We can already hear the marching band and smell the warm hot dogs from here. What’s your favorite quintessential part of high school football games? | Photos provided by Chattanooga Tourism Co., gif created by NOOGAtoday
Picture this: It’s a crisp December day, and the sounds of a bustling stadium greet you from the parking lot. You grab a warm beverage and prepare for a day of high school championship football.
There’s no better way to spend a Saturday in the South than at a football game (or series of games). So grab your favorite jersey and snag your parking spot at Finley Stadium for the BlueCross Bowl state championships.
Tennessee’s best high school football programs will descend upon Scenic City on Thursday, Dec. 5 through Saturday, Dec. 7 for nine action-packed matchups — including Baylor vs. McCallie on night one — to see who will be crowned the best in the state.
It’s the type of event that electrifies the entire community, and the City of Chattanooga is pulling out all the stops to help fans show their state pride. Here’s what attendees can expect:
Fan experiences
Explore the Dr. Pepper Fansville Experience located between Finley Stadium and the First Horizon Pavilion. Starting two hours before the first game through the kickoff of the final game, fans can enjoy:
Inflatable games and cornhole
Ice skating (with food trucks nearby)
A live DJ
Merchandise
Bonus: New this year, fans can upgrade their experience with access to the Dr. Pepper VIP lounge. Admission includes access to a heated area in the West End Zone Plaza overlooking the field, an upscale all-inclusive menu, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, cornhole, giveaway items, and more.
Giving Tuesday | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | The Chattery (Broad Street) | Free+ | Show support, apply to volunteer, and enjoy co-working in the classroom + build a floral arrangement at the Bloom Bouquet Bar.
Gingerbread Wars | 5:30-7 p.m. | Katie Lamb Public Library, Ooltewah | Free | Test your skills by building structures using graham crackers, icing, and candy decorations — supplies are first come, first served.
Wednesday, Dec. 4
Christmas Celebration with Santa | 6-7:30 p.m. | Christ Church | Free | Come out for a family-friendly evening featuring crafts, merry games, a music presentation, food, and much more.
Thursday, Dec. 5
“The Polar Express” | 11 a.m.-12:40 p.m. | Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater | $8+ | Experience the classic holiday tale on the big screen.
A Very Countess Christmas Show | 7:30 p.m. | Walker Theatre | $50+ | See “The Real Housewives of New York City” star Luann de Lesseps hit the stage in the Scenic City as she plays her all-time favorite holiday songs.
Friday, Dec. 6
Mistletoe Market | Friday, Dec. 6-Saturday, Dec. 7 | Times vary | Creative Arts Guild, Dalton, GA | Free+ | Support local artists while finding unique gifts for everyone on your list.
TVA has awarded a total of $1.5 million in STEM grants to 342 schools in its service region. Notably, Hamilton County Schools like Battle Academy, Harrison Elementary, East Ridge Elementary, and more will receive funds. Bonus: Check out some of the schools in our district.
Cause
Local first responders + NewsChannel 9 will host the Coats for Kids Drive on Thursday, Dec. 5. From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., you can drop off winter coats at Hamilton Place Mall (in the parking lot across from Texas Road House) to benefit the Forgotten Child Fund.
Feel Good
The Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors Department has welcomed Clark in a Park back for another season — make sure you follow along on Instagram to see what kind of mayhem he’ll bring to our local parks in December. Bonus: See what he got into last year.
Seasonal
Upcoming veterans retreat Project Gallantly Forward is hosting an Ugly Sweater Party on Saturday, Dec. 14 at Mint Chattanooga from 6 to 9 p.m. Don your ugliest and most festive sweater to enjoy a barbecue dinner, drinks + a beard contest while raising funds for the project.
Theater
We are not throwing away our shot to see “Hamilton” at Memorial Auditorium next year. Single-performance tickets for this traveling Broadway production go on sale Monday, Dec. 9. There will be 16 shows from Tuesday, April 22 through Sunday, May 4.
Family
Family passes for the Incline Railway in St. Elmo can now be checked out at the Chattanooga Public Library. Six passes will be available weekly on a first-come, first-served basis + are eligible for passengers of all ages to enjoy a round trip on the railway.
Plan Ahead
Save the date — the Unity Group of Chattanooga has announced the 55th annual MLK Day Parade will be Monday, Jan. 20, beginning at 1 p.m. You can expect signs that showcase the theme “Dream Big! Act Bold! Ignite Change Together!”
Shop
Looking for a last-minute gift? We found one that’s more than 60% off, can be delivered instantly + will last forever. That’s speaking our language. Shop the sale.*
Finance
If holiday shopping — on top of your outstanding debt — is weighing on you this season, find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. Here are hands down some of the best.*
Biz
Don’t let those leftovers go to waste. Use the remainder of your end-of-year budget + get your business in front of thousands. For a limited time, take 25% off ads in our self-service ad portal when you use the promo code 2025 at checkout.
Fun Fact
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Category
Coming Soon
A new meaning to “reading the room”
You might remember us announcing this spot in August 2023 — now, we’re sharing the details as it gets closer to opening. | Photo by Nothing Darling via The Reading Room
Ever wanted to be that person at the bar with a good book? That experience will be universal at The Reading Room, a bar and used bookstore, coming soon to Chattanooga.
Owner Linden Marno-Ferree said the concept came mainly from her love of books and her time living in Boston, MA + working at Harvard Bookstore, before moving to Chattanooga and entering our local service industry scene.
“I imagine myself 15 years from now serving drinks and hanging around books and helping people find the book for them,” Marno-Ferree said. “And that just sounds like a really pleasant existence.”
Let’s set the scene, shall we? Imagine a space with a dark wood bar, a floor-to-ceiling wall filled with books for purchase (supplied through a partnership with the Chattanooga Public Library), and a mix of tables for studying, conversing, and spending time with your friends.
These trendy cat eye sunglasses — because you can never have too many pairs. They boast scratch resistant lenses + 400UV protection. Bonus: Your purchase helps provide those in need with free eye exams and glasses.
Over the weekend, I got to explore the Festive Forest + see EPB’s holiday window display. I don’t want to disclose too much about the “Chattanooga Polar Palooza,” but I will say you might want to pay extra attention to the TV screen in one of the windows to see one of my favorite details.
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