Warmest wishes, Chattanooga. We’re taking a pause on newsletters to spend time with our loved ones. We’ll see you back in your inboxes daily at 6 a.m., starting Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. In the meantime, peruse our archives here.
Culture
🎄 Yule be the judge
The holidays are full of traditions we love — and a few we love to argue about. | Graphic by 6AM City
Holiday traditions evoke warm and fuzzy feelings of nostalgia, gratitude, and togetherness. But for all the joy that traditions inspire, they also tend to spark something else: very strong opinions.
This year, we’re stepping in to settle classic holiday hot takes. After all, the holidays wouldn’t be complete without a few friendly debates.
Real tree or fake tree?
Is cutting down a fresh spruce part of the magic, or does an artificial tree make more sense? Psst — for those on team real tree, The Barn Nursery still has inventory.
Big night out or stay home on New Year’s Eve?
Can a couch countdown by the TV beat a sequin–filled night on the town? Don’t make your decision before checking out what’s happening around Chattanooga on NYE.
Should you leave festive decorations up past the holiday?
When is it time to say goodbye to the tree? When you are ready to part ways, here’s how to recycle it.
Is eggnog festive and flavorful or absolutely foul?
Don’t get us started on whether it should be served warm or cold.
Do you still send and receive holiday cards?
Is this tradition fading or holding strong in your household?
Take the poll to put in your two cents — then stay tuned for the final results in an upcoming newsletter. Want to know our takes? Keep scrolling.
Oricle Hearing aids can be charged wirelessly. | Photo courtesy of Oricle Hearing
Incredible advancements in hearing aid technology are now more accessible than ever.
Oricle Hearing offers the Rolls-Royce Of hearing aids, designed for comfort and discretion so users can hear clearly without the bulk of traditional models.
Users rave about the sound quality, which rivals that of more expensive models, helping them regain confidence and reconnect with loved ones.
Discover how Oricle is redefining hearing aid accessibility without the hassle of appointments or extensive fittings.
Want to see Ruby Falls for $2? That was the original ticket price after the underground waterfall was discovered on Dec. 30, 1928. Now, 97 years later, Ruby Falls is selling 97 tickets for $2 for Tuesday, Dec. 30. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. today, so grab them before they’re gone.
Outdoors
Red Bank has broken ground on Godsey Ridge Trail, between Hwy. 27 and Erlanger North Hospital. The multi-use trail — funded by a state grant — will have beginner, intermediate, and advanced routes for walking + biking. The goal is to open the trail by spring, with improvements continuing over the next few years. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Coming Soon
Mr. T’s Pizza & Ice Cream is planning to open a second location in Ooltewah early next year. Want to keep up with all the restaurants that are opening in our area? Make sure to bookmark our Restaurant Roundup.
Community
A heads up before you drag those bins to the curb: Christmas Day garbage and recycling collections are moving to Saturday, Dec. 27 for the City of Chattanooga. Recycling centers will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. (Chattanoogan)
Holiday
Yesterday, we shared NYE celebrations that’ll be filled with music, dancing, and champagne. Wanna try something totally different? Dread Hollow — the haunted house — is hosting New Year’s Nightmare, featuring Krampus and a troop of dreadful elves. It’s happening Saturday, Dec. 27 and Saturday, Jan. 3, and tickets are available online.
Travel
Want to make sure your holiday travel takes off without a hitch? Check out our guide to the Chattanooga Airport to find out how early you should arrive and what to expect with parking. Bon voyage.
Pets
Your dog’s wagging tail hides more than love — it hides a world of genetic information. Uncover their ancestry, genetic traits, and potential health risks with 50% off Basepaws Dog DNA Test, now on sale for the holidays.*
Shop
Nirvana awaits with this multi-shape vibrator that hits all the right spots. Reignite the fire of your most electrifying encounters with sublime sensations that intensify arousal. Get 35% off this award-winner today + an extra 15% off with code H4PPY15.*
When was the last time Chattanooga had a passenger train?
More than 700 NOOGAtoday readers answered, and 53% got it right: August 11, 1970. That was the day the last passenger train left Southern Railway’s Terminal Station. Three years later, it reopened as the Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel and was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
This is what Terminal Station looked like in 1951.
Photo via Chattanooga Public Library, Local History & Genealogy Department
The Buy
The Buy team here. We’ve recommended a lot of items this year, from home organization staples to wardrobe must-haves. Here are the top-shopped products:
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