Experience the magic of Chattanooga this holiday season with a variety of enchanting Christmas events perfect for locals and visitors alike. From the whimsical lights at Rock City's Enchanted Garden of Lights to the unique Chattanooga Christmas Market, where you'll find artisans and craftspeople showcasing their best wares, there is something for everyone.
Don't miss the dazzling array of animal-shaped light sculptures at Holiday Lights at the Chattanooga Zoo, offering a twist on traditional holiday displays. Chattanooga's holiday spirit shines brightly, making it an ideal destination to celebrate the season.
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The Top Christmas Events in Chattanooga
- Chattanooga Christmas Market
- Holiday Lights at the Chattanooga Zoo
- Christmas Nights of Lights
- Tennessee Valley Railroad North Pole Limited
- Ice on the Landing
- Southern Belle Riverboat Christmas Carol Dinner Cruise
- Grand Christmas in Chattanooga
- Holiday Starlight Parade
- Holiday Window Treasure Hunt
- Christmas at the Tivoli
Chattanooga Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Lights at the Chattanooga Zoo
What to Expect:
Animal-themed light displays and nocturnal animal encounters
Description:
The Chattanooga Zoo comes alive after dark with a dazzling array of animal-shaped light sculptures. Illuminated elephants, giraffes, and exotic birds guide visitors along winding paths, offering a unique twist on traditional holiday displays. You'll have the rare opportunity to observe nocturnal animals during their active hours. The event highlights the zoo's conservation efforts, educating guests about endangered species through creative light installations. Founded in 1937, the Chattanooga Zoo has long been a center for wildlife education, and this event continues that tradition in a captivating nighttime setting.
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Holiday Lights at the Chattanooga Zoo
Christmas Nights of Lights
What to Expect:
Drive-through synchronized light show
Description:
Christmas Nights of Lights elevates the drive-through light experience with a synchronized spectacle set to holiday tunes. As visitors cruise through the winding path, millions of LED lights dance and pulse in perfect harmony with festive music broadcast directly to car radios. The show features towering light sculptures, animated displays, and a mesmerizing 300-foot light tunnel. This modern take on holiday lights showcases cutting-edge technology while paying homage to the classic American tradition of Christmas light viewing. The event's innovative approach has made it a new holiday staple in Chattanooga since its inception.
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Chattanooga Holiday Markets and Shopping
Chattanooga Christmas Market
What to Expect:
European-inspired outdoor market with artisanal goods
Description:
Chattanooga's Christmas Market transforms the city center into a bustling European-style bazaar. Artisans and craftspeople showcase their wares in charming wooden stalls, offering unique handmade gifts and seasonal delicacies. The aroma of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts wafts through the air as visitors browse local artwork, handcrafted jewelry, and traditional German ornaments. You can participate in wreath-making workshops led by local florists. This market draws inspiration from the centuries-old tradition of German Christkindlmarkts, bringing a touch of Old World charm to the heart of Tennessee.
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Chattanooga Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Tennessee Valley Railroad North Pole Limited
What to Expect:
Vintage train ride with onboard holiday entertainment
Description:
The Tennessee Valley Railroad's North Pole Limited whisks passengers away on a nostalgic journey through time and space. Aboard meticulously restored vintage railcars, travelers are treated to a lively holiday adventure complete with storytelling, caroling, and hot cocoa. The train winds through the scenic Tennessee Valley, its windows offering glimpses of twinkling landscapes. You can join in singing classic carols led by costumed performers. This unique experience pays tribute to the golden age of rail travel, utilizing historic locomotives and cars that have been lovingly preserved by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum since 1961.
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Tennessee Valley Railroad North Pole Limited
Southern Belle Riverboat Christmas Carol Dinner Cruise
What to Expect:
Floating holiday dinner theater on the Tennessee River
Description:
The Southern Belle Riverboat's Christmas Carol Dinner Cruise combines fine dining, theater, and sightseeing in a unique floating experience. As the riverboat glides along the Tennessee River, passengers are treated to a live performance of Dickens' classic tale, with the city's twinkling skyline as a backdrop. The aroma of a gourmet holiday feast fills the air as the story unfolds. You can interact with costumed characters between acts. This event pays homage to Chattanooga's rich riverboat history, which dates back to the early 19th century when the city was a major river port.
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Southern Belle Riverboat Christmas Carol Dinner Cruise
Holiday Starlight Parade
What to Expect:
Nighttime parade with illuminated floats and performers
Description:
The Holiday Starlight Parade illuminates Chattanooga's streets with a procession of dazzling floats and costumed performers. As night falls, the parade comes alive with twinkling lights, creating a moving river of color through downtown. Spectators line the route, their faces aglow in the soft light of passing displays. You can marvel at intricate float designs that showcase local creativity and craftsmanship. This event continues a long-standing tradition of holiday parades in Chattanooga, evolving from daytime processions to this spectacular after-dark celebration that highlights the city's innovative spirit.
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Christmas at the Tivoli
What to Expect:
Holiday performances in a historic 1920s theater
Description:
Christmas at the Tivoli brings holiday cheer to one of Chattanooga's architectural treasures. The opulent 1920s theater, with its ornate Beaux-Arts design, provides a stunning backdrop for seasonal performances ranging from classical concerts to modern interpretations of holiday favorites. The theater's original Wurlitzer organ fills the space with rich, resonant tones during special recitals. Visitors can admire the meticulously restored interior, including the grand lobby with its crystal chandeliers. This event celebrates the Tivoli's role in Chattanooga's cultural life since its opening in 1921, continuing its legacy as a premier venue for the performing arts.
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Caroling with the Fishes
What to Expect:
Underwater holiday music performances viewed through aquarium tanks
Description:
Caroling with the Fishes offers a surreal twist on holiday music at the Tennessee Aquarium. Scuba-diving performers sing carols underwater, their voices transmitted through special equipment to amazed onlookers. Colorful fish and other marine life swim curiously around the costumed carolers, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. You can watch from multiple viewing areas as familiar tunes take on an otherworldly quality in the aquatic environment. This unique event highlights the Aquarium's role in marine conservation and education, blending holiday traditions with an appreciation for aquatic ecosystems since the facility's opening in 1992.
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Chattanooga Other Holiday Activities
Ice on the Landing
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice skating rink in the heart of downtown
Description:
Ice on the Landing transforms Chattanooga's scenic riverfront into a winter playground. The open-air ice rink offers skaters breathtaking views of the Tennessee River and surrounding mountains as they glide across the ice. The crisp winter air carries the sound of blades carving intricate patterns on the frozen surface. Visitors can try their hand at curling, a sport rarely seen in the South. This seasonal attraction brings a touch of northern winter traditions to the heart of Tennessee, creating a unique fusion of Southern hospitality and frosty fun in a city known for its mild climate.
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Grand Christmas in Chattanooga
What to Expect:
City-wide celebration encompassing multiple venues and events
Description:
Grand Christmas in Chattanooga unites the city in a comprehensive holiday celebration. This multi-venue extravaganza showcases Chattanooga's diverse attractions, from historic sites to modern marvels. Visitors can explore themed experiences at different locations, each offering a unique perspective on holiday traditions. The event highlights include ice sculptures at the Aquarium, Victorian-era celebrations at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, and futuristic light shows at the Creative Discovery Museum. This collaborative effort reflects Chattanooga's community spirit and its successful urban revitalization, which has transformed the city into a vibrant cultural hub since the 1990s.
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Grand Christmas in Chattanooga
Holiday Window Treasure Hunt
What to Expect:
Interactive scavenger hunt through downtown storefronts
Description:
The Holiday Window Treasure Hunt turns downtown Chattanooga into an expansive game board. Participating businesses create elaborate window displays, each hiding a clue for eagle-eyed participants to spot. As hunters traverse the city streets, they're treated to a showcase of local artistry and creativity. The hunt encourages exploration of Chattanooga's historic downtown, revealing architectural gems and hidden alleyways. You can decode riddles that lead to the next location. This event celebrates the city's rich mercantile history, harkening back to the early 20th century when elaborate window displays were a hallmark of downtown shopping districts.
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U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree
What to Expect:
Viewing stop for the national Christmas tree en route to Washington D.C.
Description:
The US Capitol Christmas Tree makes a special stop in Chattanooga on its journey to Washington D.C. This massive evergreen, carefully selected from a national forest, serves as a symbol of unity and natural beauty. Visitors can admire the towering tree up close and learn about its origin and significance. You can sign a banner with holiday wishes that will travel with the tree to the nation's capital. This event connects Chattanooga to a national tradition that began in 1964, highlighting the city's role in this cross-country celebration of America's forests and holiday spirit.
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Christmas Underground at Ruby Falls
What to Expect:
Holiday experience in a subterranean cavern
Description:
Christmas Underground at Ruby Falls takes holiday celebrations to new depths. Deep within Lookout Mountain, the cavern transforms into a glittering subterranean holiday village. Twinkling lights reflect off ancient rock formations, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. Visitors can explore sparkling ice caves, meet underground elves, and witness the Northern Lights recreated in this unique setting. The event highlights the natural wonder of Ruby Falls, discovered in 1928, while adding a whimsical holiday twist. This underground adventure offers a stark contrast to traditional above-ground celebrations, merging geological marvels with holiday imagination.
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Christmas Underground at Ruby Falls
Holiday Model Train Exhibit
What to Expect:
Elaborate miniature holiday scenes with working model trains
Description:
The Holiday Model Train Exhibit brings miniature winter wonderlands to life with intricate detail and moving trains. Sprawling landscapes depict snowy villages, bustling cityscapes, and whimsical North Pole scenes, all traversed by a variety of model trains. The soft clacking of tiny wheels on tracks fills the air as visitors marvel at the minutiae of each carefully crafted vignette. You can operate interactive elements, setting trains in motion or illuminating tiny buildings. This exhibit pays homage to Chattanooga's rich railroad history, nicknamed "The Dynamo of Dixie" for its importance as a rail hub in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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Nearby Events
Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights (Lookout Mountain)
What to Expect:
Illuminated natural rock formations and gardens
Description:
Rock City's natural wonders take on a new life as millions of lights illuminate its ancient rock formations and lush gardens. Towering boulders and winding paths sparkle with colorful displays, creating a surreal landscape. Visitors can embark on a self-guided tour through themed realms, each showcasing a different aspect of holiday cheer. The event pays homage to the site's rich geological history, blending nature's grandeur with artistic illumination. Rock City has been a beloved tourist attraction since 1932, and this holiday transformation adds a new dimension to its timeless appeal.
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Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights
Christmas Festival at Dollywood (Pigeon Forge)
What to Expect:
Appalachian-themed holiday celebration at Dolly Parton's theme park
Description:
The Christmas Festival at Dollywood infuses holiday cheer with Appalachian charm. The theme park transforms into a winter wonderland, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Smoky Mountains. Millions of lights adorn the park, creating a warm glow that complements the rustic architecture. Visitors can enjoy traditional mountain crafts demonstrations, bluegrass performances, and hearty Southern holiday fare. The festival pays homage to Dolly Parton's roots, featuring recreations of mountain Christmas traditions and performances of her original holiday songs. Since its inception in 1986, Dollywood has been a celebration of East Tennessee culture, and this festival continues that mission with a festive twist.
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Christmas Festival at Dollywood
Holiday Market at Collegedale Commons (Collegedale)
What to Expect:
Sustainable and locally-sourced holiday market
Description:
The Holiday Market at Collegedale Commons champions sustainability and local artisanship. This eco-conscious market showcases vendors offering ethically sourced, handcrafted gifts and locally produced seasonal treats. The air is filled with the scent of fresh pine and cinnamon as visitors browse stalls featuring upcycled decorations, organic foods, and fair-trade goods. You can participate in workshops on sustainable gift-wrapping techniques. This event reflects Collegedale's commitment to community and environmental stewardship, a value that has shaped the town since its founding in 1968 around Southern Adventist University.
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Holiday Market at Collegedale Commons