Lucky you. You just found NOOGAtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place throughout Chattanooga each month.
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to this month. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back; we update our guide monthly.
(Don’t see anything you like? Check out our full events calendar.)
Festivals + markets
Mainx24 | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 8-12 a.m. | Main Street + Southside district | Price of purchase | Enjoy 24 hours of pure Chattanooga fun as the Southside explodes with 100+ events, including a wacky + wonderful parade.
Christmas at the Choo-Choo | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Chattanooga Choo-Choo | Price of purchase | Shop unique gifts, sip festive brews, and soak up the magic as the Choo-Choo turns into a Christmas market wonderland.
Last Minute Market | Saturday, Dec. 20-Sunday, Dec. 21 | Times vary | The Commons in Collegedale | Price of purchase | Just days before Christmas and Kwanzaa + right in the middle of Hanukkah, this is the perfect opportunity to pick up last-minute gifts made by locals.
Theater + concerts
“Annie” | Friday, Dec. 5-Sunday, Dec. 21 | Times vary | Chattanooga Theatre Centre | $23+ | Follow a fearless orphan, a grumpy billionaire, and a wickedly funny villain in this feel-good musical.
Chattanooga Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” | Friday, Dec. 12-Sunday, Dec. 14 | Times vary | Memorial Auditorium | $33+ | Watch as a nutcracker comes to life, mice clash with soldiers, and a magical holiday adventure unfolds in a land of sweets.
Jim Brickman: “The Gift of Christmas” | Monday, Dec. 15 | 7:30 p.m. | Walker Theatre | $54+ | Join this famous pianist in a cozy concert of timeless Christmas songs and fan-favorite hits.
Home for the Holidays | Saturday, Dec. 20-Sunday, Dec. 21 | Times vary | Memorial Auditorium | $35+ | Celebrate the season with the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera in a holiday concert featuring the CSO Chorus, community performers, and Santa himself.
Shows
Jerry Seinfeld | Friday, Dec. 5 | 7 p.m. | Memorial Auditorium | $79+ | See Jerry Seinfeld do what he does best — turn life’s tiniest annoyances into laugh-out-loud jokes.
Holly Dolly Christmas | Friday, Dec. 12 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Songbirds | $50+ | Enjoy holiday tunes and Dolly Parton classics by Amber Carrington + Dran Lewis. Take note: You’ll have the option to add a seasonal Southern dinner or just go with the show-only experience.
North Georgia Holiday Spectacular | Thursday, Dec. 18-Saturday, Dec. 27 | Times vary | The Colonnade, Ringgold, GA | $11+ | Get ready for a high-energy show packed with music, magic, laughs, dancing elves, and all the holiday feels.
Home For The Holidays | Friday, Dec. 19-Saturday, Dec. 20 | 7 p.m. | The Comedy Catch | $23+ | Don’t miss this comedy showcase of Chattanooga favorites who are — just like it says — home for the holidays.
Seasonal
Holidays at Ruby Falls | Through Wednesday, Dec. 24 | 8 a.m.-7 p.m. | Ruby Falls | $18.95+ | Get in the spirit at this iconic attraction by adding your holiday wish to the Forest of Wishes, sipping hot cocoa by the fire in Castle Cafe, and of course — exploring the underground cave.
Holidays Under the Peaks | Through Sunday, Dec. 28 | Times vary | Tennessee Aquarium | $35 | Expect a festive, underwater-themed holiday celebration filled with sparkling decor, cheerful music, and the chance to see (and get photos with) Santa and SCUBA Claus.
Enchanted Garden of Lights | Through Sunday, Jan. 4 | Times vary | Rock City | Prices vary | Wander through “snow” to see millions of twinkling lights, meet the new storytelling gnome, and sip a holiday beverage while taking in mountaintop views.
Asian Lantern Festival: Forest of Fantasy | Through Saturday, Jan. 17 | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | Chattanooga Zoo | $17.50+ | Check out hundreds of hand-crafted lanterns, including ones that move, play music, change colors, and even blow bubbles.
Family fun
PJs with Santa | Sunday, Dec. 7 | 8-10 a.m. | Creative Discovery Museum | $16+ | Dress in your holiday PJs to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, make festive crafts, and play games.
PJs and Polar Express 3D | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 9:15-11:40 a.m. | Tennessee Aquarium IMAX Theater | $20 | Snuggle up in your PJs, sip hot cocoa, and ride the Polar Express in 3D for a magical morning at the IMAX.
An Afternoon of Holiday Cheer | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 12-4 p.m. | Miller Park | Free | Stroll through the Festive Forest and soak up an easygoing afternoon of holiday magic, treats, and fun activities for all ages.
New Year’s Eve
Chattanooga’s New Years Eve Celebration | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 4 p.m. | Coolidge Park | Free+ | Ring in 2026 riverside with live music, family fun, and a midnight fireworks show.
Have an event of your own you want to share with us? Follow these easy steps to add your events to our calendar:
- Go to our Events page.
- Click “Add Event” in the top right-hand corner.
- Make sure to include a link and fill out important information like the date, time, location, and price of your event.
- Click “Submit,” and you’ve just added an event to our website calendar.