Get ready to sit back and watch the skies light up. | Photo by Chattanooga Lookouts via Chattanooga Tourism Co.
Independence Day is this week, and to help with making plans, we’ve rounded up some local celebrations + fireworks shows for you and your loved ones to enjoy this Fourth of July.
This beloved celebration will kick off on Thursday, July 3 at 6 p.m. with free outdoor music by Chattanooga Soul and local musicians, a performance by the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, and a fireworks display at 9:45 p.m.
Pro tip: Free parking will be available at the Unum Parking lot with a shuttle running from 4 to 11 p.m.
Come out to the Fourth of July Parade on Friday, July 4 beginning at 9 a.m. Following the procession, folks can enjoy festivities and a day of live music in Harris Park, ending with a fireworks show at 9 p.m.
Open Mic Night | 7 p.m. | The Comedy Catch | $9 | Listen to local performers and spend the evening laughing at undiscovered talent.
Embodied Living | 7-8 p.m. | Studio34 | Free | This gentle class of movement will aim to help you slow down + connect with your body.
Thursday, July 3
Freedom Festival and Fireworks | 4-10 p.m. | Collegedale Commons, Collegedale | Free | Head to the festival for live music, food vendors, a pie-tasting contest, and more — stick around for the fireworks show starting at 9:30.
Kate + Bella at St. Elmo Songwriter Series | 8:30-10 p.m. | The Woodshop | $10 | Richard Daigle hosts this session with Kate Neal and Bella Miglarese — two talented musicians and rising stars.
Friday, July 4
Red, White, and Blue Day | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Creative Discovery Museum | $20 | Celebrate the Fourth of July with activities, stories, and the 21 Geyser Salute — included with admission.
Nightfall Concert Series | 6 p.m. | Miller Plaza + Miller Park | Free | It’s the final show of the season, featuring the Bluegrass Bubble Bash with headliner East Nash Grass.
The City of Chattanooga + Trust for Public Land completed the donation of five historically and environmentally significant parcels on Missionary Ridge. The land across Districts 5 and 9 includes terrains from the 1863 Battle of Missionary Ridge, and the donation prevents future developments on the land.
Holiday
Don’t let Independence Day get you down in the dumps; City of Chattanooga Public Works trash + recycling collection will continue as normal on the holiday. Residents should set out their bins by 6:30 a.m. for regular services, though some local collection centers will be closed on July 4. (Chattanoogan)
Pets
The Humane Educational Society is reminding pet owners to take extra precautions as loud noises from the Fourth of July can cause anxiety in animals. Owners should be prepared to comfort, and never punish, upset pets. The organization is also offering a vaccine + microchipping clinic today. (Local 3)
Edu
On Monday, Dr. Lori Bruce assumed the role of chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, becoming the 19th person to serve in the leadership role. Bruce stepped into the position after seven years of leadership at Tennessee Tech, and she shared her vision for “upward momentum” at UTC.
Outdoors
May showers seem to have delayed July flowers. Smith-Perry Berries postponed planting their sunflower seeds due to the rainfall earlier this year. As a result, the Ooltewah farm anticipates its sunflowers will bloom a few weeks later than normal this year, likely beginning July 20-July 25.
Ranked
People are looking to pack up and move to Chattanooga. According to a study of 2025 migration trends, the Scenic City ranked No. 20 on the list of most-searched cities. At a state level, Tennessee is the second most sought-after state for people looking to relocate. (U.S. News & World Report)
Plan Ahead
Consider this your sign. Country star Trisha Yearwood is coming to the Barnes & Noble at Hamilton Place on Wednesday, July 23 to sign copies of her upcoming album “The Mirror.” You can RSVP for the signing; only albums purchased at the event will get signed.
Health
Know any men in your life who don’t visit the doctor (even when they should)? Send them this.*
Number
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Post of the Day
The baby Gentoo Penguin chick hides under its dad Bigfoot. | Photo via Doug Strickland/Tennessee Aquarium
July is off to a cool start at the Tennessee Aquarium. A Gentoo Penguin chick can now be seen at the Penguins’ Rock gallery’s rightmost nest.
The unnamed chick hatched on May 29 from an egg that was laid in April. The baby penguin is the third generation in its family line to be born in the Penguins’ Rock gallery. Its father Bigfoot + mother Carla were also born at the aquarium.
The chick’s sex won’t be determined until a checkup in November and guests will need to waddle in soon to see the tiny bird. By the time of the checkup, the chick will be nearly indistinguishable from an adult penguin.
The Buy
Save up to 70% at local restaurants, spas, museums, gyms, and more with curated deals from Groupon. New deals appear every day so you can discover your next “why-didn’t-we-do-this-sooner” at the click of a button.
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 love animals, so a trip to the Tennessee Aquarium is definitely on my summer to-do list. Not only is it a cool escape from the summer heat, but I need to see the Gentoo Penguin chick. If you’re not able to make it to the aquarium any time soon, you could try to catch a glimpse of the baby on the Penguins’ Rock livestream.
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