There are only a few more sleeps until one of Chattanooga’s biggest celebrations, MAINx24.
In case you’re new here, this is an almost 24-hour festival on Saturday, Dec. 7 that takes place along Main Street + the surrounding Southside area and features over 100 events to attend for nonstop fun.
So, what all is happening at MAINx24? A lot — you can check out the full schedule to plan accordingly.
While not every event will be open to kiddos, there are plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Pro tip: You can filter the events calendar to “kid-friendly” to find suitable events.
Must-attend events:
- MAINx24 Parade | 10:30 a.m. | View the parade on Main Street (starting at the corner of Main + Jefferson Streets, traveling west toward Broad Street) to celebrate the wacky and weird artistic creativity of the Chattanooga community — costumes are encouraged.
- Pop-Up Zoo | 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Head to 405 E. Main St. to see some of the Chattanooga Zoo’s animal residents + zookeepers.
- World Heavyweight Chili Championship | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Sample chili from over 20 teams, sip on drinks, and enjoy music — tickets tend to sell out, so grab yours online while you can.
- Hi-Fi Clyde’s Block Party | 9 p.m.-12 a.m. | The all-day block party is back featuring food, drinks, and hip-hop performances.
Wackiest events:
- Krummy Karaoke | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | This Songbirds’ tradition is all about flair and less about talent — participants get one free drink.
- Murder on Main | 1 p.m. | Head to Lo Main to see 10 contestants eat 10 Murder Burgers in 10 minutes.
- Fire & Ice Polar Plunge | 2-3 p.m. | Common House will open its doors to the public so you can take a plunge in their pool — all participants will receive a warm beverage.
Foodie events:
- Niedlov’s Donuts | 8 a.m. | If you know, you know — get these sweet treats early before they sell out.
- Food Truck Court | 10 a.m.-10 p.m. | Get your nosh on all day at Pax Breu Ruim, featuring food trucks Go Gyro Go, Chubby Vegan + Mama Bear Burgers.
- Great Clumpies Bake Off | 1-4 p.m. | See four local amateur bakers compete for bragging rights + a year of free ice cream.
As for getting to MAINx24 — we’re gonna give it to you straight — parking can be a little overwhelming. Avoid Main Street, and if you’re able, we recommend parking a bit further out and walking or biking. There will also be several street closures, so expect traffic in the area + keep an eye out for pedestrians.
Just a reminder, this event is rain or shine. Right now, the forecast isn’t projecting high chances of rain (fingers crossed), but you might want to bring an umbrella or rain jacket just in case.
