Culture

Hikes

• Laurel-Snow Trail | With foliage out of the way, the views on this 6.1-mile trail are even better in the winter (plus, it literally has snow in the name, so we had to include it).
• Snoopers Rock Trail | Prentice Cooper’s trails are well-maintained throughout the winter, making them easily accessible, easy to navigate, and dry — just be sure to check online for scheduled road closures before heading out.
• If you’re new to hiking or apprehensive about hiking in the winter, book a guided hike with Experience Chattanooga (which also includes a professional photo gallery).

Seasonal outdoor activities

• Go ice skating at Ice on the Landing through Jan. 29.
• Make like Rudolph and run, run in a winter-themed race — Whiskey Run Chattanooga, Freeze Your Half Off, Jingle Bell Jog, or take a daring plunge at Lula Lake’s Polar Plunge Fun Run (the one time a year when the public is allowed to swim in Lula Lake).
• Walk through Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights atop Lookout Mountain.
• Even if we don’t get snow, you can still go sledding cardboard-style on cardboard hill in Renaissance Park.
• Head out on a road trip via camper van — local business Nomad Be Happy’s vans now have heaters, so you’ll stay toasty all night long.

• Merry GRINCHmas! Cookie Decorating | Monday, Dec. 5 | 6-8 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Chattanooga | $45 | Learn the basics of cookie decorating + how to decorate three Grinch-themed cookies.
• Chattanooga Super Sessions | Monday, Dec. 5 | 7-9 p.m. | Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave., Chattanooga | Free+ | Join host Nathan Bell + special guest Krampus for this event with some of the area’s finest musicians in a free form setting.

• Food Illustration: Intermediate Procreate | Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 6-8 p.m. | The Chattery, virtual | $20 | In this class, you will be taught how to draw a recipe in the Procreate app on your iPad.

• Green Drinks | Wednesday, Dec. 7 | 5-7 p.m. | Chattanooga Brewing Co., 1804 Chestnut St., Chattanooga | Free+, RSVP | Celebrate the last Green Drinks of the year, co-hosted by the Main Street Farmers Market.
• Voice Acting 101 | Wednesday, Dec. 7 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Chattanooga | $25 | This class will focus on developing well-rounded characters, vocal techniques, and tips to boost your recording quality at home.

• Free Family Fun Night | Thursday, Dec. 8 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St., Chattanooga | Free, RSVP | Enjoy a free night at the museum after hours.

• Bode for the Holidays Launch | Friday, Dec. 9 | 8 a.m.-10 p.m. | Bode Chattanooga, 730 Chestnut St., Chattanooga | Free+, RSVP | Celebrate the launch of Bode’s month-long holiday pop-up with holiday movies and music, themed food and drinks, ornament decorating, and more.
• Chattanooga Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” | Friday, Dec. 9-Sunday, Dec. 11 | 2 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.; performance times vary by date | Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga | $19-$75 | Enjoy this classic holiday ballet with new costumes, a live score by the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra + a full choir.*

• 51º | Rain | 100% chance of rain 🌧️

• Larry Zehnder, the city’s former Parks and Recreation Department administrator, will be the keynote speaker at this month’s North Chattanooga Chamber Council meeting. The public is invited to attend the meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 6 to hear from Zehnder + network with the community.

• Baylor High School recently won its first football state title in 49 years after defeating Montgomery Bell Academy, 38-34. Congrats on the huge win, Red Raiders. 🏆 (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
• After Baylor’s win, the Tyner Academy Rams became the first Chattanooga public school to win a football state title since 2010. The Tyner win took place in Saturday’s TSSAA Class 2A BlueCross Bowl at Finley Stadium. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

• Customized jewelry store The Finery House recently opened its doors at Cambridge Square in Ooltewah. The store aims to bring high-end jewelry to its customers “without excessive markup price.”

• Wristbands for the 2023 Riverbend music festival are officially on sale. Those interested can receive an early bird rate for a limited time for the June 2-4 event at Ross’s Landing.

• Hamilton County students and families are invited to attend River City Company’s “Winter Break Spectacular” at Miller Park for an afternoon of holiday-themed fun on Friday, Dec. 16. The free event will begin at 2 p.m. + attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs for the screening of “Elf” at sunset. ❄️

• Yellow Dragon Productions will present its holiday comedy “A Tuna Christmas” with performances Dec. 9-11 + 16-18 at St. Luke United Methodist Church (3210 Social Cr.). You can grab your tickets to this “fast-paced, quick-change holiday extravaganza” online or at the door.

• Your Monday morning holiday gift inspiration, courtesy of Etsy: For the person who loves bread. For the person obsessed with their pet. For the person who can take a joke. For the kid who loves to color. Plus, all you need is popcorn or all you need is marshmallows. 🎁 *