In my three decades of Chattanooga Christmases, I have learned the best the city has to offer during the holiday season. From twinkle lights to Santa Claus to holiday shopping galore, our city has more Christmas fun than you can shake a sweet potato casserole-filled ladle at. Rather than travel elsewhere for family experiences, here are our top 7 Scenic City signature holiday activities to check out this month:
Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights
One Chattanooga holiday tradition that cannot be missed is Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights, which occurs nightly from 6-9 p.m. through January 3. Along with checking out more than 30 holiday scenes created in lights, kids can enjoy visiting with Santa and his elves, gingerbread cookie decorating and Sugar Plum Fairy makeovers. This year is the 20th anniversary of the Enchanted Garden of Lights, and new to the event are a 26-foot Christmas tree and forest scene that dances to holiday tunes. While the trail is a bit shorter than the one you would normally take at Rock City, locals and tourists alike will tell you the cost is totally worth it. The atmosphere around Rock City at this time of year is just pure Christmas.
Downtown Window Displays
As a child, I remember all the shops downtown would decorate their windows. Now EPB and Blue Cross are the only businesses keeping the 60-year tradition alive, but the old-fashioned animatronic characters and thousands of LED lights displayed are definitely still worth a look-see. Tip: Go at night when the displays are easier to see.
Holiday Eats
For a true Chattanooga Christmas, you can’t miss the local eats. Holiday tables throughout the Scenic City will be topped with cult favorites such as cookies, cakes and breads from the Bread Basket, which has locations in Signal Mountain, Hixson and East Brainerd. (Their gift baskets are also a great go-to gift option.) Other Chattanooga classics to bring to a party or dinner are thumbprint cookies from Koch’s Bakery or Amaretto cake from Mount Vernon Restaurant.
Nowhere to go for Christmas? City Café is the place to eat on Christmas Eve. Open 24 hours, the downtown restaurant has practically everything on its menu, including a massive variety of cakes. On Christmas Day, try brunch at the Chattanoogan Hotel, but be sure to make reservations.
Signal Mountain’s Christmas Train
Join the ranks of Chattanoogans enjoying the tradition of having their family’s holiday photo taken at the Christmas Train, located atop Signal Mountain on Taft Highway. The Christmas Train has been there for as long as many locals can remember. Nanci Crewe, wife of train creator Stan Crewe, said he decided to build it when they were driving home one night and realized the lack of decoration on the mountain. Stan added new elements to the train each Christmas season before he passed away several years ago. It has recently fallen into disrepair, so make the trip while it lasts.Local
Parades
Chattanooga has its Holiday Starlight Parade on Market Street from M.L. King Boulevard to Third Street December 15. The parades in nearby Red Bank and Soddy-Daisy are also a great stop to get the uniquely festive feel you only find in a small-town atmosphere. People typically hang out after, and it is a great opportunity to get to know your neighbors or discover a new part of town.
Red Bank’s Parade and Christmas Festival is at Red Bank City Park on Dayton Boulevard (across from Bi-Lo) Saturday, December 6 from noon to 7 p.m. Soddy-Daisy’s parade is Sunday, December 7 at 2 p.m. on Dayton Pike from Harrison Lane to Sequoyah Access Road.
Chattanooga Holiday Market
Chattanooga is completely obsessed with its weekly farmers market at First Tennessee Pavilion-and for good reason, I might add. Therefore the Holiday Market, which has many of the same vendors plus several new faces, is the perfect place to find a gift. There is something at the market for everyone, with gift options such as handcrafted cornhole sets, original art, from-scratch salsa and sauces, and handmade children’s toys. It is held in December at the Chattanooga Convention Center Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Christmas Light Cruising
The best locations vary from year to year, but some good bets include Old Towne on Signal Mountain (take a sharp left when you get to the top of the mountain and look for streets with state names) and Missionary Ridge. One of the biggest displays I’ve seen at a single home is on Dayton Pike just before you get to Roberts Mill Road going north toward Soddy-Daisy.