Plus, take a selfie with a reindeer.
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Chattanooga Ballet

Today’s Forecast

67º | 14% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:14 a.m. | Sunset 5:36 p.m.


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🥖 Break bread in the middle of the street

People all sitting at long tables eating a Thanksgiving meal together under a banner that says "Gratefull"
Everyone is invited to fill their plates and hearts at this annual event. | Photo provided by Claridy Communications
Prepare your calendars (and stomachs) for the return of Gratefull, Chattanooga’s free community luncheon celebrating its 10th year.

Next Thursday, Nov. 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., you can gather in the 200 block of East MLK Boulevard, fill your plate with your favorite Thanksgiving foods, and share a meal with your neighbors.

Local nonprofit Causeway started Gratefull in 2014 to bring people from all backgrounds to a table where there’s a seat for everyone. The concept has since been adopted by other cities in Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia.

Attendees are encouraged to bring donation items for the Maclellan Shelter for Families, like nonperishable food, coffee supplies, disposable tableware, and hygienic items. A donation bin will be on site.

If you’d like to get more involved, you can volunteer. Restaurant owners and caterers can also donate food.

Answered


More than half of you know your stuffing — er, you know stuffing was the correct answer — because 54% of readers chose it as the most popular side dish in Tennessee. Fun fact: Stuffing is also the favorite in 42 other states.
  • 18% guessed mac & cheese
  • 16% guessed mashed potatoes
  • 12% guessed yams/sweet potatoes
In our hearts (and stomachs), they’re all popular.

Farm Bureau Insurance

Events

Thursday, Nov. 13

The Art of Kombucha Brewing | 5-8 p.m. | Crabtree Farms | $30

Free Family Night | 5:30-8 p.m. | Creative Discovery Museum | Free

Veterans Day Concert | 6 p.m. | The Commons, Collegedale | Free

Friday, Nov. 14

Line Dancing Lessons | 7-10 p.m. | Barrelhouse Ballroom | $10

Saturday, Nov. 15

Touch-A-Truck 2025 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Warner Park | $5+

Dirty Jane’s Holiday Open House | Saturday, Nov. 15-Sunday, Nov. 16 | Times vary | Dirty Jane’s Antiques | Free

Christkindlmarkt | Saturday, Nov. 15-Sunday, Nov. 16 | Times vary | Bachman Community Center, Signal Mountain | Free

Veterans Ruck Walk | 1-3 p.m. | Enterprise South Nature Park | Free

Sunday, Nov. 16

Scenic City Wings | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | First Horizon Pavilion | $0+
See our full events calendar
Feature your event here, or make a bigger splash

Seasonal

🩰 Get ahead on your holiday plans with Chattanooga Ballet

Presented by Chattanooga Ballet
A rotating gif of four images showing scenes from The Nutcracker as ballet dancers dress on stage in costume.
Two events to don your most festive holiday attire — Land of Sweets and The Nutcracker. | Photos provided by Chattanooga Ballet
Step into the enchanting world of The Nutcracker this December with two festive experiences from the Chattanooga Ballet.

First, catch Land of Sweets on Sunday, Dec. 7, at the historic Reed House. Meet beloved characters as Drosselmeyer reads the magical tale — and indulge in plenty of local sweet treats.

Then, delight in the timeless story of The Nutcracker at Memorial Auditorium Dec. 12-14. Bonus: The ballet will be accompanied by the Chattanooga Symphony playing live, a youth choir, and 200+ dancers.
Get tickets

News Notes

Boats adorned with colorful lights reflect on a dark river under a lit bridge at night, creating a festive and serene atmosphere.
More than 25 decorated boats will join the parade on the river. | Photo via River City Company

Plan Ahead

One of Chattanooga’s biggest holiday events is right around the corner. The Lighted Boat Parade + Reindeer on the Riverfront is Friday, Nov. 28 starting at 4 p.m. at Ross’s Landing. Get pictures with Santa and his very real reindeer, drink hot cocoa, and shop for gifts from local vendors.

Arts

Tonight, the Hunter Museum of American Art is turning up the vibes with “Groovin’ High: A Celebration of Black Arts” from 6 to 7 p.m. Expect live painting, dance, and music from local Black artists, plus spiced fall drinks for the first 100 guests. It’s free to attend. (The Pulse)

Learn

Stop, drop, and roll. Chattanooga is hosting free weekly fire safety classes for kids ages 6-12, complete with a sweet treat. S’mores Fridays will begin this Friday, Nov. 14, 5-6 p.m. at the Jessie Igou Community Center. They’ll happen every Friday through Dec. 5 — no registration required.

Seasonal

Santa Claus is comin’ to Northgate Mall. He’ll arrive Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 11 a.m. If you can’t make it to welcome him, don’t worry — he’ll be in his workshop at center court through Christmas Eve, before heading off on official business. Reserve a photo session with him now.

Kids

Did you know the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga serves free meals to children year-round? Meals are offered at 46 sites across the area, including libraries, community centers, and churches. Check the schedule for locations and times. (Local 3 News)

Quoted

“I really enjoy this website, so I’m gonna give you 25 bucks, but if you misuse it and start getting politically motivated, I’m dropping it.” That’s what reader Jack K. said during our last fundraising campaign, and we’re proud to say NOOGAtoday remains politics-free, now and forever. If you support that, make like Jack + contribute.

Shop

Nordstrom’s holiday gift list is here and we can’t stop browsing — snag great gifts or treat yourself to cold weather essentials like cashmere tech gloves + UGG ribbed crew socks.*

Finance

Take a break from high-interest debt with this versatile card that offers 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers. Plus, there’s no annual fee + you’ll earn cash back rewards on everyday purchases. Explore the perks.*

Post of the Day

A vivid night sky with red and green auroras above a silhouette of trees, creating a serene and awe-inspiring atmosphere with visible stars.
Did you see the northern lights that appeared over the Tennessee Valley this week? We totally missed it. Thankfully, photographer Kathleen Greeson had us covered and shared this stunning photo with us.

If you also captured a great photo of the northern lights in Chattanooga, send us your pics for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.
Want to be featured?

The Buy

Simplify holiday hosting with when you get everything you need at the click of a button from Omaha Steaks. Choose from dozens of top-rated options like slow-cooked ham, premium, ready-to-cook turkey, grass-fed beef, and delicious sides like scalloped potatoes, sausage and cranberry stuffing, garlic mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole to make your perfect holiday meal.
Plus, explore Omaha Steaks’ holiday gifts

Games

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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.
Let the games begin

The Wrap

Are you wondering why we’re suddenly able to see the northern lights? Science lesson time.

Right now, a solar storm is sending charged particles from the sun into Earth’s atmosphere. Those particles are interacting with oxygen + nitrogen to create the glowing colors. With solar activity peaking, the northern lights are stretching farther South than usual — giving Chattanooga a front-row seat to the show.
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