Annual EVENTS

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! FESTIVALS AND EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Residents enjoy 12 months of family- Well known as a city of the arts, Chat- A

friendly outdoor and holiday events every tanooga has no shortage of art-centered nnua year in Chattanooga. The mid-sized city events. The 4 Bridges Arts Festival in April, packs a world-class list of annual events the Downtown Gallery Hop in September,

into every new year. Chattanooga brings and the Whofest in May all provide ample l E people from all over the world to enjoy opportunities to enjoy and support area the sights and sounds of the Scenic City. artists. Musical events in the area include ven the Riverbend Festival in June, the Night- The nine-day Riverbend music festival fall Concert Series throughout the summer t continually showcases some of the biggest s and the 3 Sisters Music Festival in October. names in the music scene on outdoor stages along the restored . Outdoor events in Chattanooga contin- ue to increase in popularity, most notably Holiday events in Chattanooga include the RiverRocks Festival—a 10-day festival the Armed Forces Day Parade in May, of outdoor recreation and activities. Pops on the River in July, the Hamilton County Fair in September, Culture Fest All year round tourists can enjoy the in October, the Grand Illumination and excitement and entertainment of the Rock Breakfast with Santa in late November, City Gardens, , the Tennessee and the Enchanted Garden of Lights in Aquarium and IMAX Theatre, and the winter. Chattanooga Zoo, which are always cel- ebrating the seasons with family-friendly Chattanoogans celebrate food at events events. Additionally the Southern Belle like the Southern Brewers Festival in Sep- Riverboat offers seasonal cruises through- tember, where visitors can sample local out the year. fare and brews. For over 10 years, Chat- tanooga’s Oktoberfest has combined Ger- man food and beer with a family-friendly

Photo BY D BY Photo festival. From late April through Decem- ber, the weekly Chattanooga Market pro-

O vides local produce and goods from area UG

BARNE farmers, artists, and vendors. TT E P E

HOTO Did you know? T he Head of the Hooch, formerly called the “Head of the Chattahoochee,” is the GR

AP second largest head race in North America and was recognized by Rowing News H

Y magazine as one of the most laid back and hospitable regattas in the country.

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RUBY FALLS u YRear- ound Events: i r

Events Year-Round ua BLUE MOON CRUISES q a will amaze you! (888) 993-2583 (423) 821-2544 www.bluemooncruises.org www.rubyfalls.com nessee “One of America’s Top 101 en t Blue Moon Cruises offers naturalist guided tours Ruby Falls celebrates Romance at Ruby in e places to visit” from March through mid-December, while eve- February with an intimate night-time lan- f th o tern tour. The venue hosts Racin’ @ Ruby, y National Geographic, USA 101

ning cruises into the Gorge are es a tribute to NASCAR. Guests are invited to t offered during the spring, summer, and fall. ur

Popular Fall Color Cruises begin in October. To celebrate Football at the Falls in Septem- C A “Best Scenic View” celebrate the holiday season, a special evening ber with multiple flat screen TVs, and the Southern Living, Reader’s Choice Awards HOTO cruise is offered for guests through the annual Haunted Cavern in October. Other holiday P o Grand Illumination Parade. events include Ruby Red Christmas. Listed as one of the

THE CHATTANOOGA MARKET SOUTHERN BELLE and PIER 2 “Natural Wonders SEASONAL CRUISES First Tennessee Pavilion Across America” Late April through early December Events Year-Round AOL Travel Dinner Trains in February, the Eerie Express in (423) 648-2496 (423) 266-4488 www.chattanoogariverboat.com October, and the North Pole Limited during Chosen as one of www.chattanoogamarket.com the holiday season. The region’s largest outdoor market features Events on the Southern Belle include the “America’s Top Ten Thanksgiving Cruise, Thanksgiving on the produce from regional farms and local food Spring EVENTS : manufacturers, as well as handmade artistry at Pier, Christmas Carol dinner cruises, Breakfast Great Pastimes” small-town prices. Throughout the year, each with Santa on Pier 2 at the Landing, ‘Tis the 4 BRIDGES ARTS FESTIVAL USA TODAY Season luncheon, Early Bird New Year's Eve Sunday Market features a theme in keeping First Tennessee Pavilion with the season. Dinner Cruise, New Year's Eve on the River, Get your Rock City Annual Pass for less than the cost of two 1-day general admission tickets. Explore the Valentine's Sweetheart Luncheon, a Valen- April 13th and 14th Enchanted Trail and enjoy seasonal special events as often as you like for a full year. Each season there’s a new tine's Day dinner cruise, St. Patty's Day, Cinco (423) 265-4282 CHATTANOOGA ZOO de Mayo Cruise, Mother's Day on the River, www.4bridgesartsfestival.org reason to visit Rock City! Passes also provide special discounts and privileges for all See Rock City attractions! Events Year-Round the Easter Bunny Cruise, Easter Lunch on the Celebrating its 13th year, 4 Bridges Arts Festi- River and Boo Cruise in October. Seasonal fall (423) 697-1322 val™ presents over 150 of the nation’s finest cruises are also available. www.chattzoo.org artists along with gourmet food, live music, In 2012, the Chattanooga Zoo celebrated 75 years and kids’ art activities. promoting the conservation and preservation of wildlife. In addition to regular viewing hours Events Year-Round ARMED FORCES DAY PARADE throughout the year, the Zoo is host to a number (423) 265-0695 Downtown Chattanooga of popular seasonal events, including Hug a Bunny (800) 262-0695 Day to celebrate Easter, a summer barbecue Q May n' Brew, Boo in the Zoo in October, and Holiday www.tnaqua.org (423) 870-5558 magazine Lights in December. Its newest program, Zoo In March and April at the Tennessee Aquar- Chattanooga Area Veterans Council Tales, focuses on education for young children. ium, kids enjoy Spring Break Keeper Kids The annual Armed Forces Day Parade features Activities. September highlights include Serve Celebrating participants from military service units, area & Protect sustainable seafood events while ROCK CITY GARDENS veterans groups, high school bands, patriotic October features the month-long Celebration 20 Years organizations, and many others. Events Year-Round Thrills, Gills & Chills and the family-friendly (706) 820-2531 Aqua-Scarium Halloween Party. In December, (800) 854-0675 visitors are invited to enjoy Holidays Under SUMMER EVENTS : Highlighting the www.seerockcity.com the Peaks. CHATTANOOGA RIVER MARKET Best of Our Community March features Shamrock City, celebrating Tennessee Aquarium Plaza Showcasing Local Profi les, Irish, Celtic, and Highlands culture, while Tennessee valley March - September April brings the eco-friendly EarthDayz. May Railroad Museum (423) 648-2496 Business, Premier Living, hosts the Southern Blossoms Festival, while Events Year-Round the summer at Rock City brings Rock City www.chattanoogamarket.com/markets/river Fashion, Dining and the Arts (423) 894-8028 Raptor shows and Summer Music Weekends. The River Market features local artists, crafts- October at Rock City features Rocktoberfest www.tvrail.com men, and local artisans offering hand made celebrating German heritage, and in mid- In addition to regular train rides, the Tennes- goods who are directly involved in the creation CityScopeMag.com November through Janurary, Rock City trans- see Valley Railroad Museum features several of their products, as well as musical perfor- forms into the Enchanted Garden of Lights. seasonal train rides, including Valentine’s Day mances by local and touring artists.

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NIGHTFALL CONCERT SERIES SOUTHERN BREWERS FESTIVAL GALLERY HOP Miller Plaza Ross’s Landing Local Chattanooga Galleries May 3rd-August 30 Saturday, August 25th September 7th (423) 265-0771 (423) 424-2000 (423) 265-4282 www.nightfallchattanooga.com www.southernbrewersfestival.org www.avarts.org Art enthusiasts can discover intriguing artwork This free summer concert series, celebrat- Each year Big River Grille & Brewing Works and meet local artists during this free gallery ing its 25th anniversary in 2013, features an presents the Southern Brewers Festival, an an- tour of downtown Chattanooga. An event bro- nual event benefitting Chattanooga’s Kids on the eclectic mix of music by national and inter- chure outlines participating galleries, directions Block. Over 30 regional breweries come together national talent with local opening acts. Food, and activities for easy touring. beer, and concessions are available during the on the downtown Chattanooga riverfront for an event. evening of local brews, food, music, and fun. 3 SISTERS MUSIC FESTIVAL Ross’s Landing RIVERBEND FESTIVAL FALL EVENTS October 4th and 5th HAMILTON COUNTY FAIR Downtown Waterfront (423) 265-0771 Chester Frost Park June 7th-15th www.3sistersbluegrass.com September 28th and 29th (423) 756-2211 This free two-day event features bluegrass mu- (423) 209-6030 www.riverbendfestival.com sic performed by local, regional, and national www.hamiltontn.gov/fair bluegrass artists on a stage overlooking the Ten- This award-winning nine-day music festival nessee River. features five stages and more than 100 bands The residents of Hamilton County host a county ranging in musical styles. Each year, event fair in the grandest tradition. The fair features music, games, country crafts, livestock, rides, pins can be purchased online or at area con- RIVERROCKS and more at Dallas Island in Chester Frost Park. venience stores. Events held throughout Chattanooga area October 4th-13th CULTURE FEST POPS ON THE RIVER (423) 265-0771 First Tennessee Pavilion Coolidge Park www.riverrockschattanooga.com October 6th RiverRocks celebrates the natural resources of July 3rd (423) 763-4345 the Chattanooga area with 10 days of outdoor (423) 265-0771 Chamber of Commerce International recreation opportunities for enthusiasts of all www.chattanoogapops.com Business Council ages and skill levels. Celebrate Independence Day under the stars Celebrate Chattanooga’s rich cultural diversity at Coolidge Park while enjoying the Chatta- at Culture Fest, a free event featuring perfor- HEf ad o the Hooch nooga Symphony & Opera’s annual patriotic mances, colorful booths, kids activities and food Rowing Regatta concert and fireworks. representing cultures from around the world. The Tennessee River November 2nd and 3rd NY (678) 732-0365 OMPA

C www.headofthehooch.org Y IT

C The Head of the Hooch is the second largest R E

IV regatta in the country. Chattanooga is now home R f

o to this event in which 1,900+ crews race in 85 y s events down the Tennessee River, drawing over te

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PHOTO C WINTER EVENTS : SOUTHSIDE MAIN x24 Main Street, Downtown Chattanooga December 7th www.mainx24.com The Southside hosts its annual Mainx24, a 24-hour-long festival along the Main Street cor- ridor showcasing local businesses and featur- ing neighborhood parties, music, and cultural programming.

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