Chattanooga Events & Entertainment

Mid-January

Chattacon Science Fiction Convention

Each year this science fiction convention takes place. Writers, artists, hucksters and more put on the convention. Put on by the convention is the Chattacon Art Show, which features a variety of artwork. Both flat and 3D artwork is showcased.

Late March – early April

Southern Writer’s Conference – Each year, Chattanooga hosts a literary festival, which provides educational opportunities to discuss and learn about the South's greatest writers and promising newcomers to the literary scene. Meet the authors and listen to their readings and lectures.

Mid- June

The Riverbend Festival

423-756-2211

1001 Market Street, Chattanooga

Admission Charged

The event takes place at the beginning of June and spans across nine days. Over 540,000 people visit the festival each year. Musical performances range from jazz, blues, folk, country, bluegrass, classic and more. Reserved tickets can be purchased in advance.

Early June (First Monday of the Riverbend Festival)

Bessie Smith Strut – Providing the kickoff to Riverbend, the Bessie Smith Strut is a celebration of Chattanooga’s most prominent musical talent. Chattanoogans celebrate the music of the great Bessie Smith (Queen of the Blues) with a street festival featuring great music, food, and entertainment.

Late August

Southern Brewers Beer Festival

Each year, Chattanooga hosts a day-long beer festival in the heart of downtown next to Big River Grille and Brewing Works. Beer lovers can sample over a hundred varieties of award winning microbrewed beers while watching live music and entertainment.

Early September

Culture Fest

Coolidge Park 423-267-1218

Celebrate the array of races and cultures in the Chattanooga area at the Arts and Education Council' s Culture Fest. Enjoy art, entertainment, food and interactive activities.

Mid-October – early November

Fall Color and Fall Leaf Cruises (423) 266-4488 or 800-766-2784

Board the Southern Belle Riverboat and sail through the Tennessee River Gorge en route to Chattanooga's annual Folk Festival. During the cruise, enjoy lunch, a live band and more. At the festival, listen to live music by the area's best folk artists and check out the handmade crafts and jewelry.

Weekly: Year round

Chattanooga Market Cricket Pavilion 423-266-9270

This weekly open air market features hand-crafted works of art, seasonal farm fresh produce, chef demonstrations, a climbing wall, live music and art projects for kids. When it's time for lunch, try the Market Cafe, and let the kids expend their energy at the adjacent city skate park.

Early December

Annual Wine Over Water

5:00-8:00 pm

Cornerstones, the historical preservation society in Chattanooga, hosts its annual fundraiser on its most successful achievement, the Walnut Street Bridge. Celebrate the Historic Walnut Street Bridge while raising funds for the preservation of historical properties in Chattanooga. Enjoy wines, hors d' oeuvres and live music on five stages stretched out along the bridge. Tickets on sale. Call 423/265-2825

Holiday Starlight Parade December

December

NCAA Division I AA National Championship Game – For many years, Chattanooga has hosted the national championship of the NCAA’s 2nd highest division. Finley Stadium, in Chattanooga’s vibrant Southside is the premier facility in Division I-AA.

Chattanooga Destination Overview

Chattanooga, the 4th largest city in the state, is located in Southeast Tennessee near the border of Georgia at the junction of four interstate highways. The city has received national recognition for the renaissance of its beautiful downtown and redevelopment of its riverfront. Chattanooga was one of the first US cities to effectively use a citizen visioning process to set specific long-range goals to enrich the lives of residents and visitors. In Chattanooga, citizens like to get involved, and they like to show off their accomplishments. The Chattanooga Convention and Trade Center is a state-of-the-art facility that has recently been expanded.

Public entities and private citizens worked together in recent years to build the 20,000 seat Max Finley Stadium. In keeping with the beauty of the area, the city has developed an extensive greenway system which includes 5 miles of constructed river walk beginning downtown and meandering through the historic art district and several parks. What better way to experience the feel of the city than to take time to enjoy the downtown sights, shops and restaurants: all of them within walking distance. The city supports a downtown shuttle fleet of zero-emission electric buses - manufactured in Chattanooga - for visitors wishing to park-and-ride. In this city, you don’t have to drive your car unless you want.

There are many attractions to experience in this traditional southern town. The best known are probably the Tennessee Aquarium, Lookout Mountain, the African American Museum, and the Appalachian Trail, but Chattanooga is also the site of many Civil War battlefields that are historically significant. The Creative Discovery Museum for children is outstanding and will entertain every member of the family. Among annual events of interest are the Riverbend Festival, the Bessie Smith Strut, the Fall Color Cruise, and the Southern Writers Conference. Chattanooga is the home of NCAA Division I-AA national football championships and hosts the national softball championships every year as well.

The climate is moderate, so the outdoors can be experienced year round. Whether your interest is hiking, biking, walking, sky diving, rafting, or just strolling through a local park, Chattanooga serves well either as a destination in itself or as a base for unique adventures throughout the region. Some of these are hang-gliding, bass fishing, mountain climbing and caving expeditions. A little known fact about Chattanooga is that the Smoky Mountains and Tennessee River valley are known to support the greatest variety of flora of any area in the United States. With its scenic beauty, moderate climate, proximity to a host of attractions and sites, and proximity to major Interstate highways, Chattanooga is a city that should be on every traveler’s itinerary.

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