This 72-ft sculpture by John Henry will be unveiled during Arts Week. | Photo provided by Sculpture Fields
Arts Week — a week-long celebration of local arts organizations + creatives in Chattanooga and Hamilton County — returns Monday, April 21 through Saturday, April 26.
ArtsWeek is led by ArtsBuild, which invites the community to celebrate the art scene’s vital contributions. The arts sector in Hamilton County creates nearly $200 million in economic impact annually + supports over 3,000 jobs.
“Arts Week is more than a celebration. It’s about the power of creativity in bringing people together and driving our local economy forward,” said ArtsBuild President James McKissic.
The full lineup offers something for everyone (think: live music, gallery exhibitions, workshops, and community events), but here are some of our must-attend events.
Inside the Mind of Lorrie Moore| Free, RSVP
Join Writers@Work on Tuesday, April 22 at the Hunter Museum of American Art for an in-depth interview with author Lorrie Moore + stick around for a book signing and dessert reception.
Art in Uncertain Times| $13
The Chattery will host Narrative 4 — featuring educators, students, and artists who use art and storytelling to promote empathy + understanding — for a creative exploration of art’s role in navigating uncertainty on Wednesday, April 23.
The Art of Recycling| Free+
River City Co. + Art120 will bring an interactive upcycled art experience to Miller Park on Thursday, April 24. Attendees will help complete the “Terra the Turtle” sculpture, see an exhibition of bicycles-turned-art pieces, and enjoy lunch from local food trucks.
John Henry’s “Best for Last” Dedication| Free
Head to Sculpture Fields at Montague Park on Friday, April 25 to witness the unveiling of a new sculpture that is the final work of the park’s late founder, John Henry.
Bonus: If your organization would like to host an event during Arts Week, there’s still time to submit it online.
Events
Events
Tuesday, April 15
Spring Carnival | Tuesday, April 15-Sunday, April 20 | Times vary | Northgate Mall | Price of purchase | Get ready for thrills, classic carnival games + entertainment, and plenty of fair food.
Basecamp | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Chattanooga Choo Choo | Free+, RSVP | Come out for a day of networking + professional development, followed by a happy hour at Fifty Fifty Wine and Martini Bar.
Friday, April 18
Hug a Bunny | Friday, April 18-Saturday, April 19 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Chattanooga Zoo | Price of admission | Pet rabbits, take photos with the Easter Bunny, and keep an eye out for the hidden golden egg to win a free family membership to the zoo.
Campfire Concert at Reflection Riding: Tennessee’s Dead | 5:30-10 p.m. | Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center | $30+ | Campfire Concerts continue with Tennessee’s Dead: Nooga’s first Grateful Dead tribute band. Look forward to live music, food trucks, s’mores, and more during this family-friendly event under the stars.*
Saturday, April 19
Urban Birding Workshop | 9-11 a.m. | Stove Works | Free, RSVP | Learn about the birds you share a home with + grab a free field guide zine — bring your own binoculars.
Sunday, April 20
423 Day Festival 2025 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Miller Park | Free+ | Celebrate the City of Chattanooga’s past, present, and future while enjoying music, art, and food.
The seasonal burn ban for Hamilton County residents will be in effect from Thursday, May 1 through Tuesday, Sept. 30. If residents want to burn brush or vegetation, a burn permit must be obtained from the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau.
Travel
In anticipation of increased holiday travel, TDOT will suspend all interstate construction work beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 17. Motorists are urged to use caution as workers may still be on site. Closures will halt at 6 a.m. on Monday, April 21.
Arts
Scenic City Clay Arts will host Create, Move, and Sculpt at East Lake Park on Saturday, April 19. This free, family-friendly event will feature a bilingual storytime, a dance challenge, hands-on clay activities, soccer, and more.
Concert
Five Chattanooga bands will compete in the Road to Nightfall Finals on Saturday, April 19. Grab your tickets and head to The Granfalloon to see which band will claim the headling position at the Nightfall concert on Friday, May 16.
Community
The Katie Lamb Public Library in nearby Collegedale will temporarily close for renovations beginning Tuesday, April 22. During the closure, the library will offer ongoing services at a pop-up starting on Thursday, May 1 — stay tuned for details.
Pets
Speaking of renovations, The Barks and Tails Dog Park is closed now through Sunday, April 20 for maintenance and updates. Need somewhere to take your pup in the meantime? Check out our City Guide featuring 40+ dog-friendly spots in Chattanooga.
Answered
Fact or fiction: Chattanooga is now considered a national park. Only 52.6% of our readers guessed correctly in our last poll. Chattanooga is not considered a national park — the National Park City title is a separate, unrelated designation.
$1,300. That’s what you could spend on a brand new tablet, smart watch, and noise-canceling earbuds — or what you could spend overpaying for car insurance. If you like the former option, see what you could save by switching car insurance providers.*
Featured Deal
Restock your wine fridge ahead of spring + summer events. For a limited time, Swirl Wine Shop is offering up to 70% off premium collections of red, white, and mixed selections.*
Category
City
💌 A love letter to Chattanooga
One thing that we hope never changes about Chattanooga is its scenic views. | Photo by @emilyklester
We consider ourselves some of Chattanooga’s biggest fans, and we love watching the Scenic City continue to grow and flourish. With that said, we asked our Instagram followers to share things about the Scenic City they hope never change — here are some of the highlights.
“How there are not a lot of chain restaurants downtown! I love the local flavors!” — @paigevegasterlizzi
“Nature and our outdoor spaces as a focus. 💚” — @highgardentea
“The sense of community and walkability of downtown. That’s what gives Chattanooga its charm!” — @jeshhhehhh
“I hope they never change those big steps by the river near the aquarium. My favorite spot to rest awhile.” — @mondidopwr__
“Our walking bridge, easy access to all things nature related (paddle boarding, rock climbing, trails, vistas), our quaint downtown area and all the restaurants and cool bars, our Hunter Museum and Bluff Arts District, very little traffic, small town vibes… I could go on.” — @staton.griffith
What’s something you hope never changes about Chattanooga? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
The Buy
A breathable long-sleeve tee, great to pair with jeans and jackets on cool spring days.
This weekend is your final chance to journey through the SeaLight Festival in Sculpture Fields at Montague Park. I don’t know about y’all, but I’m going to miss seeing the adorable duck lanterns on my walks through the park.
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