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Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

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2025 Fall Festival Guide: 150+ places to celebrate autumn and beyond around the Chattanooga area

Contributed Photo / The Monroe Life Balloon Festival happens Aug. 30-31 in Madisonville, Tenn.
Contributed Photo / The Monroe Life Balloon Festival happens Aug. 30-31 in Madisonville, Tenn. Contributed Photo / The Monroe Life Balloon Festival happens Aug. 30-31 in Madisonville, Tenn.

A Labor Day weekend that begins in August may feel a little weird, but the arrival of fall festivals on the calendar definitely feels timely.

As the unofficial end of summer, Labor Day also marks a starting point of a four-month festival season that takes us through the crisp days and nights of autumn into the festive celebrations of Thanksgiving and Christmas. At all of these events, you’ll find arts, crafts, food and music in abundance.

Today’s list encompasses more than 150 such events. Not every happening is included here, but you’ll find a fairly comprehensive look at anything that pays tribute to the harvest season (September and October) and the festive season (November and December) on these pages.

Weather may be a factor, so be sure to check websites for updates before traveling long distances. Most are generally within 2 1/2 hours of Chattanooga, in all directions. You may find an event that is its own destination or one that’s a side trip if you’re traveling anyway.

Websites also can offer guidance on which events are pet-friendly and stroller-friendly, and whether you’ll need cash at the gate or should buy your tickets in advance.