Holiday Trail of Lights Festive Experiences
FREE | Nov. / Times Vary
Join us at Cambridge Square to see Santa & get FREE PHOTOS!
While you are with us you can shop local vendors, enjoy our food trucks, inflatables and so much more!
Prices Vary | Nov.-Jan. / Times Vary
At High Point Climbing and Fitness downtown, experience the lights of Chattanooga in a whole new way by scaling an architectural wonder glowing with holiday colors – the transparent exterior climbing wall that hangs over Broad Street!
FREE/$ | Nov.-Jan.
Enter the festive lobby to see one of the city’s tallest Christmas trees! All the lights and cheer create a magical scene complete with holiday music, and the newly restored and renovated Hotel Chalet. While on-site, take a photo with Santa, grab a drink, and enjoy the complex’s amenities.
$ | Nov.-Dec. / 6-10 pm
Showcasing an immersive family-friendly light show with nearly 1 million lights synchronized to holiday-specific music, NoogaLights at the Choo-Choo will become your newest family tradition.
$ | Nov.-Dec. / Times Vary
Join us for a festive holiday tearoom experience in Grand Junction Depot. All the tasty treats of the season combined into one offering.
$ | Nov. -Dec, weekends / 6:45-8:45 pm
Enjoy this special 4-course holiday dinner aboard a restored 1924 dining car. The excursion departs from Grand Junction Station and travels through areas of Chattanooga.
$ | Late Nov. - Mid Jan. / 5:30-9:30 pm
Witness the return of the captivating celebration of art, culture, and the magic of traditional Asian lantern festivals! This year's festival promises an even more enchanting spectacle, featuring an all-new collection of over 30 stunning lanterns and 9 interactive displays.
$ | Late Nov. - Dec, weekends / Evenings
This drive-thru light show features a brand new holiday lighting display featuring state-of-the-art NoogaLights original lighting designs synchronized to music on your FM radio.
$ | Nov. - Jan. / Evenings (Closed Christmas Eve night)
Experience Rock City Gardens as a nighttime winter wonderland. Journey down the all new Christmas tree walk to visit Santa at Carter Cliffs, the original home of Rock City’s founders, decorate your own GingerGnome cookie, and experience the enchantment of a winter celebration like no other – all after dark. Don’t miss creating holiday memories with your family and friends as they celebrate 30 years of magic, moments and memories during Rock City Gardens Enchanted Garden of Lights!
$ | Mid-Nov. - Dec. / Times Vary
Enjoy a trip to the “North Pole” pulled by a locomotive with refreshments, storytelling, caroling, and more! During the return ride, Santa makes his way through the train cars to greet every child and presents a keepsake item to all the children.
FREE | Late Nov. - Dec. / Open 24/7
Better Business Bureau (BBB) is partnering with EPB and the city of Chattanooga to present the Festive Forest! The event in Miller Park will showcase 80 lit live trees that are sponsored and creatively decorated by local businesses and organizations
FREE | Late Nov. - Jan. 1 / Open 24/7
EPB's Holiday Windows celebration continues a tradition that dates back to the World War II era. View the displays in the windows on the Broad and Market Street sides of EPB’s downtown headquarters building at 10 W. M.L. King Blvd.
FREE | Late Nov. / Times Vary
The grounds will be covered with twinkling lights guiding your way through charming booths adorned with intricate crafts and unique treasures. Lanterns, candles and other German/ European inspired decorations will most certainly make you smile. Oh, and let's not forget about the famous gluhwein and other amazing foods, drinks and treats!
FREE | Late Nov. / Times Vary
A Christmas Event to remember with over 150 vendors to shop from, Food Trucks to indulge in and family activities to make memories with. Free photos with Santa, inflatables, petting zoo & so much more!
Price Varies | Late Nov. / 10am - 4 pm
Shop over 140 vendors and have the kids' picture taken with Santa for FREE!
FREE | Nov. 29 / 4-8 pm
Holiday joy will fill downtown with live reindeer, Santa Claus, fire pits, face painting, holiday tunes, and more, all while enjoying the Lighted Boat Parade and fireworks.
$ | Late Nov. -Dec. / Times Vary
Return to a simpler time with a classic Christmas on the mountain featuring magical views, beautiful holiday lights on the Village Plaza, and plenty of festive cheer in historic Ruby Falls Castle with special activities, including the Forest of Wishes, photos with Santa, and more!
$ | Late Nov. - Jan. / Times Vary
The much-anticipated temporary outdoor ice rink has moved under cover in the open air at First Horizon Pavilion. The schedule includes general skating time, special themes, appearances by Santa, and a rotating schedule to benefit local not-for-profits.
$ | Late Nov. - Dec. / Times Vary (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
This underwater wonderland begins with holiday music and décor in the River Journey lobby. Look for seasonal surprises during your tour, including a tree twinkling in sync with the jolly jolts of an electric eel. SCUBA Claus will also be diving on weekends at 2 p.m. between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
$ | Nov. 30 & Dec. 7 / 9 -10:30 am
Join Santa & Mrs. Claus for breakfast in the Silver Ballroom before they start their final countdown in preparation for Christmas! This event will offer a delicious breakfast spread anyone will love and allow photo ops with Santa & Mrs. Claus as they mingle with guests.
$ | Dec. / Times Vary
All aboard the Polar Express for a trip to the North Pole! Begin winter break in style by dressing in your favorite pajamas and enjoying a special screening of The Polar Express 3D! Meet the conductor, enjoy hot cocoa and snacks, enter to win Polar Express themed prizes and more. This event is fun for the entire family and all who truly believe!
$ | Dec. / Times vary per date
Enjoy dinner while on a relaxing cruise down the Tennessee River. The cruise includes live entertainment, dancing, a dinner of prime rib, shrimp creole, savory cornbread dressing, desserts, and more. Reservations can be booked online or by phone.
$ | Dec. / Times Vary
Begin your holiday festivities on a one-hour train ride with all the bright trimmings of the season. This experience is for 21 and up, and includes two drinks, a delicious sweet and savory treat box, a souvenir bell, a keepsake boarding pass, and a visit from Santa.
$ | Dec. / Date and times vary
Enjoy lunch while cruising down the Tennessee River. The cruise includes live entertainment, Pilot House tours, and a lunch of prime rib, lemon basil chicken, desserts, and more. Reservations can be booked online or by phone.
FREE/$ | Dec. 7 / 12 am-12 pm
Celebrate Main Street and the Southside District for a 24-hour long festival held the first Saturday each December. The packed entertainment schedule includes fashion shows, parades, parties, live music, Big Wheel contest, chili cook-off, an ice-skating rink, and so much more.
$ | Select Dates in Dec. / Times Vary
The Hiwassee Holiday Train is a round-trip one-hour and 15-minute ride along the beautiful Hiwassee River Gorge featuring writing letters to Santa, gingerbread cookies, and chocolate milk.
FREE | Dec. 7-8 & 14-15 / Times Vary
As part of the Chattanooga Market, this market offers a special holiday theme with live music, caroling, festivities and more than 200 vendors providing a great assortment of unique, locally hand-made items, holiday décor and artisan foods for all those holiday gifts.
$ | Dec. 13 / 7-10 p.m. | 21+
Son of a nutcracker, this is going to be fun. Join the Creative Discovery Museum for an unforgettable 21+ night of festive fun at Buddy’s Holiday Workshop Extravaganza! Inspired by the holiday magic of Elf, this evening promises playful activities, holiday treats, and plenty of laughter.
$ | Dec. 13-15/ Times Vary
Southeastern Trust presents Chattanooga Ballet’s The Nutcracker featuring the professional company, the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra performing live, and students from Chattanooga Ballet’s School and the region.
$ | Dec. 14 / 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
This winter-themed adventure is all about fun and learning through the magic of snow! Let It Snow Preschool Adventure offers hands-on activities designed to spark imagination, cooperation, creativity, and build early skills in math, language, and motor skills.
$ | Dec. 21-22 / Times Vary
One of Chattanooga’s most treasured holiday events, Home for the Holidays, is the perfect seasonal celebration for the whole family! The CSO is joined by the CSO Chorus, a variety of community groups, and even the big man himself!
