Even with Thanksgiving taking place this week, there's no shortage of things to do this weekend. Go for a hike at local state park the day after Thanksgiving, take a spin around the rink at Ice 0n the Landing, celebrate the season during "Holidays Under the Peaks" at the Tennessee Aquarium or check out the live reindeer, lighted boat parade and fireworks at Reindeer on the Riverfront. For even more seasonal events, check out this year's Chattanooga Times Free Press fall festival guide. Otherwise, here's this weekend's chronology.
ARTS
— Photographic Society of Chattanooga continues its fall show at the Gallery at Blackwell, 71 Eastgate Loop. Society members will have their work displayed, and prints will be available for purchase. Gallery hours are 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The show will run through Dec. 1. Learn more at chattanoogaphoto.org.
— Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace, continues its exhibition "Vocabulary," featuring the work of 27 local and national artists. The works featured in the exhibition use different vocabularies and dialogues in different artistic mediums to engage with viewers and other artists. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. The exhibition will run through Nov. 30. Learn more at jewishchattanooga.com.
— In-Town Gallery, 26A Frazier Ave., continues its all-member exhibition, featuring new works by gallery members. The gallery will be participating in the Northshore Merchants Collective's ninth annual Holiday Treasure Hunt through Jan. 3. Gallery hours are 11-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. The all-member exhibition will run through Nov. 30. Learn more at intowngallery.com.
— Association for Visual Arts, 30 Frazier Ave., continues its annual all-member salon show. It is the gallery's final exhibition of the year; it's also the largest, featuring works from 110 local and regional artists. Gallery hours are noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday, noon-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Monday and Tuesday. The exhibition will run through Dec. 23. Learn more at avarts.org.
— ClearStory Arts, 1673 S. Holtzclaw Ave., will host its Cold Turkey Fall Art Market from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. The market will feature 50 local artists and makers, live music and refreshments from Bad Wraps Incarcerated and No Hard Feelings. The gallery also continues its exhibition "Chattanooga: Art Happening Now," featuring works curated by artists Olivia Reckert and Drew Clark. Gallery hours are 2-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and by appointment Tuesday-Thursday. The exhibition will run through Saturday. Learn more at clearstoryarts.com.
MUSIC
— Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St., will have multiple shows through the weekend. At 9 p.m. Friday, The Breakfast Club, an '80s tribute band, will perform; tickets cost $15 in advance or $20 the day of show. At 9 p.m. Saturday, there will be a Friendsgiving performance featuring LVNDR, Behold the Brave and more; tickets cost $12 in advance or $15 the day of show. At 7 p.m. Sunday, Poranguí, a music, dance and healing experience, will perform; tickets cost $35 in advance or $40 the day of show. At 8 p.m. Monday, American Aquarium will perform; tickets cost $25 in advance or $30 the day of show. Learn more at barrelhouseballroom.com.
— Southern Adventist University, 4881 Taylor Circle, Collegedale, will host the live finals for its Concerto Competition at 4 p.m. Sunday in Mabel Wood Hall's Ackerman Auditorium. As many as 16 young competitors are chosen to play in the live finals for a panel of judges; winners are selected to perform in the Concerto Concert with the Southern Symphony Orchestra. The free event is open to the public and available to stream online. Learn more at southern.edu/musicevents.
OUT & ABOUT
— Rock City, 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, Ga., continues its annual Enchanted Garden of Lights from 4:30-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 4:30-10 p.m. Fridays-Sundays. The winter wonderland is illuminated by six distinct holiday realms and features festive fun for all ages. Tickets are sold online only, and prices are subject to change based on the day; tickets for regular night admission cost $17.95-$27.95. A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga. The Enchanted Garden of Lights will run nightly through Jan. 6. Learn more at seerockcity.com/lights.
— Better Business Bureau, in partnership with EPB and Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors, will host the opening of its Festive Forest at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Miller Park, 928 Market St. The new holiday event will showcase decorated Christmas trees sponsored by local businesses and organizations. The display will run through Dec. 31. Learn more at bbb.org/chattanooga.
Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / Chattanooga resident Khari Norris, 6, looks through the display windows during the annual reveal of the holiday windows at the EPB main office in 2022. EPB will host the unveiling of its annual holiday window display at 5 p.m. Wednesday at its downtown office, 10 W. M.L. King Blvd.— EPB will host the unveiling of its annual holiday window display at 5 p.m. Wednesday at its downtown office, 10 W. M.L. King Blvd. The seasonal tradition, dating to World War II, will see the windows on the Broad and Market streets sides of the office decked out in an elaborate holiday display. Public viewing of the window display will run through New Year's Day. Learn more at epb.com.
— Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave., continues its Asian Lantern Festival from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday; the zoo is closed Thanksgiving day. The festival features more than 30 lanterns and nine interactive displays. The lanterns feature zoo animals, traditional Asian lanterns and natural elements. The festival is ticketed separately and does not include daytime zoo admission; festival tickets cost $13.50-$18.50 for zoo members, $17-$23 for nonmembers. The festival will run nightly Wednesday-Sunday through Jan. 14. Learn more at chattzoo.org/events.
— NoogaLights will debut this year's drive-through light spectacle from 6-10 p.m. Wednesday at 12000 Dayton Pike. In addition to its customized lighting exhibits and fan-favorite exhibits from years past, attendees will be able to tune in with any FM radio to enjoy music timed to the light show. Admission costs $15 per vehicle if purchased online or $20 per vehicle at the gate. NoogaLights will be open through Dec. 31. Learn more at noogalights.com.
— Grateful Gobbler, an annual Thanksgiving 5K walk/run, will take place at 8 a.m. Thursday at Coolidge Park, 150 River St. Registration costs $15-$35. Proceeds benefit the Maclellan Shelter for Families, an emergency homeless shelter that provides a stable environment for families to remain together as they search for permanent housing. Learn more at gratefulgobblerwalk.org or eventbrite.com.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Kenardo Curry, dressed as an elf, cheers on runners and walkers as they begin the Grateful Gobbler walk/run in Coolidge Park in 2022. Grateful Gobbler, an annual Thanksgiving 5K walk/run, will take place at 8 a.m. Thursday at Coolidge Park, 150 River St.— Stuffing Strut, a Thanksgiving 5K walk/run in its 11th year, will take place at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at Chester Frost Park, 2277 Gold Point Circle N. Registration costs $30. Proceeds benefit the Northside Neighborhood House, Soddy-Daisy Food Bank, Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department and Soddy Daisy Middle School's Jim Wilson Fund. Winners in each age bracket will receive a commemorative race medal. Learn more at nnhouse.org/events.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Martha Hooks, 15, left, and Lucy Horne, 16, play holiday songs on kazoos to entertain the runners and walkers as they cross the Market Street Bridge during the Grateful Gobbler walk/run in Coolidge Park in 2022. Grateful Gobbler, an annual Thanksgiving 5K walk/run, will take place at 8 a.m. Thursday at Coolidge Park, 150 River St.— Chattanooga Rescue Mission will host a free Thanksgiving meal for the homeless and the community from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday at the mission, 1512 S. Holtzclaw Ave. Lunch and gift bags will be available, but no meals will be served after 1 p.m. There will be eat-in, drive-through and carryout dining options. For more information, contact Stan Jones at 423-756-3126.
—Hip-Hop Feeds the Streets will take place from noon-6 p.m. Thursday at the Chatt Foundation, 727 E. 11th St. The community-supported clothing, blanket and food drive will benefit Chattanooga's community kitchen. Learn more about the event at theundergroundtakeover.com or on its Facebook page. For more information, call 423-446-1880.
— Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will host multiple educational programs about Civil War history through the weekend. At 2 p.m. Thursday at the Orchard Knob Reservation, 306 N. Orchard Knob Ave., there will be a program exploring the fighting that took place at Orchard Knob, a 100-foot high knoll. There will be programs at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday at multiple locations on Lookout Mountain, each exploring the history of the combat that took place on the mountain that became known as the "Battle Above the Clouds." There will be programs at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday at multiple sites, including the Chickamauga Dam Reservation, Missionary Ridge and Sherman Reservation; the programs include walking tours and a driving tour. At 11 a.m. Monday at Ireland's New York Brigade Monument, Depot Street, Ringgold, there will be a program focusing on the history of the Battle of Ringgold Gap. All programs are free except for ones taking place inside Point Park, 110 Point Park Road; the entrance fee to Point Park is $10 per adult 16 and older, children 15 and under get in free. Find a complete schedule with more information at nps.gov/chch
Staff photo by Olivia Ross / Red Clay State Park is home to replica Cherokee homesteads. The homestead depicts how a wealthier Native American family may have lived during the 1800s. Tennessee State Parks will host a variety of “Day After Thanksgiving” hikes at multiple times and locations across the state Friday. Locally, there will be a guided hike from 1-3 p.m. at Benton Falls, 3171 state Highway 64, Benton, in the Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park as well as a guided hike from 2-3 p.m. at Red Clay State Historic Park, 1140 Red Clay Park Road SW, Cleveland.— Tennessee State Parks will host a variety of "Day After Thanksgiving" hikes at multiple times and locations across the state Friday. Locally, there will be a guided hike from 1-3 p.m. at Benton Falls, 3171 state Highway 64, Benton, in the Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park as well as a guided hike from 2-3 p.m. at Red Clay State Historic Park, 1140 Red Clay Park Road SW, Cleveland. In Middle Tennessee, all located within a 1-2 hour drive from Chattanooga, there will be hikes at Fall Creek Falls, Old Stone Fort, Savage Gulf, South Cumberland and Tims Ford state parks. Learn more about each hike at tnstateparks.com.
— Ice on the Landing opens for the season at 2 p.m. Friday at its new location of First Horizon Pavilion, 1801 Reggie White Blvd. Go for a spin around the rink with friends and family and keep an eye out for special events such as mini train rides with Santa from 3-5 p.m. Saturday and Swiftie Power Hour from 3-4 p.m. Sunday. Operating hours for public skating are 2-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 2-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday; winter break and holiday hours differ. Tickets cost $12-$14 for adults and $10-$12 for children. Ice on the Landing will be open through Jan. 28. Learn more at iceonthelanding.com.
— River City Co. will host Reindeer on the Riverfront and Lighted Boat Parade from 4-8 p.m. Friday at Ross's Landing, 140 Riverfront Parkway. The free holiday celebration will feature food, artists and entertainment vendors, a hot cocoa bar, mini-train rides, fire pits, face painting, balloon animals and holiday music. There will be live reindeer from 4-6:30 p.m., free pictures with Santa from 4:30-7:30 p.m., the lighted boat parade from 7-8 p.m. and fireworks at 8 p.m. Learn more at rivercitycompany.com.
— Bobby Stone Film Series will have a screening of "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" at 7 p.m. Friday at the Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave. The film follows an advertising executive, played by Steve Martin, as he struggles to get home for Thanksgiving alongside an oafish salesman, played by John Candy; the film is rated R. Tickets cost $13.50 for adults and $11.50 for students and seniors 65 and older. Learn more at tivolichattanooga.com.
— Lula Lake Land Trust will have its bi-monthly Open Gate Days from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at its core preserve, 5000 Lula Lake Road, Lookout Mountain, Ga. Visitors can view Lula Lake, the 110-foot Lula Falls and a bluff overlook. Admission is $16. A guided hike is also available for $40, which includes entry to the preserve. Registration is required. Learn more at lulalake.org.
— Walker County Civic Center and Walker County Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with community partners, will host the first Walker Wonderland from 4-6 p.m. Saturday at the civic center, 10052 Highway 27, Rock Spring. The free, Christmas-themed event will feature cocoa, apple cider, cookies with Santa, Christmas carols performed by local schools and a Christmas tree lighting. The first-ever Walker County Christmas ornament will also be revealed at the event. Learn more at walkerrocks.com.
— Art 120 will host its International Market & More from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Garden, 92 Choo Choo Ave. The event, celebrating Artists Sunday, will feature live performances, street food and art highlighting the local community. Local artists, creators and makers will sell their handcrafted creative works. Learn more on Art 120's Facebook page or at eventbrite.com.
— Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St., will begin its "Holidays Under the Peaks" seasonal celebration Monday. Featuring festive themes each week, the aquarium will have holiday programming, including animal encounters, Scuba Claus and screenings of "The Polar Express" in the aquarium's Imax Theater; program availability varies by date. The aquarium will also be decorated for the holidays. Aquarium hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; November holiday hours will be 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The aquarium will be closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Tickets cost $39.95 for adults 18 and older and $29.95 for children 5-17; children 4 and under get in free. Learn more at tnaqua.org.
— Southern Adventist University, 4881 Taylor Circle, Collegedale, will host its annual Christmas tree lighting and "Irish Christmas in America" at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The event will begin with an introduction, brief jazz concert and lighting of the Taylor Circle tree. Afterward, attendees will enter Iles P.E. Center, 4870 University Drive, for the family-friendly "Irish Christmas in America" show, featuring warm refreshments and performances of seasonal Irish traditions and tunes on fiddle, flute, uilleann pipes and harp. The event is free and open to the public. Learn more at southern.edu/southernevents.
Find more events, and add your own, at timesfreepress.com/cnevents.
Contact Sam Still at sstill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6579.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Chattanooga resident Marisa Mujadzic, 10, looks through the display windows with her brother, Benji, 3, during the annual reveal of the holiday windows at the EPB main office in 2022. EPB will host the unveiling of its annual holiday window display at 5 p.m. Wednesday at its downtown office, 10 W. M.L. King Blvd.