnut Street | $85 | This has traditionally been one of the city’s marquee fundraising events, with all proceeds benefiting historical preservation in Chattanooga through nonprofit Cornerstones Inc. The main event features wine + food on the Walnut Street Bridge, but plenty of other off-the-bridge events are offered. Wine Over Water is special because the event takes place on the Walnut Street Bridge … which was saved by historic preservation. You can’t beat the view either. Get tickets here.
RiverRocks | 📅 Oct. 5-21 | ⏰ All month | Various locations | Cost varies (a bunch of events are free though) | The annual RiverRocks, brought to you by Chattanooga Presents, serves two purposes: It helps locals become aware of all the outdoor activities—biking, hiking, climbing, paddleboarding—in our own backyard; and it invites world-class amateur athletes to compete in citywide events. There is no better time to get outside than the autumn months in Chattanooga. RiverRocks helps remind us why Chattanooga is the outdoor activity jewel of the South. A full list of events is available here.
Oktoberfest | 📅 Oct. 13-14 | ⏰ Sat., 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. + Sun., 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. | 1826 Reggie White Boulevard | Free | Chattanooga may not be in Deutschland, but for one weekend each October we sure do try our best. The city’s oldest and largest Oktoberfest celebration is a 2-day festival at the Chattanooga Market featuring the sights, smells and sounds of the German tradition. More than 99 local and seasonal beers will be offered in the biergärten. Other highlights include authentic German cuisine (brats, anybody?) and traditional Oompah music. Beer and autumn are like cake and frosting … it just works.
Frightening Ass Film Festival 8 | 📅 Oct. 27-28 | ⏰ Fri., 6-11 p.m. + Sat., 12 p.m. - 12 a.m. | 1800 Rossville Avenue, Suite 106 | $10 and up | Look, you either like horror movies or you don’t. If that’s not your thing, you probably don’t want to attend Chattanooga’s only Halloween-themed film festival. But if you’re a fan of jump scares, gore, monsters and things that go bump in the night, the 8th annual Frightening Ass Film Festival is a must. The schedule is here. Tickets and all the pertinent info will be announced soon.
