Must-dos

• Outdoor winter activity | Specifications: Not too difficult + doesn’t last too long (for weather reasons)
• Local coffee shop | Specifications: Somewhere you can get a sugary seasonal latte + a solid cup of black coffee
• Somewhere cozy | Specifications: A place that makes you happy to be indoors
• Chattanooga-specific holiday activity | Specifications: Something fun that can’t be found elsewhere
• New, hip restaurant | Specifications: Good food
• Good drink | Specifications: A place to get away from the kids for an evening

Our itinerary

• Start the day with a brisk walk across the Walnut Street Bridge (outdoor winter activity ✅), then grab coffee from nearby Be Caffeinated or Milk & Honey (local coffee shop ✅)
• Alternatively, show how “Chattanooga” you are by heading to Falling Waterfalls for a quick, painless jaunt with a stunning local view (outdoor winter activity ✅)

• Opted to walk the bridge? Stay in NorthShore to window-shop at local stores + complete the Holiday Treasure Hunt (Chattanooga-specific holiday activity ✅)
• Take animal lovers to cuddle cats at Naughty Cat Café, or bring bookworms to The Book & Cover for a cozy spot to curl up with a good read. Bonus: both have coffee (somewhere cozy ✅)

• Grab small bites at Amada Tapas & Wine bar (new, hip restaurant ✅)
• Go skating at Ice on the Landing, opening Friday, Nov. 18, or check out a holiday lights show/drive-thru (Bonus Chattanooga-specific holiday activity, because you’re just that cool ✅)
• Bring the adults to Whiskey Thief for drinks with a view, or No Hard Feelings for the holiday pop-up bar beginning Tuesday, Nov. 22 (good drink ✅)

• NoogaLights | Tuesday, Nov. 15-Saturday, Dec. 31 | 5:30-10 p.m. | Chester Frost Park, 2277 Gold Point Circle N., Middle Valley | $25-$30 | For six weeks, Chester Frost Park will be transformed into an immersive drive-thru lighting experience for all ages.
• Cake Decorating 101 | Tuesday, Nov. 15 | 6-8 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Chattanooga | $65 | Learn the basics of cake decorating on a pre-made cake + take it home to enjoy later.

• Katherine Blanford | Wednesday, Nov. 16 | 7 p.m. | The Comedy Catch at The Chattanooga Choo Choo, 29 Station St., Chattanooga | $17+ | Katherine Blanford has brought her “human Golden Retriever” comedy presence to stages across the country.

• Gratefull | Thursday, Nov. 17 | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. MLK Blvd., Chattanooga | Free | This community Thanksgiving event has no fee, no expectations, and no agenda.
• Neutral Ground’s Gumbo Pop-Up | Thursday, Nov. 17 | 5-8 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Chattanooga | Price of purchase | Grab a cup of gumbo for dinner from Neutral Ground.

• Save Water, Drink Wine Mini Event | Friday, Nov. 18 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Signal Mountain Nursery, 1100 Hubbard Rd., Signal Mountain | $20+ | If you love Save Water, Drink Wine, this mini version at Signal Mountain Nursery is for you.
• Exclusive Mead Tasting Event | Friday, Nov. 18 | 6-9 p.m. | Flora De Mel, 313 McFarland Ave., Rossville | $99 | Get an early tasting of Flora De Mel’s eight new meads, along with light food + three early release bottles for guests to take home.

• 48º | Rain | 100% chance of rain 🌧️

• Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors is in the next phase of the Chattanooga Parks and Outdoor Plan. The plans are driven by public input + the department is asking for community feedback through a ~15-minute online survey to be completed by Friday, Nov. 18. 🌳

• Want a neighborhood grocery store in East Chattanooga? Purpose Point Community Health Center (2800 N. Chamberlain Ave.) will host two community listening sessions on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. + 5:30 p.m. to discuss plans and gain community input.

• The Humane Educational Society will offer free Canine DAPPc + Feline HCP vaccinations at its final Community Low-Cost Vaccine Clinic of the year on Saturday, Nov. 19. The clinic will be held at the VFD Training Center on Highway 58, no appointment necessary. (Local 3)

• Locals Only Gifts & Goods will host its Holiday Open House this Saturday, Nov. 19, featuring free hot cocoa, coffee + snacks. Shop some great deals on Chattanooga items and enjoy a photo op with Jack and Sally from “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” 🎄

• Barking Legs Theatre’s Drive-In Dance will return Saturday, Nov. 19. Drive up + tune your radio to the accompanying station to be in sync with the performances in the green space. Admission is priced per vehicle and tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the gate.

• Calling all pickleball enthusiasts. You can participate in Black Light Pickleball for free on Friday, Nov. 18 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Washington Hills Community Center (4628 Oakwood Dr.). The lights will be turned off, and glow-in-the-dark lines + equipment will be provided. 🏓

• Daunted by a long holiday shopping list? Quick cash idea: List your extra storage spaces on Neighbor. You can rent out anything from closets and sheds to driveways and parking spots. Bonus: Listing your space is free. 💸 *

• The Children’s Hospital at Erlanger is collecting mini Christmas trees to decorate the rooms of patients in December. Artificial trees (three ft. or smaller) with ornaments can be dropped off Thursday, Dec. 8 or Friday, Dec. 9 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the table near the main entrance.
• Toys for Tots collects toys for children in Chattanooga + surrounding areas. Click here to view the many donation drop sites around town, or make a monetary donation here.
• Head to a Food City nearby to purchase pre-packaged bags filled with food or pet items, all of which will be donated locally to benefit local hunger relief organizations + animal shelters — bags are available for purchase through Dec. 31.