Here's what's happening in the Chattanooga area this week.
DID YOU KNOW?
Candy canes from Georgia and MoonPies from Tennessee have placed fourth and fifth, respectively, in a survey of Americans' most popular festive traditions. The Southern-based sweet treats trailed Ohio's buckeyes, the top contender, a confection made from a nugget of peanut butter fudge partially dipped in chocolate. Two lighted attractions took the second and third spots in the survey: the River Walk in San Antonio, Texas, and Genesee Brewery's keg tree in Rochester, New York. Alabama's Wonderland Under Warrior, a Christmas attraction in a cave, placed 14th. Bobs Candies in Albany, Georgia, is the largest manufacturer of striped candy in the world. MoonPies have been made by Chattanooga Bakery since 1917. The survey for Mixbook, a photo book creation company, polled 1,500 Americans for their answers. See the full list of state results at mixbook.com/inspiration/favorite-christmas-traditions.
(READ MORE: Check out these Chattanooga-area events, attractions Christmas week)
ARTS
ATHENS ARTS CENTER -- 320 N. White St., Athens, Tenn. "A View From the Sycamore" watercolor exhibit by Marie Spaeder Haas, through Feb. 6. Opening reception, 5:30-7 p.m. Jan. 20. athensartscouncil.org
FRANKLIN COUNTY ARTS GUILD -- The Artisan Depot, 204 E. Cumberland St., Cowan, Tenn. "Recycled and Reimagined" community show, through Jan. 29. franklincoarts.org
GALLERY AT BLACKWELL -- 71 Eastgate Loop. Photographic Society of Chattanooga's fall/holiday show, through Feb. 3. chattanoogaphoto.org
IN-TOWN GALLERY -- 26A Frazier Ave. "I Am Woman" by Miki Boni, through Dec. 31. intowngallery.com
RIVER GALLERY -- 400 E. Second St. Works by Curtiss Brock, Scott Hill and Tania Hill, through Dec. 31. river-gallery.com
FILM
IMAX THEATER -- 201 Chestnut St. "The Polar Express," daily through Dec. 26 (closed Christmas Day); times vary. $8-$10. tnaqua.org
HOLIDAY ATTRACTIONS
ASIAN LANTERN FESTIVAL -- Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. Seasonal light display features 38 custom fixtures showcasing the zoo's resident animals, 6-10 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday through Jan. 15 (closed holidays). $16-$18 members, $18-$21 nonmembers. Reserve tickets online. chattzoo.org
BODE FOR THE HOLIDAYS -- Bode Chattanooga, 730 Chestnut St. Holiday pop-up features holiday decor, themed food and drink offerings at Dawn cafe and market (opens at 8 a.m.) and Dusk cocktail bar (opens at 3 p.m.) through Dec. 31. bode.co
EPB HOLIDAY WINDOWS -- 10 W. M.L. King Blvd. Holiday scenes in the windows facing Market and Broad streets, through Jan. 6. epb.com
DAYTON ICE RINK -- Centennial Park, 391 Second Ave., Dayton, Tenn. Outdoor ice rink, through Feb. 28 (schedule varies). $10 ages 13 and older, $8 younger skaters. 423-775-9847
ENCHANTED GARDEN OF LIGHTS -- Rock City, 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, Ga. More than a million LED lights throughout the park and Christmas Market, timed entry 4:30-9:45 p.m. through Jan. 1. $26-$32 adults, $16-$22 children 3-12 depending on date. Tickets must be purchased in advance online. seerockcity.com/lights
HOLIDAY WINDOW TREASURE HUNT -- North Shore merchants along Frazier Avenue and connector streets. NorthShore Merchants Collective's eighth annual adventure to find an unlikely "hidden" object in the window of 23 participating stores, through Jan. 3. Turn in completed game cards, with minimum $1 contribution to Northside Neighborhood House, for chance to win one of three gift baskets valued at $400. northshorechattanooga.com
HOLIDAYS UNDER THE PEAKS -- Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. Includes festive music and Christmas tree illuminated by the discharges of electric eel Miguel Wattson, through Dec. 31 (closed Christmas Day). $22-$35. tnaqua.org/holidays
ICE ON THE LANDING -- Chattanooga Choo Choo Gardens, 1400 Market St. Outdoor ice skating rink, through Jan. 29 (schedule varies but open holidays). $12 adults, $10 children 12 and younger (includes skate rentals). New this year: online ticket purchase. iceonthelanding.com
NOOGALIGHTS -- Chester Frost Park, 2277 N. Gold Point Circle. Half-hour, drive-thru holiday show of lights and fog, 5:30 p.m. daily through Dec. 31 (closed Christmas Day). $30 per car; must purchase tickets online. noogalights.com
MAGIC OF LIGHTS -- Summit of Softball Complex, 4900 La Collina Way, Ooltewah. Drive-thru holiday lights extravaganza with more than 40 larger-than-life scenes and animated characters, 5:30-10 p.m. through Jan. 1. $25-$35 per vehicle, with discounts if purchased online. magicoflights.com
(READ MORE: These Chattanooga-area restaurants will be open Christmas Day)
MUSIC
BARRELHOUSE BALLROOM -- Five Wits Brewing, 1501 Long St. barrelhouseballroom.com
-- Dec. 29: Shiggy, with special guests Sunsap, 9 p.m. $12-$15.
-- Dec. 30: Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country, with Downboy, 9 p.m. $15-$20.
-- Dec. 31: New Year's Eve with Strung Like a Horse, with Slim Pickins, 9 p.m. $25-$50.
THE CAVERNS -- 555 Charlie Roberts Road, Pelham, Tenn. New Year's Eve with The Steel Woods, with Cole Chaney and Tim Goodwin, 9 p.m. CST Dec. 31. $59 and up. thecaverns.com
CHATTANOOGA CONVENTION CENTER -- 1 Carter Plaza. The Beaters' New Year's Eve Bash, with music by the local party band, dancing, two drink stations, 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Dec. 31. $45. eventbrite.com
COLONNADE -- 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, Ga. Tenth annual New Year's concert with Brian Free & Assurance and Appointed Quartet, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 29. $15-$17. appointedquartet.bandzoogle.com/store
MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM -- 399 McCallie Ave. Blackberry Smoke, with War Hippies, 8 p.m. Dec. 31. $39-$89.
THE SIGNAL -- 1810 Chestnut St. Neon Moon: The Ultimate '90s Country Tribute Band, with Zach Dylan, 9 p.m. Dec. 31. $15-$18. thesignaltn.com
WANDERLINGER BREWING -- 1208 King St. The Other Brothers, 6 p.m. Dec. 25. wanderlinger.com
OUT & ABOUT
CHATTOWN POETS -- Gate 11 Distillery, 1400 Market St. Open mic, featuring Kate Landers, president of the Chattanooga Writers Guild, 8-10 p.m. Dec. 28; sign-ups start at 7:30 p.m. Theme: "This Cold Winter Will Pass and New Life Will Come." Prizes for best in theme, by audience vote. chattown.net/chattown-poets
THE COMEDY CATCH -- 29 Station St. thecomedycatch.com
-- Dec. 30: Mr. Showtime David Scott, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. $17-$19.
-- Dec. 31: New Year's Eve with Mr. Showtime David Scott, 7:30 p.m., $20-$25; 10 p.m., $36-$40.
CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM -- 321 Chestnut St. Family celebrations of the new year. cdmfun.org
-- Dec. 30: Cheers to the New Year, with arts and crafts, countdown led by Father Time, bubble wrap fireworks, apple juice toast, 6-8 p.m. $5 members, $10 nonmembers.
-- Dec. 31: Fizz, Pop, Boom, with activities exploring the science of carbonation, toasts with cotton candy drinks, crafts, noon-4 p.m., Free with regular admission ($16).
FIRST DAY HIKES -- Tennessee State Parks tradition, Jan. 1. Registration requested/required. Donations appreciated. tnstateparks.com
-- Beersheba Springs: South Cumberland State Park; moderately paced, 2-mile round trip to the great Stone Door, 1-3 p.m. CST from the Stone Door Ranger Station, 1183 Stone Door Road.
-- Benton: Hiwassee Ocoee Scenic River State Park; moderate, 3-mile round trip to Benton Falls, 1-3:30 p.m. from trailhead at Chilhowee Recreation Area, 3171 U.S. 64, weather permitting. $3 parking fee.
-- Crossville: Cumberland Mountain State Park; moderate, 1-mile hike along Cumberland Plateau Nature Trail, noon-1:30 p.m. CST from park office, 24 Office Drive, weather permitting.
-- Manchester: Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park; walk through time along a natural trail (roots, rocks, changes in elevation) to learn who built the historic site where the Little and Big Duck rivers fork, 1-3 p.m. CST from top of the park visitor center; 1.5 miles, two hours.
-- Sewanee: South Cumberland State Park; 3-mile hike with overlook views and geological features, noon-3 p.m. CST from the Lost Cove East trailhead, 6398 Sherwood Road. Registration required.
-- Sparta: Fall Creek Falls State Park scenic hike on the new Hardie Trail, part of Dog Cove, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. CST from parking lot at junction of Gladstone Acres Road and Old Bon Aire Road. Bring water and lunch.
NEW YEAR'S EVE AT DAVE & BUSTER'S -- 2084 Hamilton Place Blvd. Two events on Dec. 31. Celebrate the New Year Early, 4-7 p.m., includes arcade games, buffet, video countdown and ginger ale toast, 4-7 p.m., $36. Ring Ring Ring in 2023, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., with arcade games, hand-crafted cocktails and mocktails, appetizer buffet, $69-$96. daveandbusters.com
NEW YEAR'S EVE AT MOXY CHATTANOOGA -- 1220 King St. All-night dance party with music by DJ Mixx, food trucks, champagne toast at midnight, 6:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Dec. 31. $75-$160 ($249 all-nighter party pass is sold out). eventbrite.com
NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY -- The Coker Museum, 1309 Chestnut St. Chattanooga Autism Center hosts fundraiser with music, dancing, food and drink, champagne at midnight (cash bar for additional drinks), 8 p.m. Dec. 31. $50. chattanoogaautismcenter.org/nye
NEW YEAR'S EVE ROARING '20S PARTY -- Read House, 107 W. M.L. King Blvd. Package includes overnight accommodations, party admission for two adults, heavy hors d'oeuvres, open bar, entertainment by Gwen Hughes and the Retro Kats, midnight champagne toast, dessert and coffee bar, time capsule dedication, Dec. 31. $619 and up ($200 due at booking). 423-266-4121
NEW YEAR'S NIGHTMARE -- Dread Hollow, 321 Brown's Ferry Road. Scream in the new year at a long-abandoned toy factory where monstrous experiments to achieve immortality have left grotesque, half-human creatures to roam, 8-10 p.m. Dec. 30 and Jan. 7. Escape rooms open 7:30-9:30 p.m. Timed-entry reservations required. $15 any experience. dreadhollow.com
WINTER HIKE CHALLENGE -- Outshine Adventures challenge to hike 90 miles in 90 days, on your own or on scheduled group hikes, through March 20. Levels for casual ($20), moderate ($45) and advanced ($65) participation. A native tree will be planted for those who complete the challenge. eventbrite.com
Find more events, and add your own, at timesfreepress.com/cnevents.
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.