NOVEMBER
11/15 and 11/29
Santa Paws
From 6-9 p.m., bring your furry friends to Hamilton Place mall for photos with Santa. Photo packages will be available for purchase. Pets must be brought on a leash or in a carrier. Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets. Pets will not be allowed in any area of the mall other than the designated Santa photo area.
11/18-1/1
Tennessee Aquarium’s Holidays Under the Peaks & IMAX 3D
Enjoy the holiday season surrounded by some of the world’s most fascinating creatures and get treated to new holiday programs offered free with Aquarium admission. On weekends, see special appearances by SCUBA Claus. Watch penguins receive their presents. See the temporary National Geographic Monster Fish exhibit with its life-sized replicas. Note: The Aquarium will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
11/18-1/16
Ice on the Landing at the Choo Choo Gardens
With no other ice skating option offered in Chattanooga, this temporary family-oriented outdoor ice rink represents a unique wintertime recreational experience. The rink will feature a schedule to accommodate general skating for the public, as well as special themes, appearances by Santa, and a rotating schedule to benefit local not-for-profit groups. Guests can also enjoy warm drink and food vendors. Check iceonthelanding.com for daily schedules, pricing and more.
11/18-12/31
Tennessee Valley Railroad’s North Pole Limited Adventures
Journey to the North Pole aboard by a locomotive loaded with refreshments, storytelling, caroling, visits by Santa Claus and more. Trips typically sell out, so it’s recommended that you book early. Most trains trips are Friday-Sunday. Check tvrail.com/events-exhibits/rides/north-pole-limited for full schedule, pricing and tickets.
11/18-12/31
Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights
Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights is a seasonal family tradition showcasing more than 30 holiday scenes and LED lights that transform the gardens’ natural daytime splendor into a fantasyland. Enjoy gingerbread cookie decorating, hot cocoa, nightly entertainment, dinner with Santa, visits with Jack Frost, the ice queen and the Dancing Forest. Group rates available. Note: Rock City will be closed Christmas Eve night. Visit seerockcity.com/events/entry/enchanted-garden-of-lights for pricing, tickets and more details.
11/19
Snow Day at the Creative Discovery Museum
From noon to 4 p.m., spend the afternoon enjoying the first “snowfall” in Chattanooga with special guests Jack Frost and Suzy Snowflake, plus lots of fun, snowy hands-on family activities. Museum admission required. Visit cdmfun.org/winter-celebrations-in-chattanooga to learn more.
11/20
Harvest Sleep in the Deep: Family Sleepover
Grab your sleeping bag for an overnight campout under the peaks alongside sharks, stingrays and more. Aquarium experts will take you behind the scenes and show you how they care for more than 10,000 animals. Event price includes after-hours experiences in both buildings, IMAX 3-D film, pizza dinner and light breakfast the following morning. Visit tnaqua.org/events-programs for more.
11/24
Thanksgiving Day Buffet at Puckett’s
Swing by Puckett’s downtown from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring made-from-scratch fixings like sliced turkey, spiral smoked ham, brisket, pulled pork, plenty of sides and other holiday favorites. Call 423-708-8505 for pricing and more.
11/24
Thanksgiving Feast at the Chattanoogan
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Chattanoogan Hotel’s beautiful ballroom will also offer an all-you-can-eat extravaganza prepared by Executive Chef Adam Roe and his award-winning culinary team. Reservations are strongly encouraged and may be made by calling 423-424-3700.
11/24
Thanksgiving Lunch with the Southern Belle
A special cruise from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. will feature live music and pilot house tours, in addition to a one-time-through buffet-style Thanksgiving dinner complete with sliced roast turkey breast, carved ham, mashed potatoes, giblet gravy, sweet potato casserole with marshmallow topping, green bean & mushroom casserole, corn pudding, yeast rolls, dessert, iced tea and coffee. Package available that grants a window seat for two, two souvenir glasses, a bottle of wine or Champagne (guest’s choice) and a souvenir photo. Call 423-266-4488 to learn more or purchase. If you don’t have your sea legs, you can meet on the grand chandelier deck of Pier 2 from 2-4 p.m. for live music and same one-time-through buffet-style Thanksgiving dinner.
11/25
Black Friday at the Bluff View
From noon to 5 p.m., not only will you find unique holiday gifts, you’ll enjoy a relaxing, festive atmosphere including live holiday music, artist and coffee roasting demonstrations, food and drink tastings at Tony’s Pasta Shop and cookie decorating for the kids, plus specials at the Bluff View Bakery, Rembrandt’s and artwork from the River Gallery.
11/26
Chattanooga Hungry Turkey Run
Get your gobble on with the Hungry Turkey Run at Coolidge Park from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Distances are half marathon, 5k and a kid’s dash. At the finish line, pick up a warm cinnamon roll to complete your experience. Visit chattanoogahungryturkeyrun.com to learn more and register.
11/26
Small Business Saturday Local Craft Fair
Stop by the Downtown Chattanooga Public Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to kick off your holiday shopping while supporting local entrepreneurs. You’ll be treated to coffee giveaways, door prizes and, of course, an incredible array of local vendors sure to make your shopping easy.
11/26-12/30
Tennessee Valley Railroad’s Christmas Special Dinner Train
Enjoy this special four-course holiday dinner aboard a restored 1924 dining car on select dates. The excursion departs from Grand Junction Station and travels through areas of Chattanooga. Visit tvrail.com/events-exhibits/rides/christmas-special-dinner-train to learn more and purchase tickets.
DECEMBER
12/1-12/18
Christmas Carol Dinner Cruise
From 7-9:30 p.m., enjoy live entertainment, an appearance from Santa, pilot house tours and one-time-through buffet-style dinner featuring prime rib, shrimp creole, white rice, baby red potatoes, mixed vegetables, salad, yeast rolls, dessert, iced tea and coffee. Package available that grants a window seat for two, two souvenir glasses, a bottle of wine or Champagne (guest’s choice) and a souvenir photo. Call 423-266-4488 to learn more or book.
12/1-12/23
Ruby Falls Christmas Underground
Returning for a second year, Ruby Falls’ Christmas Underground offers a magical holiday adventure for the whole family. Explore the cave for the magical “Joystone,” walk through a secret underground ice cave that leads straight to Santa at the North Pole, see the Northern Lights, check out the Sugar Plum Fairy Village and take a horse-and-carriage ride. Visit rubyfalls.com/ruby-falls-christmas-underground for full schedule, times, pricing and more.
12/2-12/3
Christmas at the Cravens House
From 6-8 p.m. each day, take a free Christmas tour of the historic Cravens House on Lookout Mountain.
12/3
Breakfast with Santa Cruise
From 9:30-11 a.m., hop aboard the Southern Belle for a pancake breakfast offering scrambled eggs, sausage links, buttermilk biscuits and gravy, silver dollar pancakes with maple syrup and whipped butter, hashbrowns, chilled orange juice, milk and coffee. After breakfast, enjoy a magic show and a visit with the man in the big red suit. Call 423-266-4488 for pricing, tickets and more.
12/3
Chattanooga Boys Choir’s Singing Christmas Tree
Get in the spirit with the Boys Choir’s 53rd annual Singing Christmas Tree at the Tivoli Theatre from 5:30-7 p.m. Also featured will be the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Youth Orchestra and Ballet Tennessee. Visit chattanoogaboyschoir.org to learn more and purchase tickets.
12/3-12/4
Mainx24
Celebrate the Southside district with a packed schedule of entertainment, green living, fashion shows, parades and parties, music and more during this seasonal 24-hour holiday block party. Visit mainx24.com for full lineup and more details.
12/3-12/17
‘Tis the Season Lunch Cruise
Take a break from the hustle and bustle for a lunchtime cruise down the Tennessee River from 1-3 p.m. While feasting on prime rib and chicken Wisconsin casserole buffet, you’ll be serenaded with live music to get you in the holiday spirit. Cash bar available. Call 423-266-4488 for detailed schedule, pricing, tickets and more.
12/3-12/18
Special Chattanooga Holiday Market
As part of the Chattanooga Market, this weekend holiday market offers a special holiday theme. Stop by the Chattanooga Convention Center between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. for live music, caroling, festivities and more than 200 vendors providing a great assortment of unique, locally handmade items, holiday décor and artisan foods. Free entry.
12/4
Brunch With Santa
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., a special guest from the North Pole will be at the Chattanoogan Hotel. Santa will meet and greet guests as he travels from table to table for hugs, photos and Christmas lists. As carolers sing holiday favorites, parents and kids will enjoy an award-winning brunch at the on-site Broad Street Grille. Kids can also enjoy craft activities in the lobby. Call 423-424-3700 for pricing and to learn more.
12/4
Holiday English Tea & Open House
Stop by the Houston Museum between 1 and 4 p.m. to kick off the holiday season with scones, finger sandwiches and, of course, tea. Admission includes a guided tour of the Victorian home and its beautiful, rare collection of antiques. Call 423-267-7176 to learn more.
12/4
Family Fun Day: Holiday Style
From 2-4 p.m., celebrate the holidays with winter fun for children of all ages at the Hunter Museum of American Art. Make ornaments, decorate a snowflake fort, build sculptures, go on a scavenger hunt in the galleries, enjoy kids’ holiday music from family-favorite Jennifer Daniels, cozy up during winter storytelling time in the crossroads or enjoy cookies and cocoa in the lobby. There will even be special visit from Santa himself. Free for members; $15 for general public. Visit huntermuseum.org/hunter-events to learn more.
12/4-12/11
Holiday Lights
On weekends in early December, from 5:30-8 p.m., the Chattanooga Zoo will be transformed into a magical wonderland where you can view hundreds of lights, visit the animals and watch them open their Christmas presents, get your picture taken with Santa and enjoy fun holiday games and crafts. Not included in regular zoo admission. Visit chattzoo.org/events/holiday-lights to learn more.
12/9-12/11
The Nutcracker by Chattanooga Ballet
Chattanooga Ballet will again present its annual holiday performance of Tchaikovsky’s magical classic ballet fully staged with music by the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra. Visit chattanoogaballet.net/the-nutcracker for tickets and more.
12/9-12/23
Miracle on 34th Street
This musical is based on the 1947 film where Kris Kringle takes on the cynics and wins. Filled with humor, spectacle and festive holiday songs, this joyous, heart-warming musical is showing on weekends at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre. Visit theatrecentre.com for full schedule, pricing, tickets and more.
12/10
Chickamauga Christmas in the Streets
Craft vendors, games, food, plenty of contests and live music mean there will be something for everyone. Don’t miss the Movie Memories Parade at 6 p.m. Afterward, take a Candle Light Tour at the Gordon-Lee Mansion. Downtown merchants will also be open after the parade for your shopping convenience. Visit cityofchickamauga.org/events-annualevents.asp to learn more.
12/17-12/18
PJs and the Polar Express
From 9:30-11:45 a.m., it will be all aboard the Polar Express at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX for a trip to the North Pole. Dress in your favorite pajamas and enjoy this special screening of “The Polar Express” animated classic. Before the movie, meet the Conductor, sip hot cocoa and enjoy brunch muffin. Visit tnaqua.org/events-programs for pricing and tickets.
12/17-12/18
Home for the Holidays
Enjoy the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera as they celebrate the holidays “Through a Child’s Eyes” in this special, family-friendly tradition featuring the CSO and the Chattanooga Boys Choir. Separate showings will feature composer and conductor James Stephenson leading the CSO through standard holiday tunes plus his own special arrangements of old classics. Visit chattanoogasymphony.org for times, pricing, tickets and more.
12/21
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker
Enchant the whole family with larger-than-life magical props, a 60-foot growing Christmas tree and spectacular Russian-made costumes and sets in this performance by world-renowned dancers. Visit nutcracker.com for time, pricing, tickets and more.