Friday nights are about to get better with the return of this annual family-friendly concert series. | Photo provided by Nightfall
The sun might be shining longer these days, but it just means Nightfall is just around the corner — Chattanooga’s annual free summer concert series, that is.
This beloved festival will make its return to Miller Park and Plaza on Fridays a little earlier than usual this year, starting on May 2 + will run 10 weeks, ending on July 4 — five weeks shorter than last year.
So, here’s how to make the most out of your time when visiting this rain-or-shine event.
Meet the lineup — pro tip: Click on the artist’s photo to hear a music sample
Adults 21+ can enjoy Nightfall Happy Hour from 6 to 7 p.m. and bulk discount beer tickets will be available (which are valid for the whole season)
Shop from 25 vendors in Miller Park each week starting at 6 p.m. + kiddos can enjoy inflatables and games
Save the date for the final show which will begin at 5 p.m., featuring more music + activities
Winter Workshop | 6-8 p.m. | Outdoor Chattanooga | Free | Hear the latest efforts being made to make Chattanooga the first National Park City in the US + how you can help.
Live Film Performance | 6:30-8 p.m. | Stove Works | Free | Enjoy multiple-projector performances + essayistic videos by Roger Beebe that “explore the world of found images and the ‘found’ landscapes of late capitalism.”
Friday, March 28
S’mores & Sounds | 6-8 p.m. | Red Bank City Park, Red Bank | Free+ | Bring your friends and family to enjoy s’mores by the fire while listening to music by Nina Ricci.
“Intersextions” | Friday, March 28-Sunday, March 30 | Times vary | Barking Legs Theater | $15+ | See a locally written + produced play that is described as a hysterically subversive, playful, bawdy, feminist comedy — suitable for mature audiences.
Saturday, March 29
Fiber Arts Bash | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Chattanooga Public Library, Downtown Branch | Free | Celebrate local textile and fabric makers + enjoy stations like screenprinting, rug tufting, a DIY sewing kit scavenger hunt, and more.
Exhibit Opening | 1 p.m. | National Medal of Honor Heritage Center | $10+ | Learn more about the late Capt. Larry L. Taylor, a Chattanoogan who received the Medal of Honor for his service as a US Army helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War.
Sunday, March 30
Body Positivity Fest & Market | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Redbud Venue | Free+ | Come out for yoga, educational workshops, a size-inclusive clothes swap, a market, and flash tattoos + stop by the silent auction benefiting Chattanooga Women’s Rugby.
CHA Ballet Co. presents this inspiring combination of history and fine arts. | Photos by Wizardly Studios
Root, root, root for the ballerinas. “Curveball,” an original story-ballet inspired by a local female baseball phenom, premieres Friday, April 11 through Sunday, April 13.
While pitching for the Chattanooga Lookouts in 1931, Jackie Mitchell struck out two Yankee legends: Babe Ruth + Lou Gehrig. Chattanooga Ballet brings a story inspired by Mitchell from field to stage with humor, jazz + big band music, nostalgic costumes, and, in baseball tradition, a seventh-inning stretch.
Psst... Catch a post-show talk during CHA Alumni Night on April 11.
Hamilton County has released the 2024 Hamilton Counted Year-End Report. Notably, this year’s data expanded its findings on education + the disparities in urban schools, reported fatal overdoses are the lowest they’ve been since 2020, and non-fatal shootings dropped 21%.
Development
The construction of Chattanooga Fire Department’s new Fire Training Tower has been completed. Standing at 60-ft tall, the 8,053-sqft space is designed for live fire, search and rescue, ladder training, and more. Bonus: Watch a time lapse, starting with the demolition of the original tower in 2023 to now.
Coming Soon
If you were saddened by the news of Mac’s Kitchen and Bar closing just a few months ago, we’ve got an update that will dry those tears. In an Instagram post, the owners shared that they will soon reopen at 1320 Dodds Ave., offering an intimate dining experience that makes you feel at home.
Environment
WaterWays + Hamilton County Parks and Recreation have installed a second Osprey Initiative litter boom in our local streams, this time at Citico Creek. Need a refresher on what this means? Read about the city’s first litter boom at Chattanooga Creek and how it keeps the area clean.
Seasonal
The inventory for Crabtree Farms’ annual Spring Plant Sale, happening on Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27, is now available. Check out which vegetables, herbs, flowers + more you want to add to your shopping list. Bonus: Registration to volunteer for the event is still open — pick a station.
Sports
Chattanooga FC Women recently dropped the 2025 WPSL season schedule — which will kick off with a home match on Friday, May 23 against UFA Gunners. Scheduled to play a total of eight games, the team will also compete in the Peachtree Division of the Southeast Conference.
State
We think Tennessee is the best state, but do others agree? Think Tennessee has launched its updated State of Our State dashboard — featuring data from the “15 Metrics that Matter Most” on economic mobility to metric ranks and data points for all states to see how we compare. Navigate online.
Making summer 2025 your main character era? Perfect timing: Snag this travel credit card’s rare, limited-time welcome bonus (worth ~$1,000) to fuel your summer adventures — whether it’s island-hopping like a “Love Is Blind” escapee, chasing Sabrina or Kendrick on tour, or simply living your best jet-set life.*
Finance
If you’re in credit card debt, you could spend hours (or days, or weeks) mapping out how to reduce it on your own... or you could let Freedom Debt Relief step in to renegotiate with debtors and consolidate your payments. See if you qualify.*
Wellness
Looking to boost hair thickness and volume in as little as 3-6 months?† Through Hims & Hers, you can access personalized, clinically-backed treatment options without leaving home (if prescribed). Skip the office visits and insurance headaches — just effective solutions that work.*
†Based on separate individual studies of oral minoxidil and oral finasteride. Prescription products require an online consultation with a healthcare provider who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. Restrictions apply. See website for full details and important safety information.
Category
Outdoors
🌳 Saving the trees one ordinance at a time
The City of Chattanooga has proposed a new way to invest in the city’s long-term sustainability and livability. | Photo by @joehdodd
While development is an essential part of a city’s growth, preserving the area’s tree canopy is equally as important. The City of Chattanooga has proposed a new tree ordinance to help with this balancing act.
To get to the root of it all, you can read the full ordinance online — but leaf it to us to break down the highlights.
This proposal focuses on new developments versus private homeowners.
For every acre developed, 36 inches of tree caliber (about 18 trees) must be present either by replanting or preserving the trees.
A third option includes paying into the newly introduced Chattanooga Tree Bank — 125% of costs go toward planting trees in other parts of the city.
For developments near residential areas, buffer trees will be planted for three years to ensure survival.
Clearer definitions of tree species, sizes + measurement methods
Chattanooga Tree Commission will make annual fee recommendations to the City Council + the city forester role will be appointed through the Public Works Department
The Buy
The Buy
A purse organizer that’s 69% off thanks to Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. Say goodbye to a messy handbag with this organizer featuring 13 thoughtfully designed pockets to keep everything in its place. Read: You’ll never be endlessly digging around for your keys again.
Speaking of women’s sports, Chattanooga Mocs women’s basketball took a moment on Instagram to highlight Head Coach Deandra Schirmer for being the first coach in the program’s history to win a postseason tournament game in their first season with the team.
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