Before the Scenic City had its boom, the Hunter Museum was a staple of the Chattanooga holiday season.

Those who work at, and love, the Hunter, hope it still will be.

"We heard over and over from people that one of their biggest childhood memories was coming to the Hunter back in the '60s and the '70s, when we did the Tour of Trees, the trees from around the world," said marketing director Katrina Craven.

The Tour of Trees, which takes place Dec. 15, was reinstated four years ago, as part of Holidays at the Hunter, a six-week celebration that starts today and runs through Jan. 2.

"It's a different way to view the Hunter," Craven said of wandering the galleries among artfully decorated Christmas trees.

A series of events will accompany Holidays at the Hunter, beginning with a Thursday screening of "The Little Match Girl." Based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen, "The Little Match Girl" tells of a poor, young girl who tries to eke out a living in the cold Danish winter, selling matches.

In 1928, French director Jean Renoir adapted Andersen's tale into a silent film. It will be viewed with accompanying music by Cricket & Snail, the husband/wife duo of Lucie Carlson (violin) and James Carlson (accordion).

"There are several of us who really like 'The Little Match Girl,' " Craven said. The Hunter had shown silent films before, she said, and wanted to include one in its repertoire of holiday offerings.

Craven said one of the goals of Holidays at the Hunter is to create a sense of nostalgia for area residents with "really, really fond memories" of visiting the museum in childhood.

"It's all about encouraging people to come to the museum, to slow down a little bit during the holiday season and really just spend time with people they care about."

EVENT SCHEDULE

Note: Admission to the museum includes event entry unless otherwise noted; not all November/December events are listed.

* Thursday: Screening of "The Little Match Girl," with accompaniment by violin and accordion duo Cricket & Snail, 6 p.m.

* Dec. 2: Pre-K Day at the Hunter, to introduce preschoolers to the world of art, 10 a.m., $10 nonmembers, $8 members.

* Dec. 4: Free First Sunday, gallery exploration and holiday music, noon-5 p.m.

* Dec. 8: Guided tour of portraits in the Hunter collection by staff and creative team from Townsend Atelier, followed by drawing demonstration with contemporary portrait artist David Kasson, 5 p.m.

* Dec. 8: String Theory concert, featuring Cho-Liang Lin (violin), William Vermeulen (horn) and Gloria Chien (piano), 6:30 p.m., $25 nonmembers, $20 members; preceded by Artful Connections gallery talk, 5:30 p.m.

* Dec. 15: Tour of Trees, with the designers and florists who crafted the museum's holiday finery, 6 p.m.

* Dec. 16: Pre-K Day at the Hunter, to introduce preschoolers (ages 2-5) to the world of art, 10 a.m. $10 nonmembers, $8 members.

* Dec. 20: Pre-K Holidays, Christmas-themed craft session for preschoolers, 10 a.m., $10 nonmembers, $8 members.