Get ready for five straight days of the best in bluegrass. | Photo by Jay Strausser via IBMA
You look like the Fourth of July — makes us want to explore the Scenic City real bad. Check out these 15+ events happening next month. Remembering a Chattanooga Icon | Thursday, July 17 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Barking Legs Theater | Free+ | Spend an evening honoring Bob Chuckrow, a staple in the local acoustic music community from the 1980s + hear never-released music from his last recordings.
Pops on the River | Thursday, July 3 | 6-11 p.m. | Coolidge Park | Free+ | Celebrate Independence Day with activities, food trucks, live music from Chattanooga Soul + Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, and a fireworks display at 9:45 p.m.
Q ‘n Brew | Saturday, July 12 | 6-9 p.m. | Chattanooga Zoo | $8+ | Join the animals at the zoo for a family-friendly cookout, brews, a bluegrass band, tortoise races, and more. Chattanooga Water Lantern Festival | Saturday, July 12 | 6-10 p.m. | Chester Frost State Park, Hixson | $31+ | Live out your “Tangled” fantasies by decorating your own lantern and watching it float above the water.
Nightfall | 6-10 p.m. | Miller Park and Plaza | Free+ | Bring your chairs + blankets to hear music from Flashdrive + headliner Sinkane, who is known for his Afrobeat-inspired sounds.
Celestial Faire Night Market | 7-10 p.m. | Verre Noir | Free+ | Head to NorthShore to shop from vendors + neighboring businesses while enjoying celestial sips, tarot readings, live tattoos, and more.
Movie Night | 8 p.m.-12 a.m. | McDonald Farm, Sale Creek | Free+ | Bring the family and come Hydra-ted to enjoy popcorn, games, and a screening of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.”
Saturday, June 28
Food Truck Takeover | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | McDonald Farm, Sale Creek | Free+ | Head back to the farm to try bites from the lineup of food trucks while shopping a market and listening to live music.
Make a Mo-Ment | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Creative Discovery Museum | Price of admission | Let your imagination take flight during Illustration Day with activities inspired by the current Mo Willems exhibit, like creating a Pigeon Story Board.
Porch Sale | 12-4 p.m. | Houston Museum of Decorative Art’s Pop-Up | Free+ | Peruse antiques and discounted items while taking a tour + learning about Anna Safley Houston’s legacy.
Clyde Stubberfield Tribute Concert | 6-8 p.m. | Miller Park | Free | Local and regional artists will gather to celebrate Chattanooga’s own Clyde Stubblefield — the legendary “Funky Drummer” behind James Brown’s most iconic beat — at this free evening concert.*
Sunday, June 29
FiveStar Food Fight | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | First Horizon Pavilion | Free+ | See five local chefs battle it out by creating a dish using ingredients from the market — don’t forget to say hi to Editor Haley on the judges’ panel.
In honor of Chattanoogan Jessie Mae Igou, who died in 2023, the city is renaming the Eastdale Community Center to the Jessie Igou Community Center. Igou was a civic leader in the neighborhood + worked on several community projects and initiatives. A ceremony will take place on Tuesday, July 1.
Traffic
To prepare for holiday travel around the Fourth of July, TDOT will halt construction-related lane closures on interstates + state routes starting at 12 p.m. on Thursday, July 3. Closures will be reinstated on Monday, July 7 at 6 a.m. Bonus: Take a scenic route.
Outdoors
Nonprofit South Pittsburg Area Revitalization Quest is taking folks out on a beginner-friendly 6.2-mile paddle along the Tennessee River tomorrow starting at 8 a.m. Paddlers will launch at the South Pittsburg Municipal Park + head toward Bridgeport River Park. There might still be kayaks available for loan — RSVP.
Sports
Chattanooga FC is lowering its ticket prices to $5 for the upcoming match against Inter Miami II on Saturday, July 19 at Finley Stadium. The deal only includes general admission seating — get your tickets online.
Fun Fact
The oldest Tennessee state park is right in the Scenic City’s backyard. Harrison Bay was established in 1937, setting conservation into motion. From walking the trails to taking in the views from Chickamauga Lake, there’s plenty to do.
Ranked
There’s still time to participate in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards Survey. From airports to cities, you can submit your favorites now through Monday, June 30. Check out how Chattanooga ranked in the publication last year.
Announced
Secret menu? We’re in. Warehouse Row just announced its new “Bar None” campaign, which will allow Warehouse Row newsletter subscribers exclusive access to secret “code phrase” drops — which can be exchanged at specific restaurants for a carefully crafted, off-menu drink. Subscribe before the first “code” drops on Tuesday, July 1.*
Kids
Not all heroes where capes, but these sidekicks wear collars. Registration is open for the Chattanooga Humane Educational Society’s Animal Hero Camp in July. Upcoming 2nd-5th graders will enjoy animal-related educational activities, crafts + animal interactions. Register by Tuesday, July 8.
Post of the Day
If you love live music + supporting local communities, this is your time to shine. According to a recent article by CLTure, Asheville, NC is still recovering after Hurricane Helene — and concert road trips could boost the economy. Here’s some shows to check out in July:
Monday, July 7 | Gary Clark Jr + Oladokun
Saturday, July 12 | Iron & Wine + I’m With Her
Tuesday, July 29 | Silversun Pickups and Girl Tones
Bonus: Check out AVLtoday to make the most of your trip.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
I may be biased because of my Halloween birthday, but River City Co.'s Summerween event is one of my favorite Chattanooga traditions. Make sure to check out the lineup of ghoulish fun before heading to Patten Square tomorrow.
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