Step through The Read House doors to party like it’s 1926. | Photo by NOOGAtoday
It’s almost time to ring in 2026, and Chattanooga is packed with celebrations — from champagne toasts to live music and late-night dancing. Here are some of the NYE events that caught our eye:
Chattanooga’s New Year’s Eve Celebration | 4 p.m.-12 a.m. | Coolidge Park | Free+ | Celebrate the new year riverside with live music, family fun, and a midnight fireworks show.
New Year’s Eve with Landry | 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. | The Comedy Catch | $28+ | Laugh your way into 2026 with comedian Landry — featuring a champagne toast, party favors, and post-show fun at the 10 p.m. show.
New Year’s Eve on the River | 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. | Southern Belle Riverboat | $160 | Celebrate New Year’s Eve on the Southern Belle, with a DJ, food, and drinks.
Roaring 20s New Year’s Eve Party | 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. | The Read House Hotel | $230 | Dress to the nines and step back into the Roaring 20s with live jazz, dancing, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres.
AI healthcare startup Valerie Health is opening a downtown Chattanooga hub, which could create 100+ jobs by the end of 2026. The company automates clinic tasks like referrals and scheduling. (WDEF)
Transit
A new federal grant will allow CARTA to update its fleet with up to seven new paratransit vehicles with upgraded equipment. CARTA says the investment will boost safety and reliability for riders who depend on Care-A-Van to get to doctors’ appointments and work. (News Channel 9)
Holiday
This Sunday, Dec. 21 is the winter solstice and the beginning of Yule. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Chattanooga is hosting a celebration on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 5 to 10 p.m. that includes candlelit walking labyrinths, a Yule altar and meditation room, and more. Donations are encouraged.
Cause
Did you know you could eat a delicious brunch and help families in need at the same time? This weekend, Hello Monty will be collecting (and matching) donations for the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. Everyone who donates will get a free beer or ginger ale.
A huge congrats to the Wilson County-Tennessee State Fair, which earned 16 international awards this year, including two Best of Division and five first-place wins for exhibits, agriculture programs, competitions, and educational events. Now the question is: Can they top it in 2026?
The Word
Merriam-Webster has announced its word of the year for 2025: Slop. It’s defined as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” A trip to the Hunter Museum of American Art will likely provide a higher quality experience.
Shop
If you’re a Costco shopper, you know about the $1.50 hot dog. But are you in on these other 10 lesser-known hacks all Costco shoppers should know about? We’re talking deals on everything from travel to tires.*
A 2026 planner to keep track of your events, to-dos, goals, and more. We love this best-selling weekly option that includes 12 months of monthly and weekly pages for easy planning + scheduling. Or, opt for this flower-adorned daily planner with monthly tabs, metal cover protectors, and a page for expense tracking.
Fifty-two pets found their forever homes during the Humane Educational Society’s recent adoption event. Some got to go home immediately, while others are finishing up routine care before joining their new families — just in time for the holidays.
If you adopted one of the 52 pets and want to make this editor smile, reply to this email with a photo of your new family member.
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