What a bright time, it’s the right time to start planning out those holiday calendars. To help you get started, we put together this guide to some festive events happening in and around Chattanooga.
Christmas parades
East Ridge | Saturday, Nov. 18 | 6:30 p.m. | Ringgold Road, East Ridge | Free | Join the community to see local businesses and organizations showcase their floats.
Chattanooga | Friday, Nov. 24 | 4-8 p.m. | Ross’s Landing | Free+ | Enjoy the city’s annual Reindeer on the Riverfront & Lighted Boat Parade, featuring holiday fun, real reindeer, photo-ops with Santa Claus, and a parade on the water.
Red Bank | Friday, Dec. 1 | 4-9 p.m. | Red Bank City Park | Free+ | This festival + parade will feature local vendors, a DJ playing Christmas tunes, food, and more family-friendly fun. Note: The parade begins at 7 p.m. — applications are still open through Friday, Nov. 17.
Cleveland | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 6 p.m. | Bradley Central High School | Free | Travel through the downtown area of Cleveland during this holiday parade. Note: Applications are still open through Saturday, Nov. 18 (late forms will be accepted but will require late fees).
MAINx24 | Saturday, Dec. 2 | Times vary | Main Street | Free+ | Spend a full 24 hours on the Southside with 120+ fun events, including a parade at 10:30 a.m.
Soddy-Daisy | Sunday, Dec. 3 | 2 p.m. | Dayton Pike (from Harrison Lane to Sequoyah Road) | Free | See decorated floats, cars, a marching band, dancers, and Santa Clause in this parade. Note: Applications are still open through Monday, Nov. 27.
Dade County | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 6 p.m. | South Industrial Boulevard, Trenton, GA | Free | Presented by the Bank of Dade, this parade will showcase floats based on the theme of “Christmas Movies.”
Dalton | Thursday, Dec. 14 | 6 p.m. | Downtown Dalton (beginning at Waugh Street), GA | Free | This family-friendly event will have community-decorated floats and festive characters.
Tree lightings
A Soddy-Daisy Christmas | Friday, Nov. 17 | 5-7 p.m. | Poe’s Tavern Park | Free+ | See the lighting of a 62-ft Christmas tree, shop from local vendors, get photos with Santa + Mrs. Claus, and see live performances.
Festive Forest | Wednesday, Nov. 22 | 5 p.m. | Miller Park | Free | Come out for this inaugural tree lighting downtown where you can see 50 trees decorated by local organizations.
Hamilton County | Thursday, Nov. 30 | 4 p.m. | Hamilton County Courthouse | This second annual tree lighting event features Santa Claus, the Chattanooga Elf, face-painting, hot chocolate + food trucks.
Lakesite | Friday, Dec. 1 | 5:30 p.m. | Lakesite City Park | Free+ | Join the City of Lakesite for ornament crafts, a popcorn stringing contest, seasonal treats + a tree lighting.
Christmas in Collegedale | Sunday, Dec. 3 | 3-7 p.m. | The Collegedale Commons | Free+ | Spend a day seeing live performances, enjoying interactive activities, grabbing a bite from local food trucks + end the night with the city’s tree lighting at 6:30 p.m.
Santa sightings + more
Santa’s Workshop | Friday, Nov. 17-Sunday, Dec. 24 | Times Vary | Hamilton Place Mall | Price of photo package | Take the kiddos to see Santa and tell him what is on their wishlist while getting a photo-op.
Ruby Falls Christmas | Friday, Nov. 24-Saturday, Dec. 23 | Times vary | Ruby Falls | $0-$34.95 | Experience a classic Christmas on Lookout Mountain featuring scenic views, beautiful holiday lights on the Village Plaza, visits with Santa, and plenty of festive cheer.
Holidays Under the Peaks | Monday, Nov. 27-Sunday, Dec. 31 | Times vary | Tennessee Aquarium | Price of admission | Join the aquarium for various holiday programs including seeing Scuba Santa every Saturday + Sunday at 2 p.m. Pro tip: Snag a ticket for the special IMAX screening of “The Polar Express” before they sell out.
Christmas at McLemore | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 3-6 p.m. | McLemore Club | $15-$105 | Stop by for a pop-up Christmas tree farm and get in the holiday spirit with the community.
Holiday Jubilee | Friday, Dec. 8 | 5-8 p.m. | The Read House | Free+ | See live entertainment, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy a complimentary hot chocolate + cookie station, and an elf workshop. Bonus: The Read House will offer several holiday events including “Breakfast with Santa.”
Brunch with Santa | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | McLemore Club | $25 per table | Enjoy a seasonal meal that will make you feel like you’re in the North Pole. Note: Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, Nov. 28.
In case you couldn’t tell, the Scenic City loves to be jolly. Know of any other events? Let us know.
