Bluegrass fans have plenty to look forward to this month. | Photo provided by Barking Legs Theater
Mark your calendars and text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to in September.
Festivals
IBMA Bluegrass Live! | Friday, Sept. 19-Saturday, Sept. 20 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Multiple venues | $35+ | This is a two-day festival packed with live bluegrass performances at Miller Park, Miller Plaza, and Patten Square.
Chattanooga Bacon & Barrel | Friday, Sept. 26 | 6-9 p.m. | First Horizon Pavilion | $54 | Restaurants will be serving their best bacon-themed dishes and attendees will get to vote for their favorite while sipping on bourbon.
Concerts
Corey Smith | Friday, Sept. 5 | 8-11 p.m. | The Signal | $40+ | Join country-rock artist Corey Smith for a night of Southern soul and crowd-pleasing hits.
Chaka Khan | Tuesday, Sept. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Memorial Auditorium | $167+ | Prepare to be moved with powerhouse vocals from the artist who sings “Ain’t Nobody” and “I’m Every Woman.”
Family Fun
SeptemberFest | Saturday, Sept. 6 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | Station Street | Free | Enjoy live music, food trucks, a petting zoo, and more than 100 vendors.
Scenic Stitches Spectacle | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 1-5 p.m. | Coolidge Park | Free | Step right up for a circus-themed fiber arts festival featuring interactive installations and live demos.
Take A Break | 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Miller Park | Free | Step away from your computer and take a lunch break in the park with activities and food trucks.
The Art of Kombucha Brewing | 5-8 p.m. | Crab Tree Farms | $30 | Learn the health benefits of kombucha and how to brew your own in this hands-on workshop.
Ashland Craft | 8 p.m. | Barrel House Ballroom | $20+ | This rising country star brings her bold, honky-tonk spirit and powerhouse vocals to a Chattanooga stage.
Friday, Aug. 29
Dave Matthews Tribute Band | 9 p.m. | Barrel House Ballroom | $20+ | Experience the magic of Dave Matthews Band with this tribute that captures the sound of DMB’s legendary 1990s era.
Saturday, Aug. 30
Chattanooga River Market | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Tennessee Aquarium Plaza | Free | Shop for handmade jewelry, crafts, candles + more from dozens of local artists on the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza.
Twilight Grand Market | 5-10 p.m. | Chattanooga Choo-Choo | Free | Experience Chattanooga’s creative spirit with a vibrant night of art, local goods, live music, and community.
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC vs. AV Alta FC | 7 p.m. | CHI Memorial Stadium | $14+ | AV Alta FC beat us in the spring, but now the Red Wolves are locked in and ready to settle the score.
Chattanooga City Council approved Mayor Tim Kelly’s 38-cent property tax increase on first reading. The plan raises the rate to $1.93 per $100 of assessed value, and it passed 5-4, defeating a lower 18-cent alternative. A final vote is set for Tuesday, Sept. 9. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Traffic
Two things drivers need to know: Temporary speed humps are being installed on Sterling Avenue and Winston Road near Heritage Landing to address speeding. Also, Tremont Street between Frazier Ave and River Street will be closed for 1-2 weeks for emergency sewer and stormwater repairs. (Local 3 News)
History
The American Revolution Experience is coming to the third floor of the downtown Chattanooga Public Library Monday, Sept. 15 through Wednesday, Sept. 24. The free exhibit will feature interactive displays, powerful stories, and unique artifacts.
Sports
I have two words for you: cheap tickets. Chattanooga FC wants to pack Finley Stadium for its match against Carolina Core FC on Sunday, Sept. 21, so it’s offering $10 general admission tickets without any taxes or fees in a partnership with Erlanger. Tickets are available now.
Drink
Pancakes, maple candy, and malted milk ball — those are the tasting notes in Chattanooga Whiskey’s latest creation: Michigan Maple Syrup Cask Finished. As the name suggests, it was finished in late-harvest Michigan maple syrup casks. Perfect for fall, but you don’t have to wait. You can try it starting today.
Festival
The East Ridge Fall Festival is expanding to two days this year. It’s returning to the Camp Jordan Amphitheater on Saturday, Sept. 27, and Sunday, Sept. 28. Expect more than 200 vendors, live music, pony rides, a pumpkin patch, and more. (Local 3 News)
Edu
Fall classes started last week at ChattState, but it’s not too late to chase your college degree dreams. You can still apply for second session classes beginning in October, or the Spring 2026 semester.*
Biz
Ready to launch ads in your pajamas? Our Self-Service Ad Portal gives you instant access to thousands of engaged readers — click, create, conquer. Got a real estate listing or a local event? Get it seen, stress-free.
The institutional firms that backed Uber and Venmo also invested in Pacaso, whose co-ownership tech revolutionizes the $1.3 trillion vacation home market. Pacaso has earned $110 million+ in gross profit to date. They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO. Invest for $2.90/share before the opportunity ends Sept. 18.†‡*
Jobs of the Week
Today we’re spotlighting nursing opportunities in Chattanooga.
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.
‡‡Finance “investment method” disclaimer: This is a paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the Nasdaq is subject to approvals. Comparisons to other companies are for informational purposes only and should not imply similar success. Under Regulation A+, a company has the ability to change its share price by up to 20%, without requalifying the offering with the SEC.
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