Many families will be cocooning at home for the gifting, feasting and general merry-making of Christmas, but there are options for outings if you're so inclined, even on Christmas Day. Here are some ideas for the next few days.
- The Comedy Catch, 29 Station St., hosts a "Home for the Holidays" showcase of hometown talents coming off tours or other distant work at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Among those scheduled to appear are Natasha Ferrier, Chance Willie, Ethan McFall and Davis Wesson. Andrew Ledbetter will host. Tickets are $15. thecomedycatch.com
- East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra will host a Christmas Day "Messiah" Sing at 3:30 p.m. at the Collegedale Commons, 4950 Swinyar Drive. The all-volunteer orchestra will spotlight what is considered the Christmas portion of the oratorio. Word to the wise: In America, it's customary to stand during the "Hallelujah Chorus." A limited number of vocal scores will be available, but bring your own if you have one. Players of string instruments are also welcome to join the orchestra. Admission is free. etsomusic.org
- Enchanted Garden of Lights, Rock City's nighttime lights extravaganza, is closed Christmas Eve but open all other nights through Jan. 2. Thursday night will be the final night to visit with Santa Claus. If you'd prefer a daytime tour, which includes visits to Fat Man Squeeze and the Hall of the Mountain King, you can book a visit between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. any day except Christmas Day. You must reserve an entry time online. Tickets are not sold at the gate. Daytime tours are $22 for adults, $13 for children 3-12. Enchanted Garden of Lights admission varies by night, but ranges from $24 to $30 for adults, $14 to $16 for children 3-12. seerockcity.com
- EPB holiday windows are on view through Jan. 3. The festive vignettes can be seen on the Broad and Market Street sides of the building at 10 West M.L. King Blvd. epb.com
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- Free Christmas dinner: Harvest Outreach, a ministry to the homeless in Dalton, Ga., will serve to-go Christmas plates to anyone in the community 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Christmas Eve. Pickup is outside American Legion Post 112, 112 Glenwood Ave. 706-280-0883
- High Point Climbing and Fitness, 219 Broad St., plans a Christmas Lights Out Party at 7 p.m. Thursday. Climbers may scale the heights dressed in a loaner Santa or elf costume with only the illumination of Christmas lights to guide the way. The event is included in the cost of a day pass: $19 for adults, $17 for youths. The Chattanooga and Cleveland locations (2499 Keith St. NW) also have two-day holiday break camps planned for children ages 5-14. Remaining camps will be held 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 27-29 and Dec. 29-30. highpointclimbing.com
- Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View, offers a Winter Wonderland of hands-on family activities 1-3 p.m. Wednesday. Visitors can make ornament crafts, create mosaic window art and color winter-themed pages. Activities are included with admission: $20 for nonmembers 18 and older. huntermuseum.org
- Ice on the Landing, the temporary rink at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market St., has special hours and events this week. The rink is open 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday, with Family Night set for 5-9 p.m., when a child skates free with a paying adult. Christmas Eve hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Christmas Day hours are 4-11 p.m. Admission is $10-$12 for adults (depending on time and day); $8 for children 12 and younger. iceonthelanding.com
Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / Chattanooga resident Patricia Martinez helps her daughter Emma, 3, skate at Ice on the Landing, the open-air rink set up in the Chattanooga Choo Choo Gardens. The rink will be open limited hours Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.- Imax Theater, 201 Chestnut St., has two special engagements over the holidays. "The Polar Express 3D" continues through Sunday and will be the only film showing Christmas Eve, with start times at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Admission is $8. The first-run feature film "Spider-Man: No Way Home" is playing at 6:30 p.m. select dates through Jan. 13. Admission is $15. The Imax is closed Christmas Day. tnaqua.org/imax
- NorthShore Merchants Collective sponsors a Window Treasure Hunt through Jan. 3. Participants are tasked with finding out-of-place objects in the windows of participating businesses along Frazier Avenue, River Street, Kent Street, Dallas Road, North Market Street and Manufacturers Road. You'll mark cards with the items you've found, then turn them in, with a minimum $1 donation, for a chance to win gift baskets. northshorechattanooga.com/events
- Pinspiration Chattanooga, 2275 Gunbarrel Road, continues its Kids Winter Makers Camp activities 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 27-30. Cost is $40 per day (option to buy three, get one free). pinspiration.com
- Sweet & Savory Classroom, 45 E. Main St., has a final Gingerbread House workshop set for noon Thursday. The $86 cost for parent/child teams includes expert instruction by one of the chefs. Participants will have their finished masterpiece to take home. Also, two-day Holiday Break Workshops for ages 8-14 are coming up Dec. 28-29 and Jan. 3-4. Cost is $140. sweetandsavoryclassroom.com
- Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St., entertains guests with creatures ranging from electric eels to butterflies during its Under the Peaks celebration, continuing through Dec. 31 (closed Christmas Day). The electric eel, Miguel Wattson, is able to illuminate the lights on a nearby Christmas tree using his electric discharges. The Butterfly Garden is newly reopened after supply chain delays. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Timed entry tickets are required. Cost is $35 for adults, $22 for children 3-12. tnaqua.org
- Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, 4119 Cromwell Road, will run Holiday Lights Trains the week after Christmas. Departures are at 7 p.m. Monday and at 5:30 and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Tickets are $23 for adults, $15 for children 2-12. tvrail.com
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.